Interviewing with Publicis

[Anonymous]

Interviewing first of next week for a Publicis contract.
One interview with the Publicis manager only.

What's a typical interview like with Publicis?

Not new to pharma interviewing but any info to know prior to interview
with this company would be appreciated.

Thx

 

[Anonymous]

Totally little league company. This must be a last resort for you.

 

[Anonymous]

It's called the possibility of a job buckeroo.
If you're lucky enough to be employed don;t take it for granted.
My theory is you sound like you have a job with this company and you're not happy, had a job with Publicis and are angry or you would like to work for Publicis but they did not want you.

I don;t look at the possibility of attaining a position with a base of 90K, fine bonus and
platinum benefits as choosing Publicis as a last resort.

BTW, if you are employed in Pharma- be grateful as if you get cut, downsized whatever you can have awards and high marketshare out the wazoo and find it extremely difficult to get a new position. And lastly, if you're in pharma and one of the folks that bitches all the time about their job- get F--K out of the way and let someone else occupy your spot.

 

[Anonymous]

It's called the possibility of a job buckeroo.
If you're lucky enough to be employed don;t take it for granted.
My theory is you sound like you have a job with this company and you're not happy, had a job with Publicis and are angry or you would like to work for Publicis but they did not want you.

I don;t look at the possibility of attaining a position with a base of 90K, fine bonus and
platinum benefits as choosing Publicis as a last resort.

BTW, if you are employed in Pharma- be grateful as if you get cut, downsized whatever you can have awards and high marketshare out the wazoo and find it extremely difficult to get a new position. And lastly, if you're in pharma and one of the folks that bitches all the time about their job- get F--K out of the way and let someone else occupy your spot.

That other poster is correct, its really a shame that you don't see it.

IF you are out of money, then take it, of course. But, wait it out if you can. This company is going to take you nowhere, and then you will have a poor track record on your resume.

Anyway, they just ask the typical stupid corporate sales type questions. I quit the corporate game a few years ago after a decade, and I am glad I did. I sleep better, get paid a little more, get more respect, and have more time for family.

YOu might want to keep looking.

Either way, good luck.

 

[Anonymous]

I have interviewed with both big Pharma and Publicis. The interview is pretty much the same, regardless if contract or not. Most managers that work with Publicis have come from big Pharma anyhow. Interview as you would for any pharmaceutical position. Base pay depends on your experience, most beginners start in the 50's and the highest I heard of was in the 70's. Depending on the contract and drug, bonus can be pretty good. I've worked a number of contracts with different contracting companies and have quarterly bonus be as high as 12K and as low as 200; it depends on the company they are contracting with, some are generous, others not so much. Few of the contracts will have you do programs, and that makes the job a bit less stressful. The contracts I've worked with Publicis give you a car stipend of $500.00 per month plus mileage (.19) I own my car so that makes it nice.

My last training had a large number of reps with over 15 to 20 years experience in the field and I was happy to see that many were over 50 yrs. old. As far as contract companies, my experience has been good with Publicis and Inventiv. PDI not so good and OnCall was pretty lax, but both of these were flex. I hope that helps, good luck.

 

[Anonymous]

I have interviewed with both big Pharma and Publicis. The interview is pretty much the same, regardless if contract or not. Most managers that work with Publicis have come from big Pharma anyhow. Interview as you would for any pharmaceutical position. Base pay depends on your experience, most beginners start in the 50's and the highest I heard of was in the 70's. Depending on the contract and drug, bonus can be pretty good. I've worked a number of contracts with different contracting companies and have quarterly bonus be as high as 12K and as low as 200; it depends on the company they are contracting with, some are generous, others not so much. Few of the contracts will have you do programs, and that makes the job a bit less stressful. The contracts I've worked with Publicis give you a car stipend of $500.00 per month plus mileage (.19) I own my car so that makes it nice.

My last training had a large number of reps with over 15 to 20 years experience in the field and I was happy to see that many were over 50 yrs. old. As far as contract companies, my experience has been good with Publicis and Inventiv. PDI not so good and OnCall was pretty lax, but both of these were flex. I hope that helps, good luck.

Thanks for the info. This is a specialty spot so the base is 90K, 25% of base bonus, 600 care allowance and .19 per mile as you stated. I was just curious if there were any odd ball things to know about the interview process as I am very familiar with the normal pharma interview.

 

[Anonymous]

Ignore the negative posts. They are people who are bitter because they did not get their contract renewed or reps from the specific pharma company in which Publicis are contracted with. Generic interview…will go over your resume, ask you STAR format questions. Interviews are approximately 1 ½ hours. Not a bad company to work for especially in this economy. You have the security of have a job at least during the duration of your contract. Miles fluxuates from .16-.19 cents. Everyone in the company is very positive because they want all the contracts to be renewed. Good luck!

 

[Anonymous]

Ignore the negative posts. They are people who are bitter because they did not get their contract renewed or reps from the specific pharma company in which Publicis are contracted with. Generic interview…will go over your resume, ask you STAR format questions. Interviews are approximately 1 ½ hours. Not a bad company to work for especially in this economy. You have the security of have a job at least during the duration of your contract. Miles fluxuates from .16-.19 cents. Everyone in the company is very positive because they want all the contracts to be renewed. Good luck!

Does anyone have any insight on Pfizer co-promotes?

 

[Anonymous]

Ignore the negative posts. They are people who are bitter because they did not get their contract renewed or reps from the specific pharma company in which Publicis are contracted with. Generic interview…will go over your resume, ask you STAR format questions. Interviews are approximately 1 ½ hours. Not a bad company to work for especially in this economy. You have the security of have a job at least during the duration of your contract. Miles fluxuates from .16-.19 cents. Everyone in the company is very positive because they want all the contracts to be renewed. Good luck!

Thanks for your imput . I appreciate your comments.

 

[Anonymous]

Ignore the negative posts. They are people who are bitter because they did not get their contract renewed or reps from the specific pharma company in which Publicis are contracted with. Generic interview…will go over your resume, ask you STAR format questions. Interviews are approximately 1 ½ hours. Not a bad company to work for especially in this economy. You have the security of have a job at least during the duration of your contract. Miles fluxuates from .16-.19 cents. Everyone in the company is very positive because they want all the contracts to be renewed. Good luck!

There is a big difference between a negative post and a truthful post.

Your post is not honest. Stop lying. Publicis is a road to no-where land.

The ONLY person that I would recommend this J-O-B to is a person who is just looking to keep buy and is not looking for a career.

Winners need not apply.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info. This is a specialty spot so the base is 90K, 25% of base bonus, 600 care allowance and .19 per mile as you stated. I was just curious if there were any odd ball things to know about the interview process as I am very familiar with the normal pharma interview.

You must be talking about the Pfizer RA contract, and you won't get anywhere near a $90k salary. Publicis is w/o a doubt, the worst CSO out there, but if you need a job, go for it.

 

[Anonymous]

in regards to the last couple posts. I don't know how Publicis will be as a company but after being downsized over a year ago and wanting to work in pharma again, as I said it is an opportunity for a job in a therapeutic area I enjoy.

If I am hired I don't see how it can be any worse than working for a monster pharma co for over 10 years and being downsized and consistently year after year going thru the stress of "will I get cut this year".
I don't see how having their name on my resume looks any worse than not having any new position listed on my resume.
In regards to the base pay, I am only quoting what I was told about salary and benefits.

Thanks for the info on interviewing with PTS as that is all I wanted and maybe a good luck on your interview. We all may work or have worked in this industry but at it's core we are all part of pharma. Kind of like a club we liked, sometimes disliked and definitely survived in. Hopefully we can support each other .

 

[Anonymous]

in regards to the last couple posts. I don't know how Publicis will be as a company but after being downsized over a year ago and wanting to work in pharma again, as I said it is an opportunity for a job in a therapeutic area I enjoy.

If I am hired I don't see how it can be any worse than working for a monster pharma co for over 10 years and being downsized and consistently year after year going thru the stress of "will I get cut this year".
I don't see how having their name on my resume looks any worse than not having any new position listed on my resume.
In regards to the base pay, I am only quoting what I was told about salary and benefits.

Thanks for the info on interviewing with PTS as that is all I wanted and maybe a good luck on your interview. We all may work or have worked in this industry but at it's core we are all part of pharma. Kind of like a club we liked, sometimes disliked and definitely survived in. Hopefully we can support each other .

Can you answer this question for me honesty: are you really passionate about selling pharmaceuticals?

I hope you will respond, because I want to understand the mindset that you are working with.

Personally, I think pharma sales is at the same level as stipper or roulette dealer, and I am 100 percent serious.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes I am or should say still am. What fulfills one person and in my case I like the challenge, the interactions (good and bad) and I saw those rare moments where I felt like I was part of the process in indirectly helping a patient.
I certainly like the money, the benefits but know I have to give back to the company with my time and the hours put it in and out of the field, I have to deal with an unusual amt of stress but yes I really feel passionate about it.

It's not my business of course, but upon asking me that and you are on CP so assuming your a rep. If you're not happy or driven by what you do this may not be the job for you.

How sad to think I have to explain or made to feel like an oddity because I really do love this line of work....but I appreciate your question.

 

[Anonymous]

There is a big difference between a negative post and a truthful post.

Your post is not honest. Stop lying. Publicis is a road to no-where land.

The ONLY person that I would recommend this J-O-B to is a person who is just looking to keep buy and is not looking for a career.

Winners need not apply.

Are you not reading the post or just plaid dumb. The OP was asking about the interview process. All pharma companies are a road to nowhere land and it was not stated that Publicis is any different. You so called *winner* is surely to be laid off eventually like everyone in pharma. You'll be begging to interview with Publicis rather than collecting the pathetic unemployment ck. If you are such a winner why are you lurking on the Publicis thread? I'm guessing your contract didn't get renewed or you didn't get an offer from Publicis.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes I am or should say still am. What fulfills one person and in my case I like the challenge, the interactions (good and bad) and I saw those rare moments where I felt like I was part of the process in indirectly helping a patient.
I certainly like the money, the benefits but know I have to give back to the company with my time and the hours put it in and out of the field, I have to deal with an unusual amt of stress but yes I really feel passionate about it.

It's not my business of course, but upon asking me that and you are on CP so assuming your a rep. If you're not happy or driven by what you do this may not be the job for you.

How sad to think I have to explain or made to feel like an oddity because I really do love this line of work....but I appreciate your question.

good for you.
Then stick with it.

I just can't sell products that cause so many side effect OR work for organizations that treat people like s h i t. LOL. Just can't handle it anymore. I truly don't understand how people can do this job past 40.

I have moved on and my life has changed. Less stress and more work. As odd as that sounds, it is true now that I am out of what I consider a toxic corporate industry.

 

[Anonymous]

Are you not reading the post or just plaid dumb. The OP was asking about the interview process. All pharma companies are a road to nowhere land and it was not stated that Publicis is any different. You so called *winner* is surely to be laid off eventually like everyone in pharma. You'll be begging to interview with Publicis rather than collecting the pathetic unemployment ck. If you are such a winner why are you lurking on the Publicis thread? I'm guessing your contract didn't get renewed or you didn't get an offer from Publicis.

its good entertainment for me.

I really can't bel. that some of you are even looking at this company. You will not go anywhere with them.

Better off starting a commission only, because your work will be rewarded and your efforts will build up a business and relationships that you will have for years and years.

Now, compare that to crazy pharma, where your territory changes, your products change, and you are let good like yesterdays news.

Time to grow up in life, and take things serioulsy.

Publicis doesn't care about you.

 

[Anonymous]

its good entertainment for me.

I really can't bel. that some of you are even looking at this company. You will not go anywhere with them.

Better off starting a commission only, because your work will be rewarded and your efforts will build up a business and relationships that you will have for years and years.

Now, compare that to crazy pharma, where your territory changes, your products change, and you are let good like yesterdays news.

Time to grow up in life, and take things serioulsy.

Publicis doesn't care about you.

This for me started out as a post asking for interview advice specifically about Publicis.
I am sorry I asked as this has turned into a bashing of them or pharma in general.

Look. It's simple. If you don't like pharma and are in it and have a good option to get out you should. If you are bitter about working for Publicis or not getting to work for them try to find another job option if possible as it is difficult. What lousy things to say like "losers not apply" and "time to grow up and take things seriously".

This post was about a job for someone who just wants to get back into Pharma and has another opportunity. BTW today is my interview so hopefully if anyone responds it will be a simple, no strings attached > "Good luck".

 

[Anonymous]

Good luck to you! I hope you get it and its a good experience for you! It has been for me after being laid off from big Pharma. It may be only a one year contract but its a good salary I would not Have had otherwise and I'm grateful for it!

 

[Anonymous]

To the original poster to this thread...First, I hope your interview went well. I have been following this thread because it seems we are interviewing for the same company/contract...hopefully not against one another since my interview is later in the week so we are probably in different cities . I am also recently laid off from Big Pharma in specialty and this seems like a very good contract. If you can share any insights you have after going through the first face-to-face interview, please share. Thanks and hopefully we will meet in March at training!