Sanofi vaccines - interview

How should I prepare for in person job interview with sanofi for vaccines rep? What is the salary? Company car? Perks?

I read the boards that Sanofi is a bad company but I’m trying to switch over from a different field and looking for this as my entry into the field.

 

I don't know much on the vaccine division except that they're salary is one of the lowest.

What's good about Sanofi? The benefits are pretty good. Glassdoor has some accurate details on benefits.

Cars are same throughout the company. It's now Equinox , Jetta, or Acadia. If you pick the Acadia, it's $1000 down and more a month. $185/pay period. Others are $70/pay period, nothing down.

 

benefits are really good, insurance and 401k match. salary is terrible-along the lines of a contract company. Bonus are terrible and don't expect to make more than 5-8 per quarter for a good performance. Fair or so-so and its probably abounr 3k per quarter

 

How to prepare? Go back to your computer and apply to different companies.

Also, if you do go to Sanofi, you can prepare by getting a second job because (a) they have layoffs every year and (b) after you pay Uncle Sam, medical, dental, car, etc you will take home 45% of your Gross.

They charge you $2,400 a year (after taxes) for the car. So that $65k salary is really $62k.

 

And then you factor in the cost of counciling from your shrink, you’re not left with much. This is a truly a suck ass company.

 

I would like some honest feedback as well, about working for SP.

I work at Novo, and have been in pharma a total of less than 3 years, layoffs are slated to happen at Novo before the end of 2018.

Proactively putting my feelers out there, in case I need a landing pad, if I get laid off.

I had a phone screen last week, and I will be advancing to the next round of interviews.

I know people want to slam Sanofi as a whole, saying it’s a terrible place to work blah blah blah, and that the vaccines division is poorly compensated compared to other divisions, as well as other companies.

I haven’t been in pharma 10+ years to know what the good old days look like.

I’m thankful to have a company car, health benes, and a decent match on my 401k.

I live in a smaller metropolitan area, which doesn’t have that many pharma openings in general. Typically a lot of the territories that cover the geography that I live in, also cover the Sacramento area. If need a job I would rather take a gig at SP than have no job.

The things that draw me to SP is that I will gain buy and bill experience, no sampling, no overlap or redundancies with internal counterparts. And seems like it has more flexibility than your primary care sales rep gig, where you need signatures to prove you were working.

Just looking for some insight about SP...want to hear it all...the good...the bad...and the ugly

 

DO NOT LEAVE NOVO NORDISK FOR THIS COMPANY! Not until you are actually layed off that its. Jesus almighty.

Also, there's really not much to buy and bill. Office buys the vaccines then bills insurance for it, making a profit from the spread.

 

I know stating I currently work at Novo, and asking about SP looks crazy

Novo is turning into a dumpster fire, although it might have that well respected image in the industry, shit is hitting the fan over here!

Tenured reps are dropping like flies.

Guess I just will just ride the waves until I get bucked off.

 

Yes - definitely ride it out as long as you can. I know there are probably worse places to be than Sanofi, but honestly, whatever is going on at Novo now has been going on here for a decade. Sanofi has just had that much more practice building the ugliest culture I have ever seen in corporate America. If you get displaced and are desperate for a job right away, I get it. However, if you can afford to take the time to look for something else... do it! I’m not sure why we keep hiring too? Last year, many folks were hired in and then displaced 7-9 months later. There will be no stability here for quite awhile.

 

Curious the layoffs you are talking about were in vaccines, or other divisions like diabetes?

With what the recruiter told me the total on target comp would be marginally less for me at SP, compared to my on target total comp at Novo.

Like I said still very new to pharma so I don’t come with a large base salary like many tenured reps.

Just thought this might be a decent landing pad rather than nothing at all.

 

You're right it does look crazy. I left last year during the voluntary severence.

Sanofi is another dumpster fire. I shit u not.

Nobody is proud to work for sanofi. If you dont mind jumping back into the flames of burning garbage and white, go for it. If u r desperate, go for it.

Fatherly advice: dont quit. If u get shirt canned, you will get severance. THEN go looking at Sanofi.

Do not jump from one turd to another if you can avoid it. At least get the consolation prize of $everance.

If there was a contest for shittiest company. Sanofi would win.

 

I came on board with Pasteur vaccines a year ago. Biggest friggin mistake I have ever made in my career. Low salary, no bonus and poor ass training. Find another company. Don't make a mistake you will be miserable.

 

Absolutely right. Don’t do it. You’ll be soooooorrryyyyyy.

 

The turnover is so high I have no clue who the rep is quarter to quarter. And this coming from the diabetes side with people dropping like flies!!

 

Was there any confirmation on the salary and commission range.

What is range of starting salary for Vaccine Position?
What does the bonus/comp structure total?

Only looking for answers to the above questions. Thank You

 

Let’s see, I’ll take a stab at it.
Yes
Pretty good.
It’s ok.
You’re welcome.

 

those are more opinions than actual answers. maybe someone can provide some real info who isn't a condescending a$$hat

 

Well I got my offer today for 84k plus 22k on target in bonus.

Is this company all that bad? Compared to what I am dealing with now, and where I worked before, how much worse can it be!??

It seems to me the vaccines space is more stable than your run of the mill pharma rep job?

I am at Novo Nordisk now and they are scheduled to announce layoffs in sales next week. And they have flat out said they plan on doing layoffs, for many years to come because of pricing challnges and having to pay to close the donut hole.

I started in pharma less than 3 years ago, and was given a 55k base salary working for Forest which is a highly micromanaged company. And had quarters making 2k gross in my bonus. They hire kids right out of college and run them into the ground and harp on sampling on every call.

 

Every pharma board will tell you to run and that they are the worst. Sanofi is pretty messed up most of the time. If you are facing layoffs, obviously you need a job and should take it. It's a bonus that it's more money for you. Vaccines is one of the lowest paying pharma gigs out there. Just be aware if you are sticking to this field, that it's unstable everywhere.

Sanofi does 1 thing right, the benefits. They are pretty damn good here. One of the best 401ks in the country, a little pricey but good insurance coverage, and great maternity/paternity paid leaves. Now they just added 2 weeks fully paid to care for a family member in need. Stock options suck, that's one of the biggest differences between other companies.

Good luck to you. I think everyone's spirit gets broken by these jobs no matter what. I hope you can continue to be optimistic.

 

Benefits are very good, especially 401k match and vacation time. Salary is comparable to ventiv , bonus are horrible and the company constantly has shortages or other issues and the quotas are not adjusted even if it is not 1% the reps fault. Sales training is horrible and they focus on outdated sales pitches that you are supposed to memorize. Forget about ever getting a raise on your current salary. Bu the way, with that base you will be one of the highest paid in the company, even more that people here for over 10 years.