Get into the interview process by working your network of contacts. Unless your sales pedigree matches specifically what the HR recruiter is seeking , you will not likely receive a call back regarding your application. If you impress the hiring manager, they likely have the majority of influence on the decision. The decision ultimately needs to be cleared by the HR business partner and the sales director. At times, the opinion of other managers may be sought out so as to make the interview process transparent and without bias. Novartis has been the target of many discrimination lawsuits. They take everything very seriously.

I was finishing my MBA and had left my resume on a website that I was assigned to analyze. As soon as I graduated, I was contacted by a recruiter to be considered for a sales position. I had an initial interview with my district manager and he seemed pleasant and was really impressed. He then sent me to speak with the regional director and he was very poker faced and seemed really mean. As I walk to my car, my district manager said "what did you say to him because I never seen him this impressed and he offered me the job.