Over 50 and struggling

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I am in the same boat: 53 years young; 25 yrs. in pharma with numerous awards; in great shape. The only thing I can say is to look at cvs-caremark. They are hiring Veterans and people who are receiving any type of assistance. I know two people who have accepted positions there and like it.
Can anyone share any other tips or recruiters???
 






I was fortunate to finish my career before the industry turned nasty. If you are 50+, a position with a large pharmaceutical company is probably not the place to be. That postion has been diminished to sample dropping and catering to physician's offices. I was able to get to the director level before all of this lunch catering really began. i really don't think I could do a sales job at the field level if I started over. You have to feel good about what you are doing at the end of the day. that is becoming more and more difficult. It sounds to me like you found some contentment even if it was for less pay. The reps that sell medical devices are the ones that still get involved with the physicians and make a difference. I'm glad you found something. use this time to search for connections in possibly another area of sales. Good luck!
 






Anonymous said:
I was fortunate to finish my career before the industry turned nasty. If you are 50+, a position with a large pharmaceutical company is probably not the place to be. That postion has been diminished to sample dropping and catering to physician's offices. I was able to get to the director level before all of this lunch catering really began. i really don't think I could do a sales job at the field level if I started over. You have to feel good about what you are doing at the end of the day. that is becoming more and more difficult. It sounds to me like you found some contentment even if it was for less pay. The reps that sell medical devices are the ones that still get involved with the physicians and make a difference. I'm glad you found something. use this time to search for connections in possibly another area of sales. Good luck!
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We have to admit, however, dropping samples and catering lunch is an easy job and we get paid a huge amount of money to do just that. People would be stupid to pass up a gig like this.
 












I was in the same boat in 2008. My manager picked on all the women in our district and put us all on PIP's. I knew if there was a downsizing, I would be gone especially since i was 56 at the time. Fortunately, I am an RN and found a position at my local hospital that was non-patient care. From there, I marketed Hospice. Finally, I got a position as a nurse educator with a pharma company at the age of 59 and I am making great money again.
Nursing did not seem to matter very much to pharma companies in the past, but now they are utilizing RN's for injection and disease state training. Some of these positions have patient contact and some do not. I know nursing is not for everyone, but in my case, it has served me well in all my positions and I left nursing in 1981. It is never too late if you have the drive and means to attend nursing school. My sister is 50 years old, laid off from medical sales, and is attending nursing school.
 






I just returned from a trip to Disney World. I noticed a lot of alder people working there. Maybe those of you that are over 50 can go get a job their selling souvenirs (put those selling skills to work).
 






Anonymous said:
I was in the same boat in 2008. My manager picked on all the women in our district and put us all on PIP's. I knew if there was a downsizing, I would be gone especially since i was 56 at the time. Fortunately, I am an RN and found a position at my local hospital that was non-patient care. From there, I marketed Hospice. Finally, I got a position as a nurse educator with a pharma company at the age of 59 and I am making great money again.
Nursing did not seem to matter very much to pharma companies in the past, but now they are utilizing RN's for injection and disease state training. Some of these positions have patient contact and some do not. I know nursing is not for everyone, but in my case, it has served me well in all my positions and I left nursing in 1981. It is never too late if you have the drive and means to attend nursing school. My sister is 50 years old, laid off from medical sales, and is attending nursing school.
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Good for you.

Others that "cry me a river" need to simply humble themselves and keep looking. There are tons of sales jobs, like insurance and real estate.

Networking is key also.

This is a good warning to youngsters to save every penny and stay out of debt.
 






Anonymous said:
Good for you.

Others that "cry me a river" need to simply humble themselves and keep looking. There are tons of sales jobs, like insurance and real estate.

Networking is key also.

This is a good warning to youngsters to save every penny and stay out of debt.
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Better yet... Don't have kids ! Way to expensive and it is a total crap shoot if they turn out good or bad.
 






Anonymous said:
Better yet... Don't have kids ! Way to expensive and it is a total crap shoot if they turn out good or bad.
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I disagree.

A responsible parent will actually have more in the end, vs. a single person, because they will watch their money closely.

As for crap shooting and kids, the "formula" is quite simple:

1. Home School (Public Schooling is for fools, because the agenda is anti-God).
2. Discipline the child and keep them in check when they mess up (do it in a loving way).
3. Get rid of the TV in the house (the TV is a joke, full of anti-God messages and lies).
4. Eat healthy.
5. Read good books (the Bible aloud) always.
6. Instill a work ethic (give the kids chores).
7. Kick them out at age 18.

That is all I have right now.

#1 and #5 are the most important, but all are good.

You are welcome.
 






Anonymous said:
I disagree.

A responsible parent will actually have more in the end, vs. a single person, because they will watch their money closely.

As for crap shooting and kids, the "formula" is quite simple:

1. Home School (Public Schooling is for fools, because the agenda is anti-God).
2. Discipline the child and keep them in check when they mess up (do it in a loving way).
3. Get rid of the TV in the house (the TV is a joke, full of anti-God messages and lies).
4. Eat healthy.
5. Read good books (the Bible aloud) always.
6. Instill a work ethic (give the kids chores).
7. Kick them out at age 18.

That is all I have right now.

#1 and #5 are the most important, but all are good.

You are welcome.
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...good points but way too much work and money. I will leave the procreating to others while I keep my girlfriends and paid off townhouse and enjoy a stress-free life :)
 






I wanted to share an experience that I had recently during my job search. I had a recruiter call me. She asked me 'how many total years of pharmaceutical sales' I had. I told her which let her know that I am 50. She then asked me straight out if I knew any "younger reps" that I could put forward for the opening. I told her that I was a very good fit for the position as I have experience in the therapeutic area and great relationships with the key target doctors. She wasn't interested in putting me forward to interview. She just wanted to get some names and numers of younger reps.
 






Anonymous said:
I wanted to share an experience that I had recently during my job search. I had a recruiter call me. She asked me 'how many total years of pharmaceutical sales' I had. I told her which let her know that I am 50. She then asked me straight out if I knew any "younger reps" that I could put forward for the opening. I told her that I was a very good fit for the position as I have experience in the therapeutic area and great relationships with the key target doctors. She wasn't interested in putting me forward to interview. She just wanted to get some names and numers of younger reps.
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Highly doubtful story.

"Older" reps are smart enough to find real sales jobs anyway. I guess you are not too bright? Sorry if that is rude, but I figured out the corporate game at 25.

And that game has nothing to do with sales, and all to do with being average.
 






Anonymous said:
Highly doubtful story.

"Older" reps are smart enough to find real sales jobs anyway. I guess you are not too bright? Sorry if that is rude, but I figured out the corporate game at 25.

And that game has nothing to do with sales, and all to do with being average.
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Can you flesh that out a little further? You figured out the key to success at age 25 is to be average? Please educate me wise one.
 






Anonymous said:
Can you flesh that out a little further? You figured out the key to success at age 25 is to be average? Please educate me wise one.
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In the corporate game, it is more about being an effective politician rather than an effective sales person.

Understand?

When you work for a real sales organization, politics are useless. It is all about producing. It took me about 6 months in pharmaceuticals to understand that it was a joke.

Sort of like the slothful and simple mindset that so many have on this website.
 












Anonymous said:
In the corporate game, it is more about being an effective politician rather than an effective sales person.

Understand?

When you work for a real sales organization, politics are useless. It is all about producing. It took me about 6 months in pharmaceuticals to understand that it was a joke.

Sort of like the slothful and simple mindset that so many have on this website.
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Politics is a part of every company. I've worked in 'real' sales for the last 10 years (pharma before that) and have seen plenty of top producers let go because of political bs.

You have to play the game everywhere.
 












Anonymous said:
I wanted to share an experience that I had recently during my job search. I had a recruiter call me. She asked me 'how many total years of pharmaceutical sales' I had. I told her which let her know that I am 50. She then asked me straight out if I knew any "younger reps" that I could put forward for the opening. I told her that I was a very good fit for the position as I have experience in the therapeutic area and great relationships with the key target doctors. She wasn't interested in putting me forward to interview. She just wanted to get some names and numers of younger reps.
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If this is true why didn't you sue her for blatant discrimination? Why do people over 50 just lay down like miserable dogs and take this BS! Fight for your Rights! Enough is Enough. Do not accept age discrimination!
 






Anonymous said:
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?
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Tell your friend. Strike a deal with him. Offer to testify if he gets fired. Blatant discrimination. Your friend needs to sue. Ask friend to give you 20% if he wins the case.

Enough is Enough! We will ALL be over 50 one day and can't afford Not to work.
 






Anonymous said:
I disagree.

A responsible parent will actually have more in the end, vs. a single person, because they will watch their money closely.

As for crap shooting and kids, the "formula" is quite simple:

1. Home School (Public Schooling is for fools, because the agenda is anti-God).
2. Discipline the child and keep them in check when they mess up (do it in a loving way).
3. Get rid of the TV in the house (the TV is a joke, full of anti-God messages and lies).
4. Eat healthy.
5. Read good books (the Bible aloud) always.
6. Instill a work ethic (give the kids chores).
7. Kick them out at age 18.

That is all I have right now.

#1 and #5 are the most important, but all are good.

You are welcome.
Click to expand...

Sounds too complicated. All your brainwashing, too.
 






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