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Embarrassed to be in pharma

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Well, I felt the same way - then got laid off - now I'm embarrassed because there aren't any jobs out there where I can support my family. House pmt is way too high and we're geing foreclosed upon. We have cut back to the BONES. I will be declaring bankrupcy next month.

If you don't want your job, then by all means quit, so the rest of us who really need a job can take it.

Don't blame the drug companies for the dog and pony, UPS delivery type sales call. It's the docs who will not let us back anymore because there is always some jackleg who insists on bringing out the goddamed clinicals.
 












I got into device 7 months ago from pharma. Only when I got out did I truly see how useless and ridiculous the job was. I would never go back.

To all: there are more meaningful sales jobs out there where you truly sell as opposed to market. Where your efforts are truly related to your performance.

Where you don't have these ridiculous field rides.

All jobs have their headaches and if you like slacking then stay in pharma because it's easier to hide than other sales jobs.

Right before I expected to receive the device job offer, I learned that I had to ride with my REGIONAL manager that week. After one call, my regional was all quiet in the car. I asked if something was on his mind.

"Well..." he said "there is something from that last call that I'd like to discuss."

"Of couse," I replied.

"How long have you been in pharma?" he asked.

"Four years."

"Hmmm....(as he shook his head in slight disappointment). Well, for someone with your tenure I really wouldn't think I'd have to mention that you need to use your sales aid on every call......"

I wanted to laugh and kick him out of the car right there.

Later on in the day he asked me what my professional aspirations were. I knew I shouldn't tell him the truth but I couldn't help it.

"I'd like to get into medical device sales." He stayed pretty quiet after that.

Two days later I dropped my notice.
 




Anonymous said:
I got into device 7 months ago from pharma. Only when I got out did I truly see how useless and ridiculous the job was. I would never go back.

To all: there are more meaningful sales jobs out there where you truly sell as opposed to market. Where your efforts are truly related to your performance.

Where you don't have these ridiculous field rides.

All jobs have their headaches and if you like slacking then stay in pharma because it's easier to hide than other sales jobs.

Right before I expected to receive the device job offer, I learned that I had to ride with my REGIONAL manager that week. After one call, my regional was all quiet in the car. I asked if something was on his mind.

"Well..." he said "there is something from that last call that I'd like to discuss."

"Of couse," I replied.

"How long have you been in pharma?" he asked.

"Four years."

"Hmmm....(as he shook his head in slight disappointment). Well, for someone with your tenure I really wouldn't think I'd have to mention that you need to use your sales aid on every call......"

I wanted to laugh and kick him out of the car right there.

Later on in the day he asked me what my professional aspirations were. I knew I shouldn't tell him the truth but I couldn't help it.

"I'd like to get into medical device sales." He stayed pretty quiet after that.

Two days later I dropped my notice.
Click to expand...

great stories. Thanks for sharing.
I am getting so dam close, and get the the final interviews, but can't seem to get the offer.

All the stuff you said about field rides and other useless stuff in pharma is dead on. sometimes I have cold sweats at night just thinking how stupid this pharma gig is. I can't wait til I get downsized or find another job outside of pharma.
 




Good for you! Congratulations!!!


Im moving from pharma to an industry where they are PAYING for me to go to school for my license and upon completion I will be the Dean of 3 separate schools. I came to pharma with 2 degrees in science and years of biotech experience. In Pharma(13yrs!) Ive been a trainer and in management development. I used that and this industry is beyond excited to get me. Sell your skills, differentiate yourself, BELIEVE in your self worth! The way the industry got rid of me pissed me off and made me feel as if my degrees, experience and sacrifice meant nothing. I was expendable. It sure is a special feeling to be so wanted by another industry that they will pay to get me into their loop and promote me over their programs.


Yes, all, get out. Get your minds back, your self esteem and NEVER LOOK BACK!!!

Anonymous said:
I got into device 7 months ago from pharma. Only when I got out did I truly see how useless and ridiculous the job was. I would never go back.

To all: there are more meaningful sales jobs out there where you truly sell as opposed to market. Where your efforts are truly related to your performance.

Where you don't have these ridiculous field rides.

All jobs have their headaches and if you like slacking then stay in pharma because it's easier to hide than other sales jobs.

Right before I expected to receive the device job offer, I learned that I had to ride with my REGIONAL manager that week. After one call, my regional was all quiet in the car. I asked if something was on his mind.

"Well..." he said "there is something from that last call that I'd like to discuss."

"Of couse," I replied.

"How long have you been in pharma?" he asked.

"Four years."

"Hmmm....(as he shook his head in slight disappointment). Well, for someone with your tenure I really wouldn't think I'd have to mention that you need to use your sales aid on every call......"

I wanted to laugh and kick him out of the car right there.

Later on in the day he asked me what my professional aspirations were. I knew I shouldn't tell him the truth but I couldn't help it.

"I'd like to get into medical device sales." He stayed pretty quiet after that.

Two days later I dropped my notice.
Click to expand...
 




Anonymous said:
great stories. Thanks for sharing.
I am getting so dam close, and get the the final interviews, but can't seem to get the offer.

All the stuff you said about field rides and other useless stuff in pharma is dead on. sometimes I have cold sweats at night just thinking how stupid this pharma gig is. I can't wait til I get downsized or find another job outside of pharma.
Click to expand...

Keep trying. It can seem insurmountable and everyone will tell you how device managers never want to hire pharma reps. Then think about the fact that there are more device reps that came from pharm than from any other industry.

Remember that there are certain things you can control. There are many many initiatives you can take to demonstrate your eagerness to get into device. So when they ask you "how can you demonstrate that you've really been trying to get into device?" you can have an extensive answer.
 




Anonymous said:
Keep trying. It can seem insurmountable and everyone will tell you how device managers never want to hire pharma reps. Then think about the fact that there are more device reps that came from pharm than from any other industry.

Remember that there are certain things you can control. There are many many initiatives you can take to demonstrate your eagerness to get into device. So when they ask you "how can you demonstrate that you've really been trying to get into device?" you can have an extensive answer.
Click to expand...

funny thing is I know (don't think that), absolutely know that I would be a top performer because my skill set is strong in presenting, and I have a very assertive and competitive personality inside and outside of work.

Thanks for the encouragement by the way.

I am still in my 30s, so there is hope. I think once I hit mid 40s, its might be over.
 




Anonymous said:
funny thing is I know (don't think that), absolutely know that I would be a top performer because my skill set is strong in presenting, and I have a very assertive and competitive personality inside and outside of work.

Thanks for the encouragement by the way.

I am still in my 30s, so there is hope. I think once I hit mid 40s, its might be over.
Click to expand...

I got in at 37. Age can play a role. But people respond to passion wen they're face to face. Here is an alternative strategy. First get a pharma job where you call on hospitals or OR's or Cath labs (Effient, Plavik, Angio-Max). Then you can build relationships with doctors who are called on by device reps and leverage that.

Second, there are small companies who need to hire independent reps. Many of these spots are listed on Medreps.com. You might have a shot calling them and they might appreciate the initiative. If you can pick up one product, you can sell that and possibly keep your pharma job at the same time so you don't take a big income hit.

Then you have device experience and can begin to build relationships. I did this. It was stressful trying not to get caught and I never even sold one device. However, it really helped in my device interview for the job I have now.
 




Anonymous said:
I got in at 37. Age can play a role. But people respond to passion wen they're face to face. Here is an alternative strategy. First get a pharma job where you call on hospitals or OR's or Cath labs (Effient, Plavik, Angio-Max). Then you can build relationships with doctors who are called on by device reps and leverage that.

Second, there are small companies who need to hire independent reps. Many of these spots are listed on Medreps.com. You might have a shot calling them and they might appreciate the initiative. If you can pick up one product, you can sell that and possibly keep your pharma job at the same time so you don't take a big income hit.

Then you have device experience and can begin to build relationships. I did this. It was stressful trying not to get caught and I never even sold one device. However, it really helped in my device interview for the job I have now.
Click to expand...

thanks for your post.
great ideas here.
 




Anonymous said:
Good for you! Congratulations!!!


Im moving from pharma to an industry where they are PAYING for me to go to school for my license and upon completion I will be the Dean of 3 separate schools. I came to pharma with 2 degrees in science and years of biotech experience. In Pharma(13yrs!) Ive been a trainer and in management development. I used that and this industry is beyond excited to get me. Sell your skills, differentiate yourself, BELIEVE in your self worth! The way the industry got rid of me pissed me off and made me feel as if my degrees, experience and sacrifice meant nothing. I was expendable. It sure is a special feeling to be so wanted by another industry that they will pay to get me into their loop and promote me over their programs.


Yes, all, get out. Get your minds back, your self esteem and NEVER LOOK BACK!!!
Click to expand...

ROFL the medical device line was very good. I mean when you say that, what else can some dipshit pharma DM say, because they know that device really is much better and they themselves couldn't compete in device.

When i left pharma, my douchebag manager actually said "good for you...you will do better in device and in reality make a hell of a lot more money." He was a douchebag but at least his statement wasn't.
 




Anonymous said:
I got in at 37. Age can play a role. But people respond to passion wen they're face to face. Here is an alternative strategy. First get a pharma job where you call on hospitals or OR's or Cath labs (Effient, Plavik, Angio-Max). Then you can build relationships with doctors who are called on by device reps and leverage that.

Second, there are small companies who need to hire independent reps. Many of these spots are listed on Medreps.com. You might have a shot calling them and they might appreciate the initiative. If you can pick up one product, you can sell that and possibly keep your pharma job at the same time so you don't take a big income hit.

Then you have device experience and can begin to build relationships. I did this. It was stressful trying not to get caught and I never even sold one device. However, it really helped in my device interview for the job I have now.
Click to expand...

I was in pharma a few years then switched to device and loved it----until they brought in a ferw morons from pharma as managers!
 








Anonymous said:
Ohhh gawd aint that the truth. I have a new manager from pharma and she honestly has no idea....no fking idea! Hate having to work with her!
Click to expand...

Bayer morons threw out their top diagnostic div managers and brought in ex pharma jerk/morons (top one from Abbott) which started a downhill slide of division. After each idiot screwed up they brought in another pharma idiot to screw up more,lol.
 




In general, Pharma reps and their DM's have no clue on what it takes to sell because they have never done it. Some have talent but after doing the pharma gig enough years, their brains rot out so they cannot use them anymore.

Sales aid my ass. Your being training to be a puppet or better yet, the scarecrow without a brain.

Better to get out sooner rather than later. Yes, you may work harder in other jobs but you will also find it a lot more rewarding. Most pharma reps have to drag themselves out of bed every morning. Do you really want to live your life like that? I sure as hell don't and thats why I left.

Any you don't have to sell devices to make a good living and have a satisfying career.
 




Anonymous said:
You're right. I am gay and that's why I want to get back into pharma. White collar, blue collar, I don't care. I can't hack any job in the real world. I liked catering lunches, dropping off samples and chatting with the office cows. I'm a pussy and that's why pharma is the right job for me. Damn I made a mistake leaving pharma.
Click to expand...

LOL! You are funny! I agree and feel the same way you do!
 




Same thing happened tome- thought I was smart to get out...got a real sales job and couldn't handle it due to lack of skills from being in pharma so long. Had to secretly have the admin people do my proposals with ppt and help me with my pipeline reports because i didint even know how to use a pivot table in excel. I couldnt even figure out how to book a conference room in outlook. I tried hard and eventually they realized they had hired an unskilled sales person and fired me.
 




Anonymous said:
Same thing happened tome- thought I was smart to get out...got a real sales job and couldn't handle it due to lack of skills from being in pharma so long. Had to secretly have the admin people do my proposals with ppt and help me with my pipeline reports because i didint even know how to use a pivot table in excel. I couldnt even figure out how to book a conference room in outlook. I tried hard and eventually they realized they had hired an unskilled sales person and fired me.
Click to expand...

Skills in sales?
Wtf are you talking about?

The only "skill" in selling is going out and busting your ass, and bringing value to a customer, and then being able to handle the dry spells when nobody wants to buy.

The "skill set" is in sales is not complicated. It never was.
 












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