Can anyone please provide insight into the expectations of this position? I.e. Work life, quotas, training? Thank you
A TAL role would be very tough if you're from outside of the organization. Here's why: You have to know all of the products including bariatric thoracic (stapling), energy, biosurgery, suture, hernia, etc. You have to deal w/ backorders, contracting, specialty suture requests, and usually more requests from a DSM depending on what the division looks like. If there's an open TAL position a specialty rep may take it and consequently, their spot may open up. Your base would be more compared to a specialty rep. I believe it's supposed to be 90k but I know they like to hold out on that. It's practically impossible to find where that number is written down now as all internal resources refer to the variable comp. If you can read Sanskrit while drunk off Mad Dog and possibly post-peyote consumption, then props to you. Maybe you can also understand variable comp. The comp plan has led to the departure of some very, very good reps. I CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH. I think the comp plan will be difficult to unravel as you have an entire team dedicated to it. If it stays confusing and a moving target, they have job security. TAL is essentially a quarterback or team manager whereas specialty reps are like a WR, TE, or offensive lineman. Either way, good luck. You should go ahead and apply if you're interested. You may land one of those perfect terrritories where everything lines up. Do it well and you can definitely advance in the organization if you're willing to be flexible.
Every rep at Ethicon needs to wake up. Another lay off right before Thanksgiving...that makes 6 in 4 years. If you're still there your paper should be on the street. If you're a biosurgery rep you're about to get laid off...company is moving to regional biosurgery specialists (that means only a couple people and they don't care about that category). Ethicon plan is to manage biz through contracts and hire a bunch of generalists at cheaper wage than you. That's why no one can understand the compensation plan...on purpose because they don't want to pay you. Common folks wise up! There's still plenty of high wage med device jobs out here with companies who value their reps.
I don't disagree with everything you said. According to these boards though every single company is awful and no one is happy. So please care to share where these "high wage" med device jobs are that we'll feel "good" at?
Ethicon won't hire someone from the outside for a TAL role. They did that a couple times and have learned it was a total flop. Compensation is a joke for all the stuff any Rep deals with, medical device as a whole is crazy overall now with every place only wanting to save money. With any company be sure to do TONS of homework and be aware recruiters will tell you what they want you to hear. My suggestion is go into finance, I dont know any poor financial people.
I dont disagree. However the most important question in medical is " Are you selling old outdated technology or are you selling state of the art products that save money or time?" If it is the former it will not be any fun. If it is the latter do everything that you can to get on board.
False. I was in a TAL training class of a handful of people from outside J&J. They had industry experience but came from competitors like Olympus and there were a few ortho reps as well. I do agree though that there is so much to handle as a TAL it's hard to even understand the comp plan.
Ethicon is a good entry level sales job if you're straight out of college. If you have experience not a good move career wise.
Get a specialty med device role in CV, endovascular, NeuroModulation, Spine, Plastics, robotics...all these jobs can and do pay way more than Ethicon. Read some of the other messages and note from a recent Ethicon hire "It's hard to even understand the comp plan..." That's because they don't want you to really understand that they're turning the Ethicon jobs into entry level med device comp. Ethicon is moving to "generalists" for sales people (just good enough to be dangerous, kind of) and looking to manage the business through contracts...while other med device companies are moving toward specialization knowing that excellent reps can and do make a difference...
I agree there are other companies who pay way more, offer just as good benefits, and don't have all the politics, drama and quality of life. I have a friend who does trauma made $375K last year another good friend who has 2 years spine experience made $265K last year and a guy I know who has been with IMS (steris) as a manager cleared $380K. As the last poster said you have to be good and knowledgeable in these roles whereas Ethicon reps just don't get it. That's why they don't pass interviews for better jobs and stick around thinking the golden handcuff will be there forever. My point is if you are good and are a hard smart worker you can still make some serious money in med device. Ethicon is not the place to do it though. 2 years get some experience and leave.
I get the comp thing agree. Ladies and gents long are the days when device reps were making 300k+! There some left and they are called old dogs that did the time and are solid in relationships beyond comprehension. Im talking titty bar and liqour expensing days. Most of us were still in college. For most of us that are governed by regilation and cheap contract deals, well think about it. That means the reps make less, someone has to take it in the ass. The company, hospital, and insurance's certainly want to minimize that bum hole penetration. CV and endovascular are good, but have you seen the requirements for those gigs?? You better fucken know more than just having med device implantable experience. Neuromod is fucked up pretty much everywhere. Nevro might be worth it, but high pressure and most of Medtronic already abondoned that shit hole and already at Nevro. A good 6 figure gig that allows you to enjoy your money and life is best. Learn how to invest and save and get rid of that Range Rover that gives you a false sense of security. We only have one life working like a fucken dog without being able to take vacation, well you decide. Thats coming from a workaholic too.
Trauma is good if you hate yourself and you never want to enjoy life. Short life span for those guys. Oh trust me buddy, $375k in truma is not typical. Save the money and move on.
