If the job is a joke and I won't leave - does that make me a joke too?

[Anonymous]

so true...great post...I wish I had gotten out years ago too...I have hated it since about 1995 but my parent's depression-era mentality raised me to never quit a job...so I stuck it out in misery all these years...finally got out when my loathing for Merck became so extreme it was ruining my life...

People don't understand how sick, twisted and phony pharma sales unless they have done it themselves...it is truly a bizarre profession, with absolutely no comparison...

it will make you crazy for sure...

FU MERCK!!

Have pension and years in? Start fishing! Catches are there if you are still in your 30s and 40s in larger companies....

Over 50 look in smaller and private owned....

 

[Anonymous]

well said!! I have always posted on CP that women are not nearly as bothered by being drug reps and being screwed over daily by the companies, because they are used to getting fu(ked on a daily basis...

For guys, it is an emasculating, ridiculous way to make a living, that takes a toll on ones soul...

So glad I got out...wish I hadn't wasted so much time at Schmerck...got sucked into the lazy lifestyle...

FU MERCK!!

You are a JERK! Obviously you do not respect women. Ever think about the female reps that were single parents, did the job, paid the mortgage, took care of their house, bought the groceries AND took care of the children. Get over yourself

 

[Anonymous]

I think these feelings (almost always?) emerge when you've been in the industry a long time and start getting some age on you. I'm female, and I came to HATE (understatement) my job and the crazy masquerade that it became. I was 42 when I left, and had been miserable for about 2 1/2 - 3 years. I stuck it out for a while, thinking I was going through a phase, but it just kept getting worse. I completely understand everything you say. Actually, I think that some people can deal with it, b/c they see it as just a job and means to an end (the ones who say "just get your satisfaction outside of work"...) , but I was like you. seeing it more like "I spend a huge chunk of my life doing this, and it sucks beyond words, so it's not worth it to me anymore"). 2 schools of thought I guess.
I should have left the job as SOON as I started feeling brain-dead, which was a long while back! I did myself NO favors by sticking around!
For me, the money became absolutely not worth how shitty I felt every, single day.
It's hard to even explain the weirdness and insanity of pharma unless you've been in it.

Great post. Did you find another job at 42?

 

[Anonymous]

Great post. Did you find another job at 42?

Hi-- the 42 yr old here. Not yet, but I am honestly not jumping at just anything, b/c I REALLY need to find something that I'm at least going to minimally somewhat enjoy, after being so unhappy for so long in pharma! I'm not willing to be miserable again, and luckily I have a spouse with a very good job, so not in a "desperate" situation. I have turned down a couple of jobs in the past few months. Be prepared for big pay cuts if you decide to venture into new industries (or if you stay in the same one! But who would want to do that??). High pay opportunities haven't been good, so that's going to be a tough pill to swallow, but if I find something I like, then the pay cut will be ok. Oh, and of course I refuse to be treated like a child again, and want to be in a company that, at the very least, ACTS like they respect their people! I don't think that's asking for too much!
I'm confident that something good will come along, but it's just taking time. There seem to be more jobs popping up now than there was last year.....

 

[Anonymous]

No your not a joke. We all need to do something for money to live our private lives so if it's not affecting you that much then just try to smile, take up a new hobby you always wanted to try and see what happens.

Sorry.. it is a joke. Some docs only order samples via the merck website. What else do you bring (pun intended) to the equation? The rep is a dying breed, just too expensive.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi-- the 42 yr old here. Not yet, but I am honestly not jumping at just anything, b/c I REALLY need to find something that I'm at least going to minimally somewhat enjoy, after being so unhappy for so long in pharma! I'm not willing to be miserable again, and luckily I have a spouse with a very good job, so not in a "desperate" situation. I have turned down a couple of jobs in the past few months. Be prepared for big pay cuts if you decide to venture into new industries (or if you stay in the same one! But who would want to do that??). High pay opportunities haven't been good, so that's going to be a tough pill to swallow, but if I find something I like, then the pay cut will be ok. Oh, and of course I refuse to be treated like a child again, and want to be in a company that, at the very least, ACTS like they respect their people! I don't think that's asking for too much!
I'm confident that something good will come along, but it's just taking time. There seem to be more jobs popping up now than there was last year.....

Kudos to you for leaving. It takes a lot of strength to do that. Good luck to you in finding your next career. I was wrong not to do what you did when I started hating the job. That is ok, I am out now... forced out at 55+.