Career Guide

How to Break Into
Medical Device Sales

You don’t need a perfect background — you need proof you can sell, learn fast, and build relationships in clinical environments.

Quick takeaways

Translate your experience

Show results: quota, growth %, retention, pipeline, deal cycles.

Pick a target role

Associate/clinical roles are common entry points into device.

Network with intention

Find reps and managers in your geography and product area.

Practice the story

Be able to explain why device, why this category, why now.

Best entry points

  • Associate Sales Rep (ASR): territory support + learning clinical workflows.
  • Clinical Specialist: in-room support + product education (great for technical candidates).
  • Inside Sales: builds pipeline + metrics-driven (excellent skill signal).
  • Distributor/Channel roles: exposure to multiple products and providers.

How to position your resume

  • Lead with numbers: attainment %, revenue generated, ranking, growth.
  • Show complex selling: stakeholders, cycle length, objections, compliance.
  • Highlight clinical exposure: OR, ICU, outpatient, physician offices.
  • Add wins: President’s Club, top performer, territory turnaround.

Interview prep that wins

Hiring managers look for coachability, credibility, and the ability to build relationships in high-stakes environments.

  • Explain a deal you won end-to-end (discovery → objection handling → close).
  • Show how you build territory plans and prioritize accounts.
  • Demonstrate clinical curiosity — ask smart questions.
  • Be ready to role-play and handle rejection professionally.

How MedSales Network helps

Build a role-focused profile (device/pharma/biotech), territories, and work type (W2/Independent) so you get matched to opportunities that fit.

Make it easy to get discovered

Create your profile and start receiving curated matches.

Build your profile