• Mon news: Autolus enters CAR-T race with FDA approval. FDA clears clinical hold on Novavax. AbbVie schizophrenia trial failure. Cigna not pursuing Humana. GSK leaving BIO. See more on our front page

GSK/InVentiv - Benefits, Training

anonymous

Guest
Serious replies only, please
Are InVentiv benefits same regardless of contract? Specific info. for GSK -vacation, time off at Christmas, 401K, pods? Length of training time away from home? Culture?
Thanks!
 




Benefits are the same across. There is only PTO so all vacation time and sick time are rolled into the same. No time off for Christmas unless you have some PTO saved up. The company does have 7ish Comany Holidays that doesn't count towards your PTO. Normal days like New years, July forth, Thanksgiving, Christmas day, and a few more. I think 401k matches at 50%. Training isn't bad, good trainers and good culture.
 








Serious replies only, please
Are InVentiv benefits same regardless of contract? Specific info. for GSK -vacation, time off at Christmas, 401K, pods? Length of training time away from home? Culture?
Thanks!

Serious reply here. I am on the GSK contract and love it. Training is 2 weeks at home via web Internet classes. Then there is a test at the end. You go away for 3 days just to learn compliance, iPad, etc. No role playing or tests. PTO is 1.5 days per month (18 days off per year) with about 7 holidays off on top of that. You are not managed by GSK managers...your Inventiv manager only. Other GSK reps may be in your territory carrying your same drug; however, you do not work in pods. Hope that helps.
 




Thank you to both responders. For the 3-day training for I-Pad, etc, what products do you promote? I am still uncertain as to the # of products carried for COPD responsibilities but will know soon. Did you receive a training bonus? And in my situation, I was told I'd have a GSK DM, not an InVentiv DM. I'm currently on a contract with another company and have a lengthy direct hire background. Have they given you any indication that you would have the opportunity to become a direct hire? Thanks again!
 




Thank you to both responders. For the 3-day training for I-Pad, etc, what products do you promote? I am still uncertain as to the # of products carried for COPD responsibilities but will know soon. Did you receive a training bonus? And in my situation, I was told I'd have a GSK DM, not an InVentiv DM. I'm currently on a contract with another company and have a lengthy direct hire background. Have they given you any indication that you would have the opportunity to become a direct hire? Thanks again!

The information the other posters gave you was for the GSK contract selling Advair and Flovent. Sounds like you will be selling Anoro and will be embedded in the GSK district, so I don't really know if the training, etc. that we had will be the same for you. Our first bonus did include our training time, which was only about four weeks. I would have to say that the opportunity for direct hire doesn't look that great. Many open territories within GSK have been backfilled with inVentiv reps. My experience on this contract has been very positive.
 




The information the other posters gave you was for the GSK contract selling Advair and Flovent. Sounds like you will be selling Anoro and will be embedded in the GSK district, so I don't really know if the training, etc. that we had will be the same for you. Our first bonus did include our training time, which was only about four weeks. I would have to say that the opportunity for direct hire doesn't look that great. Many open territories within GSK have been backfilled with inVentiv reps. My experience on this contract has been very positive.


I agree with this post. I'm on the GSK contract for Advair & Tanzeum. I don't see any of these positions turning into direct hire. In fact, I'm seeing a lot of people quitting once they realize this is probably the case. If you really desire working direct, then you won't be happy (from what I've seen). The people who are happy on this contract are the ones who didn't have expectations from it other than being a great contract gig, which it is! But you have to be realistic and accept it for what it is. My highest hope is that I'll get more time out of the contract than the 2 years I was told was likely. GSK is turning many of their positions into contract, so I am not even sure what the future of working for them directly looks like. It would almost be safer to be work for them via contract.
 




Thanks for the info! I am interviewing for the contract on Thursday. Do you have any tips of what they're looking for? I am OK with it remaining a contract, not looking for it to turn into a direct hire. Sounds like many original reps have left because they were expecting or wanted direct hire? What is your product weighting? Thanks!!
 








Thanks for the info! I am interviewing for the contract on Thursday. Do you have any tips of what they're looking for? I am OK with it remaining a contract, not looking for it to turn into a direct hire. Sounds like many original reps have left because they were expecting or wanted direct hire? What is your product weighting? Thanks!!


I am not sure what they are looking for. I saw a lot of talented people not get the job when I interviewed, so it seems competitive. Almost everyone has a ton of pharma/device/medical sales experience, so I am sure it's a tough decision.

A lot of people have stayed and really like this contract. However, I have talked to some who have quit and the reason was mainly "fear" that the contract would end. But that's what you sign up for. I don't see how it's any different from getting laid off one day? Most pharma jobs are not guaranteed even if you work direct. I think you just have to know what you are getting into in the first place. Why whine after the fact that it's contract when that's what you applied for?? The good news is that as far as contracts go, this seems to be a very good one.
 








If you are new to contract or looking to interview...First Remember this is CONTRACT work...

Contracts begin and END. they always end and rarely as expected or announced when hired...and then no type of severance package (maybe another paycheck to close you out for the month.

Don't hold you breath hoping to 'roll over' to the client company...does it happen? sure but not as often as you think..very low odds. Contract reps are just cheaper , companies like cheap.

Salary and benefits will be less than what the client reps are getting (see working week between Xmas/New Year)..some contracts the difference is small, others it can be big money difference..(also rewards/bonus can differ greatly..company counterparts win that big trip to islands, you get gift card and plaque)

If contract ends, won't you get placed on next new contract? Maybe...when contract ends, lot of folks get scattered...you can roll over to next K the next day, or next month, 9 months or maybe just never (doesn't hurt to know the people who are hiring)

Other than that not a bad gig.
 




If you are new to contract or looking to interview...First Remember this is CONTRACT work...

Contracts begin and END. they always end and rarely as expected or announced when hired...and then no type of severance package (maybe another paycheck to close you out for the month.

Don't hold you breath hoping to 'roll over' to the client company...does it happen? sure but not as often as you think..very low odds. Contract reps are just cheaper , companies like cheap.

Salary and benefits will be less than what the client reps are getting (see working week between Xmas/New Year)..some contracts the difference is small, others it can be big money difference..(also rewards/bonus can differ greatly..company counterparts win that big trip to islands, you get gift card and plaque)

If contract ends, won't you get placed on next new contract? Maybe...when contract ends, lot of folks get scattered...you can roll over to next K the next day, or next month, 9 months or maybe just never (doesn't hurt to know the people who are hiring)

Other than that not a bad gig.


I'm at a contract job for the first time right now and it has been nothing but positive. What jobs don't end eventually? I have been with several manufacturers and big pharma companies where you think it'll last forever. But the companies have always either gotten sold or we got laid off for other reasons. The lay off felt more personal and hurtful, honestly. At least with contract, I can "plan" and know that there is an end date. I don't know too many people who don't continue getting jobs afterward. It might not be pharma. They might have to try another type of medical sales. But they are employed and happy.

I think anyone taking a contract job that can't take a hit of a few months out of work shouldn't do contract it in the first place. They will always be a nervous wreck and miserable. Those are the people whom I have seen leave the GSK contract. But what's sad is that a few of them got "scared" and thought the grass was greener elsewhere....and it wasn't and they regretted their choice.

My true feeling is that contract overall is not a good fit for, say, a single person who would be broke and in dire straits when their contract ended. If you can't take a few months being on unemployment, then no, this job is probably not for you and why try? But if you save money, have support from a significant other, etc....then I think this is a great career path to take.
 




You couldn't have said it better. This is 100% true.

I'm at a contract job for the first time right now and it has been nothing but positive. What jobs don't end eventually? I have been with several manufacturers and big pharma companies where you think it'll last forever. But the companies have always either gotten sold or we got laid off for other reasons. The lay off felt more personal and hurtful, honestly. At least with contract, I can "plan" and know that there is an end date. I don't know too many people who don't continue getting jobs afterward. It might not be pharma. They might have to try another type of medical sales. But they are employed and happy.

I think anyone taking a contract job that can't take a hit of a few months out of work shouldn't do contract it in the first place. They will always be a nervous wreck and miserable. Those are the people whom I have seen leave the GSK contract. But what's sad is that a few of them got "scared" and thought the grass was greener elsewhere....and it wasn't and they regretted their choice.

My true feeling is that contract overall is not a good fit for, say, a single person who would be broke and in dire straits when their contract ended. If you can't take a few months being on unemployment, then no, this job is probably not for you and why try? But if you save money, have support from a significant other, etc....then I think this is a great career path to take.
 




I'm at a contract job for the first time right now and it has been nothing but positive. What jobs don't end eventually? I have been with several manufacturers and big pharma companies where you think it'll last forever. But the companies have always either gotten sold or we got laid off for other reasons. The lay off felt more personal and hurtful, honestly. At least with contract, I can "plan" and know that there is an end date. I don't know too many people who don't continue getting jobs afterward. It might not be pharma. They might have to try another type of medical sales. But they are employed and happy.

I think anyone taking a contract job that can't take a hit of a few months out of work shouldn't do contract it in the first place. They will always be a nervous wreck and miserable. Those are the people whom I have seen leave the GSK contract. But what's sad is that a few of them got "scared" and thought the grass was greener elsewhere....and it wasn't and they regretted their choice.

My true feeling is that contract overall is not a good fit for, say, a single person who would be broke and in dire straits when their contract ended. If you can't take a few months being on unemployment, then no, this job is probably not for you and why try? But if you save money, have support from a significant other, etc....then I think this is a great career path to take.

If you live below your means on this contract, there is no excuse to not max your 401k both years, and put away another 25-50k.

Unfortunately, most sales pros over estimate their abilities and interview skills and underestimate the BS and difficulty of find a good gig like this.

So, plan accordingly and stop making excuses, so when he contract is up, you will be in a position to be selective for the next Just Over Broke.
 




If you live below your means on this contract, there is no excuse to not max your 401k both years, and put away another 25-50k.

Unfortunately, most sales pros over estimate their abilities and interview skills and underestimate the BS and difficulty of find a good gig like this.

So, plan accordingly and stop making excuses, so when he contract is up, you will be in a position to be selective for the next Just Over Broke.


I agree with this so much. Medical reps tend to not save like they should and live larger than than most. But you have to understand that there are going to be periods of unemployment between jobs, whether you are direct or contract. Not preparing for the future is idiotic in this field.
 




I agree with this so much. Medical reps tend to not save like they should and live larger than than most. But you have to understand that there are going to be periods of unemployment between jobs, whether you are direct or contract. Not preparing for the future is idiotic in this field.

and, unfortunately, most corporate sales jobs underpay big time. the hacks in management are the only ones that really make out the best in corporations. the sales reps get the shaft. and that will never change.

key is to keep looking and keep looking, and if you are smart, you might get lucky with a small company and a good company culture.

these good sales jobs are getting harder and harder to find, because the bigger corporations just buy them out and ruin their culture, steal the bonus incentives as well.

hate to be so dam pessimistic, but I am speaking truth, and about 20 years of sales experience tells me I am 100 percent correct.
 








Most people don't make 70-100k in other fields. I wouldn't say that, as a rep, we are making hardly anything.

in the 50s, 60s, and early 70s, people with high school degrees were making the equivalent of 100k with better benefits and pensions, working at factories, etc.

now, we have college grads with over 100k in college loans to start life, and making 30k in a starting job.

nice life.

key is to live below your means, because the jobs of the 50s, 60s, and 70s, are never coming back.

also, the only ones getting ahead today are people that will step over others for the most part. anyone that wants to be part of a major corporation is a sucker with no heart. at least, as reps, in jobs without an office we have to report to, can have some flexibility.

overall, pharmaceutical reps are arguably the smartest people in the working world, because we have to be intelligent to talk to highly educated doctors, deal with managers that are idiots, and have to grind it out everyday. best we are smart mostly because we were not the stupid ones that too sales jobs that require you to be at a home office or do business to business sales, selling products that nobody wants. as for INV, the management is very good, because of the experience they have, and the managers at INV are so much more talented and smarter than the manufacturer managers that generally have their heads up their rear ends, all day, looking at reports that mean nothing, to justify their overpaid jobs.
 




If you live below your means on this contract, there is no excuse to not max your 401k both years, and put away another 25-50k.

Unfortunately, most sales pros over estimate their abilities and interview skills and underestimate the BS and difficulty of find a good gig like this.

So, plan accordingly and stop making excuses, so when he contract is up, you will be in a position to be selective for the next Just Over Broke.


Dopey answer. Try living in a high cost of living state. Its like living in poverty on the cso rep salary. And don't say move...the the whole state costs big time. These companies need to adjust salary to areas of residence. Live like a king in one state and the same income in another state gets you a tiny box walk up with a view of the dump!