Anyone hit it big in pharm sales?

[Anonymous]

I had the opportunity to work as a clinical spec for a medical device company and was really torn but ultimately did not do it because there is alot of travel invovled (not just the daily driving but business trips) and at the moment with small kids can't do it. I don't have sales background but healthcare background. And I can also tell you from experience docs do not consider them "strippers' but respect them.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am a doctor (female) and I know of only ONE case where a doctor got too close to a rep. The consequences are severe. He (the doctor) lost his job. She lost her job and was prosecuted. It rarely happens and the rules of engagement are very strict. No one plays with that.
So, do we talk down to them? A little. No extreme disrespect, but we never go out of our way for them.
They do fairly well if they have the best devices or drugs. The device reps seem to do better than the pharma reps. Most do better than lower paid MDs. Many do better than the best paid MDs (over 1 million).
Most are average or above average looking. Some look like models. They dress well. The best dressed in the hospitals.
They have to be smart, have a very high EQ, and organized.
I have never met one that I did not like. They stay clean out of trouble.
I would actually like my kids to try it to learn some hard facts about life in dealing with people. Some of my colleagues' children do it.
Many have absolutely no medical background.
The job interview and screening can be difficult. They interview for a long time and they watch everything you do....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is sleazy work. The dr's either look down on or take advantage of the sales reps. I would assume your friends are exaggerating their income b/c this is a very undesirable job in this competitive/prestige oriented area. A mom at my DS's school does this work and I feel bad for her because it just doesn't fit with the rest of the jobs parents have. A couple of dr. moms make fun of her relentlessly. Basically dr.s look at these reps as a few steps about strippers or something. Sad but true.

You are a complete loser. I have a feeling that the other mom would laugh if she knew "you feel bad for her." I think you meant to write that you "feel badly" for her. In such a competitive and prestige-oriented (you forgot the hyphen) area, you need to learn how to write and speak properly.

Also, in this area, most women don't compare other women to strippers because they work in sales.

OP, I know someone who does this in California. He's a good-looking guy, I guess, and he went to Pepperdine, so he's certainly bright. He lives in La Jolla in a gorgeous house with wife number two. They seem happy; he's a nice guy and pretty hard-working and loyal.

You are insane. Pepperdine is not known for bright students. It is known for its beautiful campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Malibu.

[Anonymous]

Not only are you sales but you are a representative for the company. Many places require multiple personality tests and rounds of intervews. Its also a pretty swim or sink industry. In general high pay is reflective of a lot of work and its not as easy as getting a boob job, being thin ane going blonde. Maybe reps look good because of a self confidence so it could be personality or confidennce in looking wanting to look your best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is sleazy work. The dr's either look down on or take advantage of the sales reps. I would assume your friends are exaggerating their income b/c this is a very undesirable job in this competitive/prestige oriented area. A mom at my DS's school does this work and I feel bad for her because it just doesn't fit with the rest of the jobs parents have. A couple of dr. moms make fun of her relentlessly. Basically dr.s look at these reps as a few steps about strippers or something. Sad but true.

You are a complete loser. I have a feeling that the other mom would laugh if she knew "you feel bad for her." I think you meant to write that you "feel badly" for her. In such a competitive and prestige-oriented (you forgot the hyphen) area, you need to learn how to write and speak properly.

Also, in this area, most women don't compare other women to strippers because they work in sales.

OP, I know someone who does this in California. He's a good-looking guy, I guess, and he went to Pepperdine, so he's certainly bright. He lives in La Jolla in a gorgeous house with wife number two. They seem happy; he's a nice guy and pretty hard-working and loyal.

Oh wow. No no no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:19 47

How did you break into the field? Do you have a medical background?

19:47 here. It was sheer luck. Previous sales background in a totally unrelated industry. Was looking for a change, called a recruiter and was offered a job with a small device company.

[Anonymous]

08 11

Thanks

Do you have any suggestions where I could learn more about the field? Trade publications, an association, etc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:08 11

Thanks

Do you have any suggestions where I could learn more about the field? Trade publications, an association, etc?

Check out MedReps.com or CafePharma.com. There rely isn't a whole lot you can do to study up on the field prior to finding a company that will hire you. There is plenty of studying done once you get to product training, etc.
I'd suggest working with a recruiter and just interview for positions and see what happens! GL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I know someone who does this in California. He's a good-looking guy, I guess, and he went to Pepperdine, so he's certainly bright. He lives in La Jolla in a gorgeous house with wife number two. They seem happy; he's a nice guy and pretty hard-working and loyal.

Maybe not so loyal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:19 47

How did you break into the field? Do you have a medical background?

2 ways

1) Be a nurse / clinical specialist (the medical route) and find a company willing to get you up to speed for sales

2) Be a proven and experienced sales person in another field and be willing to get up to speed with some medical knowledge but rely on your clinicals

I usually find option 1 the most respected by the doctors but sometime the people from option 1 may not have the right personality or have to work hard to extoll it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is sleazy work. The dr's either look down on or take advantage of the sales reps. I would assume your friends are exaggerating their income b/c this is a very undesirable job in this competitive/prestige oriented area. A mom at my DS's school does this work and I feel bad for her because it just doesn't fit with the rest of the jobs parents have. A couple of dr. moms make fun of her relentlessly. Basically dr.s look at these reps as a few steps about strippers or something. Sad but true.

You are a complete loser. I have a feeling that the other mom would laugh if she knew "you feel bad for her." I think you meant to write that you "feel badly" for her. In such a competitive and prestige-oriented (you forgot the hyphen) area, you need to learn how to write and speak properly.

Also, in this area, most women don't compare other women to strippers because they work in sales.

OP, I know someone who does this in California. He's a good-looking guy, I guess, and he went to Pepperdine, so he's certainly bright. He lives in La Jolla in a gorgeous house with wife number two. They seem happy; he's a nice guy and pretty hard-working and loyal.

Let be honest, don't most "good looking people" do better in all fields? Well maybe not government hah.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is sleazy work. The dr's either look down on or take advantage of the sales reps. I would assume your friends are exaggerating their income b/c this is a very undesirable job in this competitive/prestige oriented area. A mom at my DS's school does this work and I feel bad for her because it just doesn't fit with the rest of the jobs parents have. A couple of dr. moms make fun of her relentlessly. Basically dr.s look at these reps as a few steps about strippers or something. Sad but true.

You are a complete loser. I have a feeling that the other mom would laugh if she knew "you feel bad for her." I think you meant to write that you "feel badly" for her. In such a competitive and prestige-oriented (you forgot the hyphen) area, you need to learn how to write and speak properly.

Also, in this area, most women don't compare other women to strippers because they work in sales.

OP, I know someone who does this in California. He's a good-looking guy, I guess, and he went to Pepperdine, so he's certainly bright. He lives in La Jolla in a gorgeous house with wife number two. They seem happy; he's a nice guy and pretty hard-working and loyal.

"he went to Pepperdine, so he is certainly bright"

Laughed out loud.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I know someone who does this in California. He's a good-looking guy, I guess, and he went to Pepperdine, so he's certainly bright. He lives in La Jolla in a gorgeous house with wife number two. They seem happy; he's a nice guy and pretty hard-working and loyal.

On the shore or on the other side of the freeway? Somehow I doubt a pharm sales rep lives on the shores unless he is house sitting, which is not unheard of there. If he were the owner of the company, then yes, a house there would be believable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I know someone who does this in California. He's a good-looking guy, I guess, and he went to Pepperdine, so he's certainly bright. He lives in La Jolla in a gorgeous house with wife number two. They seem happy; he's a nice guy and pretty hard-working and loyal.

On the shore or on the other side of the freeway? Somehow I doubt a pharm sales rep lives on the shores unless he is house sitting, which is not unheard of there. If he were the owner of the company, then yes, a house there would be believable.

You may be right, but I know for a fact that incomes of over 1 million a year are not uncommon in that field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:08 11

Thanks

Do you have any suggestions where I could learn more about the field? Trade publications, an association, etc?

Check out MedReps.com or CafePharma.com. There rely isn't a whole lot you can do to study up on the field prior to finding a company that will hire you. There is plenty of studying done once you get to product training, etc.
I'd suggest working with a recruiter and just interview for positions and see what happens! GL!

Hi, I just discovered this blog and I believe the timing could not be better. I am a Government consultant ready to make a career change. I tried applying to pharma sales positions and they told me I did not qualify since I did not have a previous sales background. You seem to have been in this industry for a while. Is your company looking to hire medical sales associates or do you have any POCs you could put me in touch with? Any assistance you could provide would be greatly appreciated. I would be more tahn happy to provide you with my email if you would like to speak offline.

Regards,