Which is better? Contract pharma or Forest Laboratories?

Quote

Anonymous

Guest
I have an interview with both companies and wanted to know what your thoughts are on taking a contract position or selling directly for the company. I am having some doubts since contract is temporary but anything in this industry isn't a for sure thing. What are your thoughts? Thanks for the serious answers!
 






Anonymous said:
I have an interview with both companies and wanted to know what your thoughts are on taking a contract position or selling directly for the company. I am having some doubts since contract is temporary but anything in this industry isn't a for sure thing. What are your thoughts? Thanks for the serious answers!
Click to expand...

Go contract. Everyone here knows that there is no upward mobility (real or imagined) so there is none of the sycophantic bullshit of big pharma. No managerial ass to kiss. No "what are your long term career goals" bullshit conversations to have, and no illusion from anyone (at least anyone who is not an imbecile) that there is any future. It is kind of like the old-folks home for pharma. Everyone knows that they are going to die, so people just kind of quit giving a shit one way or the other.

It's run like a Mary Kay cosmetics operation, but it is at least honest about what it is; which is a factor of 50 more than you can say about the dumbshits that work in for the big pharma houses. Most of which labor under the illusion that they are in some kind of "career," and they everyone else has the job that is in danger of going the way of the dodo; and if they just keep their head down and try and get more signatures, that everything will be ok for them in their long term goals with the company.........

This shit is easy as pie. I had a manager cancel a field ride on me 3 months ago because she said she needed to go interview for a job. If everyone knows what the deal is going in, then there is really no need for the illusion that we are all some big time players in healthcare.

I love it. Gives me time to work my real job, and provides me what I need in regards to benefits and travel money.
 






Previous post is accurate on a lot of levels...Take Forest...you'll get better pay, benefits and do the same work and if you get let go guess what? you will get some kind of severance..inVentiv gives ZERO severance (this is a contract) they will offer marginal hope to get you rehired MAYBE
 






Anonymous said:
Previous post is accurate on a lot of levels...Take Forest...you'll get better pay, benefits and do the same work and if you get let go guess what? you will get some kind of severance..inVentiv gives ZERO severance (this is a contract) they will offer marginal hope to get you rehired MAYBE
Click to expand...

Spot on! Big pharma, real pharma is worth 1000x more on a resume than a contract. Don't care how president's club, pinnacle club, summit etc. awards your won for a CSO, big pharma carries the passport. No a given you'll get rehired any faster than being with a CSO but recruiters & headhunters look at that first. All things considered, get as much as you can get in salary, benefits, perks you can't control what might happen later.
 






Anonymous said:
Previous post is accurate on a lot of levels...Take Forest...you'll get better pay, benefits and do the same work and if you get let go guess what? you will get some kind of severance..inVentiv gives ZERO severance (this is a contract) they will offer marginal hope to get you rehired MAYBE
Click to expand...

I would question the better pay... I'm on a contract and my base is 65K and change. I heard Forest's base is exceptionally low (mid-50s at best). Sure, those reps may get more bonus (what - 20K at 100%)? My bonus at 100% is around 12K. So it could even out and yes, ultimately it's better to be direct. But se all know there's some luck in bonus dollars and it varies from year to year based on many factors outside our control. The higher the base you can get, the better.

This is what I've heard about Forest anyway. Tell me if I'm wrong.
 






Anonymous said:
Spot on! Big pharma, real pharma is worth 1000x more on a resume than a contract. Don't care how president's club, pinnacle club, summit etc. awards your won for a CSO, big pharma carries the passport. No a given you'll get rehired any faster than being with a CSO but recruiters & headhunters look at that first. All things considered, get as much as you can get in salary, benefits, perks you can't control what might happen later.
Click to expand...

True 100%. People, just accept it. Contract destroys and chance of a career, any!!!!! We can go on and on about how the industry has changed. But we all are sitting here as contract workers in this industry so it must be something we really like and need. The truth is we have screwed ourselves out of any true opportunity. Dont take contract, go to work directly for the company. Anyone else is just a left over temp. I am screwed myself and cannot get anyone to look at me seriously. Once they realize I am contract they file my resume under T.
 






OP here. Thank you all for your feedback. It just confirms my decision to look at the direct sales role. I wouldn't frown on being a Contract rep. I am actually on a contract and have the opportunity to move forward in an interview in which the call came directly from the DM with Forest. I believe that networking while working in your role will bring better opportunities.

I agree with the earlier post with FRX salaries starting off in the lower to mid 50's, but to be honest, that is more than I am making now in the current contract I am working. I am just looking for a better opportunity all around with the drugs I will be selling and the experience outside of Contract.
 






Anonymous said:
True 100%. People, just accept it. Contract destroys and chance of a career, any!!!!! We can go on and on about how the industry has changed. But we all are sitting here as contract workers in this industry so it must be something we really like and need. The truth is we have screwed ourselves out of any true opportunity. Dont take contract, go to work directly for the company. Anyone else is just a left over temp. I am screwed myself and cannot get anyone to look at me seriously. Once they realize I am contract they file my resume under T.
Click to expand...

Dont worry you are not alone. We are all screwed.
 






Top Bottom
Back
Quote