anonymous
Guest
anonymous
Guest
This is a great thread. I'll share my experience:
I was in pharma sales for 25 years. Back in 2008, when we used to have roommates at meetings, this guy told me how he was doing real estate on the side, and not having a side gig with this easy job is being really short-sighted. That made me think.
Let me back up for a second. I was only with 4 companies in 25 years. All great companies. I have 3 pensions that will exercise at retirement age. I think the sales training and on the job experience prepares you well for most sales jobs. I liked the pay and flexibility this occupation affords. I always got on well with my fellow sales people, had some good managers, some so-so managers, and one real a-hole manager. This a-hole is probably the main reason I left the industry, even after saying that I would never leave a pharma job because of a manager. Well, I think if I would have stayed any longer, I probably would have ended up knocking his teeth out, seriously.
I had started a business on the side a few years prior to my departure. The business tripled in revenue over the last few years, to the point I couldn't even get out of my office to do my pharma sales. Therefore, it was a great pleasure to be able to resign on my terms. I still have documented incidents that would get this manager fired in a heartbeat. I'm really tempted to submit a letter to HR and my former RM because everyone in the district was afraid if they spoke up, they would be managed out eventually. To any RMs who may read this post, there are probably sales people in your region right now that are unwilling to speak up to you or HR about their DM because of the no-win situation. Even though my former RM assured us that we would not be penalized, it is still a big risk to speak up. Is it even worth it for me to do it now? idk...
I knew this gig wouldn't have lasted forever but that's ok because I put my kids through college and I developed my side gig into a legitimate, sustainable business. Would I have done it over looking back? Probably not because I realize now what I was meant to do. Sorry to be vague. However, it was a pretty easy job that I only needed to work half days most of the time, and whole days if prepared for it. One of the hardest parts was saving good access offices to call on when my manager was with me. This wasn't because of laziness but more to the point that working more hours, making more calls wouldn't resulted in better numbers. It just would have been busy work.
If I can pass on any advice to would be or new pharma reps that want longevity in this industry, I would say: 1) always get your admin done on time, 2) have a daily goal of just a few things each day, 3) never mess with your expense report or samples (easy way to get fired), 4) write down names of as many people you can in the office or hospital so you can greet them by name, 5) don't stress about numbers or what your manager thinks of you. Some things you just can't control, 6) Choose well respected companies in desirable disease states (oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, immunology) so that your resume looks good when you have to move on. Let's face it, reps shouldn't stay with companies more than five years if they are stagnant, 7) Set a standard of respect you want from customers, managers, fellow reps, hiring managers, recruiters, etc. Most of those will push you around if you let them. Some couldn't hack it in sales and expect you to do the impossible even if they couldn't do a fraction of it when they were in sales, 8) Don't stress if your are interviewing and don't get the job. Most times you will be happy later that you didn't get the job because something better came along, 9) For god's sake, don't be one of those people reps who are always stressing about role plays at training or meetings. The script they want you to follow is basically meaningless in the real world but go along with it. Take your time, listen, ask questions during the role play and you will be fine, 10) Don't get roped into discussions with toxic reps who talk smack behind other's back or engage in inappropriate conversations at training or meetings, Furthermore, do not ever get into TMI conversations with your manager. If they insist on babbling about their sex life, who they don't like, racist comments. etc, just document it in a journal right away.
So good luck everyone, if it means staying within the industry or branching out in another field.
Been in the industry for 20 years. Good advice.
