I Have 2 Opportunities...(New to the industry)

[niccolo nietzsche]

Thanks in advance for the insight:

I've been looking to break into medical sales for quite a long time...when it rains it pours; I have two opportunities which are presenting simultaneously.

1) With Merck as a sales representative- territory in a major region of the east coast, have no idea what the product is.

2) Sales role with a mid-size technology company (high end scientific equipment- microscopes, sensors, automated manufacturing modules, etc.) Training development program for six months, training mentorship for six months, territory in a major city in California.

The industry I came from required some strategic thinking on this front... If you had to choose between two options, being to work as a VP at a local bank or start off as a custodian at Goldman Sachs, you take the latter presuming you're confident in your ability to outperform and elevate yourself...even having the opportunity to get your foot in the door was difficult, and this strategy worked very well for me.

I want to get into medical devices eventually, but I don't have any offers from Johnson and Johnson, Boston Scientific, Baxter, etc. at the moment.

Eventually I want to become a product manager, so I'm garnering different experiences to round myself out for that. This is just trivia...maybe I'll love sales and stay there, but I'm thinking this is the path I'll want to take. Don't let it distract you in offering opinions- it's not set in stone.

Is Merck the Goldman Sachs? If so, do I limit my ability to transition into device, or is the experience selling in healthcare more relevant in making the migration than selling tech?

I'm happy to sell my soul. I'm not a corporate douche, but mid-20's and won't even consider starting a family or settling down for another decade, so I'm happy to be a road warrior and live out of a suitcase.

 

[anonymous]

Merck is the worst pharma company I have ever worked for. Device companies will not give you the time of day if you are a pharma rep. Chose wisely if you want to eventually break into the device industry. Good luck!

 

[anonymous]

Thanks in advance for the insight:

I've been looking to break into medical sales for quite a long time...when it rains it pours; I have two opportunities which are presenting simultaneously.

1) With Merck as a sales representative- territory in a major region of the east coast, have no idea what the product is.

2) Sales role with a mid-size technology company (high end scientific equipment- microscopes, sensors, automated manufacturing modules, etc.) Training development program for six months, training mentorship for six months, territory in a major city in California.

The industry I came from required some strategic thinking on this front... If you had to choose between two options, being to work as a VP at a local bank or start off as a custodian at Goldman Sachs, you take the latter presuming you're confident in your ability to outperform and elevate yourself...even having the opportunity to get your foot in the door was difficult, and this strategy worked very well for me.

I want to get into medical devices eventually, but I don't have any offers from Johnson and Johnson, Boston Scientific, Baxter, etc. at the moment.

Eventually I want to become a product manager, so I'm garnering different experiences to round myself out for that. This is just trivia...maybe I'll love sales and stay there, but I'm thinking this is the path I'll want to take. Don't let it distract you in offering opinions- it's not set in stone.

Is Merck the Goldman Sachs? If so, do I limit my ability to transition into device, or is the experience selling in healthcare more relevant in making the migration than selling tech?

I'm happy to sell my soul. I'm not a corporate douche, but mid-20's and won't even consider starting a family or settling down for another decade, so I'm happy to be a road warrior and live out of a suitcase.

You already think too much to be a drug rep. Not just at Merck, but any pharma company!

 

[anonymous]

Thanks in advance for the insight:

I've been looking to break into medical sales for quite a long time...when it rains it pours; I have two opportunities which are presenting simultaneously.

1) With Merck as a sales representative- territory in a major region of the east coast, have no idea what the product is.

2) Sales role with a mid-size technology company (high end scientific equipment- microscopes, sensors, automated manufacturing modules, etc.) Training development program for six months, training mentorship for six months, territory in a major city in California.

The industry I came from required some strategic thinking on this front... If you had to choose between two options, being to work as a VP at a local bank or start off as a custodian at Goldman Sachs, you take the latter presuming you're confident in your ability to outperform and elevate yourself...even having the opportunity to get your foot in the door was difficult, and this strategy worked very well for me.

I want to get into medical devices eventually, but I don't have any offers from Johnson and Johnson, Boston Scientific, Baxter, etc. at the moment.

Eventually I want to become a product manager, so I'm garnering different experiences to round myself out for that. This is just trivia...maybe I'll love sales and stay there, but I'm thinking this is the path I'll want to take. Don't let it distract you in offering opinions- it's not set in stone.

Is Merck the Goldman Sachs? If so, do I limit my ability to transition into device, or is the experience selling in healthcare more relevant in making the migration than selling tech?

I'm happy to sell my soul. I'm not a corporate douche, but mid-20's and won't even consider starting a family or settling down for another decade, so I'm happy to be a road warrior and live out of a suitcase.

Being a Pharma Rep is the furthest thing from entry level at GS. This job is a kids job at best. Based on your post, you do not want to be a Pharma Rep, you will regret your decision w/ in 6 months. There are no free thinkers in Pharma and the traing and management only wants robots or sheep.

There is no GS in this industry they are all cookie cutter business models of each other. Trust the other posters here you do not want to squander your time in Pharma to get to Med Sales it’s actually a step backwards.

 

[anonymous]

Thanks in advance for the insight:

I've been looking to break into medical sales for quite a long time...when it rains it pours; I have two opportunities which are presenting simultaneously.

1) With Merck as a sales representative- territory in a major region of the east coast, have no idea what the product is.

2) Sales role with a mid-size technology company (high end scientific equipment- microscopes, sensors, automated manufacturing modules, etc.) Training development program for six months, training mentorship for six months, territory in a major city in California.

The industry I came from required some strategic thinking on this front... If you had to choose between two options, being to work as a VP at a local bank or start off as a custodian at Goldman Sachs, you take the latter presuming you're confident in your ability to outperform and elevate yourself...even having the opportunity to get your foot in the door was difficult, and this strategy worked very well for me.

I want to get into medical devices eventually, but I don't have any offers from Johnson and Johnson, Boston Scientific, Baxter, etc. at the moment.

Eventually I want to become a product manager, so I'm garnering different experiences to round myself out for that. This is just trivia...maybe I'll love sales and stay there, but I'm thinking this is the path I'll want to take. Don't let it distract you in offering opinions- it's not set in stone.

Is Merck the Goldman Sachs? If so, do I limit my ability to transition into device, or is the experience selling in healthcare more relevant in making the migration than selling tech?

I'm happy to sell my soul. I'm not a corporate douche, but mid-20's and won't even consider starting a family or settling down for another decade, so I'm happy to be a road warrior and live out of a suitcase.

Your post seems sincere. It also seems you have way to much to offer a company besides one of these boiler room Pharma jobs. If you are smart, which it seems you are well thought out you will steer clear of pharma. I would say that if you don't want to squander your college education pursue the Med Device Industry all out and forget about Pharma. This industry is a shell of what it was 20 years ago. You do not want to be here. There is no longevity here either, every 3-5 years there are lay-offs and upward mobility is reserved for "choose" individuals from hire.

 

[anonymous]

Take the option that is not Merck every time.

In your example Merck is not even the local bank let alone Goldman Sachs. Take the other option and if you ever have the slightest doubt, come back here, read & remind yourself that you made the correct choice.

 

[anonymous]

Please pay attention to all these responses to your questions. Despite what a Manager or a Recruiter is telling you these are not sales jobs anymore. They are almost the furthest thing away from sales and Med Device companies look down on Pharma. All these jobs at the all Pharma companies are mis labeled as sales for years now. Customer Service Representative is a far better job title in 2018. You will be very disappointed very shortly into the position if you take the job.

 

[anonymous]

There’s too many reps at Merck and the pipeline has a lot of “me too” products that may or may not make it to market. Layoffs are eminent in every division at Merck even Oncology where they have 3 Oncology sales reps in a territory. Everywhere it is too crowded. Reps, managers, account executives all trying to see the same doctor it’s primary care mentality everywhere at Merck. Not an innovative specialty company with solid leaders that develop people. They change direction at a moments notice and just get rid of head count. Limited development opportunities and lots of time wondering what you’re supposed to actually learn or contribute. Being close to home office you might have opportunities but the morale is low and people in house are clicky, unmotivated and beat you down. Good luck.

 

[anonymous]

Do not choose pharma if you want to do devices. I wouldn’t choose that territory in the East with Merck...it is a diabetes position and the life span of Januvia is dwindling...you would be laid off in a couple of years when’s januvia goes off patent. Stick with biotech or a junior position in devices that would lead to another position eventually.

 

[niccolo nietzsche]

Merck is the worst pharma company I have ever worked for. Device companies will not give you the time of day if you are a pharma rep. Chose wisely if you want to eventually break into the device industry. Good luck!

Hey, thanks a lot for the insight- experienced perspective helps a lot

 

[niccolo nietzsche]

You already think too much to be a drug rep. Not just at Merck, but any pharma company!

Thank you for your thoughts- it's a big decision for me, and as such, these viewpoints are valuable.

 

[niccolo nietzsche]

Being a Pharma Rep is the furthest thing from entry level at GS. This job is a kids job at best. Based on your post, you do not want to be a Pharma Rep, you will regret your decision w/ in 6 months. There are no free thinkers in Pharma and the traing and management only wants robots or sheep.

There is no GS in this industry they are all cookie cutter business models of each other. Trust the other posters here you do not want to squander your time in Pharma to get to Med Sales it’s actually a step backwards.

Thanks for the straightforward advice. I'm finding it much easier to make this decision the more insight I get from insiders like yourself

 

[niccolo nietzsche]

Your post seems sincere. It also seems you have way to much to offer a company besides one of these boiler room Pharma jobs. If you are smart, which it seems you are well thought out you will steer clear of pharma. I would say that if you don't want to squander your college education pursue the Med Device Industry all out and forget about Pharma. This industry is a shell of what it was 20 years ago. You do not want to be here. There is no longevity here either, every 3-5 years there are lay-offs and upward mobility is reserved for "choose" individuals from hire.

I really appreciate the feedback- definitely genuine about looking for something meaningful.

This is all so unfortunate...the direction of the industry. Pharmaceuticals, medication in general, are huge components of the development of healthier societies. They literally play a role in evolution. That these organizations who have been charged with so much influence on the world

I'm not entirely naive- I'm a finance major and recognize the Machiavellian nature that exists in free-markets. It's necessary and reflective of natural selection and survival of the fittest, and we know that natural laws found in nature tend to also be effective artificially within societies. It's just unfortunate that the leaders of these organizations don't take more pride in their potential impact, which would ultimately drive their profits as intended.

Shortcuts in key industries are reflective of poor strategy and competency at the top levels of the org... I came from an industrial company which was one of the top 5 companies in the world in the year 2000...and subsequent years. There is still a culture of innovation there imbedded into the ruthless capitalist market approach.

 

[niccolo nietzsche]

Take the option that is not Merck every time.

In your example Merck is not even the local bank let alone Goldman Sachs. Take the other option and if you ever have the slightest doubt, come back here, read & remind yourself that you made the correct choice.

Thank you very much. These experienced perspectives are giving me guidance pertaining to the industry in general, even beyond Merck.

 

[niccolo nietzsche]

Please pay attention to all these responses to your questions. Despite what a Manager or a Recruiter is telling you these are not sales jobs anymore. They are almost the furthest thing away from sales and Med Device companies look down on Pharma. All these jobs at the all Pharma companies are mis labeled as sales for years now. Customer Service Representative is a far better job title in 2018. You will be very disappointed very shortly into the position if you take the job.

Thanks for taking the time to offer this guidance- not to speak poorly on anyone else's career predicament, but customer service is not what I'm looking for.

This is all so unfortunate. I've read around here a bit and seen the posts about reps having no integrity or drive beyond the bottom line, but it's still not the easiest industry to get into. You guys have a lot to be proud of, but it sounds like you've all swam across the ocean to get where you are only to realize that you're marooned.

Everything that has been shared in this thread is rational to me, and I've made my decision, but I will say that I don't entirely buy into the ideas that permeate across Cafe Pharma that the experience doesn't transition... I think this is more reflective of poor resourcefulness in resume presentation. Having a huge company on your resume does look good, and with the right spin it opens doors. This is not at all to contrast anything that you guys are saying, but people in other industries, even erroneously, still think that pharma is the crowned jewel of sales...that delusion can be capitalized upon.

 

[niccolo nietzsche]

There’s too many reps at Merck and the pipeline has a lot of “me too” products that may or may not make it to market. Layoffs are eminent in every division at Merck even Oncology where they have 3 Oncology sales reps in a territory. Everywhere it is too crowded. Reps, managers, account executives all trying to see the same doctor it’s primary care mentality everywhere at Merck. Not an innovative specialty company with solid leaders that develop people. They change direction at a moments notice and just get rid of head count. Limited development opportunities and lots of time wondering what you’re supposed to actually learn or contribute. Being close to home office you might have opportunities but the morale is low and people in house are clicky, unmotivated and beat you down. Good luck.

I have heard that saturation is a huge issue. I have absolutely no interest in competing within a territory...not to say that I'm not up for competitive challenge, but it's just fucking inefficient to create cultures which are driven by "eat-what-you-kill" dynamics and create an incentive to kill one another. Why not bifurcate the territories into smaller AORs where domain expertise can really be garnered that drives territory specialization?

I have experience in capital equipment sales from early in my career, and I actually brought this up at HQ, but from a perspective of ignorance- I asked why franchises weren't allowed to compete with one another...why owners couldn't pony up money and push out their internal competition if they had the resources to drive the brand. They, surprisingly politely, explained that the sort of structure I was asking about would quickly devalue the sales incentivizations and create inefficient dynamics within the brand.

So unfortunate that this problem is actually "encouraged" in an industry that is so important to humanity.

 

[niccolo nietzsche]

Do not choose pharma if you want to do devices. I wouldn’t choose that territory in the East with Merck...it is a diabetes position and the life span of Januvia is dwindling...you would be laid off in a couple of years when’s januvia goes off patent. Stick with biotech or a junior position in devices that would lead to another position eventually.

Sounds like you are familiar with the exact opportunity at hand... Thanks for the inside perspective. It sounds like there's not a chance of any longevity, so I'd not only have to overcome different, perhaps irrelevant experience, but also short tenure.

 

[anonymous]

I have heard that saturation is a huge issue. I have absolutely no interest in competing within a territory...not to say that I'm not up for competitive challenge, but it's just fucking inefficient to create cultures which are driven by "eat-what-you-kill" dynamics and create an incentive to kill one another. Why not bifurcate the territories into smaller AORs where domain expertise can really be garnered that drives territory specialization?

I have experience in capital equipment sales from early in my career, and I actually brought this up at HQ, but from a perspective of ignorance- I asked why franchises weren't allowed to compete with one another...why owners couldn't pony up money and push out their internal competition if they had the resources to drive the brand. They, surprisingly politely, explained that the sort of structure I was asking about would quickly devalue the sales incentivizations and create inefficient dynamics within the brand.

So unfortunate that this problem is actually "encouraged" in an industry that is so important to humanity.

DO NOT trust anyone. You’ll eventually get stabbed in the back. But, quicker if you feel you can trust your manager, Regional, or counterparts in area.

 

[anonymous]

Thanks in advance for the insight:

I've been looking to break into medical sales for quite a long time...when it rains it pours; I have two opportunities which are presenting simultaneously.

1) With Merck as a sales representative- territory in a major region of the east coast, have no idea what the product is.

2) Sales role with a mid-size technology company (high end scientific equipment- microscopes, sensors, automated manufacturing modules, etc.) Training development program for six months, training mentorship for six months, territory in a major city in California.

The industry I came from required some strategic thinking on this front... If you had to choose between two options, being to work as a VP at a local bank or start off as a custodian at Goldman Sachs, you take the latter presuming you're confident in your ability to outperform and elevate yourself...even having the opportunity to get your foot in the door was difficult, and this strategy worked very well for me.

I want to get into medical devices eventually, but I don't have any offers from Johnson and Johnson, Boston Scientific, Baxter, etc. at the moment.

Eventually I want to become a product manager, so I'm garnering different experiences to round myself out for that. This is just trivia...maybe I'll love sales and stay there, but I'm thinking this is the path I'll want to take. Don't let it distract you in offering opinions- it's not set in stone.

Is Merck the Goldman Sachs? If so, do I limit my ability to transition into device, or is the experience selling in healthcare more relevant in making the migration than selling tech?

I'm happy to sell my soul. I'm not a corporate douche, but mid-20's and won't even consider starting a family or settling down for another decade, so I'm happy to be a road warrior and live out of a suitcase.

If you truly want to enter the pharma-bio biz and want some longevity here are tips:

*Get a hq job at biotech and amass stock.
*Try Genentech, Amgen, Celgene, etc.
*These are located in expensive areas so ask about company housing for first 6 months.
*Inside you can move around a lot and acquire diverse skills quick.
*Make sure you obtain digital marketing experience as this is replacing field reps.
*Do not involve yourself with "pills", the future is bioengineered medicine.
*Biotech is ruthless and you won't have a life, this is not 9 - 5.

Since you are young you have time to find your path. IF you take a field sales role get out asap or you will find yourself years later with a wife, kids, mortgage and a pink slip. The best entry for devices is urology, good gateway to the big players you mention.

 

[anonymous]

If you truly want to enter the pharma-bio biz and want some longevity here are tips

It sounds like you really understand the business.

I won’t be offended at all if you’d prefer not to, but is there any way for me to ask you some questions while preserving your anonymity?