Does BSX hire people outside of the medical device industry?

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Not likely...although they hire outside the industry if you are a proven performer, you need actual product sales experience. I work for BSX and haven't come across anyone who has been hired outside of medical sales unless they sold a tangible product.
 






Although I was hired at Guidant (now Boston Sci) many years ago, I was a military officer coming in.

The important thing to ask yourself is "Why medical devices?"

Most people come here with dollar signs in their eyes, but you need to be careful. Most reps will tell you that the days of the big money are essentially over for man reasons: territory splits, regulatory environment, declining ASPs, Obamacare...etc. etc. Now, you may be thinking that your generic B2B job (you never specified what you sell) will never be as lucrative as a career in devices, but I would challenge you to consider some things.

Getting Started
As a newbie, you will be placed under an existing rep in a clinical role - most likely. This is a necessary step....this is where you will learn not only the sales process, but also the the technical aspect of your job. Those two things are what you will need to run your own territory someday. This can take anywhere from a year to 2 years. Only the most upbeat personalities look upon this time as anything more than indentured servitude making 65k-75k working underneath a rep who may or may not have a healthy outlook concerning 'the help'.

Moving In to Sales
Used to be that FCRs would be tapped to assume their own territories almost as a rule. Nowadays, there are alot of fully-certified reps with existing relationships out there looking for work. You may feel like you have it your time in with the company and deserve a shot at your first territory only to find a 'retread' getting the nod instead. So, when it comes time for you to get your own territory, these are the scenarios I have seen most of my friends face:
1) Move to a New Town: Probably the most likely since the rep you have been working with probably doesn't want to split off part of his territory. Moving, of course, means going to a territory where no customer has a clue who you are, and probably has a less than stellar outlook concerning the company. It can be done, but those first couple of years may be lean. The company may offer you a guaranteed salary for a bit, but its almost never long enough. Regardless, you will have finally 'arrived' in your dream of dreams: a medical device sales rep with your own territory!
2) Leave the company
Some folks just want to continue selling to the customers that they have come to know and love, so they cannot move in order to get their own territory. Instead, they go to work for the competition. It happens alot, and depending on how much the customers like you, can work out. BUT...there is going to forever be bad blood between you and the rep you worked for and most importantly the customers who are loyal to him/her. That stigma can jump up and bite you in the butt. Also, unless you are in a state where non-competes are not enforceable (California), you will not be allowed to sell to your customers for 1 year. This gives your old company time to effectively box you out or assassinate your character to a degree that you cannot imagine until you have lived it firsthand.
3) Stay a Clinical
Some folks come in with big dreams of having a territory, and then once they get a close up look...decide that the stress is not worth it. You will have a nice base salary, and proceed through those ranks, but have to rely on your own self esteem to keep you whole since the rep community will regard you as second class.

Finally, the medical device industry is changing in ways that make it a not so desirable path to be on. Company's are laying off thousands in order to cut costs. Cost-cutting is not just a factor of Obamacare, but more a function of this market being a mature one - commoditized and more about contracting. The doctor/rep relationship is less and less pivotal as it is replaced by the GPO/National Account Manager one. Devices are becoming increasingly automatic, and this is further reducing the need for a field force...less demand for a field force means lower salaries for those who manage to avoid being laid off.

I know many folks are going to read this and say, "Dude, if you are so negative about device, why are you still here? Get selling or go away already!"

I am sure that my days are numbered in device, but for the tome being I have a good thing going and will see it through. My advice to this prospect is only here to give him/her some perspective coming in.
 






Anonymous said:
Although I was hired at Guidant (now Boston Sci) many years ago, I was a military officer coming in.

The important thing to ask yourself is "Why medical devices?"

Most people come here with dollar signs in their eyes, but you need to be careful. Most reps will tell you that the days of the big money are essentially over for man reasons: territory splits, regulatory environment, declining ASPs, Obamacare...etc. etc. Now, you may be thinking that your generic B2B job (you never specified what you sell) will never be as lucrative as a career in devices, but I would challenge you to consider some things.

Getting Started
As a newbie, you will be placed under an existing rep in a clinical role - most likely. This is a necessary step....this is where you will learn not only the sales process, but also the the technical aspect of your job. Those two things are what you will need to run your own territory someday. This can take anywhere from a year to 2 years. Only the most upbeat personalities look upon this time as anything more than indentured servitude making 65k-75k working underneath a rep who may or may not have a healthy outlook concerning 'the help'.

Moving In to Sales
Used to be that FCRs would be tapped to assume their own territories almost as a rule. Nowadays, there are alot of fully-certified reps with existing relationships out there looking for work. You may feel like you have it your time in with the company and deserve a shot at your first territory only to find a 'retread' getting the nod instead. So, when it comes time for you to get your own territory, these are the scenarios I have seen most of my friends face:
1) Move to a New Town: Probably the most likely since the rep you have been working with probably doesn't want to split off part of his territory. Moving, of course, means going to a territory where no customer has a clue who you are, and probably has a less than stellar outlook concerning the company. It can be done, but those first couple of years may be lean. The company may offer you a guaranteed salary for a bit, but its almost never long enough. Regardless, you will have finally 'arrived' in your dream of dreams: a medical device sales rep with your own territory!
2) Leave the company
Some folks just want to continue selling to the customers that they have come to know and love, so they cannot move in order to get their own territory. Instead, they go to work for the competition. It happens alot, and depending on how much the customers like you, can work out. BUT...there is going to forever be bad blood between you and the rep you worked for and most importantly the customers who are loyal to him/her. That stigma can jump up and bite you in the butt. Also, unless you are in a state where non-competes are not enforceable (California), you will not be allowed to sell to your customers for 1 year. This gives your old company time to effectively box you out or assassinate your character to a degree that you cannot imagine until you have lived it firsthand.
3) Stay a Clinical
Some folks come in with big dreams of having a territory, and then once they get a close up look...decide that the stress is not worth it. You will have a nice base salary, and proceed through those ranks, but have to rely on your own self esteem to keep you whole since the rep community will regard you as second class.

Finally, the medical device industry is changing in ways that make it a not so desirable path to be on. Company's are laying off thousands in order to cut costs. Cost-cutting is not just a factor of Obamacare, but more a function of this market being a mature one - commoditized and more about contracting. The doctor/rep relationship is less and less pivotal as it is replaced by the GPO/National Account Manager one. Devices are becoming increasingly automatic, and this is further reducing the need for a field force...less demand for a field force means lower salaries for those who manage to avoid being laid off.

I know many folks are going to read this and say, "Dude, if you are so negative about device, why are you still here? Get selling or go away already!"

I am sure that my days are numbered in device, but for the tome being I have a good thing going and will see it through. My advice to this prospect is only here to give him/her some perspective coming in.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for your insight and advice! I truly appreciate your help and don't think you are being negative...you are being honest and it is really refreshing. Good luck in the future and thank you for your service in the military.
 






the old "BSC" culture was 2-3 years at a P&G, Gallo consumer type sales job. Also, a frat /sorority pretty boy like person etc. Why?, they are used to structure and being easily swayed by culture/indoctrination. Blue suit, red ties etc.

If you like this? have at it............ You will love the sales meetings, rah rah BSC!!!!!!!!!!! I left a few years ago yet it was like being at a HS pep rally, nauseating

Brooks brothers suit, polished cap toe shoes, nice haircut!
 
























Anonymous said:
I am looking into applying for an open sales position but am 27 and only have B2B sales experience in advertising...do I stand a chance?
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You have an excellent chance. No one with medical device experience would apply at Boston Scientific. Get in, get experience and everyone in the industry will understand when you ry to leave Boston after 2-3 years. Great way to get your foot in the door.
 






BSC is a good gig. Yes they frequently hire outside of medical devices. I was with BSC Endoscopy for 4 1/2 years. I came from pharma as did 4 out of 10 of the guys in my training class. The rah-rah stuff was pretty bad, but not as bad as he makes it sound.

The competition is pretty weak, so you don't really do that much competitive selling IMO. More hand holding and inservicing. I left because I had a great opportunity with capital company and was able to make a good step up in pay. I was a 2x P-club winner and did great those 2 years, but made around $150-170 the other two years (which is still great).

Some of the managers are complete tools, but a good 50% are some of the best guys around. BSC seems to take themselves WAY so seriously, but I really am happy that I spent time there. Good luck.

Anonymous said:
You have an excellent chance. No one with medical device experience would apply at Boston Scientific. Get in, get experience and everyone in the industry will understand when you ry to leave Boston after 2-3 years. Great way to get your foot in the door.
Click to expand...
 






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