Low pay - High travel (can't book flights during business hours - you fly only on your own time) - High Stress and all the good products are TAKEN meaning you get the shit nobody wants.
Thanks for the info. Yeah, I know the travel is about 75%. They said total comp is around $110-120k. Is that realistic? Is this position a good steeping stone for a possible management position?
The issue is that they will set your bonus at unrealistic levels. When I was a product specialist they wanted me to increase my sales by 48%. We all knew that was impossible but everyone gave me backhanded compliments like "we know you are the right person who can do it!" Nobody could do it. I made my bonus one quarter in two years. Most specialists only stick around for one year. Bank on the fact that you will only make your base. It is usually just enough to afford to live in Chicago without ever buying a house or having kids. There are many specialists, a few product managers, very few marketing people, and ten divisional presidents that have been there for 40 years. When everyone in the division is totally pissed at the president they move them to new divisions and the cycle starts over. You are simply doing all the travel support for the division that nobody wants to do. If you are low on travel then they really get on you, but you can't really book your travel without the rep. There are market issues with Personal Care.
