Fresh Graduate and Hungry for a pharm. sales career.... Help.

[Anonymous]

What are better ways to find out about openings for a pharm. sales career besides looking on monster, careerbuilder, medzilla, etc....? I've recently graduated have no "professional sales experience" but I do have a great portfolio of accomplishments. Any suggestions, advice?...Thanks..

[Anonymous]

STAY OUT OF THIS INDUSTRY http://www.cafepharma.com/ubbthreads/images//graemlins/cool.gif

[Anonymous]

pharm sales career? temporary gig maybe. career NOT.

[Anonymous]

Vet sales!
Medical Device Sales but NOT PHARMA!

[Anonymous]

Check this out first!!! It is every rookie's bible:

The Diary of a Pharmaceutical Rep

WEEK ONE - I can't believe that right out of college a Fortune 500
> > company has hired me! My major in Biology and minor in Elizabethan
> > Poetry sure must have helped. I think the fact that I was the head
> > cheerleader in college proved my abundance of team spirit. To be making
> > $50,000 a year at age 23 isn't too shabby. And I get a new car, too!
> >
> > WEEK TWO - My bosses seem real nice. I haven't met anyone else out in
> > the field yet. Got a lot of information to study before training
> > starts. There is a lot to know about hypertension, I tell you that. It
> > is so
> > interesting to learn how each mechanism of how our drug works. I
> > wonder
> > why they even need sales reps when it is obvious that our ACE inhibitor
> > is the best. The information they have given me to look at shows how it
> > so superior to the competitors. This job is going to be a piece of
> > cake! I bet the doctors are going to love seeing me come their way.
> >
> > WEEK FOUR - Boy, those tests were hard but I passed all of them. Going
> > to Florida for a big company meeting. This is awesome. A free trip to
> > Orlando. Theme parks. Meeting other reps from around the country.
> > There are a lot of other pharmaceutical reps that were cheerleaders.
> > That's weird.
> >
> > WEEK FIVE - The meetings were inspiring! There were thousands of us
> > chanting our company name! The lectures on our products just proved I
> > picked the best team to join. There is no question we possess the most
> > effective and unique products available. I can see myself working for
> > this company forever. Nothing is going to stop me from climbing their
> > ladder into a higher administrative level.
> >
> > WEEK SEVEN - Another field rep had me shadow him for a day. He seemed a
> > little down when I met him; however he seemed to perk up once he saw me.
> > I am sure it is a pick-me-up for him to mentor someone new. He kept
> > asking me why I would pick this job. Then he asked if I can handle
> > personal rejection. Of course I can handle rejection. I remember when
> > I didn't get picked for junior prom queen. I cried for weeks but I
> > eventually got over it and became stronger in the long run. Most of our
> > day was spent on the road talking or trying to get into different
> > medical offices. We only got to meet two doctors. Boy, were they in a
> > rush. I don't think the field rep did such a great job. Our product is
> > so good, he needs to get right in those doctors faces! I can't wait
> > until it is my turn.
> >
> > WEEK EIGHT - First day by myself. Met Dr. Smith. He must be stressed
> > because he cut me off in the middle of my sentence and walked way. He
> > must have forgotten I was there because he never came back. Dr. Johnson
> > was just the opposite. It was great. It seemed he wouldn't stop
> > talking to me. In fact, he wanted to meet me for dinner to just talk
> > about my drug. What was really funny is that he forgot what drug I even
> > had but promised he would use it no matter what is was? I am one hell
> > of a salesperson!
> >
> > MONTH THREE - I am not sure why some doctors won't even meet with me.
> > They want some samples but that is all. Had a lunch with a group of
> > internists. They didn't even show up and I spent $200 on lunch for their
> > staff. They weren't even that thankful either. That was kind of rude.
> >
> > MONTH FOUR - Still having trouble getting in to see some doctors. Dr.
> > Ryan told me off and was extremely irritable. He said I was too
> > forceful. I sat in my car and cried for a half-hour. I know I can do
> > better at this. I think our drug is pretty good. I just need to be
> > more assertive.
> >
> > MONTH FIVE - Rode with my boss who watched my every move. I was really
> > nervous. Still couldn't get in to some offices. What was worse was
> > that my boss kept interrupting me like he was making the sale himself.
> > Listen, buddy, if you want my job you can have it. When he left I cried
> > in my car for fifteen minutes.
> >
> > MONTH SIX - Had another dinner program for doctors. Only a few showed.
> > The speaker wanted his money right then and there like I was the one who
> > was paying him out of my own account. Then the mother f$%&^r starting
> > talking positively about our competitors! Whore.
> >
> > MONTH SEVEN - The marketing people wanted us to have a "birthday party"
> > for our ACE inhibitor. It has been on the market for three years now
> > and they recommend we use the birthday hats and napkins that they gave
> > us. It has our logo and drug name on it. They said the doctors would
> > love it. Who the f%&^ are they kidding? As if I am going to get the
> > few doctors that even give me the time of day to light candles and wear
> > hats because our lousy "me too" drug is three years old and selling like
> > sh&*? Do these marketing people even know what's going on out in the
> > real world?
> >
> > MONTH EIGHT - Dr. Smith, who was so rude to me, wants to know if I have
> > any baseball tickets for the upcoming series. I wonder if the phrase
> > "kiss my ass" means anything to him. Saw Dr. Johnson recently. After
> > the "episode" which occurred at our last dinner, I have purposely stayed
> > away from him. The restraining order still remains. He needs to get a
> > life.
> >
> > MONTH NINE - Went back to our bullsh&% meeting in Florida again. Who
> > are they fooling with this AMWAY crap? This is all cult worship anyway.
> > In fact, I'd rather drink Kool-Aid laced with cyanide than sell this
> > piece of sh$& drug. We met in small groups and they tried to teach us
> > new points that would persuade any doctor to use our drug. Talk about a
> > circle jerk. Got drunk most nights I was down there.
> >
> > MONTH TEN - The company is getting on my case more and more. They want
> > to know what I am doing every minute of every day. They want
> > signatures. They want programs. They want my first-born. My boss is a
> > prick and if he interrupts me one more time I am going to kick him in
> > his balls.

MONTH ELEVEN - Slept with Dr. Johnson. Fu$# it, I needed the numbers.
I am also giving away stocking stuffers of goodies to any doctor that
will write my loser medication. Whatever it takes to make bonus. Dr.
Flock again tells me he is writing our drug. What a fu*^%g liar. We
buy the prescription numbers right from the pharmacy so I know what his
numbers actually are and this guy bullsh%ts me right to my face. I think he wants to sleep with me.

MONTH TWELVE - Slept with my boss. I needed to keep him off my case.
One more dinner program and I will put the cyanide in the doctors'
drinks myself. Every time I get new marketing material, I throw it
right in the trash. Our company sucks. I know I hit all numbers but
they changed the threshold at the last minute and screwed me out of my
bonus.

MONTH THIRTEEN - This job sucks. If I see another pompous physician I
will kick him right in the balls like I did my boss. I will die before
I ever feed a bunch of overweight and ungrateful staff workers again.
Told my boss to go screw himself or screw Dr. Johnson and leave me the
f&^k alone. Threw my keys to the generic minivan at him and walked away
with my pride. Never again will I work for a pharmaceutical company.

MONTH FIFTEEN - Took a job at our rival. They got some new stuff in the
pipeline. The money is even better than my old company. Called Dr.
Johnson and will meet him Tuesday night.


-Good luck

[Anonymous]

Check this out first!!! It is every rookie's bible:

The Diary of a Pharmaceutical Rep

WEEK ONE - I can't believe that right out of college a Fortune 500
> > company has hired me! My major in Biology and minor in Elizabethan
> > Poetry sure must have helped. I think the fact that I was the head
> > cheerleader in college proved my abundance of team spirit. To be making
> > $50,000 a year at age 23 isn't too shabby. And I get a new car, too!
> >
> > WEEK TWO - My bosses seem real nice. I haven't met anyone else out in
> > the field yet. Got a lot of information to study before training
> > starts. There is a lot to know about hypertension, I tell you that. It
> > is so
> > interesting to learn how each mechanism of how our drug works. I
> > wonder
> > why they even need sales reps when it is obvious that our ACE inhibitor
> > is the best. The information they have given me to look at shows how it
> > so superior to the competitors. This job is going to be a piece of
> > cake! I bet the doctors are going to love seeing me come their way.
> >
> > WEEK FOUR - Boy, those tests were hard but I passed all of them. Going
> > to Florida for a big company meeting. This is awesome. A free trip to
> > Orlando. Theme parks. Meeting other reps from around the country.
> > There are a lot of other pharmaceutical reps that were cheerleaders.
> > That's weird.
> >
> > WEEK FIVE - The meetings were inspiring! There were thousands of us
> > chanting our company name! The lectures on our products just proved I
> > picked the best team to join. There is no question we possess the most
> > effective and unique products available. I can see myself working for
> > this company forever. Nothing is going to stop me from climbing their
> > ladder into a higher administrative level.
> >
> > WEEK SEVEN - Another field rep had me shadow him for a day. He seemed a
> > little down when I met him; however he seemed to perk up once he saw me.
> > I am sure it is a pick-me-up for him to mentor someone new. He kept
> > asking me why I would pick this job. Then he asked if I can handle
> > personal rejection. Of course I can handle rejection. I remember when
> > I didn't get picked for junior prom queen. I cried for weeks but I
> > eventually got over it and became stronger in the long run. Most of our
> > day was spent on the road talking or trying to get into different
> > medical offices. We only got to meet two doctors. Boy, were they in a
> > rush. I don't think the field rep did such a great job. Our product is
> > so good, he needs to get right in those doctors faces! I can't wait
> > until it is my turn.
> >
> > WEEK EIGHT - First day by myself. Met Dr. Smith. He must be stressed
> > because he cut me off in the middle of my sentence and walked way. He
> > must have forgotten I was there because he never came back. Dr. Johnson
> > was just the opposite. It was great. It seemed he wouldn't stop
> > talking to me. In fact, he wanted to meet me for dinner to just talk
> > about my drug. What was really funny is that he forgot what drug I even
> > had but promised he would use it no matter what is was? I am one hell
> > of a salesperson!
> >
> > MONTH THREE - I am not sure why some doctors won't even meet with me.
> > They want some samples but that is all. Had a lunch with a group of
> > internists. They didn't even show up and I spent $200 on lunch for their
> > staff. They weren't even that thankful either. That was kind of rude.
> >
> > MONTH FOUR - Still having trouble getting in to see some doctors. Dr.
> > Ryan told me off and was extremely irritable. He said I was too
> > forceful. I sat in my car and cried for a half-hour. I know I can do
> > better at this. I think our drug is pretty good. I just need to be
> > more assertive.
> >
> > MONTH FIVE - Rode with my boss who watched my every move. I was really
> > nervous. Still couldn't get in to some offices. What was worse was
> > that my boss kept interrupting me like he was making the sale himself.
> > Listen, buddy, if you want my job you can have it. When he left I cried
> > in my car for fifteen minutes.
> >
> > MONTH SIX - Had another dinner program for doctors. Only a few showed.
> > The speaker wanted his money right then and there like I was the one who
> > was paying him out of my own account. Then the mother f$%&^r starting
> > talking positively about our competitors! Whore.
> >
> > MONTH SEVEN - The marketing people wanted us to have a "birthday party"
> > for our ACE inhibitor. It has been on the market for three years now
> > and they recommend we use the birthday hats and napkins that they gave
> > us. It has our logo and drug name on it. They said the doctors would
> > love it. Who the f%&^ are they kidding? As if I am going to get the
> > few doctors that even give me the time of day to light candles and wear
> > hats because our lousy "me too" drug is three years old and selling like
> > sh&*? Do these marketing people even know what's going on out in the
> > real world?
> >
> > MONTH EIGHT - Dr. Smith, who was so rude to me, wants to know if I have
> > any baseball tickets for the upcoming series. I wonder if the phrase
> > "kiss my ass" means anything to him. Saw Dr. Johnson recently. After
> > the "episode" which occurred at our last dinner, I have purposely stayed
> > away from him. The restraining order still remains. He needs to get a
> > life.
> >
> > MONTH NINE - Went back to our bullsh&% meeting in Florida again. Who
> > are they fooling with this AMWAY crap? This is all cult worship anyway.
> > In fact, I'd rather drink Kool-Aid laced with cyanide than sell this
> > piece of sh$& drug. We met in small groups and they tried to teach us
> > new points that would persuade any doctor to use our drug. Talk about a
> > circle jerk. Got drunk most nights I was down there.
> >
> > MONTH TEN - The company is getting on my case more and more. They want
> > to know what I am doing every minute of every day. They want
> > signatures. They want programs. They want my first-born. My boss is a
> > prick and if he interrupts me one more time I am going to kick him in
> > his balls.

MONTH ELEVEN - Slept with Dr. Johnson. Fu$# it, I needed the numbers.
I am also giving away stocking stuffers of goodies to any doctor that
will write my loser medication. Whatever it takes to make bonus. Dr.
Flock again tells me he is writing our drug. What a fu*^%g liar. We
buy the prescription numbers right from the pharmacy so I know what his
numbers actually are and this guy bullsh%ts me right to my face. I think he wants to sleep with me.

MONTH TWELVE - Slept with my boss. I needed to keep him off my case.
One more dinner program and I will put the cyanide in the doctors'
drinks myself. Every time I get new marketing material, I throw it
right in the trash. Our company sucks. I know I hit all numbers but
they changed the threshold at the last minute and screwed me out of my
bonus.

MONTH THIRTEEN - This job sucks. If I see another pompous physician I
will kick him right in the balls like I did my boss. I will die before
I ever feed a bunch of overweight and ungrateful staff workers again.
Told my boss to go screw himself or screw Dr. Johnson and leave me the
f&^k alone. Threw my keys to the generic minivan at him and walked away
with my pride. Never again will I work for a pharmaceutical company.

MONTH FIFTEEN - Took a job at our rival. They got some new stuff in the
pipeline. The money is even better than my old company. Called Dr.
Johnson and will meet him Tuesday night.


-Good luck

What a great story it sounds like at 25 people that i know could have written this! where is the original from? i would love a copy!

[Anonymous]

Insurance agent is the way to go. I have a buddy who works less hours than I do in pharma, gets to take his customers golfing and makes 3 times the dough. He sets the terms for his customers. They either buy insurance on his terms or they go somewhere else and pay more. Everybody needs insurance and the industry is not regulated by the gov`t like pharma. If you are a new grad, you would be a fool not to pursue insurance. If you are a troll, at least you have a little humor going for you. OUT!

[Anonymous]

Insurance agent is the way to go. I have a buddy who works less hours than I do in pharma, gets to take his customers golfing and makes 3 times the dough. He sets the terms for his customers. They either buy insurance on his terms or they go somewhere else and pay more. Everybody needs insurance and the industry is not regulated by the gov`t like pharma. If you are a new grad, you would be a fool not to pursue insurance. If you are a troll, at least you have a little humor going for you. OUT!

Yeh, insurance is the way to go. After you hit up your family and then friends then comes the White Pages. Not to mention there are more people liscensed to sell insurance than there are Chins in a Chinese phone book. That's a great gig!

[Anonymous]

Yeh, insurance is the way to go. After you hit up your family and then friends then comes the White Pages. Not to mention there are more people liscensed to sell insurance than there are Chins in a Chinese phone book. That's a great gig!

Typical num nut response on these boards. Everything is doubted and passed off as BS. 350K in annual income for an All State or State Farm agent is pretty common. Not speaking of an independent agent pushing auto insurance to his buddies and making 45K. The big dogs pay an office mgr 30K to run the agency and right their policies while they are off on the golf course. The agent comes and goes as he pleases and is unregulated. I`m sorry, I guess working in a totally controlled industry making 3-4 times less $ rocks your world! Dumb a$$.

[Anonymous]

Typical num nut response on these boards. Everything is doubted and passed off as BS. 350K in annual income for an All State or State Farm agent is pretty common. Not speaking of an independent agent pushing auto insurance to his buddies and making 45K. The big dogs pay an office mgr 30K to run the agency and right their policies while they are off on the golf course. The agent comes and goes as he pleases and is unregulated. I`m sorry, I guess working in a totally controlled industry making 3-4 times less $ rocks your world! Dumb a$$.

then why are you on this board?

[Anonymous]

What are better ways to find out about openings for a pharm. sales career besides looking on monster, careerbuilder, medzilla, etc....? I've recently graduated have no "professional sales experience" but I do have a great portfolio of accomplishments. Any suggestions, advice?...Thanks..


To the OP, you dont have a prayer of getting in now. Maybe 5 years ago, or in the future. Layoffs abound, and tons I mean tons of people want in this industry. They are after experience and a proven track record. Move on to something realistic. just being honest. Complete waste of your time, I have a cousin recent grad from Duke, great grades, lacrosse player, sharp, involved. Was told to go get some "years" of outside sales exp. So get going. Copiers, banking training, enterprise, then try