Women reps

[Anonymous]

You can be successful selling in sports medicine. Some practices are involved with professional or college teams and you may find this challenging but at the same time they like the novelty of having females orbit around them in the OR or in the doctors lounge. They love being catered to-don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You can get by with more if you screw up. They are less likely to call you out than if you were male. The benefits are establishing relationships with really great doctors, mostly just professional but occasionally it can be really fun

 

[Anonymous]

As a female rep, I love working for Biomet. I am out on the west coast, and the distributors seem to be be progressive in hiring a mix of male/female.

As with any job there are positives and negatives. Is it a male dominated industry? Of course. For that reason, I find Doctor's are generally happy to see a female face since its so few and far between all the male reps they work with.

It's easier to pitch. Most of my male colleagues tell me that it takes the third or fourth meeting before they ask for the sale because they don't want to seem "too aggressive." which makes sense. Females on the other hand can straight up ask a Doctor without making them feel that way.

I've found that few Doctors will tell me they aren't interested in my product. I'm not saying they aren't interested....I'm just saying THEY WONT TELL ME THEY AREN'T. I think its because they are afraid they will hurt my feelings. I have zero idea...but this can actually be frustrating.

Doctor's are more forgiving of mistakes. When you first start, you might make a mistake in the OR. Everyone does it. I hear stories from male colleagues who say they have been yelled at and thrown out of the OR. I too have made a mistake and the worst reaction I've been exposed to was: Doctor puts his head down....releases a big sigh.....and tells me to meet him outside the OR for a talk.

Its easier to work with hospitals. Most hospital materials managers are male and also like female "attention" which makes it easier to schedule a meeting with them.

The downsides?

1. Get ready to be hit on. I would recommend attending every outside meeting with another rep or manager. I wouldn't go alone.

2. You will get quizzed. I feel like I study more then anyone on my team because I have to "prove myself." Doctors want to verify that you are not just some bimbo who was hired so they like to quiz you on your product knowledge. I see this as an opportunity to win points with them when they hear that I actually know what I'm talking about.

Thanks for the thoughtful post.

 

[Anonymous]

As a female rep, I would like to advise you to work hard and pay attention. Be prepared in the OR and stand your ground. I rarely get hit on by surgeons although they be condescending and patronizing.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd like some honest interpretations about the experience women have had working in this field. Have we broken through the glass ceiling yet? I work for Arthrex and despite the uncertain times in the medical field I have had my best year out of the last 5. I would like to see more women in the device industry but I guess it will take time