Pharma or Med-Device

[anonymous]

Hey yall, I know this question comes up alot but pharma or med-device.

I just recieved a Pharma offer but also am in the 2 round of interviews with Stryker for a role. I am torn on what to do. I have one year in B2B sales, and really want to get into Medical Device. I came across a Pharma job posting that looked pretty interesting and applied on a whim and got the job.

Do i take the for sure offer and work in Pharma for 2 years and then go into Med-Device and just use it as a stepping stone? Or do I hold-out and maybe get this position at Stryker?

Any advice would be great!

 

[anonymous]

It is going to be somewhat difficult to get an objective answer on the med device board in all honesty. I have always had a chip on my shoulder about pharma. Going from med device into pharma when I got downsized (happens a ton with both) proved every negative pre conceived notion I had to be true in spade. The difference between Pharma and device are night and day. Most people are typically wired for one versus the other. I would not trade being a med device rep for anything and gain a tremendous amount of of pride and happiness from the prestige of going into the OR and being a part of important surgeries. I have done both and absolutely hate everything about pharma. With that said there are all different types of pharma and a works of difference between someone doing oncology or hospital pharma vs standard calling on offices and catering lunch’s and breakfast every god damn day for a entitled staff and a doctor who spends 45 seconds with you. Many device companies still will shy away from hiring pharma reps and do not consider it sales. While I am not a huge fan of stryker or their culture their reputation in the industry is second to none and a phenomenal name to have on your resume. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with.

 

[anonymous]

It is going to be somewhat difficult to get an objective answer on the med device board in all honesty. I have always had a chip on my shoulder about pharma. Going from med device into pharma when I got downsized (happens a ton with both) proved every negative pre conceived notion I had to be true in spade. The difference between Pharma and device are night and day. Most people are typically wired for one versus the other. I would not trade being a med device rep for anything and gain a tremendous amount of of pride and happiness from the prestige of going into the OR and being a part of important surgeries. I have done both and absolutely hate everything about pharma. With that said there are all different types of pharma and a works of difference between someone doing oncology or hospital pharma vs standard calling on offices and catering lunch’s and breakfast every god damn day for a entitled staff and a doctor who spends 45 seconds with you. Many device companies still will shy away from hiring pharma reps and do not consider it sales. While I am not a huge fan of stryker or their culture their reputation in the industry is second to none and a phenomenal name to have on your resume. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with.

 

[anonymous]

I appreciate that. I have heard SO many things about pharma but the offer was pretty decent, and I am in payroll sales now and it is a grind. Not that i mind the grind but would defentiley like to be compensated to match that, we hardly make anything.

Im only about a year into payroll sales and have about 8 months of inside sales before that, and most companies want 2 years so thats why I was thinking of taking the pharma offer. But i dont want to hurt my chances or being in Med-Sales and that is ultimately where I want to be.

 

[anonymous]

Its really about what your ultimate goal is. Pharma is NOT typically a good stepping stone into med device and a lot of companies prefer a B2B background over that. Sometimes there is a sweet spot of between 1-4 years pharma to transition. Any longer than that and it becomes exponentially more difficult to break in. If you don’t mind me asking what is the package they are offering and what kind of pharma sales is it (don’t have to get very specific) ? Worst case scenario you take the pharm offer and keep interviewing with Stryker. People do it all the time. It feels crappy to do but you need to look out .for yourself. I have had much higher base salaries in pharma but ultimately made more and had fun and a sense of purpose in device. Selling your soul for a nice base and a company car was not worth the self loathing I experienced everyday.