A few things I have learned

[Anonymous]

I was cut a few years ago. Since that time I have learned a few things.

1. Pharma sales is not sales. It may be hard for you to make the transition to a real selling job, but it is not impossible.

2. The training in Pharma is good. Use this point during your interviews to increase your value.

3. What is important in the Pharma world is not important in the real world. Your next company will care about what you produce, not what reports you can fill out, or whose rear end you can kiss.

4. If you think you are working hard now, you will not make it in the real world. The Pharma workload is a joke.

5. You will be rewarded for your hard work and success, but you won't be able to hide behind partners, managed care, or anything other than results. If you can't take the stress of producing, you should get out of sales.

6. There is nothing better than being rewarded for your success. There is no baby sitting, or hand holding in the real world, and when you produce you are treated like a hero.

Good luck in your next role.

 

[Anonymous]

Agreed 100%.

I left NVS in '09 and have been in an actual sales role ever since. The workload and stress mentioned by the OP are spot on .... but the rewards are astronomical and balance the equation. If you're not in sales to make money, then you're not a salesperson. And most other sales positions have uncapped commissions - not like in Pharma where there's only so much they'll let you take home.

I'd also like to say that personal accountability was the biggest wake-up call after leaving the warm bubble of Pharma. No partners, no managed care to hide behind, all true....but also no dramatic shifts in territories, clients or data that's been "fixed" by IMS (or, oops , "lost" until after the goals are released the last week of the quarter).

Trust me, it's much better to leave behind the Golden Handcuffs and not have your paycheck entirely out of your control. There are opportunities out there, you have to be creative in finding them.

 

[Anonymous]

yep, working today at my real sales job...might actually get 1/2 day off Monday for New Year (worked 1/2 day Xmas monday, all day the Friday before),,, missing the 2 weeks off during the holidays I used to get in Pharma (now,if I don't work I dont make $$)

Lot to love about Pharma...Lots wrong with it.

 

[Anonymous]

We hear a lot of talk about "real" sales jobs. No dispute on that from me. But as a group can we come up with some ideas for sales fields we can enter?

There are the obvious ones like insurance, financial sales, yellowbook, etc.. but let's be honest. Those are less than desirable.

I hear about a lot of alum coming back to post about the "real" sales jobs they have now. What industries are you in?

Thank you.

 

[Anonymous]

Prostitution

 

[Anonymous]

Prostitution

You my friend are an ass!

 

[Anonymous]

You try it. It's real sales at it's core. Cash for services rendered. No 401k, but no taxes, unless you consider a bitch slap to the face every once in a while "taxation". Pimps up, hoes down.

 

[Anonymous]

Biotech, device and laboratory sales.

The problem here is that most pharmaceutical reps today have no science background and thus landing these jobs becomes increasingly difficult.

The other problem is that many pharmaceutical reps have no B2B sales experience as well, which is another requirement for the jobs mentioned above.

The solution would be to find a B2B sales job in any industry. Be successful in that role for a year and then look at getting into a more preferred industry.

Just some advice from someone who knows exactly what these companies are requiring.

 

[Anonymous]

Biotech, device and laboratory sales.

The problem here is that most pharmaceutical reps today have no science background and thus landing these jobs becomes increasingly difficult.

The other problem is that many pharmaceutical reps have no B2B sales experience as well, which is another requirement for the jobs mentioned above.

The solution would be to find a B2B sales job in any industry. Be successful in that role for a year and then look at getting into a more preferred industry.

Just some advice from someone who knows exactly what these companies are requiring.

The advice above is correct, but my guess is it is not appealing to you. No one likes to start back at the bottom. Unfortunately, you will probably have to start a little lower than you would like to.

Someone asked what industries to try. You have medical sales experience, i.e. you understand the issues, lingo and attitudes of the medical environment. Go to any hospital, physician's office, nursing home, etc. and look around. Everything you see was sold by someone. You can use your experience within the medical environment to approach the companies that manufacture and sell these items and convince them that you are the person to hire to improve their sales. Trade up when it makes sense, but build your resume with B2B sales experience.

 

[Anonymous]

The advice above is correct, but my guess is it is not appealing to you. No one likes to start back at the bottom. Unfortunately, you will probably have to start a little lower than you would like to.

Someone asked what industries to try. You have medical sales experience, i.e. you understand the issues, lingo and attitudes of the medical environment. Go to any hospital, physician's office, nursing home, etc. and look around. Everything you see was sold by someone. You can use your experience within the medical environment to approach the companies that manufacture and sell these items and convince them that you are the person to hire to improve their sales. Trade up when it makes sense, but build your resume with B2B sales experience.

Good post!