Companies have a different perception of what an ideal Medical Representative should be like. It usually follows the general culture the founders established with the company or a set of parameters Human Resources come up throughout the years. Then there's the individual preferences of hiring managers when they are looking for talents.

The parameters vary from company to company. There are those who prefer fresh graduates, regardless of their college degree. Other companies prefer those with previous work experience so that there would be lesser time and effort for training, and to generate sales immediately. Either way, applicants needed to prove themselves and convince hiring managers that they are capable to deliver what is expected from a Professional Medical Representative.

People often thought that only applicants with a medical degree, such as nursing, medical technology, or physical therapy, are preferred for the job. But in reality, even those with non-related degrees can apply. Companies are looking for talents in other areas of expertise, as well as long as you satisfy some basic technical and personality requirements. To make the long story short, if you are trainable and if you have excellent communication and relationship skills, then you can become a Medical a Representative.

Companies look for specific competencies, which individulas gained from other jobs or from school activities. Generally, Employers prefer those that are graduates of a four or five-year course, preferably in Business, Marketing, Management, Communications, or Allied Medical course, with at least one year experience or exposure to sales. But fresh graduates are very much welcome to apply, specially if applicants possess above average communication skills, which are crucial in selling and presentation. Since the business environment had become increasingly paper-less, employers prefer applicants who are proficient with computers and tablets, as well as various business software such as Microsoft Office applications. Applicants should be resourceful, creative, and require minimal supervision.

You should have at least the basic pre-employment documents at hand, such as photocopies of your school's transcript of records, training certificates, Police and NBI Clearances, and City Health permits. Some companies require you to submit these documents in advance for verification, but others opt to require this from you if you are selected and before you sign the employment contract. They may also require additional requirements for you to accomplish, such as medical examinations, to ascertain if you are healthy enough to perform extended fieldwork.

There are various web-based job depositories where companies advertise their job openings. In these websites, you can upload your resume and apply. Applicants can search for job openings to hundreds of companies. You can even customize your search parameters in order to receive relevant job openings in the field of your choice. Popular job websites like Jobstreet is very helpful. Linked In is another avenue for you to look for Medical Representative jobs. You can also directly go to the company's website, or social media pages and look for job openings.

Head Hunters may be able to contact you directly without even applying for any position. This is done through job-matching. By uploading your resume to the web-based job directories, you are automatically included in the database. Employers actively look for applicants with experiences and competencies needed for their opening.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, newspapers are a widely used medium for companies to advertise job openings. Since not all applicants have 24/7 access to web-based job directories, broadsheets are the next best thing. Manila Bulletin is one of the best broadsheets that provide numerous job advertisements, including pharmaceutical sales.

But here is a tip to get information if there's an opening in your preferred territory. befriend Medical Representatives in the area, and get the necessary information, and possibly a referral. Because usually, the Medical Representative and the District Managers earn some sort of incentives, if they refer a successfully hired applicant. So, use your excellent communication and relationship skills with them first, before anything else.

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The year 2020 was supposed to be a year of optimism for the Philippine pharmaceutical industry. Planning managers from Multinational and local companies painted a bright future for the industry and every strategy was laid down to the sales force during their respective national business conferences. Then Covid-19 happened.

As we continue to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, we also must deal with other diseases that cannot be ignored, like diabetes and heart disease. And doctors still feel the need to stay informed by pharma companies, when it comes to their choice of treatment.

During the lockdown, pharmaceutical companies are those among the few essential industries that are allowed to operate. Sure, deliveries of medical products were not hampered by the pandemic, and sales operations were done by phone and electronic means. But what about promotions?

With the majority of the personnel in sales and face to face interaction were limited, how did pharma companies reached the eyes and ears of their intended customers?

Here are some official and unofficial activities Medreps did during lockdown:

Text Messages - Sure it seems rude and unprofessional, but it is also the cheapest means to get your message across. Whatever way you look at it, and even in the guise of a friendly message, promoting via text message, or even reminding them about your products, only reserve to those who developed a real friendship with their clients.

Phone Calls - The same with text messages, but at least, phone calls are way better than promoting your products via text messages. Yet, the same with text messages, phone calls are reserved for people with established friendships. 

Video Conferencing - Product managers from MNC loved these. It uses technology to promote your brands in the guise of a CME (continuing medical education). Of course, food is delivered to the doctor's house or office, and professional fees are paid to the top specialist speaker.

Food deliveries - Medreps had been doing food deliveries like, since forever. But now, they get the services of a food delivery service provider. Even though there are no brand stickers on the food packaging, there will always be a "THANK YOU TO FRONTLINERS" caption then the company logo.

Servicing - This is reserved for those few brave and bold Medreps. Yung mga walang takot sa Covid-19.

Groceries - Because doctors had no time getting groceries on their own, especially if they are on duty, and some Medreps are willing to go the extra mile. But Medreps don't need to do this on their own, there are a lot of delivery services out there that do this for you. 

Pharmacy Visits - What can you do if you can't visit the doctors? Pharmacy visits had become crucial during the lockdown because it allows you to determine how doctors prescribe. It also ensures that stocks are ordered and replenished. 

These are just a few of the things Medrep did and are still doing. Did you do anything special to communicate your brands? How different will be our industry many months from now? What changes do you think will affect our industry? What permanent shifts will we see in the future?

The job of a medical representative is complex enough, demanding much of your time and effort to succeed, especially if you're just starting. But once you get the hang of it and you finally have your rhythm, you'll be able to get the most of your job with minimal effort. That is working smart, not hard. And your salary plus your incentives will be able to sustain your lifestyle.

But what if the salary and the incentives are not enough? Great if you're single and you only have to worry about yourself. But what if you are starting a family or have to support family members? You just can't rely on salary loans because you have to pay it back eventually.

Fortunately, Medreps are really smart! There are several ways for a Medrep to earn extra cash without resorting to selling his samples, which by the way, is illegal, and can get your fired. So, huwag mo na isipin mag-salya ng samples!

Without further ado, here is the list of side jobs a medrep can do to earn extra money without sacrificing his or her main job:

Online Selling - Selling online is now virtually free! You can sell via facebook and sell stuff to your friends. You can also sign up and create an account with Shopee.ph and offer your customers free shipping and cash-on-delivery options. There's also OLX.ph which is also a platform to sell second-hand items. But what to sell? Look around your house, there may be a goldmine hiding there! Are there any unutilized items that you think people will pay to buy? I once sold an old baby carriage to a young couple. If you have talents or hobbies such as creating items like fancy jewellery, bags, clothes, etc., you can profit with that by selling it online.

Teach English - If you can spare four hours of your time each day, you can be a part-time English language teacher and teach Chinese, Japanese or Korean kids! There are several platforms out there, such as 51Talk, Acadsoc, NativeCamp, Bizmates and several other companies, with the pay ranging from about $2 to $4 per hour. That's as high as P800.00 per day or P16,000.00 per month for 20-day work per month!

Earn from your talent - Do you know photoshop or know how to code website and apps? Then there's Freelance, Fiverr or Upwork for you! Just create a profile and list your talents to start, and if you are hired to do a job, you can do it on your spare time and earn from it!

Start a business at home - If you have somebody in your household, like your wife, siblings or parents, that can help run the day-to-day operations, then, by all means, start a business. You can start a small business right from your own homes, such as a sari-sari store or a food cart.

Rent out your stuff - People will rent items they themselves don't want to buy. If you have videoke machines, LED projectors, sound system, a passenger van, extra bedroom (via AirBnB) or hell, even your internet (via a vending machine), you can rent it out and earn from it!

Become a Tutor - Medreps are smart people. And can handle people really well regardless of age, even kids! Even though you did not take education in college doesn't mean you cannot tutor kids. How hard could it be? You only need to stick to the books and the lessons provided by the teachers, break it down and make sure the kids understand it. Then give him a quiz to verify understanding, then voila!

There are a lot of "jobs" that you can do and there are a lot of platforms out there (eg. network marketing, putting up a business, etc.) but I have not included the side jobs that can potentially get you out of focus from your main job. After all, these jobs should only serve to augment your income and your primary focus should be your job as a Medical Representative.

Attention fresh grads and career shifters: Do you want to be a Medrep? 

Did you ever wonder why Medrep's dress really nice, drive the latest car models and have the extra money in their pockets? Well, those are the "perks" of the job and each pharma company have different ways of "pampering" their best salespeople.

Now, did you know that the Philippine pharmaceutical industry is worth P164 billion and has grown significantly year after year? It is one of the fastest growing industry in the country now and has generated tens of thousands of jobs.

You can search the world wide web and waste long hours just to get information that may not be applicable to the Philippine setting. Why not get The Filipino Medrep Guidebook instead? 

This guidebook "So, You Want to be a Medrep?" will give you an overview of the job itself and it is designed for people who just graduated from college, regardless of their degree, as well as those who wanted to shift careers. Topic by topic, you will be given a glimpse of how this industry works and how you will be able to join this industry and be a successful Professional Medical Representative.

To buy the guidebook, click here: 

Where do you want to be in the next five years? Sure, everybody wants to be promoted. How do you see yourself? You can be a District Sales Manager and have your own people or you want to enter the complex world of strategic marketing and be a Product Manager. Or if you like training and development, why not be a Training Manager? You like planning and implementing events? Try to be a CME Manager. The opportunities are endless. And the salaries and benefits also grow with the position.

You may want to be promoted as a District Sales Manager. District Sales Managers have several Med Reps reporting to them. Being promoted from rank-and-file to management position means you have what it takes to manage and develop your people. The combination of the sales targets of your people is your target. Likewise, the qualitative performance of the group reflects back to you. District Sales Managers are middle managers, meaning, they serve as the conduit between the management and the field personnel. The next level of promotion would be as Regional Sales Manager and National Sales Manager.

If marketing is your forte and has excelled in program conceptualization and implementation as a Med Rep, you may want to be promoted as a Product or Brand Manager. Product Managers are responsible for the strategic direction of a product, or in the case of a small organization, the company’s whole product portfolio. They coordinate with the Medical Director or a group of medical advisers on how to properly promote the products to their colleagues.

Being able to develop people and eliciting top performance in terms of product knowledge, marketing knowledge, and selling skills is the job of a Training Manager. In collaboration with Human Resources, Training Managers analyzes training needs, design training programs and facilitates its implementation. They are sometimes sent to expensive training programs, here and abroad, and cascade those training to the people.

CME Managers, on the other hand, are those who facilitate continuing medical education of the target customers. Basically, these are lectures or presentations that involve the company’s products and its impact on the quality of life of patients. They usually accompany the lecturer on such events. These lecturers are also doctors who are highly respected members of the academe or are Key Opinion Leader (KOL) in the field where the drug is promoted. CME Managers are also responsible for the company’s participation to medical conventions, making sure that such participation will allow greater exposure of the company and its products to all participants.

Your manager will assess you quantitatively and qualitatively. In the quantitative aspect, you will be evaluated for your over-all sales performance. How does your territory fare versus your sales target? Aside from the total sales, you may also be evaluated on a per product basis.

Call performance is also evaluated. Your call rates determine if you are promoting to the right customer with the right product using the right promotional strategy. The proper use of the promotional fund is evaluated by comparing it to your sales. It’s called expense-to-sales ratio. This is a little bit tricky. Every company has different ways of computing this.

In the qualitative part, you are evaluated on the way you do things. This is based on the concept that if you do what is expected of you better than the standards set, the result will be positive. Written examinations and detailing exercises are recorded and improvements or lack of it are included. The quantity and quality of prescribed marketing and promotional activities compared to the standards are also reviewed. Your behavior is also reviewed by means of your 201 file.

The ratio or percentage between the quantitative and qualitative parameters may differ from company to company. In a sales-oriented company, they put more weight on sales performance, say 70%-30% in favor of sales. In other companies, they tend to have a balance between the two.

Performance appraisal or evaluation is an essential component in the pharmaceutical business. It allows the company to retain and reward talented people, as well as eliminate non-performing employees.

Performance appraisal is necessary. It is a procedure that involves the assessment of an individual’s performance on a regular basis. It’s not just once a year or every six months. Appraisals are done every minute you are connected with the company. Performance appraisal lies at the heart of good business practice. A performance appraisal system can only function if the business has a clear idea of where it is heading and has taken steps to ensure that it is taking the workforce along.

Performance appraisal should be treated as an ongoing developmental process. It should be closely monitored by both the Med Rep and the District Sales Manager to ensure that performance parameters and objectives are being achieved and lapses are being addressed. By preparing yourself diligently and demonstrating a willingness to co-operate with your manager to develop yourself, you will create a positive impression.

To better understand and assess your own performance objectively, try stepping to your manager’s shoes. Make sure that you understand all the parameters, all the policies and all the performance objectives. Go through the appraisal system step by step by day 1 in order to be prepared by year end.

Review your job description, your role as well as your duties and responsibilities. Try to analyze you agreed quantitative and qualitative performance targets. What extra efforts have you performed or projects that you have been involved within the past year and what impact does this made to the overall performance of your territory? How does your work compare to the other members of the team?

Keep a detailed record of all your work-related activities. You should have copies of all documents that can substantiate your positive performance. Collate the necessary documentary evidence to support your assertions.

Be open and co-operative with your manager. Chances are he will do the same thing with you. After all, his main task is to develop you. By doing this review, both of you can highlight your success stories and improve past shortcomings. Acknowledge problems and deal with it constructively.

Being prepared in this review will allow you to be in a better position to discuss your performance in an objective manner. Express how you learned from these experiences and have used the knowledge gained to improve yourself and your territory’s performance. In anticipation of your next appraisal, be sure to take note and implement your manager's developmental plan.

Your manager will assess your performance quantitatively and qualitatively. In the quantitative aspect, you will be evaluated for your over-all sales performance. How does your territory fare versus your sales target? Aside from the total sales, you may also be evaluated on a per product basis.

Call performance is also evaluated. Your call rates determine if you are promoting to the right customer with the right product using the right promotional strategy. The proper use of the promotional fund is evaluated by comparing it to your sales. It’s called expense-to-sales ratio. This is a little bit tricky. Every company has different ways of computing this.

In the qualitative part, you are evaluated on the way you do things. This is based on the concept that if you do what is expected of you better than the standards set, the result will be positive. Written examinations and detailing exercises are recorded and improvements or lack of it are included. The quantity and quality of prescribed marketing and promotional activities compared to the standards are also reviewed. Your behavior is also reviewed by means of your 201 file.

The ratio or percentage between the quantitative and qualitative parameters may differ from company to company. In a sales-oriented company, they put more weight on sales performance, say 70%-30% in favor of sales. In other companies, they tend to have a balance between the two.

Company Background

L. MEYERF PHARMA, INC. is a BFAD certified pharmaceutical company licensed to distribute its portfolio of BRANDED EVERYDAY MEDICINES, Premium Diabetes Monitoring System, and several home diagnostic kits.

The company was incorporated for the primary purpose of serving the Filipino community by providing safe, effective, and affordable healthcare management through its high-quality products.

Our name, MEYERF, is derived from the Gallo-Roman term "meyer" meaning "superior" and the F symbolizes our stand "Filipino First."

Product Lines

• Therapeutic product
• Diagnostic products
• Nutraceuticals

Current Job Openings

• Professional Medical Representative
• Product Specialist
• Pharmacy Intern

How to Apply

For interested applicants kindly send your resume to rgg@lmeyerf.com or you may drop by at their office at 2/F Solar Century Tower, 100 Tordesillas St. corner H.V. Dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati City 1227. For more information, call L. Meyerf Pharma at (02) 856-1148.


Disclaimer

The job openings posted on this website are either submitted by the company, its representatives, third-party job depositories or is sourced from the company website. The Filipino Medrep is not responsible for any inaccuracies found on job posts. Everyone is expected to check out the company's website to learn more about the company, the products, and job openings.

Submit your job openings here and reach thousands of job seekers!

Company Background

Philcare Pharma, Inc. is a fast and aggressively growth oriented Filipino pharmaceutical company focussed in creating its unique space in the niche area of IV Anesthesia and Critical Care. In a very short-span of 4 years, the company has been able to make its presence felt in the medical community via its fresh and diffeernt approach to growing its business. The company has witnessed a stellar growth at a compounded average growth rate of 90% plus every year since 2013 and it is aspiring to grow at an average growth rate of 50% for the next 5 years (2017-21). We are an active participant in various pertinent medical societies and actively support CME activities of our primary customers ie. hospitals nationwide.

Product Lines

• Intravenous anesthesia
• Intravenous critical care
• Intravenous anti-infectives

Current Job Openings

• Professional Medica Representatives - various locations nationwide
• District Sales Managers

How to Apply

For interested applicants, kindly visit their office at Mahogany St., Agapito Subdivision, Santolan, Pasig. For more information, call Philcare Pharma Inc. at (02) 682 3466 / (02) 646-0692.


Disclaimer

The job openings posted on this website are either submitted by the company, its representatives, third-party job depositories or is sourced from the company website. The Filipino Medrep is not responsible for any inaccuracies found on job posts. Everyone is expected to check out the company's website to learn more about the company, the products, and job openings.

Submit your job openings here and reach thousands of job seekers!

Outside the company, the recipient of your products and services, the patients, are the most important. At least in the true sense of the word ethical marketing is concerned. Since we are dealing with lives, our job is to provide the decision makers (physicians) with accurate information about the drug that we promote so that they can properly administer it to their patients. Back then, the power of deciding which medicine to take rests on the Physicians. But now, with the advent of patent expiration of most popular drugs and the introduction of its generic
yet equally potent copies, patients can choose which brand suits to their needs.

Before you get to the doctors, you will encounter them. They are the Medical Secretary. Their job is to facilitate doctor-patient consultation. And yes, they serve as your gateway to your customer. Sometimes, they have can decide who to cover and when to cover. It is much better to establish a good rapport with them because you may need their help in the future. They might give their boss, the doctor, a good word or two about you. Some Med Reps gives a gift, token or gimmicks to these secretaries. That is one good strategy to win their hearts.

Out in the field, you will encounter other Med Reps from other companies, local and multinational, that may be your direct competitor. As with this business, interpersonal and relationship skills plays a big role. It is not just you are competing with the product that they are carrying, you are competing with the doctor’s attention as well. Allowing Med Reps to cover the physicians in between patient consultations allows the physicians to vent some stress by taking their minds off momentarily from what they are doing. What do you think will happen if the next Med Rep that covers him has no pleasing personality?

Whenever you visit a drugstore to check the movement of your products, the people you will encounter are the pharmacy assistants or clerks. Relationship skills are important when you deal with them. They may choose not to entertain you if you have no pleasing personality at all. They have the right to discriminate; after all, they have better things to do. But they are very important. If you have established a good relationship with them, they may help you push your product or exchange the brand of your competitors to yours. The same thing with their supervisor, pharmacist or owner: these are the decision makers. They decide if they will order from you and what quantity.

As a Professional Medical Representative, your immediate superior is the District Sales Manager. District Sales Managers usually handle about three or more territories. Their job is to manage you to perform your best and deliver the sales.

Salesmen are your counterpart in the field. You create the demand; they will deliver the products and collect the payments. Some companies outsource the sales part and some don’t. The popular sales business outsourcing companies are ZuelligPharma and Metro Drug.

But you must not rely totally on your salesman. Some salesmen have other principals or companies that they serve. When I was a Medical Representative under Merck Sharp and Dohme, my salesman has more than twenty principals! The salesman cannot give preference to all of you at once. Just like you, he has his own monthly quota. He or she may prioritize fast moving products and those products are not necessarily yours.

The District Sales Managers are the mini-bosses. They have a team of Medical Representatives working for him. They do mostly coaching and support in order for each of their people deliver the sales. District Managers report to the Regional Sales Manager (if it is a large organization) or directly to the National Sales Manager (in the case of a small organization).

Product or Brand Managers are the brand champions. They provide the whole marketing strategy for the assigned brand. They plan and strategize the whole marketing concern: from the number of MedReps needed, how many doctors to cover and what type of promotional tools to use in order to achieve the target. After all, the sales target for the whole brand is on his shoulder. In a complex organization, Product Managers report directly to the Marketing Manager or Group Product Manager.

In some companies, training is also handled by Product Managers. But with big companies, there is a specific group that handles it. The training and development group is a collaboration of Human Resources, Marketing Department and Medical Affairs which makes sure that the field force, from line managers to reps, has adequate training in the field of business and medical science.

There is a special position that specifically handles Continuing Medical Education. They are called CME Managers. They facilitate the planning and implementation of scientific lectures and roundtable discussions. They also coordinate with key medical societies when it comes to participation to some of its programs such as regional or national conventions.  The CME Manager may advise people who are interested in continuing education to find out more about Healthcare Degrees on Guide to Healthcare Schools.

Local companies have a far simpler structure. Usually, the owner sits on the top, juggling General Manager, Sales Manager and Marketing Manager functions, where District Sales Manager, and sometimes Professional Medical Representatives, report to them.

Sila ate nga ba ang isa sa mga balakid sa tagumpay or isa sila sa susi para ikaw ay kumota?

The medical secretaries are considered one of the gatekeepers in our profession. They serve as the first line of defense of doctors towards the patients and of course, the medical representatives. They make sure that the patients were scheduled and treated properly. They also make sure that Medreps only see the doctor when there are no patients yet or to make sure that the doctor adheres to his appointments.

Maraming personality ang mga secretary and I know that you have encountered a lot of them. Based on my experience when I was a Medrep, there is a secretary na super sungit, pero kailangan mo siyang makita kasi top doctor ang alaga niya. Anong ginawa ko? Lagi lang naman ako bumibili ng tinda niya para may utang na loob siya sa akin para pasingitin ako. Sometimes, madami akong bibilhin kahit hindi ako mag cover para mas gumaan ang loob niya sa akin.

Secretaries are also an important source of information regarding your doctor, your competitors and the patients. They can provide invaluable insights that you cannot get from statistics and research.

And it is so easy to manage them! Bigyan mo lang ng time na makipag kuwentuhan sa kanila. Sakyan mo kung ano ang hilig nila kahit ba teleserye or koreanovela pa yan. Hindi naman kailangan mastering mo yun, basta lang familiar ka. Malay mo, baka hilig din ni doc yun.

Ultimately, if you don't pay extra attention to them and their quirks, they can make or break you. Pag hindi ka na ka cover, wala kang rapport sa doctor. At pag wala kang rapport, wala kang reseta, patay ka kay boss.

District Managers are actually in the best position to help you get more sales, especially if you are new to the territory or you only got 90% sales versus target and you're finding it difficult to get more. They have inside knowledge of where to get sales in your territory or how to upsell. That's why you should always ask for a work-with if you are on a sales drive.

I fondly remember my first boss. She was a very good sales person and an ideal boss. She's a very assertive person and knows the ins and out of my territory. We would go on sales-drives and manage to double the orders from drugstores and dispensing doctors. Her skills are something that is not taught in training sessions and can only be learned through experience and mentoring.

So guys, don't be afraid to ask for your manager's help even if there are no scheduled fieldwork in your area. It is part of her responsibility to help, assist and guide you. After all, your productivity reflects theirs. You just have to ensure that you have exhausted all efforts and asking her is the last resort. You also need to ensure that there's ample time for them to assist you.

Yup, in today's setting, malaking bagay ang "chika". Let's say na yung 10% detailing is the actual "selling" part or detailing, where you probe about the doctor's needs, do some benefit selling, and finally close. But yung chika part ay malalim.

It takes skills and a lot of hardwork to master the art of chika. Chika is the sum total of your personality, social awareness, and general information. Kahit super talino ka pero wala ka namang personality, hindi mo magagamit yan sa realworld setting. Ang mga batikan na reps, kahit hindi mahilig sa pusa, as long as yun ang trigger ng doctor, mag re-research yan and once na nakausap si Doc, parang expert sa pusa si Medrep. Gets mo?

Kung mga inferior medicines nga can be prescribed, kasi "mabait" si Medrep and "masaya" pag andyan siya. What if you have the right product, and you are the right Medrep for the job, mas malaking chance na ma prescribe ang product mo.

When I was a Medrep, I had to go out of my way to understand golf and Formula 1 racing, because that was the two topic ang hilig ng magkakabarkadaing doctor na target ko. Research ginawa ko, mga bes! Aside from Google, I watched games and races on TV. I also bought my own Golf clubs and watched races in Subic!

In conclusion, pag pupunta ka sa clinic ni Doc, madami ka dapat baon na Chika. Hindi lang product knowledge. Kasi ang product knowledge, hindi masyadong nagbabago yan, pero ang Chika, may weekly updates.

The Medrep's job starts in the morning. Yes, alam ko madaming Medrep umaalis ng bahay ng tanghali na kasi ang dahilan nila later pa ang coverage. But there are a lot of things to be accomplished in the morning bago mag area. After shower, a Medrep opens his or her email to check for sales updates, company schedules and report requests.

I myself spend at least two hours for "admin" work. Yes, that is what I, and several others call it. Habang gumagawa ng reports, nanonood ako ng TV, kumakain at nag che-check ng Facebook. Yan ang pinaka importanteng qualities na meron ka dapat: multi-tasking.

Every person has their own thing in the morning. There are some who finished all their "admin" work in the evening and spend an extra hour in bed in the morning. Pero, nakahanda ang mga yan. Pag biglang nag ring ang cellphone, takbo agad yan sa kotse, pa-paandarin, bago sagutin ang phone call ni Boss.

Boss: Pre, kamusta, san ang itinerary mo?
Medrep: Heto boss, nasa daan na for drugstore monitoring!

Galing, diba? Then the Medrep will comeback to bed for another 30 minutes.

Yes Doc, we know. Napaka daming medrep, Napaka dami din companies na sumusuyo sa iyo. Nakakainis, hindi po ba? Pero maraming salamat sa Pharmaceutical industry because they provided jobs to thousands upon thousands of Filipinos.

These hard working Medreps will visit you every week to give you a chance to catch your breath sa dami ng trabaho niyo. Sometimes, they make you laugh. Sometimes, they give you snacks. But most of the time, they are there to remind you that you need a couple of minute of a break from a lengthy discussion with your patients.

And Medreps are not doing this because they need you. They are doing this for their families. Yes, it is their job, and their job help put food in the table, provide education to their kids, and once in a while, take a break themselves.

Just one prescription lang, Doc. Thank you very much.

Babaero nga ba ang mga Medreps? Tanong ng mga ilang babae na may manliligaw na Medrep. Teka, let's try to see it from their point of view:

Ayan kasi, padating si kuya Medrep, pababa ng kanyang magandang kotse. At aba! Naka necktie pa. Pag pasok sa pinto ng Starbucks, maamoy mo na mamahalin ang pabango. Upon closer inspection, may magarang relos and may alahas. Pansin mo din yung mga ibang tao sa Starbucks, tumitingin sa kanya. Then, lalapit sa iyo, "San mo gusto mag date?"

Look, hindi porke't Medrep, babaero na. Kahit sinong lalaki puwedeng maging babaero, at kahit sino ding lalaki, puwedeng maging loyal. Yun nga lang, mas may confidence sa sarili si kuya Medrep. Ang payo ko sa inyo ate Girls, huwag nyo muna ibibigay ang inyong matamis na... oo.

Observe-observe muna. Give it time. Pahirapan nyo. Kasi if patient siya, he will stay. And i-verbalize mo yung condition na yan sa kanya. Okay?

Syempre, dapat graduate ka. But not necessarily that you should be a graduate of an allied medical course such as Nursing, Medtech or Biology. Sure there are companies that require that for specialized products. But majority of openings can hire you even if your course is Business, Education, Engineering, etc.

Ang mahalaga, you have the attitude to succeed. You are willing to go on fieldwork and you know how to drive. Plus points na if pogi or maganda ka. Pero kahit hindi, dapat neat and malinis sa pananamit at katawan. If you have past experience in service or retail, that's a big factor, because at least, you have some experience in customer service.

For a more in-depth discussion regarding the needed qualifications on becoming a Medrep in the Philippines, please visit this link.

Many are still wondering kung ano ang trabaho ng isang Medrep. Here is the glamorous version. Kung alam lang nila na secretly, si Superman kayo.

Medical Representatives, or Medreps for short, is a person employed by pharmaceutical companies to persuade doctors to prescribe their drugs to patients. Medreps relay the drug's features and benefits to physicians, They also share results of various clinical studies pertaining to a disease, as well as the role of the drugs they are promoting in that disease. Medreps arrange product presentation or scientific discussion to physicians.

And hindi lang yan, marami pa! Specially dito sa Pilipinas, may mga masisipag na Medrep na they will go the extra mile para lang makuha ang reseta. Medreps will go on extreme lenghts like, driving the doctor and/or his family like an Uber driver. They bring them food whenever the physician says they are hungry, parang Food Panda. At marami pang iba.

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To lead is not an easy task. You carry all the weight of the team to ensure your group's success. There is no such thing as a successful leader if you have a mediocre team or your team produce mediocre results. Some people wanted to become leaders because it greatly feed their egos. While some are just natural born leaders, without them knowing it.

But in today's professional environment, it is just natural for a Medrep to aspire greater things. When asked "how do you see yourself in the next five years?" the natural answer would be is to climb the leadership ladder within the organization.

Be a follower

If you want to lead others, you need to be a good example. And having the discipline to carry yourself as you want your counterparts to do. And that begins with learning to become a good follower. Yes, the District Manager is in charge, not you. Knowing and understanding your role within your district will help you understand the other's role as well. You can demonstrate the trait by always listening to instructions, become a contributor to the group's goal, and by being committed to the group.

Character

While each person may have different characteristics, there are specific traits that attract other people. Who they are and what they stand for are just some of the traits people want to listen and respect. Leaders who exhibited humility, compassion, and courage are trusted by their peers. Because these leaders know how to accept responsibility for their actions, and people know that the leader got their back. The leader also has the courage to stand up on what is right and the courage to accept defeat.

Communication

To become a good leader, one must know how to communicate effectively. There is no need to choose complicated words that can only be found in the dictionary.  In order to communicate effectively, one must be clear and concise. Words need not be preachy or intimidating. Communicate thing factually, short and sweet, so as not to waste anybody's time, but you also need to qualify if you get the message across.

Be an example

Be on time during meetings, submit your reports on time, and volunteering to provide market insights are just some of the examples where you can exhibit how you can lead by example. Being a senior Medrep, you have to become a good example among your juniors. You also need to exhibit confidence in how you communicate yourself to people, including management. Your body language will also need to match.

Inspire others

As a leader, you are in the best position to influence others, for them to aspire to become better themselves. If they are happy in their jobs and professional life, it means that they do not have problems with their leader. But in no means that you must show that you are perfect. Nobody's perfect, but seeing you aspiring to become a good leader and to elevate the whole team is inspiration enough for your co-Medreps follow your good example.