Nicole Sigurdson - Medical Sales College

Nicole Sigurdson

Zynex Medical

Tell me a little about your background.

I obtained my Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Cincinnati. I knew I always wanted to work in healthcare, but I also grew a love for business throughout college. My junior year was when I decided I wanted to get into medical device sales. Still, right after graduating college, I struggled to find a medical device job without any sales experience. I started my career in sales as a travel nurse recruiter but then stumbled upon Medical Sales College, and I knew if I really wanted to get into devices, this was my best shot.

Why were you interested in pursuing medical sales as a career?

Medical device sales is a very challenging, but rewarding career. I knew I wanted a career where I would never have the same day twice, and that would push me beyond my limits. I love healthcare and the competition of sales, so this career is the perfect fit for me. I know that I can make a difference in patient lives, which motivates me every day.

How did you learn about Medical Sales College?

Google.

What ultimately made you decide to attend?

I was a recent college graduate with only 6 months of sales experience. I knew it was a long shot to get into medical device sales since I did not have personal connections. I tried to apply to jobs for about 3 months and didn't have any luck. I wanted to make myself the best applicant and learn the industry, so I knew I needed to go to MSC.

Please describe your training experience at Medical Sales College.

The training at MSC is intense, and you need to be prepared for long days. The training shows you how much time and effort it takes to be successful in this industry. I learned anatomy, products, sales techniques, and heard stories from instructors about their experiences. The training made me extremely confident that this was the career I wanted, and I learned how to succeed within the industry.

Describe your experience with Dynamic Consultative Sales training.

The Dynamic Consultative Sales training is great for understanding the difference between regular sales and medical device sales. This type of sales requires a different approach to selling, and it requires a lot of practice. I left MSC with confidence in my product presentation skills and how to talk to surgeons.

What made you choose to invest in more education by attending MSC after just recently graduating college?

I have known for a couple of years that my goal was to be in medical device sales. I didn't have any luck applying after graduating college, and I knew I needed something to make me stand out from other applicants. I also wanted to be confident and more knowledgeable about the industry so I could hit the ground running in a job after graduating.

What is the most valuable piece of information that you learned while attending MSC which ultimately helped you land your position?

There are a couple of things I learned from MSC that helped me land my position. 1) You have to want the job more than anyone else does. You have to show you want it by proving it to the hiring team through dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm in the interview. 2) Understand this sales career is unlike any other. You will have to work long hours and be dedicated to your surgeons because healthcare is constantly changing, and you have to keep up. 3) Practice, practice, practice. By this I mean practice your interview questions, your product presentations, and keep up with the industry. You will only get better by practicing every day, even though it may be grueling. Practicing repeatedly made me extremely confident in my interviews and really impressed my recruiter and regional manager.

How long did you try to get into the industry before attending MSC? What was that experience like?

I tried to break into the industry for about 3 months before attending MSC. I did not get any interviews and was constantly told to get more sales experience and wait to apply.