Pharmaceutical Sales is really for dummies.

[Anonymous]

Some companies are calling these once highly desired jobs Customer Service Associate.

Well, that is a great title, especially for such a high paying job!

Youngers in college, go into a real sales job, independent sales, because you will learn much more quickly, and you will have more freedom and not have to go through the corporate zombie training.

Better, if you are in high school, start a business and bypass college. It make take a few attempts to find something that will work, but you will be better off.

Its not just pharma sales that is for dummies, but practically all corporate jobs.

Real sales professionals despise the corporate environment, because the corporate structure does not reward producers, but rather those that are politically correct and present a good image. I guess those of you that have no sales talent should go for it, because you can hid in that type of career, right?

 

[Anonymous]

Some companies are calling these once highly desired jobs Customer Service Associate.

Well, that is a great title, especially for such a high paying job!

Youngers in college, go into a real sales job, independent sales, because you will learn much more quickly, and you will have more freedom and not have to go through the corporate zombie training.

Better, if you are in high school, start a business and bypass college. It make take a few attempts to find something that will work, but you will be better off.

Its not just pharma sales that is for dummies, but practically all corporate jobs.

Real sales professionals despise the corporate environment, because the corporate structure does not reward producers, but rather those that are politically correct and present a good image. I guess those of you that have no sales talent should go for it, because you can hid in that type of career, right?

this is great advice!! Especially the part about skipping college these days...It is not how it used to be where a college degree was a guarentee of a great, lucrative life...

You are better off (as the poster says) with spending the money on starting a business, or investing in real estate...(Which is now poised to make a comeback.)

I wish I would not have wasted my life in pharma sales...it is a real bad road to go down...

Nothing I can do about it now...I am in my 50s and Corporate America sucked the life out of me...

 

[Anonymous]

this is great advice!! Especially the part about skipping college these days...It is not how it used to be where a college degree was a guarentee of a great, lucrative life...

You are better off (as the poster says) with spending the money on starting a business, or investing in real estate...(Which is now poised to make a comeback.)

I wish I would not have wasted my life in pharma sales...it is a real bad road to go down...

Nothing I can do about it now...I am in my 50s and Corporate America sucked the life out of me...

Yep, but it is never too late to start your own business. For those who are considering pharma, don't. I would get a technical degree, a nursing degree or a doctorate. Engineering is still important (environmental, electrical, hydraulic, solar, government). I would also say that I agree a college degree is not valued like it used to be. My kids do not have one. I won't say what my daughter does but she makes 80 grand and that was after only a 12k investment in her education. I recently completed a master's and no one cares. It did not make me more marketable. Now, even though I'm in my mid-fifties, I am looking to start my own web-based business. Pharma is a horrible job choice. The ride alongs are all but a mind-numbing exercise in stupidity.

 

[Anonymous]

Yep, but it is never too late to start your own business. For those who are considering pharma, don't. I would get a technical degree, a nursing degree or a doctorate. Engineering is still important (environmental, electrical, hydraulic, solar, government). I would also say that I agree a college degree is not valued like it used to be. My kids do not have one. I won't say what my daughter does but she makes 80 grand and that was after only a 12k investment in her education. I recently completed a master's and no one cares. It did not make me more marketable. Now, even though I'm in my mid-fifties, I am looking to start my own web-based business. Pharma is a horrible job choice. The ride alongs are all but a mind-numbing exercise in stupidity.

Even as an established professional, my heart would skip every time there was a field ride, because the manager I had was such a loser. There was nothing I could do to please the jerk. Worse, it was like an acting exercise and the day had nothing to do with selling. Of course, my doctors thought, what the heck is going on here? Adults acting like kids. Glad it is over now.

Massage therapy is also a very good career choice. Find resort communities, major hotels in areas with lots of gaming like Nevada, because you can make lots of money with less than a year of schooling.

Not only does 90 percent of college lead to terrible returns on investments today, but the teaching is so bad, mostly pushing a false agenda that promotes alternative lifestyle, and feminist agendas that are bad for the mind.

 

[Anonymous]

After a few beers, I finally see it clearly: this industry is really for dummies.

If you have a quality education and are smart, then you are making a big mistake even considering this for a career.

Add the downsizings every other year, and the losers in the industry, and you have even more reason to quit.

Personally, I can't wait to get downsized to start my new career. The nice house, the nice lifestyle are good, but these THINGS cannot replace self respect and the joy of having a job where you are treated like an adult.

Bye Bye Pharma. I know you are not going to miss me, but I also know that I got my life back and my spirit and life back.

For those of you that stay, have fun with the toys you get from this job, and have fun continuing to let the vipers in this industry suck the life out of you. Not me. Not anymore.

This post really resonates with me. I have been in pharma on and off (off because I was laid off twice and once did a brief stint - another lay off - in another industry) for 10 years, and I have hated ever minute of it, which really says nothing about the job, but me. In spite of the field not resonating with my personal values or beliefs and my essentially NEVER getting up in the morning excited to go to work (perks, a great paycheck respective to the amount of actual work done, etc. do nothing for me), I have never been able to find my way out because I haven't been able to figure out how to successfully transition out without getting my MBA (something I don't want to do because I don't want to spend a ton of money to be unhappy elsewhere) and because - this is the really sad part - is that part of me feels trapped because of this economy, the need for medical insurance and being able to afford not living with my parents at 30-something years old.

 

[Anonymous]

This post really resonates with me. I have been in pharma on and off (off because I was laid off twice and once did a brief stint - another lay off - in another industry) for 10 years, and I have hated ever minute of it, which really says nothing about the job, but me. In spite of the field not resonating with my personal values or beliefs and my essentially NEVER getting up in the morning excited to go to work (perks, a great paycheck respective to the amount of actual work done, etc. do nothing for me), I have never been able to find my way out because I haven't been able to figure out how to successfully transition out without getting my MBA (something I don't want to do because I don't want to spend a ton of money to be unhappy elsewhere) and because - this is the really sad part - is that part of me feels trapped because of this economy, the need for medical insurance and being able to afford not living with my parents at 30-something years old.

Trade offs my friend.
There is not a job that has it all, remember that.

If you start a great business, you have more headaches with that.

My suggestion is to simply network with friends that you do respect and those that love their work, and see if you can join them.

Surprisingly, I would not quit my job in pharma. Instead, I would just continue to play the zombie part that they want you to play. Its like you are an actor getting paid on stage. I used to buy new ties whenever the job would bore me, as it always will. Its sounds silly, but it worked for me.

Simply, have that backup in place and then just hope you get downsized with a severance.

In the meantime, buy new ties, good music in the car, get some good books so you can take a break in between calls (you can't enter too many calls in a short period of time anyway, because that is how pharma works, and you don't want to get your district mates upset at you for having so many calls)...

gee my blood pressure is going up, because I am so embarrased that I stayed in this industry so long!

 

[Anonymous]

This post really resonates with me. I have been in pharma on and off (off because I was laid off twice and once did a brief stint - another lay off - in another industry) for 10 years, and I have hated ever minute of it, which really says nothing about the job, but me. In spite of the field not resonating with my personal values or beliefs and my essentially NEVER getting up in the morning excited to go to work (perks, a great paycheck respective to the amount of actual work done, etc. do nothing for me), I have never been able to find my way out because I haven't been able to figure out how to successfully transition out without getting my MBA (something I don't want to do because I don't want to spend a ton of money to be unhappy elsewhere) and because - this is the really sad part - is that part of me feels trapped because of this economy, the need for medical insurance and being able to afford not living with my parents at 30-something years old.

I know this is an old post, but whoever wrote this shares the same thought processes as me. Only difference was that I did get a MS (not MBA) and I am in debt. I have a transition plan but have been too scared to implement it. I know it is going to be real painful to transition and I am avoiding the pain.

 

[Anonymous]

Same here. Got an MS thinking I could advance to a small biotech and now am still stuck in big pharma and hate every minute. I am unable to get out and some days I'd rather be dead.

 

[Anonymous]

Same here. Got an MS thinking I could advance to a small biotech and now am still stuck in big pharma and hate every minute. I am unable to get out and some days I'd rather be dead.

When you hit 40, it really stings bad.
This thing we have been doing is just one big lie. Being treated like a boy or girl on field rides is particularly painful. Managers really think they hit the big time or at least they play the game like this is all real and important.

My advice is to just take pride is doing a good job for the sake of maintaining your work ethic and dignity as a person. Set an example, when everyone else is slack and could care less. Be strong and smart and be joyful in your work regardless, and you will find life and hope.

 

[Anonymous]

To poster #28: Depression is very treatable. When you say, "...I'd rather be dead." That is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Get out. Start at the bottom, if you have to. Find something that makes you happy. Something you enjoy. Volunteer at a nursing home. At a hospital. At hospice. Come into contact with some people who are hopeless. That should not be you, my friend. Tell somebody. Tell me.

 

[Anonymous]

gotta bump this one, but to these things are a reality.

 

[Anonymous]

Look, most jobs are for 'dummies' save the jobs that require special training or years of school, ie. doctors, dentists, etc., electrical engineers, airline pilot, architects, etc. you get the point.

Most of the 'other' jobs whether it be blue or white collar are teachable jobs and on most days when you fail at said job nobody dies.

Sure some people have inherent competencies such as an outgoing person being more geared for sales versus an introvert shy person or a math wiz being good at accounting, but even in those cases you can teach people how to sell or how to be an accountant and again if they fail no one will die. So to say pharma sales is any more for dummies than anything else is moronic.

Unless you need to receive some grandiose fulfillment from your job, i.e. teacher, nurse, Red Cross, etc. a job is merely a means to an end. It's a vehicle to provide for yourself and your family if you have one. I couldn't care less what i sell or who i work for or if my job could be done my a middle schooler. It pays me pretty well, the work life balance is enviable, and the benefits are solid. I haven't W2'd less than $150K since my fist few years in the biz back in the early 90's. Not a ton of money but good enough to live in the nice part of town and rarely worry about money issues. Out of curiosity did anyone really think they were going to get some level of fulfillment from a sales job and or non alturistc jobs? I have buddies who sell financial services and they are no more fulfilled than anyone else I know selling cars, or pharmaceuticals, or houses.

 

[Anonymous]

Look, most jobs are for 'dummies' save the jobs that require special training or years of school, ie. doctors, dentists, etc., electrical engineers, airline pilot, architects, etc. you get the point.

Most of the 'other' jobs whether it be blue or white collar are teachable jobs and on most days when you fail at said job nobody dies.

Sure some people have inherent competencies such as an outgoing person being more geared for sales versus an introvert shy person or a math wiz being good at accounting, but even in those cases you can teach people how to sell or how to be an accountant and again if they fail no one will die. So to say pharma sales is any more for dummies than anything else is moronic.

Unless you need to receive some grandiose fulfillment from your job, i.e. teacher, nurse, Red Cross, etc. a job is merely a means to an end. It's a vehicle to provide for yourself and your family if you have one. I couldn't care less what i sell or who i work for or if my job could be done my a middle schooler. It pays me pretty well, the work life balance is enviable, and the benefits are solid. I haven't W2'd less than $150K since my fist few years in the biz back in the early 90's. Not a ton of money but good enough to live in the nice part of town and rarely worry about money issues. Out of curiosity did anyone really think they were going to get some level of fulfillment from a sales job and or non alturistc jobs? I have buddies who sell financial services and they are no more fulfilled than anyone else I know selling cars, or pharmaceuticals, or houses.

The dummy part of this industry is the part where you can never relax and just be yourself. There are always checks and balances that are demoralizing and stupid. And we are putting up with this nonsense for what? A few bucks, a nice house, and a European Vacation once a year?

Now that I have acquired the same crap the rest of you have, I see it as not worth it anymore. I just choose not to put up with the nonsense anymore. It is a dummy culture in the corporate sales game. What pisses me off the most is when the dummies get promoted for reasons that have nothing to do with selling. I have seen so many terrible sales reps, that spend most of their day just making sure the manager is good, but don't care about their peers or customers, get promoted because the manager was happy with them. Its like high school all over again.

To each his own, I guess. I just think there is a better way to live and it is good to think about that better way, rather than settle for a work environment that is rotten to the core, because of greed.

 

[Anonymous]

The dummy part of this industry is the part where you can never relax and just be yourself. There are always checks and balances that are demoralizing and stupid. And we are putting up with this nonsense for what? A few bucks, a nice house, and a European Vacation once a year?

Now that I have acquired the same crap the rest of you have, I see it as not worth it anymore. I just choose not to put up with the nonsense anymore. It is a dummy culture in the corporate sales game. What pisses me off the most is when the dummies get promoted for reasons that have nothing to do with selling. I have seen so many terrible sales reps, that spend most of their day just making sure the manager is good, but don't care about their peers or customers, get promoted because the manager was happy with them. Its like high school all over again.

To each his own, I guess. I just think there is a better way to live and it is good to think about that better way, rather than settle for a work environment that is rotten to the core, because of greed.

None of that is unique to Pharma...

 

[Anonymous]

The dummy part of this industry is the part where you can never relax and just be yourself. There are always checks and balances that are demoralizing and stupid. And we are putting up with this nonsense for what? A few bucks, a nice house, and a European Vacation once a year?

Now that I have acquired the same crap the rest of you have, I see it as not worth it anymore. I just choose not to put up with the nonsense anymore. It is a dummy culture in the corporate sales game. What pisses me off the most is when the dummies get promoted for reasons that have nothing to do with selling. I have seen so many terrible sales reps, that spend most of their day just making sure the manager is good, but don't care about their peers or customers, get promoted because the manager was happy with them. Its like high school all over again.

To each his own, I guess. I just think there is a better way to live and it is good to think about that better way, rather than settle for a work environment that is rotten to the core, because of greed.

I understand what you are saying but I would say that this happens in EVERY corporate environment and non corporate jobs and organizations as well. I've heard doctors talk about favoritism in residency programs so the ass kissing favoritism that we see in many pharma companies is not unique in any way. I've worked mainly in biotech oncology companies and it could not be more different than big pharma and when we hire big pharma peole it takes about 6 months to unravel them to get them to trust that no one is out to get them...without a doubt that a lot of big pharmas have poor cultures and BS but it's just a different flavor of BS. Remember the movie 'Office Space' or the Dilbert comics/books? They each illustrated the mind numbingly dumb things companies do to drive us nuts.

 

[Anonymous]

I understand what you are saying but I would say that this happens in EVERY corporate environment and non corporate jobs and organizations as well. I've heard doctors talk about favoritism in residency programs so the ass kissing favoritism that we see in many pharma companies is not unique in any way. I've worked mainly in biotech oncology companies and it could not be more different than big pharma and when we hire big pharma peole it takes about 6 months to unravel them to get them to trust that no one is out to get them...without a doubt that a lot of big pharmas have poor cultures and BS but it's just a different flavor of BS. Remember the movie 'Office Space' or the Dilbert comics/books? They each illustrated the mind numbingly dumb things companies do to drive us nuts.

There are good sales jobs that don't track like they do in pharma/medica/corporate. Some pay more, some pay less.

The point is they are out there if you look!

I have one of them and I will never give away my autonomy for a few more dollars.

 

[Anonymous]

I understand what you are saying but I would say that this happens in EVERY corporate environment and non corporate jobs and organizations as well. I've heard doctors talk about favoritism in residency programs so the ass kissing favoritism that we see in many pharma companies is not unique in any way. I've worked mainly in biotech oncology companies and it could not be more different than big pharma and when we hire big pharma peole it takes about 6 months to unravel them to get them to trust that no one is out to get them...without a doubt that a lot of big pharmas have poor cultures and BS but it's just a different flavor of BS. Remember the movie 'Office Space' or the Dilbert comics/books? They each illustrated the mind numbingly dumb things companies do to drive us nuts.

Every job is political and every job is mundane. We are all slaves to material possessions. Then we die. The things that make us who we are what we do from our first breath to the day we die. Nobody cares what you did for a living. You live on in the memories of those that love you. Your tombstone will never say "Joe Schmoe...Doctor."

 

[Anonymous]

Every job is political and every job is mundane. We are all slaves to material possessions. Then we die. The things that make us who we are what we do from our first breath to the day we die. Nobody cares what you did for a living. You live on in the memories of those that love you. Your tombstone will never say "Joe Schmoe...Doctor."

Going to have to disagree with you.

First, every job is not political. It is only the jobs with the layers of managment, such as corporate and state jobs. There are plenty of non political jobs, like cutting hair, driving a taxi, and playing tennis (LOL, good luck on that).

Second, every job is not mundane. Do you think playing QB in the NFL is mundane. The second you think it is mundane, that is when Warren Sapp is going to sack you and break your neck. On a serious note, REAL SALES jobs (not pharmaceutcal or medical device) are NOT mundane. There is lots of room for creativity in NON CORPORATE SALES, trust me. I can go on and on, but I won't.

Third, we are all not slaves to material things. Seems like you are. I have NEVER bought a car on credit, for example and drive used cars (why buy a new car when I have a company car). Sure, it is a silly looking car, but I don't care to impress fake friends anyway.

About the only thing you have correct is that we are all going to die. Here is a clue for you, something I want you to research: do we die once or twice?

Do more research, but most people die twice. A SMALL MINORITY die once. Look it up. Blessings to you, my friend. Soften your heart, and you will find true riches. Stay away from the traps that may be binding you, such as you need to make a lot of money to be happy or have a fullfilling life. Good luck!

 

[Anonymous]

Going to have to disagree with you.

First, every job is not political. It is only the jobs with the layers of managment, such as corporate and state jobs. There are plenty of non political jobs, like cutting hair, driving a taxi, and playing tennis (LOL, good luck on that).

Second, every job is not mundane. Do you think playing QB in the NFL is mundane. The second you think it is mundane, that is when Warren Sapp is going to sack you and break your neck. On a serious note, REAL SALES jobs (not pharmaceutcal or medical device) are NOT mundane. There is lots of room for creativity in NON CORPORATE SALES, trust me. I can go on and on, but I won't.

Third, we are all not slaves to material things. Seems like you are. I have NEVER bought a car on credit, for example and drive used cars (why buy a new car when I have a company car). Sure, it is a silly looking car, but I don't care to impress fake friends anyway.

About the only thing you have correct is that we are all going to die. Here is a clue for you, something I want you to research: do we die once or twice?

Do more research, but most people die twice. A SMALL MINORITY die once. Look it up. Blessings to you, my friend. Soften your heart, and you will find true riches. Stay away from the traps that may be binding you, such as you need to make a lot of money to be happy or have a fullfilling life. Good luck!

Yaaaaawn,Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[Anonymous]

WRONG! When you are in Pharma you die everyday!

Going to have to disagree with you.

First, every job is not political. It is only the jobs with the layers of managment, such as corporate and state jobs. There are plenty of non political jobs, like cutting hair, driving a taxi, and playing tennis (LOL, good luck on that).

Second, every job is not mundane. Do you think playing QB in the NFL is mundane. The second you think it is mundane, that is when Warren Sapp is going to sack you and break your neck. On a serious note, REAL SALES jobs (not pharmaceutcal or medical device) are NOT mundane. There is lots of room for creativity in NON CORPORATE SALES, trust me. I can go on and on, but I won't.

Third, we are all not slaves to material things. Seems like you are. I have NEVER bought a car on credit, for example and drive used cars (why buy a new car when I have a company car). Sure, it is a silly looking car, but I don't care to impress fake friends anyway.

About the only thing you have correct is that we are all going to die. Here is a clue for you, something I want you to research: do we die once or twice?

Do more research, but most people die twice. A SMALL MINORITY die once. Look it up. Blessings to you, my friend. Soften your heart, and you will find true riches. Stay away from the traps that may be binding you, such as you need to make a lot of money to be happy or have a fullfilling life. Good luck!