To those youngsters with a smart ear.

Don't waste your time in this highly toxic industry.

1. they will do everything they can to get the most out of you without paying you what you are worth.
2. there are better, more positive industries out there that will pay you, grow you, and pat you on the back.
3. this industry will do everything they can to downgrade your abilities, and make you think that you can't do better. don't believe their lies and control. you can do better.

Truth is...

this industry is falling apart.
the products do more harm than good.
the culture is terrible, as they make Billions, yet still downsize every year.

putting up with this industry is beyond stupid. its stressful and you will destroy yourself with the nonsense.

good luck and enjoy life because you deserve that at least.

 

Thanks pop.

 

good advice...anyone who ever spent time in Pharma sales can attest to all of the above...Especially, the part about the products doing more harm than good...the CV quackzines are a perfect example...

 

Agreed. Left the industry a few years ago. Made same points in a conversation I had with my daughter years ago. She chose another industry (Tech sales) and has a successful career going. Pharma? Avoid!

 

its Harmaceutical sales )).
your daughter did the right thing. and you are a good parent for guiding her to the correct path. congrats.

 

Harmaceutical Sales.
This always cracks me up.

 

couldn’t agree more with this. My niece wanted to get into Pharma and I said no way. You will make some money but become so cynical in this environment. No one really cares for your well-being. No real work friends because you are on your own most of the time.

 

As the industry continues it's decline (pharma sales continues to go the way of the dinosaur as the industry moves to a digital marketing business model), here are some of the major factors that have negatively impacted the job, and experience, of the typical pharma rep (reps may have experienced some of this in years past, but it is much worse today): 1. Poor access to providers (your customers don't want to see you and have created policies that make seeing them very difficult or impossible), 2. Micromanagement (monitored, tracked, busy work/reports, etc. - lack of autonomy), 3. Bad management and/or negative company culture (pervasive in an industry where sociopathy is often rewarded and celebrated - many managers and many of your colleagues exhibit sociopathic personality traits), 4. Stress (refer to factors previously stated, plus unrealistic sales goals), 5. Lack of respect (pharma reps often get no respect from the general public, providers, and office staff), 6. No job stability (the average rep will be changing jobs once every two years on average - contracts end abruptly and often sooner than expected, layoffs occur frequently with manufacturers, and bad managers frequently target reps in their districts/regions to put on PIPs, make miserable, and force out). Once out, it typically takes months to land another gig that is likely to only last 12-24 months, and if you're over the age of 45 it may take longer or become impossible.

Regarding contract reps (reps with CSO's), expect the much of the above to apply even more so than if you're a rep employed by a manufacturer. Job insecurity is built into the contract model, and contract reps are still considered low-status in the industry, a reputation that is not deserved as many contract reps are hard-working, intelligent, driven people who have worked for manufacturers in the past, are experienced, and have achieved excellent results. Also, contract reps tend to receive lower compensation vs their manufacturer counterparts and generally no severance when the contract ends - another insult to the contract rep. There are still newbies who are hungry to work in the industry, and there are more displaced experienced reps than ever who want to continue to ride the roller-coaster of Pharma, so CSO's and Manufacturers have no problem finding candidates willing to volunteer for the often painful employment opportunities they offer. In summary, yes, things have changed and this isn't the industry of the 1990s or the early-mid 2000's. This is the typical reality of Pharma sales in 2022. I do not recommend this career choice.

 

Your pharma rep Uncle said "No effin' way!",
That hypocrite makes 2 calls a day.

 

you mention the industry in the 1990s as a time that things were better, but honestly, after about 1993 in the industry turned to shit...the time to be a drug rep was the '70s & '80s...

 

Yes, I heard some stories. Doctor would say "pull up a chair and tell me about your product", while smoking a cigarette.

Today, its an absolute horror show.

In fact, I would even say that over 90 percent of corporate sales jobs are horror shows. Avoid it if you can. The only exception would be that your best friend since elementary school or your college roommate was your manager.