For Immediate Release.

American Pharmaceutical Sales Association
Highlighted in National Article

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Success Strategies for Entering a Pharmaceutical Sales Career

Pharmaceutical sales is a well-paying profession, with entry-level annual salaries averaging nearly $50,000 in the U.S. That’s 26% more than sales representatives in other industries, and strong growth is projected.

“While the job outlook is great, pharmaceutical sales can be a difficult career to get into,” says Robert Panfili, executive director of the American Pharmaceutical Sales Association (APSA). “Industry-wide, only about 1% of applicants end up getting hired.”

Well-prepared candidates are landing jobs, and there are some outstanding programs that can accelerate the process. The American Pharmaceutical Sales Association, creator of the trademarked PharmaLink System, has developed training and certification programs for entry-level sales representatives that boost hire rates to 40% in most markets.

Pharmaceutical sales jobs aren’t just for candidates fresh out of college, and attendance at APSA programs reflects this. “What often surprises people is that only about 30% of our attendees are recent college graduates, while the other 70% have been employed in other fields and are looking to make a career shift,” says Panfili. “Among those who attend our programs are successful sales and management executives, finance and IT professionals, school teachers and administrators, nurses and medical technicians.”

APSA – Insights Increase Career Success

The American Pharmaceutical Sales Association is a national organization that trains, certifies and places entry-level pharmaceutical sales candidates. APSA conducts 45 training and certification programs every year throughout the nation’s top metro markets.

“Our mission is to properly educate entry-level candidates on the true aspects of gaining pharmaceutical sales careers, while also working in conjunction with the pharmaceutical industry,” says Panfili. “Candidates who complete the program will earn an APSA certification and are considered members of the American Pharmaceutical Sales Association. That serves as a springboard to securing pharmaceutical sales employment. At the same time, through APSA’s exclusive PharmaLink System, the industry can hire more educated and prepared candidates at no cost.”

Many American Pharmaceutical Sales Association training and certification programs are held in conjunction with top colleges and universities, and new locations are added on a highly selective basis. APSA offers programs of such high caliber that they are in demand at colleges and universities who usually do not partner with outside organizations in this way.

“Through the American Pharmaceutical Sales Association’s training and placement programs, Vanderbilt students will continue to reap exclusive benefits, enhancing their overall status as Pharmaceutical Sales candidates,” says Bob Cramer, Associate Director of the Vanderbilt University Career Center. “I can attest that students have learned a great deal from this program and we are excited to have this as a continued offering.”

“Top Program of its Kind”

The American Pharmaceutical Sales Association is highly respected for its curriculum, the quality of its instruction, and the added benefits it provides its certified members.

The American Pharmaceutical Sales Association’s program has been selected as the top program of its kind by Drug Careers, Inc. “The American Pharmaceutical Sales Association is leaps and bounds ahead of anyone else in the marketplace in terms of brand recognition and training curriculum. They are a valuable tool to anyone looking for a pharmaceutical sales career,” says Lisa Lane, founder of Drug Careers, Inc. and author of “3 Days to a Pharmaceutical Sales Job Interview.”

With the highest standards, APSA offers the only certified training programs that are geared to truly help job seekers enter into pharmaceutical sales. APSA is also committed to putting its members first, with the benefits of the PharmaLink System available to those who successfully complete its programs.


APSA maintains a faculty of highly qualified instructors and has enlisted its advisory board from the corporate world. APSA Certified Trainers and National Advisory Board presently work for or have retired from such high-profile companies as Pfizer, Wyeth, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Aventis, GlaxoSmithKline, Elan, Ranbaxy, Bausch & Lomb, Abbott Laboratories, Bayer Healthcare, PDI, Reliant Pharmaceuticals, Cardinal Health and Janssen Pharmaceutica.

Exclusive PharmaLink System Lets Employers Find Candidates Without a Fee


While there are other entities offering preparation courses for entering pharmaceutical sales, the American Pharmaceutical Sales Association is the only organization to offer the PharmLink System. PharmaLink is a trademarked system that prospective employers can use to find candidates who have been certified through APSA. Unlike a recruiting or search firm, there are no fees to employers or members, no matter how many times they access the PharmaLink System.

What to Look For

"When people go online to find information about preparing for a pharmaceutical sales career, they may be confused about the many organizations and choices available,” says Panfili. “We advise people to look, first of all, for long running and reputable programs. Right now, APSA is the only organization that offers CEU certified ‘Entry Into Pharmaceutical Sales’ training courses. People should also ask about results, and we are happy to share ours. Since we began our certification program, APSA members have gone on to work for each of the top 50 pharmaceutical companies in the world.”


For more information about the American Pharmaceutical Sales Association, visit www.apsaonline.com or call toll-free, 800-373-6931.