Age discrimination rampant.

You are in a toxic industry like the rest of us.

Sorry for the problems.

The best move is just network with those previous managers and reps.

However, going to a smaller company outside of pharmaceuticals is the best move.

 

Nonsense; everyone is replaceable and everyone is open to new people. Anyone in this industry over 55 is really milking it; you are too $ and they do not want you. And over 60 is the kiss of death.

 

Original poster here. Very pleased with the advice, empathy, tact, and maturity in 98% of the replies in this thread. Take this to the bank : Don't give up hope.
I did get retired into pharma-twice! First position was basic and temporary, but next (current) is high caliber, high skillset role.
What made the difference between hiring managers who turned me down vs those who hired me? Maybe the fact that both already had top performers on their team who were around my age. They recognized what I brought to the team.
Did they choose wisely?
First job I increased sales 700% by end of first quarter--literally made "white space" territory viable again.
Second job will win Award Trip in first eligible year.
I hate that this sounds like braggadocio, but I need to get the point across : Have faith in yourself. You KNOW you can do it! The right hiring manager will also. Hang in there my friends, and maybe the new year will deliver the results you deserve.

 

Thank you for the excellent, positive post. As a 60 yr old who is still employed in this industry and producing a lot of revenue for my company - persevere. Maintain the strong work ethic and high integrity that our generation is known for. Be humble, grateful and bring value to your customers. Best of wishes to all.

 

Without any demographic information about you beyond age it is hard to provide advice. If you are a 50 something white male I am sorry to tell you that you are probably the most discriminated against demographic in the U.S. right now. So, short of getting a melanin injection or starting to transition to female, the best advice I can give you is to focus on small companies. Small companies do not face the same pressures from the Government to hire minorities (read blacks) or females or gays, etc. as the big companies do. A company like J&J or Merck essentially has to hire the black guy (or gal), or at least a white woman to comply with Obama era diversity rules. So if you're a white guy you basically have no shot at those jobs. On the other hand, small companies don't have to adhere to the same diversity rules, and quite frankly can't afford to hire an incompetent just to make sure they have enough minorities. This is not BS advice. I am facing the same problem. I've lost out on several jobs to grossly less qualified candidates who just happened to check the diversity box. Good luck to you.

 

Very well said and true. Age is only a number and enlightened companies and leaders value experience, work ethic and wisdom.

 

This is the most uneducated, prejudicial post I have ever read on this site. Look around you. How many minorities do you see on your team, in your region, at the national meetings compared to whites?You think that 17 Blacks in a region of 600+ is a lot? Run for the doors! They are taking over! Haha. Diversity program only ensures that minorities are at least Interviewed for a position and given a fair chance to present outselves where we have commonly been overlooked. It does not gives us a position. It is so completely offensive that when you see a minority in a position, racists assume they were GIVEN something, whereas a white person in the same position EARNED it! I AM A 55 YEAR OLD BLACK FEMALE WITH TONS ON PC WINS, TRAINING AND MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE, a BS from Georgetown University and a MBA from NYU. I have to be 10x overly qualified to just be placed on level playing field. I have 20 years pharma experience, 7 of which I was a manager, 12 President Club wins as a rep and 2 as a manager and I have been interviewing for positions for 7 months compared to my non-minority counterparts with less accomplishments were back on their feet within 3 months. So I do take offense to someone who thinks that the 1.8% minority pool in pharmaceuticals are taking ALL of the jobs.

 

Biggest age discrimination company that I ever interviewed with = Eli Lilly.
Female manager from LA. Shocking age discrimination!

 

Good discussion but had to chuckle at all of us award winners with triple digit growth in a matter of months once we got hired...pls check out every reps profile on LI..same great story..awards in pharma are the equivalent of the participation trophy your kid got at YMCA soccer league

 

I agree with the above poster - One of the WORST AGE DISCRIMINATION of all time goes on at Eli Lilly. They are an embarrassment to the industry.

 

The black chic is too old at 55 for field sales and not very bright if she does not get that.

 

Syneos also gets the award for age discrimination central! They are pathetic.

 

No shit !? A black 55 yo acomplised woman is too old to be a sales rep?
Agree! Perhaps with her accomplishments she should be placed with senior management. Maybe somone brought it up to her. Like hey _ would you like to join us here where some of us get a great package and show how much we accompished !? Like you have
You must have accomplished more than half of your shit you said you did . Come on - join us
Oh no - there is a year in her 15 y career that she didn’t make the quota for ONE of your shitty under covered terrible drug you gave her... oh NO - that drug was the determining factor of her 15 y successful career!right !? Right
Discredit her on that miracle ( NOT) shitty drug alone

 

IQVIA also blatantly discriminates on age. They are not even subtle bout it.