Over 50

How many people over 50 interviewed and made it or didn't make it?

I'm in limbo

I'm 51 with 23 years pharma, 8 years osteo experience and numerous awards including national with high rankings and I did not get past the PI. What bullshit!

I too am over 50 with 25 yrs in pharma and did not get an offer. I am just waiting for the
thanks but no thanks email.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

I'm 51 with 23 years pharma, 8 years osteo experience and numerous awards including national with high rankings and I did not get past the PI. What bullshit!

Same here, our experience level and accomplishments are nearly an identical match. Lots of injectible, osteo and hospital experience. I got a PI and nothing else. I can't believe it because I also had a recommendation from an Amgen employee. Sheesh!

Looks to me like a pattern is developing. Not only is Amgen involved but The Right Thing seems to profile candidates since they are involved now with several companies that I have applied to. I find it funny that I get e-mails saying they are considering someone that is more of a match when I didn't even get a chance at a phone screen much less a face to face.

I had an interview for a hospital job set up by The Right Thing and the younger manager was busy reading these "canned" SMART questions from a piece of paper. He never bothered to look at my brag book or the awards that I had earned throughout my career. I hung around to watch him interview several people and it went this way with all of them. I later learned he hired from within and the guy couldn't find a hospital if the blue/white signs weren't posted on the highway. My referral was asked to mentor him and was aghast at some of the questions he was asking in front of customers.

Whatever happened to past performance as a predictor of future results. They can shove all that SMART question psycho bullshit!

Do something about it!! File a compliant

I can't help but feel that this might be the best thing even if I do need a job badly. Anyone who has sold in this market knows that the moment Fosamax went generic the whole game changed. The minute it hits the $4/ month list at Wal-Mart and others it is really over.
Physicians put little emphasis on osteoporosis in their practice and Getting them to purchase a product as expensive as this one and then wait for reimbursement is going to be hopeless. The data that I have seen shows only marginal improvement over Fosamax and it is only at the hip.
The only hope they have is that the hip fracture risk is enough to make the physician buy and bill for the product. Problem: while hip fracture has the highest mortality risk it is the lowest risk for osteoporotic related fractures and usually at such a high age that they have too many other systems failing to worry about it.

Good luck to those who made it. I would have been out here firing both barrels with you if given the chance.

Almost 50 here, time to dumb down the resume, only the last 6-8 years of experience, no graduation dates; I'll say "dude", "Facebook", "Twilight" and "midnight Harry Potter", that should make things easier.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Almost 50 here, time to dumb down the resume, only the last 6-8 years of experience, no graduation dates; I'll say "dude", "Facebook", "Twilight" and "midnight Harry Potter", that should make things easier.

50+ here. I did dumb down the resume. Put only my last 10 yrs., no graduation date, etc. It's really interesting to see the look on the interviewers faces when the hot-shot rep that finished last two consecutive yrs. #1 in the region, won all the awards, etc., shows up and is over 50. I've interviewed with 4 companies since being downsized. They actually go great, but I think when HR gets my info, I'm toast. Face to face with Amgen was good. Had recomendations from Amgen DM an specialty rep. Thought this might go different. But when filling out info sheet at face to face location, they asked birthdate. Knew then, it would be a challenge.

AMGEN HR: You getting this???
We will continue to document all those 50+. If by coincidence, no one over 50 has been offered a position during this extensive recruiting drive - You have some "splainin" to do!

Don't think we can't group in a class action. There seems to be many of us who are out here, and we WILL find an attorney ready to go after you. CP allows us the to reach many.

Beware! Of course you can alleviate this buy hiring some of us.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

AMGEN HR: You getting this???
We will continue to document all those 50+. If by coincidence, no one over 50 has been offered a position during this extensive recruiting drive - You have some "splainin" to do!

Don't think we can't group in a class action. There seems to be many of us who are out here, and we WILL find an attorney ready to go after you. CP allows us the to reach many.

Beware! Of course you can alleviate this buy hiring some of us.

Sorry about the previous typos:

AMGEN HR: You getting this???
We will continue to document all those 50+. If by coincidence, no one over 50 has been offered a position during this extensive recruiting drive - You have some "splainin" to do!

Don't think we can't group in a class action. There seems to be many of us who are out here, and we WILL find an attorney ready to go after you. CP allows us to reach many.

Beware! Of course you can alleviate this by hiring some of us.

Poster #9 here. The last reason I want someone to hire me is because they feel threatened. I want to be considered the best person for the job. In this case, based on my performance, relationships, etc. That being said, I cringe every time I check that I am not a vet, not a minority, and am male. I honestly think there needs to be a new catagory, "age over 50", regardless of sex. By the way don't let that $115,000.00 plus base scare you. I would gladly accept 25% less, if it meant going back to work!

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Poster #9 here. The last reason I want someone to hire me is because they feel threatened. I want to be considered the best person for the job. In this case, based on my performance, relationships, etc. That being said, I cringe every time I check that I am not a vet, not a minority, and am male. I honestly think there needs to be a new catagory, "age over 50", regardless of sex. By the way don't let that $115,000.00 plus base scare you. I would gladly accept 25% less, if it meant going back to work!

I am glad to read that you want to be hired based on your merit. However, don't think that you have to be over 50 to be making a good six-figure salary. Many of us "kids" are making that too.

Sorry to burst the bubble of self pity....but lots of the wave 1 hires are in the over 50 category. And the $115K starting salary is not a problem. While at the upper end, many were started at $110K to $120K.

No hiring process is perfect, and perhaps you were the best candidate. Just don't assume that your age had anything to do with it.

Over 50 here too, no f2f....I applied for numerous positions, but still says on the profile, we have all the info and you will be contacted, blah blah blah...

Originally Posted by Anonymous

I am glad to read that you want to be hired based on your merit. However, don't think that you have to be over 50 to be making a good six-figure salary. Many of us "kids" are making that too.

Glad to hear that, and I'm sure you deserve it. It's just disconcerting, that, in three of my interviews, just because I am a tenured rep with a higher than average base, the manager begins the interview by telling me there is know way his company can match my current or previous base. You tell them you understand that, but they still don't beileve you.

In the economy we are currently in it is disheartening to see how challenging finding a job
can be when you over 50. We are all well qualified and still have the passion to sell
It surprised me when I asked the question of the hiring manager what qualities does he look
for in a rep for his team. His response "Someone who will work a full day" We the over 50 group worked a full day, nights and weekends because of our professionalism and work ethic.
Most of us have been displaced due to the fact our expenses are not so much the salary
but the benefits. Healthcare costs for our age group vs our younger colleagues can be the difference between staying in budget or not. WE all would have done a great job
but there are other factors in the decision process that we are not aware of. Amgen is cutting costs where it can. Just read the threads about layoffs etc
Wishing all of you the best and good luck. There is still the opportunity for WaveII

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Glad to hear that, and I'm sure you deserve it. It's just disconcerting, that, in three of my interviews, just because I am a tenured rep with a higher than average base, the manager begins the interview by telling me there is know way his company can match my current or previous base. You tell them you understand that, but they still don't beileve you.

THIS COMPANY HAS A LONG HISTORY OF DISCRIMINATION:

IN 2006 THEY HAD 342 JUDGEMENTS AGAINST THEM
2007 IT WAS 406

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Sorry to burst the bubble of self pity....but lots of the wave 1 hires are in the over 50 category. And the $115K starting salary is not a problem. While at the upper end, many were started at $110K to $120K.

No hiring process is perfect, and perhaps you were the best candidate. Just don't assume that your age had anything to do with it.

Gee, we have yet to hear of someone over 50 who was hired on this thread. Kinda makes me wonder where they all are. They must be at home resting so they can put in a "full days work" with the young crowd.

I am 25 and got an offer. Half the salary...twice as effective...no baggage!!!

Originally Posted by Anonymous

I am 25 and got an offer. Half the salary...twice as effective...no baggage!!!

Twice as effective in whose opinion? My gut feeling would be certainly not the doctors! What you call baggage is in reality life experience and common snse. When you actually acquire some of that then we'll discuss! Over 50 with a nice base salary and alot of energy!!!! Let's see who gets the best results the quickest.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

I am 25 and got an offer. Half the salary...twice as effective...no baggage!!!

Sounds like 1/2 the brains and more than your share of balls! I know too many physicians who like to be told how to practice medicine by a 25 yr. old cocky punk with the high pressure tactics. I'm sure you will do well, LOL!

Originally Posted by Anonymous

I am 25 and got an offer. Half the salary...twice as effective...no baggage!!!

Not even 1/2 the brains, but much more than twice the audacity and I'm sure worth every penny of your less than half the salary. Go get 'em tiger with your glossies, canned presentations and trial closes! When the truth be told after six months out in the field we'll all be interested to hear what song you're singing then.

this post is BS, they would barely be 3 years out of college and not the background and experience that is required for this Sr. Sales opportunity.

all of you are wrong, Amgen has reps over 50 and they are some of the most valuable and credible reps there are. the problem is some of the territories are so huge it is harder for us seasoned reps to stay motivated with 200 miles of travel per day. even the younger less experienced reps get burnt out of extensive travel after awhile.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

this post is BS, they would barely be 3 years out of college and not the background and experience that is required for this Sr. Sales opportunity.

all of you are wrong, Amgen has reps over 50 and they are some of the most valuable and credible reps there are. the problem is some of the territories are so huge it is harder for us seasoned reps to stay motivated with 200 miles of travel per day. even the younger less experienced reps get burnt out of extensive travel after awhile.

Amgen may have reps over 50, but I'll bet they have been with the company for a while. I see no evidence that they hired any this go round.

Over 50 here, 20 years in pharma, repeat national trip winner. Only saw one other person in Philly even close to my age. No offer, of course.

Two of the new hires in the district I'm joining are over 50. And I am aware of other "over 50's" joining in neighboring districts. Sorry you didn't get the job, but don't blame it on your age.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Sorry to burst the bubble of self pity....but lots of the wave 1 hires are in the over 50 category. And the $115K starting salary is not a problem. While at the upper end, many were started at $110K to $120K.

No hiring process is perfect, and perhaps you were the best candidate. Just don't assume that your age had anything to do with it.

What were you started at?

over 50 here and turned down for rheum. position