Confessions from a former AZ PSS

[Anonymous]

I am the original poster. I did not realize that although AZ allows you to interview for an open position for a different territory. They NEVER give you a chance. I was like an scorned ex bf that wouldnt go away. I mistakenly kept posting for openeings on the AZ web site. I never got an interview. I called several DSM's and asked for help. In my mind, I thought I could get back into AZ if it was a current opening. Finally, someone called me on my cell phone to have an off the record conversation. They told me " AZ will never hire you back" "they dont want 35-50 year old reps making over $80k base salary" they want young and cheap reps. They were focused on younger, cheap, pretty women. (Im not saying this disrespecful way) I am just telling the honest truth. If you are laid off from AZ, you wont get back as a PSS. Also, is another pharma company going to hire a 40 year old rep for $80k a year? No chance. I am living proof. Pharma sales is a strange and somewhat thankless career. Its a temporary thing. Itss NOT long term. It puts your real career on hold until you are let go or laid off. Its like a delayed pain. ITs not a matter of IF AZ terminates you, is WHEN AZ terminates you, I am only being realistic here, I am not being cynical. A PSS job at AZ is not a permanent thing. Good luck to those PSS at AZ that "survive" next month. ANd again, get ready for next November cause it will happen AGAIN.

 

[Anonymous]

AZ is a rotten company with terrible management. They think that scared employees can be threatened into high performance, which is a joke.

 

[Anonymous]

I survived two rounds of lay-offs with AZ and was so bitter about the whole experience that I finally left a few months ago. I found a great job with another Pharma company. However, this new company is vastly different than AZ. Reps here put in well over eight hours a day and drive business through solid selling appointments. I was shocked at how different this other company operates as I had been with AZ for many years and thought ALL Pharma companies operated the same.

There are other options but it takes networking and hard work. I commend the OP for his/her honesty and for providing a clear warning to everyone on here. I still talk with many of my former AZ-colleagues and I am really surprised to hear how many of them are simply sticking their heads in the sand because they feel that they will be "OK". Its a sad truth that many won't make the cut and be forced to make some tough choices.

I blame AZ senior leadership for the path that AZ has taken.

 

[Anonymous]

I am the original poster. I did not realize that although AZ allows you to interview for an open position for a different territory. They NEVER give you a chance. I was like an scorned ex bf that wouldnt go away. I mistakenly kept posting for openeings on the AZ web site. I never got an interview. I called several DSM's and asked for help. In my mind, I thought I could get back into AZ if it was a current opening. Finally, someone called me on my cell phone to have an off the record conversation. They told me " AZ will never hire you back" "they dont want 35-50 year old reps making over $80k base salary" they want young and cheap reps. They were focused on younger, cheap, pretty women. (Im not saying this disrespecful way) I am just telling the honest truth. If you are laid off from AZ, you wont get back as a PSS. Also, is another pharma company going to hire a 40 year old rep for $80k a year? No chance. I am living proof. Pharma sales is a strange and somewhat thankless career. Its a temporary thing. Itss NOT long term. It puts your real career on hold until you are let go or laid off. Its like a delayed pain. ITs not a matter of IF AZ terminates you, is WHEN AZ terminates you, I am only being realistic here, I am not being cynical. A PSS job at AZ is not a permanent thing. Good luck to those PSS at AZ that "survive" next month. ANd again, get ready for next November cause it will happen AGAIN.

I am not sure if you tried to get back in after you had received severance, but once HR goes through that process, you are done. I do however know of one case where someone was actually hired back after severance. It was a minority candidate whose spouse was a lawyer.

 

[Anonymous]

I was told by someone in her district that she never signed the Severance....true? Plus I personally know of another within this state that she resigned AZ but was later hired back.

 

[Anonymous]

I Know two reps who left the company on their own and were hired back a few years later.

 

[Anonymous]

I Know two reps who left the company on their own and were hired back a few years later.

Why the fuck would anyone come back to this shithole after they know what this place is like? Fucking losers.

 

[Anonymous]

being you sent out 100 resumes you go about it the wrong way....

networking networking networking

job fairs

meet and greets with business people....

if you go about it resume, you'll be there a few more years i'm afraid

go back and learn a new job profession/go back and get a different degree....

pharma isn't the answer, it's a one way street

Please share with us what you do, and how long you were unemployed. We all want to learn from your success.

 

[Anonymous]

Networking is key, I left at the same time, make more money and have a job that I feel good about. What a change from working at AZ.

What do you do? How did you get the job? Was it based on your rep experience, or prior work experience? How long were you a rep? Whast is you BASE salary. There are not many jobs that pay as well as the overpaid rep position so I anxious to hear your answers.

 

[Anonymous]

Medical equipment sales.

You do know how luck you are right, if you are being truthful? What is your base? is it low or no salary? Most medical equipment sales wont even TALK to pharma reps, let alone hire them. The phrase "Pharma reps need not apply" is everywhere! Should folks apply, "yes"! But keep in mind, that there are people with actual experience also applying for those jobs.

 

[Anonymous]

even with knowing people and networking, it really is a tough time to be looking. take what you can get and be grateful. the original poster and other great people let go from AZ were let go because their salaries were high, they were eligible for pricey pensions, they were probably smart and spoke up etc. it has NOT been an objective process when selecting people to be laid off and ZS Consultants didn't make the decision...they mapped out how many reps should go. DSMs decided who. The people who have been let go and got through 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 looking and finally landing something should feel great about themselves because no matter where you live or are willing to relocate to, finding a job with pharma experience is NOT easy. Best wishes to the rest of you.

ZS did more than determine "how many territories"; they also produced the alignment. Therefore, if your territory was elimainated, you were essentially eliminated. DMs had no say in the matter, neither did RDs. They knew 24 hours before YOu knew. Stop speaking of which you know nothing!

 

[Anonymous]

You do know how luck you are right, if you are being truthful? What is your base? is it low or no salary? Most medical equipment sales wont even TALK to pharma reps, let alone hire them. The phrase "Pharma reps need not apply" is everywhere! Should folks apply, "yes"! But keep in mind, that there are people with actual experience also applying for those jobs.

My base is better than it was at AZ. You're right, as an AZ rep with only current experience script selling in a pod I doubt you will even get an interview outside of pharma. If you are over 45 I doubt you will even find a job with another pharma company. Pharmaceuticals used to be a great job before the consultants fucked it up. Good luck.

 

[Anonymous]

Can anyone confirm that ZS Associates in 2008 had all the say in the layoffs? Are you saying that DSM's did not decide ? Anyone have any knowledge of this?

 

[Anonymous]

DSM's did the forced ranking and that was used to fill the positions the consultants said there should be. If there were 6 positions and you were in the top 6 you were safe but if you were 7 or above you were gone. Geography also played a role.

 

[Anonymous]

ZS did more than determine "how many territories"; they also produced the alignment. Therefore, if your territory was elimainated, you were essentially eliminated. DMs had no say in the matter, neither did RDs. They knew 24 hours before YOu knew. Stop speaking of which you know nothing!

I know it all. Your post makes no sense at all.

I was part of the process. ZS are employed by AZ. They fluff the numbers to a headcount target set by AZ.

Territories are cut based on customer opportunity. By a formula developed by ZS and guided by AZ.

DSMs and RSDs filled in rankings lists made up of skill sets. If the DSM tanked your scores, you needed to be in a shit hole of a place with no other soul in sight to retain your job.

People with eliminated territories who had high scores were often talked to about relocating. However relocation is not the deal it used to be. Many refused and left.

Until your post, this was probably the most honest thread on CP.

I have no idea why you stuck your nose in with such an unnecessary comment.

 

[Anonymous]

DM's will force rank reps for other reasons than skill sets. Unfortunately, racism enters the equation quite often. I have personally witnessed it. AZ routinely practices age discrimination as well. Look around at how many people you see at meetings that have been with the company 25+ years? Not many. The upcoming layoff has been repeated several times in the past with RPT, MCL, and ONC. So the upcoming one is just a continuance of the many of the past. There will be many more, count on it. Think about it, do you want to work for a company that keeps a gun to your head day in day out? Is that how you want to live?

 

[Anonymous]

DM's will force rank reps for other reasons than skill sets. Unfortunately, racism enters the equation quite often. I have personally witnessed it. AZ routinely practices age discrimination as well. Look around at how many people you see at meetings that have been with the company 25+ years? Not many. The upcoming layoff has been repeated several times in the past with RPT, MCL, and ONC. So the upcoming one is just a continuance of the many of the past. There will be many more, count on it. Think about it, do you want to work for a company that keeps a gun to your head day in day out? Is that how you want to live?

I agree. I was a victim of racism and age discrimination. I am a white male 55 years old.

 

[Anonymous]

pass the kleenex....

there are 10,000 more people with the same bullshit story. Go back to school or take a trade class and start something that brings you happiness. Pharma does not bring happiness to anyone, it's a sick and mentally wasting profession that you are never good enough quarter to quarter

maybe you enjoy feeling like you got screwed, life isnt fair and you sometimes have to get kicked in the teeth before you appreciate what you still have and forget (I know its hard) how AZ screwed you

 

[Anonymous]

I agree. I was a victim of racism and age discrimination. I am a white male 55 years old.

You, my friend, are THE most discriminated against individual in America, not to mention AZ!!

 

[Anonymous]

OP's post could probably cover 80% of the reps out there laid off...as for real sales...try this story of taking a base of $30K , having to cover that base before receiving commission (that is $300,000 in sales with average purchase of $2000), responsible for all pricing, delivery and accounts receivables..on call 24/7, and having build customer base from zero...that is hard reality yet, have seen that new hire land a few good accounts and is looking to make $90K at age 25...pharma is/was great job but is just so limited in growth.