How to Get Into Medical Device Sales with No Experience: Your Action Plan
By: Jerry Morrison
Medical device sales is one of the most competitive careers in healthcare, but also one of the most rewarding. The pay can be excellent, the work is meaningful, and the opportunities for growth are real. If you're a college senior or considering a career change, you might wonder: how to get into medical device sales with no experience? The answer: It's challenging, but absolutely possible with the right preparation.
If you're wondering how to get into medical device sales with no experience, you're not alone. Thousands of college graduates and career changers search for this answer every month. The good news? This comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to get into medical device sales and become job-ready from day one, even if you're starting from zero.
This guide explains why this career is attractive, what skills you need, and how to prepare for success.
Why choose medical device sales?
Medical device sales attracts ambitious professionals for several reasons:
High earning potential
Experienced reps often earn six figures. In the U.S., the median total annual compensation is about $157,000, and top performers can exceed $300,000 with commissions.
Impactful work
You collaborate with surgeons and healthcare teams, directly influencing patient care. Medical devices are used by over 463 million people worldwide with diabetes for blood glucose monitoring alone, with blood pressure monitors used daily by millions more for hypertension management. From prosthetics to radiation therapies, medical technology allows millions of people to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives.
Dynamic environment
This is not a desk job. You'll be in hospitals, operating rooms, and on the move. A typical day might include case coverage at 6 AM, product demonstrations at noon, and inventory management in the afternoon.
Growing industry
The global medical device industry is undergoing considerable growth, with the global market projected to reach over $1.1 trillion by 2034. This growth creates ongoing opportunities for sales professionals.
For many, the combination of technical knowledge and relationship-building makes this role ideal.
How to get into medical device sales: the fundamentals
Learning how to get into medical device sales with no experience starts with understanding what makes candidates successful. While experience helps, it's not everything. Hiring managers can tell the difference between candidates with real preparation and those with classroom-only training. The following steps will position you as a strong candidate who's field-ready from day one.
Step 1: Understand the role
Medical device reps do more than sell products. They support surgeons during procedures, answer technical questions, and ensure smooth operations in the operating room. Reps are responsible for ensuring that all the instruments and components needed for each surgery on their schedule are on hand and ready for use, which may entail assessing hospital stocks and bringing their own implant systems.
Step 2: Build industry knowledge
Start learning now. The medical device industry is constantly evolving with new technologies and regulations. Stryker’s careers page highlights their mission to make healthcare better and encourages professionals to think beyond individual products, focusing on innovation and collaboration across the entire healthcare ecosystem.
Research common surgical procedures in orthopedics or cardiology. Understand medical device regulations from the FDA's 510(k) clearance process to post-market surveillance. Explore major companies and their product lines. Follow industry news through publications like Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry (MD+DI) and attend virtual events hosted by organizations like AdvaMed.
When you can speak intelligently about the field, you stand out as someone serious about the role.
Quick ways to build knowledge
Read trade publications like MD+DI and MassDevice
Watch surgical procedure videos on platforms like GIBLIB or WebSurg
Join webinars hosted by device manufacturers
Follow thought leaders and companies on LinkedIn
Subscribe to FDA medical device updates
Listen to podcasts like "The MedTech Podcast" or "Mastering Medical Device" - a great resource for both seasoned and new med reps to tune into
Step 3: Network effectively
Networking is essential. Apollo Technical reports that referred candidates are four times more likely to be hired than those who apply through other channels, and referrals are favored by 82% of employers for delivering the best return on investment. Begin by connecting with current reps on LinkedIn and joining industry groups like Women in Medical Sales or Medical Sales Professionals.
Attend healthcare events if possible. The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and regional medical device associations host events perfect for networking.
When you reach out, be professional and clear about your interest. Ask for advice, not a job. Building genuine relationships often leads to opportunities you won't find online.
Networking tips
Personalize your LinkedIn connection requests with specific details
Engage meaningfully with posts from industry professionals
Ask insightful questions during webinars
Volunteer at local healthcare events for exposure
Join professional associations like NAMDR (National Association of Medical Device Representatives) or your local Lobby Chapter
Attend hospital foundation events in your community
Step 4: Optimize your resume
Your resume should tell a clear story. Research shows recruiters spend only a few seconds on initial resume reviews, so clarity is crucial. Robert Half advises making your resume easy to scan by highlighting relevant skills and tailoring it to the job description.
Include relevant education and certifications, highlight hands-on training, and emphasize transferable skills like sales performance or technical knowledge. Use strong action verbs and quantify achievements whenever possible. Include any healthcare-related volunteer work or shadowing experiences.
If you've completed specialized training, put that front and center. It shows initiative and commitment.
Resume must-haves for medical device sales
Clear objective statement targeting medical device sales
Education section highlighting relevant coursework
Any medical or sales certifications
Quantified achievements (increased sales by X%, managed Y accounts)
Technical skills and software proficiency
Professional associations or continuing education
Step 5: Identify transferable skills
Even without medical sales experience, you may have relevant skills that help you stand out from other entry-level candidates:
Degrees in business, marketing, biology, or kinesiology
Experience in pharmaceutical sales, nursing, surgical technology, or fitness
Customer service excellence in any high-stakes environment
Project management or technical training experience
Strong communication and adaptability
Vocational training through programs like Med RETI that provide hands-on cadaver lab experience, hospital shadowing, and industry-specific preparation
According to LinkedIn's 2024 Most In-Demand Skills list, communication topped the list for the second year in a row, with adaptability crowned as the "skill of the moment" due to the widespread adoption of hybrid work and ongoing workplace changes.
For career changers, your background isn't a barrier; it's an advantage when positioned correctly. Personal trainers bring anatomy knowledge, nurses understand OR protocols, and pharma reps know the sales process. The key is translating these skills into device sales credibility.
Step 6: Prepare for interviews
You may need to role-play a sales scenario or explain how you’d handle high-pressure situations. Practice your STAR responses (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions. Research from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) highlights that structured interviews and preparation significantly improve hiring success by reducing bias and increasing consistency.
Do your homework before the interview. Google "top medical device sales interview questions" to familiarize yourself with what hiring managers typically ask. You'll find common questions about handling surgeon objections, explaining complex products to different audiences, and demonstrating your knowledge of the industry. Practicing your answers out loud will help you feel more confident and polished when it counts.
Confidence matters, but so does honesty. If you don't know something, say so and explain how you'd learn it.
Common interview challenges
Explaining surgical device functionality to different audiences
Handling objections in a sales scenario
Demonstrating calm under pressure with specific examples
Showing commitment to continuous learning
Discussing how you'd build relationships with skeptical surgeons
Presenting a mock in-service to hospital staff
Discussing a time when you failed and how you responded
Step 7: Consider entry-level roles (a MUSt to break in)
If a full sales position isn't available, look for stepping-stone roles. Abbott Laboratories and other major companies often promote from within, starting talent in support roles.
Consider positions such as:
Associate sales representative
Surgical sales support specialist
Clinical specialist or educator
Inside sales representative for medical devices
Territory associate or sales coordinator
These positions often lead to full sales roles within 12–24 months once you prove yourself. Entry-level opportunities in medical sales remain strong as healthcare continues to grow and innovate, creating ongoing demand for skilled professionals who can bridge the gap between technology and patient care.
Step 8: Get hands-on training
Credibility is critical. Reading about surgical instruments isn't enough; you need practical experience. Hands-on product knowledge separates successful candidates from the competition. Look for programs offering:
Cadaver labs for realistic surgical experience
Operating room shadowing opportunities
Instrument handling and sterilization training
Anatomy and physiology coursework
Mock sales presentations with industry professionals
Hands-on experiences demonstrate commitment and help candidates feel more confident during interviews. Some training programs even report placement rates above 80% for graduates (Rep-Lite), highlighting the impact of practical learning.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, nearly two-thirds of employers now use skills-based hiring practices to identify candidates, prioritizing demonstrated competencies over traditional measures like GPA.
Med RETI's vocational education program is designed with this in mind. Our curriculum combines virtual learning with real cadaver lab training and hospital shadowing, giving you the hands-on experience that hiring managers specifically look for when evaluating candidates with no prior medical sales background.
8-step action plan recap
This roadmap shows you how to get into medical device sales with no experience by focusing on eight strategic steps:
Understand the role through research and informational interviews
Build industry knowledge continuously
Network strategically both online and in-person
Create a strong resume tailored to medical device sales
Highlight transferable skills that align with medical sales
Prepare for interviews with mock scenarios and technical review
Always Consider entry-level positions as stepping stones
Get hands-on training through licensed programs
Start your journey toward a medical device sales career
Our next Med RETI cohort is forming soon, and spots are limited to ensure personalized guidance and maintain our strong placement success.
If you're ready to break into medical device sales and want training that hiring managers trust, now is the time to take action.
Med RETI provides a comprehensive approach that combines virtual curriculum with real cadaver lab training and hospital shadowing opportunities. This hands-on experience gives you the practical skills and confidence to walk into interviews as a credible candidate, not just someone who’s read about the industry.
Reach out to Med RETI to see if our program aligns with your goals. We'll review your background, answer your questions, and give you an honest assessment of your potential in this competitive field.
Your future in medical device sales starts with the right foundation. Choose a program that sets you up for success if you’re wondering how to get into medical device sales with no experience.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Frequently asked questions
Q: How hard is it to get into medical device sales with no experience?
A: While challenging, how to get into medical device sales with no experience is absolutely possible with the right training, networking, and preparation.
Q: What's the best way to get into medical device sales?
A: The most effective path for how to get into medical device sales involves combining hands-on training, building industry knowledge, strategic networking, and highlighting transferable skills.
Q: How long does it take to break into medical device sales?
A: Timeline varies, but with focused preparation, many candidates secure positions within 3–6 months. Entry-level roles can provide faster access, with promotion to full sales roles typically within 12–24 months.
Q: What degree is best for medical device sales?
A: While any bachelor's degree can work, degrees in business, biology, kinesiology, or biomedical engineering are particularly valued. The key is demonstrating how your education applies to the role and supports how to get into medical device sales with no experience.