I am not feeling sorry for myself, I just need to vent and maybe find out I am not alone here. I was laid off after 15 years in pharma. I am almost 55 and have only gotten 2 F2F interviews in an entire year. I am not a Presidents Club winner but had solid numbers and numerous awards. I don't look my age...I'm attractive, fit, energetic and friendly. But when I walk into an interview, I can tell by the interviewer's face that this is going nowhere. The interviewer makes less and less eye contact as the conversation continues, and the writing is on the wall. At my last interview, I produced my brag book, which the recruiter told me to bring, and he basically said, "Keep it." Did not even open it, which made me feel awful. I can't even get an interview for a part time merchandising job! I never thought I would feel age discrimination but boy, is it ever out there! I was the primary breadwinner in the family and I seriously think we will lose our house if I cannot find a decent job. I would even take two part time jobs, but I cannot even get an interview for one. When my unemployment runs out, I am really going to be in a bind. Is there any company out there who actually VALUES a mature sales rep? I almost feel these hiring managers laughing under their breath as they talk to me. They are very patronizing. Thoughts?
Over 50 and struggling
- Thread starter Anonymous
- Start date
-
- Tags
- None
Try one of the contract companies--the ones I know about include: PDI, quintiles, etc. I've known several "mature" reps that have gone to work for contract companies. You are not alone--I, too, have long-term success in pharma. with no success getting a job. You would be wise to look outside of pharma if contract co's don't work out. Believe me, I tried for quite some time because I didn't want to give up on pharma, but you really can be happy outside of it. Things to consider: hospice marketing, home health care, medical device (though, typically, more difficult to get into), some respiratory companies sell their products. Some people I've known at this stage have gotten completely away from medical and they've gone back to what they were doing before pharma.--and are very happy. Granted, you'll probably have to buy your own car and benefits and salary might not be as great, but you will be happier and you will actually earn your salary.
You're not alone, believe me--and many, many others. And it's not necessarily your age, but the time you have put into pharma. that some employers don't like. Sometimes, they want to hire newbies (or close) because they can get them at a lower base and they can brainwash them their own way.
What state are you in? What major in College? You can concentrate on what you majored in, if at all feasible. There are things out there. What did you do before?
What state are you in? What major in College? You can concentrate on what you majored in, if at all feasible. There are things out there. What did you do before?
Sorry to hear about your situation, but REAL ESTATE and INSURANCE SALES is easily the way to go.
REAL ESTATE is slightly better because you can get become a mortgage broker as well.
I know several people with less than desirable backgrounds that are now doing very well in real estate and mortgage because they appreciate the opportunity...
and this is in a rural market ,250,000 population area.
Another option is to go back to school for nursing, a solid career choice.
Right there with you and I went back to school in 2010 and got a Master's degree. It made no difference. I get maybe one interview for every 70 applications and, like you, have had only two F2F in the last eight months. Most applications, even for jobs that I'm more than qualified, send me back a canned rejection letter. It is our age. I too get that look the moment I walk through for the F2F. I have even had managers at the interview say with surprise that I am very energetic and still have that sparkle in my eye. Last set of interviews I lost out b/c I could not pass their stupid personality test and then I injured my back and missed out on the third interview. My "health" is too poor to be a nurse or do any heavy lifting (over 30 lbs). It is a real shame as I know I'm a good worker.
Masters in what?
Nursing is what you need to go to school for, or other market needs!
With sales experience, you transition easily into real estate and insurance.
Don't complicate income.
We have aged out. 45 yrs. old and exp. same exact thing. It was very different 15 years ago. Older reps were looked up to for guidance and expertise. That is not valued by most companies anymore. The other poster said it, they want a 25 yo they can mold with a robotic speech.
Its only going to get worse.
If you want to go into sales (and it is still a great profession because the compensation is so good), you should consider independent selling.
To go corporate is terrible, especially in medical.
This is just basic, common sense, and its not a bad idea to repeat it.
I'm not really a veteran but i had to come over and post this.
My good friend, 54 years old, just a few months from the magic vesting age of 55 at JnJ and my manager bet the rest of our team he could get this guy fired before that. He's not the guys manager, just hates him because he says that anyone who wins Presidents circle 8 years in a row and doesn't parlay that into a managers job is coasting.
My manager got him on the best thing. He says he doesn't communicate well with the new technology. My manager also told all of us on the team not to respond to the guys emails, texts, etc. and then when we all did the guy got put on a performance plan, even though the guy is number one in the country by a mile. But my manager has a lot of money riding on getting the guy canned by 55, so he's really turning up the heat.
Here's the problem. I really like the guy, but my manager is next in line for the senior VP position. What do I do?
My good friend, 54 years old, just a few months from the magic vesting age of 55 at JnJ and my manager bet the rest of our team he could get this guy fired before that. He's not the guys manager, just hates him because he says that anyone who wins Presidents circle 8 years in a row and doesn't parlay that into a managers job is coasting.
My manager got him on the best thing. He says he doesn't communicate well with the new technology. My manager also told all of us on the team not to respond to the guys emails, texts, etc. and then when we all did the guy got put on a performance plan, even though the guy is number one in the country by a mile. But my manager has a lot of money riding on getting the guy canned by 55, so he's really turning up the heat.
Here's the problem. I really like the guy, but my manager is next in line for the senior VP position. What do I do?
find another place to post and stop wasting our time.
The dbs on this site make me sick-what person of value or integrity would post that?
Have you looked into covermymeds or some of the new mco focused start ups? Don't give up-someone will get it & you.
Translation: its my world (you, above poster), and the rest of you are living in it.
I am in the same boat...50s and screwed...spent my whole career in pharma, and now have huge regrets...the job turned into a joke, and people who are hiring managers are in on the joke...not a pretty situation...
I would just leave your "brag book" at home cochise...no one cares as you have seen...
I have concluded it will be better for me to just spend down my assets and go on public assistance, than to try and plod along in the middle class...America beat the shit out of me...
At least I will have some healthcare if I am poor...right now I have no health insurance...
FU PHARMA INDUSTRY!
Eat less sugar.
Take more supplements.
Drink more water.
Exercise.
Have more companionship.
Do all on a regular basis, and someday you might be normal again.
Keep us posted.
I feel for you guys. I'm hitting 40 this year and I know I need to make PERFECT choices with my career or I'm going to be in your same boat. I've transitioned from a territory sales position to product management and I'm really enjoying the job. I took a pay cut in the short term to hopefully build on this career path and have it open up more doors down the road. I miss the commission checks but my quality of life is much better.
Have you hired a professional resume writer to work on your resume? Once you hit 40, you need to drop your old jobs and remove dates that make it easy to figure out your age. Only leave relevant job experience on your resume and focus more on your skills rather than your "brag book" accomplishments.
As for brag books, those stopped being used in the '90's. It is too easy to fake them and they really aren't relevant. If you make the f2f stage, the hiring manager is going to judge you on your interview, not your letters of recommendations.
Have you hired a professional resume writer to work on your resume? Once you hit 40, you need to drop your old jobs and remove dates that make it easy to figure out your age. Only leave relevant job experience on your resume and focus more on your skills rather than your "brag book" accomplishments.
As for brag books, those stopped being used in the '90's. It is too easy to fake them and they really aren't relevant. If you make the f2f stage, the hiring manager is going to judge you on your interview, not your letters of recommendations.
It's nice to read a post by a younger person with some empathy. Thanks. Best of luck in your career.
OP here....thanks to all of you who commented on my dilemma finding a job after pharma. Here is an update: After just over a year of struggling to find a job and thinking I would never work again, I did find a non-pharma sales job, which I love. A good friend, who works for this company and is well-respected, wrote a letter of recommendation and I know that is why I got an interview. Networking is vital. Let everyone know that you are looking...don't be ashamed to say you have no job. I took a $40,000 pay cut, but guess what? I have no field rides, no role play and little stress. I work in a very small territory and people are actually pleased to see me walk through the door. I'm excited and happy to get up and go to work. My conversations are not scripted, I have no compliance worries and there will be no layoffs to worry about. Sure, I had to give up lots of "stuff" the past year and I still can't have everything I want and used to have and maybe never will. But I sure enjoy getting a good night's sleep and that's worth it to me. Good luck to all who are struggling like I was and please rest assured there IS something out there for you...something that will be a perfect fit. Be patient 
OP here....thanks to all of you who commented on my dilemma finding a job after pharma. Here is an update: After just over a year of struggling to find a job and thinking I would never work again, I did find a non-pharma sales job, which I love. A good friend, who works for this company and is well-respected, wrote a letter of recommendation and I know that is why I got an interview. Networking is vital. Let everyone know that you are looking...don't be ashamed to say you have no job. I took a $40,000 pay cut, but guess what? I have no field rides, no role play and little stress. I work in a very small territory and people are actually pleased to see me walk through the door. I'm excited and happy to get up and go to work. My conversations are not scripted, I have no compliance worries and there will be no layoffs to worry about. Sure, I had to give up lots of "stuff" the past year and I still can't have everything I want and used to have and maybe never will. But I sure enjoy getting a good night's sleep and that's worth it to me. Good luck to all who are struggling like I was and please rest assured there IS something out there for you...something that will be a perfect fit. Be patient
Glad to hear to you got a job. It is hard to find a job that pays as well as pharma, but if you make adjustments in your finances, you will be just fine.
Good luck.
Hi,
Im a journalist working on a story about e-sampling. I'm looking to speak with sales reps who can talk about how the nature of your job has changed as companies employ digital marketing tactics. I am particularly interested in whether e-sampling has negatively impacted you...or can you talk about the pros of e-sampling?
Also, I'm interested in sales reps who were laid off due to budget constraints or your company moving toward more digital marketing vs one on one sales reps visits/calls.
Please feel free to get in touch with me at tcozier@gmail.com. This story will appear on Talking Health which airs on CUNY TV in NYC.
I will need responses by Tuesday, July 2 by 1pm.
Thanks,
Tamy
Im a journalist working on a story about e-sampling. I'm looking to speak with sales reps who can talk about how the nature of your job has changed as companies employ digital marketing tactics. I am particularly interested in whether e-sampling has negatively impacted you...or can you talk about the pros of e-sampling?
Also, I'm interested in sales reps who were laid off due to budget constraints or your company moving toward more digital marketing vs one on one sales reps visits/calls.
Please feel free to get in touch with me at tcozier@gmail.com. This story will appear on Talking Health which airs on CUNY TV in NYC.
I will need responses by Tuesday, July 2 by 1pm.
Thanks,
Tamy