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Anonymous

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Hello Boston Scientific employees, I have an upcomming interview for the "sales associate" position, which I am excited for. Can anyone please give me suggestions/tips for the interview? Much appreciated.
 




































I'm not the original poster from above, but I'm sick of people saying pharma reps are bad/stupid/lazy etc. What did you do before you landed your current job? Bartend? Play sports?

The simple fact is that pharma is a job with great benefits for a family, and pays the bills just fine for me. I'm not lazy, and I don't suck - the pharma world has changed over the years and now the job has become less interesting, and physicians don't spend the time they used to with reps - its not the fault of the rep if the industry has changed. Are there bad reps in pharma - Absolutely! But I'm sure someone in your company is just as much of a boob as the pharma reps we all know suck. Managers in device sales are overlooking good entrprenurial individuals for the simple fact that they have worked in pharma, which makes no sense. Who wouldn't want a company car, benefits, and a good pay check? Hmm let's hire someone who thinks that's a bad idea.... Look at individuals, not whether they've worked in pharma and you may be surprised what you find - after all, these pharma companies do extensive background checks, credit checks, drug tests, driving record updates, extensive training, and put loads of pressure on reps to perform. Given the right fit, a pharma rep may be a great fit to your teams.
 












Anonymous said:
I'm not the original poster from above, but I'm sick of people saying pharma reps are bad/stupid/lazy etc. What did you do before you landed your current job? Bartend? Play sports?

The simple fact is that pharma is a job with great benefits for a family, and pays the bills just fine for me. I'm not lazy, and I don't suck - the pharma world has changed over the years and now the job has become less interesting, and physicians don't spend the time they used to with reps - its not the fault of the rep if the industry has changed. Are there bad reps in pharma - Absolutely! But I'm sure someone in your company is just as much of a boob as the pharma reps we all know suck. Managers in device sales are overlooking good entrprenurial individuals for the simple fact that they have worked in pharma, which makes no sense. Who wouldn't want a company car, benefits, and a good pay check? Hmm let's hire someone who thinks that's a bad idea.... Look at individuals, not whether they've worked in pharma and you may be surprised what you find - after all, these pharma companies do extensive background checks, credit checks, drug tests, driving record updates, extensive training, and put loads of pressure on reps to perform. Given the right fit, a pharma rep may be a great fit to your teams.
Click to expand...

Don't be fooled. Half of the boobs in this industry are ex-pharma. They just seem to forget where they came from.
 






Anonymous said:
I'm not the original poster from above, but I'm sick of people saying pharma reps are bad/stupid/lazy etc. What did you do before you landed your current job? Bartend? Play sports?

The simple fact is that pharma is a job with great benefits for a family, and pays the bills just fine for me. I'm not lazy, and I don't suck - the pharma world has changed over the years and now the job has become less interesting, and physicians don't spend the time they used to with reps - its not the fault of the rep if the industry has changed. Are there bad reps in pharma - Absolutely! But I'm sure someone in your company is just as much of a boob as the pharma reps we all know suck. Managers in device sales are overlooking good entrprenurial individuals for the simple fact that they have worked in pharma, which makes no sense. Who wouldn't want a company car, benefits, and a good pay check? Hmm let's hire someone who thinks that's a bad idea.... Look at individuals, not whether they've worked in pharma and you may be surprised what you find - after all, these pharma companies do extensive background checks, credit checks, drug tests, driving record updates, extensive training, and put loads of pressure on reps to perform. Given the right fit, a pharma rep may be a great fit to your teams.
Click to expand...

1."Managers in device sales are overlooking good entrprenurial individuals for the simple fact that they have worked in pharma, which makes no sense."

Of course it makes sense, if their previous experience with pharma reps has been miserable, then obviously this is going to color their opinions moving forward.

2. "I'm sure someone in your company is just as much of a boob as the pharma reps we all know suck."

Of course there are boobs here, but the difference is they rarely end up going from device to pharma. Conversely, plenty of your "boobs" end up here, and so you see where the pharma stereotype is born.

Pharma is a great gig. I am jealous of the hours and lack of a pager. I wish I could hand out samples so the customer could SEE my product working. Instead, I have to spend 2 years mentally masturbating an EP until he feels comfortable COMMITTING himself to one of my devices for 10+ years.

What I don't envy is the layoffs. It seems you guys get the heave ho much more often and with less lead time than we do.

Pharma reps can do well here. They just have to be prepared for a radical shift in QOL and expectations. Many of them find that $125k / year was sweeter especially if they came to device thinking they were going to be pulling down $350k here. Those days are over.
 






Anonymous said:
1."Managers in device sales are overlooking good entrprenurial individuals for the simple fact that they have worked in pharma, which makes no sense."

Of course it makes sense, if their previous experience with pharma reps has been miserable, then obviously this is going to color their opinions moving forward.

2. "I'm sure someone in your company is just as much of a boob as the pharma reps we all know suck."

Of course there are boobs here, but the difference is they rarely end up going from device to pharma. Conversely, plenty of your "boobs" end up here, and so you see where the pharma stereotype is born.

Pharma is a great gig. I am jealous of the hours and lack of a pager. I wish I could hand out samples so the customer could SEE my product working. Instead, I have to spend 2 years mentally masturbating an EP until he feels comfortable COMMITTING himself to one of my devices for 10+ years.

What I don't envy is the layoffs. It seems you guys get the heave ho much more often and with less lead time than we do.

Pharma reps can do well here. They just have to be prepared for a radical shift in QOL and expectations. Many of them find that $125k / year was sweeter especially if they came to device thinking they were going to be pulling down $350k here. Those days are over.
Click to expand...

Pharma to device can happen. If you stay within your specialty and you aren't trying to jump from primary care. I jumped from cath lab pharma to one of the big 4 stent companies and have done quite well. As far as money, you can pull down 150-160 in pharma hospital and not work hard. You can go to stents, pacers (a big leap) or neurostim and make 250-350 depending on territory. I've been shocked how little surgery pays. It seems like 120-140 tops.
 






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