Interviewing

[Anonymous]

Nice post.

When I first graduated with my 4 year about ten years ago, I got my first job with a top company after a few interviews. It was a great spot to be in, in my early 20s.

Now, despite my excellent track record, it take me about 5-10 rejections before I get a chance. And, this is with a good network!

So, it is clear to me that companies do not value our skill set. Instead, they prefer the recent college grad that doesn't know that they are being treated like crap, and can be manipulated and controlled.

Anyway, as I approach my 40s, I have decided to change my career because (as you brillantly put it), my skill set is not valued, and the market thinks anyone can do this job (very wrong assessment from the industry, because a good sales rep is valuable).

So, facing reality, I have decided to start my MBA in the fall, with a focus on operations management. I was recently accepted to a top ten program, and I got a free ride to do so. The skill set that I gain, and the network that I gain from this concentration positions me nicely for the last half of my career and life.

Anyway, thanks for your post! It is further confirmation that my decision to take the plunge and go back to school, is indeed, a smart move in the long run.

Its a painful decision to make because I love to sell and I find the job very easy because I am self-motivated. But, at the same time, I am not going to be in a spot in my career where I am downsized for having one bad quarter...

or worse have a manager that is 10 plus years younger, "coaching" me about new sales strategies that are going to knock the socks off of the sales world. There is only so much you can learn in outside sales, and every year they just want more and more of your soul.

You make some great points and have make good choices. I could not agree with you more. I knew this day was soon to arrive and stuck my head in the sand and hoped for the best. They were moving the cheese and should have been more proactive. It is pretty weird to be my age and begging for a job from some 28 year kid with no skills and basic college degree. We all have room for growth, but getting told how to approach your job from a recent college grad makes you want to become a truck driver for the solitude. Good luck and keep going.

Company greed imploded this industry.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi! Thanks for playing the unconscious incompetence game! You just proved you don’t know what you don’t know! Dmab is an osteoporosis drug that is used for bone mets and NOT a therapeutic oncology agent so clearly you don’t know what you don’t know! That’s awesome! Now go polish that name badge you attach to your JC Penny tie the kids bought and get that sample inventory in line so you can grab those elusive signatures for your me too samples tomorrow! BTW back away from the Wikipedia and stop pretending that you know the deal. Ah I love how bitter you losers are! And BTW Ichan was a biogen idec play not a play on the company I work for…but I applaud that you, at the very least, read the headlines…unfortunate you don’t garner the actual facts from them…btw I would love to be bought out once more… another $2M would send me into retirement quite happy! Have fun getting those sig’s tomorrow and be sure to add a fake one just to raise your call average…loser!

Easy play 'a you a bad man. We all know you are still a silly little person and a professional pest. No one cares about you or your big time attitude. You will be scrambling for retirement your whole life just like the rest of America. You would have to be a VP to role 2 mm from a stock deal not goofy little guy with bleached teeth and hair gel. Can I see the doctor?

 

[~T~]

You should wonder about yourself. If you are 41 and interviewing for jobs calling on ENT’s you have missed the boat. You should have either climbed the career path ladder or climbed the specialty ladder. ENT = primary care, so why would any company hire a 41 year old person with a higher base salary expectation versus hiring a 25 year old, eager beaver who thinks making $85K a year is a ton of money? Selling to an ENT is as basic as it gets so why pay for your experience? There is little to no upside in carrying your salary. Also at 41 have you not established a strong network of colleagues in this industry? If you are 41 and are interviewing “cold” for positions than you have not done a good job of networking. I’m 40 and the only time I take a phone call for a job is if it is a former colleague who is referring me in. I would never take a job where I DIDN’T know the people I was going to work for! Internal referrals are still king.

I know this sounds harsh and you don’t want to hear it but I think you need a serious dose of tough love or reality. I interview people like you all the time. They got into Primary Care in their twenties, never got promoted, and never got into the highly specialized therapeutic areas that pay substantially more. So here they are with all the contractions and reorganizations of the industry looking for a job but all they did for the last 15 to 20 years is stay in brain dead sample rep mass market job and now they are confused that no one wants to hire them. It’s too late to break into the higher paying jobs like oncology, ID, MS, HCV, etc. and it’s probably too late to get promoted in mass market. I know we all make choices in life such as staying loyal to an employer, family choices, moving, etc. I’m not saying any of those choices are right wrong or indifferent. What I’m saying is choices come with consequences. Again someone who went from PC to specialty to HIV/ID is far more impressive than someone who has sold antibiotics or asthma drugs for 15 years.

I hate to say this but it is going to be a tough road for you and others in your situation. I work for a biotech and we would never give you a call. We want 30 something’s that have a solid rolodex of customers that we call on and 5 years’ experience in the specialty. We are not interviewing in the “STAR” format or other goofball HR methods. That is reserved for BS primary care companies. We are asking ‘who do you know, what do you know, what will you bring to the table, and will you be easy to work with. If you are missing one of those components you will never get hired. If you do not have that, which it sounds like you don’t you are stuck in a bad spot trying to get a mass market job with thousands of reps looking for work. I work in a highly specialized field and I will get 200 resumes all with 5 plus years experience without going to a recruiter. 90% of those candidates would be great at the job, so the selection criteria can be paper thin and usually comes down to who internally referred them and what my gut tells me about this person, as well as their physician references which plays a huge roll. If you do not have ten physicians in the specialty we call on that will go to bat for you, again you are in a bad place.

Sorry if this is not the reply you wanted to hear but I am truly trying to give you a dose of perspective that I believe you are lacking.

You make a number of assumptions in your posts, especially your first one here, which some may recognize as an attempt at covering up age discrimination in your hiring practices. But don't worry. It's not like anyone could find out who you are or where you work being age 40 with a wife of 12 years, three children, employed as a regional manager of a small biotech having worked at Amgen and Genentech. But whatever. Read on.

With people out of work today due to layoffs in the drug industry, even the heavily experienced are not interviewing with 'higher base salary expectations'. This isn't the hey day of pharmaceuticals lol. There are bargains out there to be had for the smart hiring manager who isn't affected by ageism or maybe afraid to hire someone older than themselves?

It takes a certain skill set (and level of maturity) to be able to identify strong candidates and hire the right ones. Maybe your company strongly encourages you to hire internal candidates or internal referrals, I don't know? But outside candidates bring new perspectives and experiences that can be invaluable and energizing to a stale sales group. But whatever you do, please leave the candidate's age out of the equation. Do yourself a favor and look at the candidate's overall experience and number of transferable skills. Or you'll continue to have new (read..young) hires who'll tell you, “how different the job is and how much more they had to learn to do the job.”

A 30-something with 5 years experience doesn't remotely compare to an industry veteran who has survived 15 or 20 years employment with one company amidst turbulent changes. Survival takes skills..as in the ability to produce so don't kid yourself. The 20 year vet brings with him or her a fatter rolodex, too, lol. No pharmaceutical sales person survives that length of time in a territory without developing long term, solid physician relationships and lots of them. They can easily answer who they know, what they know, and what they bring to the table. If you make any assumptions, a safe assumption to make is that they are easy to work with given their longevity. Don't assume because a candidate interviews cold for a position that they don't have contacts in the industry or they don't know how to network.

 

[Anonymous]

You make a number of assumptions in your posts, especially your first one here, which some may recognize as an attempt at covering up age discrimination in your hiring practices. But don't worry. It's not like anyone could find out who you are or where you work being age 40 with a wife of 12 years, three children, employed as a regional manager of a small biotech having worked at Amgen and Genentech. But whatever. Read on.

With people out of work today due to layoffs in the drug industry, even the heavily experienced are not interviewing with 'higher base salary expectations'. This isn't the hey day of pharmaceuticals lol. There are bargains out there to be had for the smart hiring manager who isn't affected by ageism or maybe afraid to hire someone older than themselves?

It takes a certain skill set (and level of maturity) to be able to identify strong candidates and hire the right ones. Maybe your company strongly encourages you to hire internal candidates or internal referrals, I don't know? But outside candidates bring new perspectives and experiences that can be invaluable and energizing to a stale sales group. But whatever you do, please leave the candidate's age out of the equation. Do yourself a favor and look at the candidate's overall experience and number of transferable skills. Or you'll continue to have new (read..young) hires who'll tell you, “how different the job is and how much more they had to learn to do the job.”

A 30-something with 5 years experience doesn't remotely compare to an industry veteran who has survived 15 or 20 years employment with one company amidst turbulent changes. Survival takes skills..as in the ability to produce so don't kid yourself. The 20 year vet brings with him or her a fatter rolodex, too, lol. No pharmaceutical sales person survives that length of time in a territory without developing long term, solid physician relationships and lots of them. They can easily answer who they know, what they know, and what they bring to the table. If you make any assumptions, a safe assumption to make is that they are easy to work with given their longevity. Don't assume because a candidate interviews cold for a position that they don't have contacts in the industry or they don't know how to network.

Spot on. You are correct. A lot of us on here feel the same way you do. Yes, I can be a little bitter at times, but who would nt be after being out of work for a long period of time. What I see today is many hiring managers that got their opportunities by default are scared to death to hire someone with more skills or experience than they have. Hence, the dumbing-down of the pharma world to D1 athletes and cheerleaders.

During my last interview, I wanted to ask the hiring manager if we were going to a party after the interview due to their hiring approach.

 

[Anonymous]

You make a number of assumptions in your posts, especially your first one here, which some may recognize as an attempt at covering up age discrimination in your hiring practices. But don't worry. It's not like anyone could find out who you are or where you work being age 40 with a wife of 12 years, three children, employed as a regional manager of a small biotech having worked at Amgen and Genentech. But whatever. Read on.

With people out of work today due to layoffs in the drug industry, even the heavily experienced are not interviewing with 'higher base salary expectations'. This isn't the hey day of pharmaceuticals lol. There are bargains out there to be had for the smart hiring manager who isn't affected by ageism or maybe afraid to hire someone older than themselves?

It takes a certain skill set (and level of maturity) to be able to identify strong candidates and hire the right ones. Maybe your company strongly encourages you to hire internal candidates or internal referrals, I don't know? But outside candidates bring new perspectives and experiences that can be invaluable and energizing to a stale sales group. But whatever you do, please leave the candidate's age out of the equation. Do yourself a favor and look at the candidate's overall experience and number of transferable skills. Or you'll continue to have new (read..young) hires who'll tell you, “how different the job is and how much more they had to learn to do the job.”

A 30-something with 5 years experience doesn't remotely compare to an industry veteran who has survived 15 or 20 years employment with one company amidst turbulent changes. Survival takes skills..as in the ability to produce so don't kid yourself. The 20 year vet brings with him or her a fatter rolodex, too, lol. No pharmaceutical sales person survives that length of time in a territory without developing long term, solid physician relationships and lots of them. They can easily answer who they know, what they know, and what they bring to the table. If you make any assumptions, a safe assumption to make is that they are easy to work with given their longevity. Don't assume because a candidate interviews cold for a position that they don't have contacts in the industry or they don't know how to network.

Well put.

I remember a highly successful rep of about 20 years telling me that you don't know crap in sales your first 5 years.

And he was right.

But, in pharma, they promote at 2 years in the field, because they can get there managers cheap, and they can get managers that are stupid and will follow the company BS to a tee, and they are easier to control.

Moral of the story is for people to continue to develop their skill set, and to make adjustments along their career path.

There is no need for educated and self-motivated sales professionals to take too much crap from anyone in corporate. Instead, find a company that will value your experience and skill set (these companies are out there, but they are not in pharma), and go work there.

Either that, or start your own business. Or go back to school.

That same sales vet also reminded me that there is work in the market place, if you are willing to work. So, we might not always get what we want, but we can certainly have the strength to get up in the morning do our jobs, and pay the bills, thank you very much!

 

[Anonymous]

When I first started interviewing in Pharma in 1993, most of the DMs had to carried the bag for over 10 years and relocated a couple of times. They had a little gray and were as confident and kind as anyone I have interviewed with since. Additionally, the had some form of life science degree or background.

These were the DMs when your wife or child got sick they told you to not worry about it. Get them better and get back to work. Not one word about days off, sick-leave or contacting HR. They had your back and family's best interest in the forefront.


They did n't rattle and protected you like a left tackle from corporate or from making career ending mistakes. They worked with you all day long and helped you improve. They did not have cell phones and goofy text messaging phones it was all about getting better both clinically and professionally. The basics: polished, composed, smart and kind. No hair gel, no bleached teeth, no shirts unbuttoned to mid-chest (male or female).

Fast forward ten years. My last DM was 26 and been in the field for a little over a year (Buddies w/ RD)after a stellar 9 month career as customer service rep for transportation company. He had a social science degree and said "F-bombs and dude" every other word. They NEVER had an original thought. They were a parrot to corporate. They were easily scared and manipulated.

The more immature, ill-informed and ignorant the better. WOW!

 

[Anonymous]

Hi! Thanks for playing the unconscious incompetence game! You just proved you don’t know what you don’t know! Dmab is an osteoporosis drug that is used for bone mets and NOT a therapeutic oncology agent so clearly you don’t know what you don’t know! That’s awesome! Now go polish that name badge you attach to your JC Penny tie the kids bought and get that sample inventory in line so you can grab those elusive signatures for your me too samples tomorrow! BTW back away from the Wikipedia and stop pretending that you know the deal. Ah I love how bitter you losers are! And BTW Ichan was a biogen idec play not a play on the company I work for…but I applaud that you, at the very least, read the headlines…unfortunate you don’t garner the actual facts from them…btw I would love to be bought out once more… another $2M would send me into retirement quite happy! Have fun getting those sig’s tomorrow and be sure to add a fake one just to raise your call average…loser!

Please call me when you have a chance. I need you to help me get my life in order.

 

[Anonymous]

When I first started interviewing in Pharma in 1993, most of the DMs had to carried the bag for over 10 years and relocated a couple of times. They had a little gray and were as confident and kind as anyone I have interviewed with since. Additionally, the had some form of life science degree or background.

These were the DMs when your wife or child got sick they told you to not worry about it. Get them better and get back to work. Not one word about days off, sick-leave or contacting HR. They had your back and family's best interest in the forefront.


They did n't rattle and protected you like a left tackle from corporate or from making career ending mistakes. They worked with you all day long and helped you improve. They did not have cell phones and goofy text messaging phones it was all about getting better both clinically and professionally. The basics: polished, composed, smart and kind. No hair gel, no bleached teeth, no shirts unbuttoned to mid-chest (male or female).

Fast forward ten years. My last DM was 26 and been in the field for a little over a year (Buddies w/ RD)after a stellar 9 month career as customer service rep for transportation company. He had a social science degree and said "F-bombs and dude" every other word. They NEVER had an original thought. They were a parrot to corporate. They were easily scared and manipulated.

The more immature, ill-informed and ignorant the better. WOW!

Wow, another great post.

This discussion is bringing out the best of cafe pharma.

Anyway, I just got off the phone with my mentor, a man with about 30 years of sales experience, who is currently an independent rep.

And we were just laughing about the current state of affairs in the pharmaceutical and medical sales field. In particular, just how stupid and unprofessional the industry has become.

Not only do these reps have little skill or intelligence, but they have no street smarts! could you imagine these morons running an independent business?

They would fail in weeks, and be in the hole for 100k in loans. There only talent is approving expense reports, drinking beer with the boss, and putting KY Jelly up there....well I will end it at that...

but I think that happens often in our current environment.

 

[Anonymous]

These little DM tyrants will be the first ones in the unemployment line when the industry implodes within 5 years. They have no people skills, no business skills and no management skills and they are ill-equipped for any other industry. My advice is network like crazy and keep other industries in mind - think about how your skills carry over into another job. The people who are still hitting their head against the wall trying to stay in pharma are doing themselves a real disservice. Maybe it means interning somewhere or getting some additional training in another field. I plan on being out of this industry in 3-4 years and I've been steadily working on my long-range plan. This industry is not getting any better and do you want to be doing this in your 50's?

 

[Anonymous]

These little DM tyrants will be the first ones in the unemployment line when the industry implodes within 5 years. They have no people skills, no business skills and no management skills and they are ill-equipped for any other industry. My advice is network like crazy and keep other industries in mind - think about how your skills carry over into another job. The people who are still hitting their head against the wall trying to stay in pharma are doing themselves a real disservice. Maybe it means interning somewhere or getting some additional training in another field. I plan on being out of this industry in 3-4 years and I've been steadily working on my long-range plan. This industry is not getting any better and do you want to be doing this in your 50's?

If you are in this field in your 50s, selling to doctors that don't respect you, then you are pretty much a joker.

Have some respect for yourself, and find a real sales job, where they don't micromanage or treat you like a piece of crap.

 

[Anonymous]

When I first started interviewing in Pharma in 1993, most of the DMs had to carried the bag for over 10 years and relocated a couple of times. They had a little gray and were as confident and kind as anyone I have interviewed with since. Additionally, the had some form of life science degree or background.

These were the DMs when your wife or child got sick they told you to not worry about it. Get them better and get back to work. Not one word about days off, sick-leave or contacting HR. They had your back and family's best interest in the forefront.


They did n't rattle and protected you like a left tackle from corporate or from making career ending mistakes. They worked with you all day long and helped you improve. They did not have cell phones and goofy text messaging phones it was all about getting better both clinically and professionally. The basics: polished, composed, smart and kind. No hair gel, no bleached teeth, no shirts unbuttoned to mid-chest (male or female).

Fast forward ten years. My last DM was 26 and been in the field for a little over a year (Buddies w/ RD)after a stellar 9 month career as customer service rep for transportation company. He had a social science degree and said "F-bombs and dude" every other word. They NEVER had an original thought. They were a parrot to corporate. They were easily scared and manipulated.

The more immature, ill-informed and ignorant the better. WOW!

I 2nd this. Could've written it myself. Even the 1993 part. With my wonderful, OLDER, DM I remember when he found out I was going through a divorce, he told me that he and the RD wanted me to know that I could just "cruise" if I needed to, when I needed to. Take it easy, he said. Unheard of today.
My last manager (early 30s female) said things like "8-5 you must be in the field; no exceptions!" and the one before that, berated me for having to hop off the highway for LITERALLY about 3 minutes to grab something at my house (not anything I'd forgotten. I got a call from my spouse), like I was a 5 yr old. Oh, and our RD (another female!) said at one of our regional sales meetings that we were all "laughing too much" during one of the workshops, and we "needed to stop it". Are you f-----g kidding me? How times have changed. Glad I left the industry.

 

[Anonymous]

I 2nd this. Could've written it myself. Even the 1993 part. With my wonderful, OLDER, DM I remember when he found out I was going through a divorce, he told me that he and the RD wanted me to know that I could just "cruise" if I needed to, when I needed to. Take it easy, he said. Unheard of today.
My last manager (early 30s female) said things like "8-5 you must be in the field; no exceptions!" and the one before that, berated me for having to hop off the highway for LITERALLY about 3 minutes to grab something at my house (not anything I'd forgotten. I got a call from my spouse), like I was a 5 yr old. Oh, and our RD (another female!) said at one of our regional sales meetings that we were all "laughing too much" during one of the workshops, and we "needed to stop it". Are you f-----g kidding me? How times have changed. Glad I left the industry.

Unfortunately, I went through a divorce in the late 80's as a rep. I was wrecked. I functioned, but no were close to 100%. My DM at the time was 54 and had never been divorced, but worked as rep for 13 years before being promoted. Cool as cucumber.
He allowed me to struggle through it and never said anything more than " I have you covered and call me if you need me" - and he did.

He cut out the ride a longs for a quarter and covered for me when my numbers dropped a bit. I got through the divorce and got my numbers back up in 3 months. Best manager I ever had.
The last one I had before leaving was 31 female that dressed up like she was super model and scolded us like children if we did not follow the corporate mantra to tee. She was HRs best buddy and the teams worst night mare. Thankful she got the ax in a merger. Cannot say I or anyone was sad to see her go.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the previous two posts.

Sometimes I wonder if it is just me when I am faced with this corporate nonsense from managers that just have no respect.

Its good and sad to know that others have faced the same crap.

Regardless, at least we are smart enough to have moved on!

 

[Anonymous]

I 2nd this. Could've written it myself. Even the 1993 part. With my wonderful, OLDER, DM I remember when he found out I was going through a divorce, he told me that he and the RD wanted me to know that I could just "cruise" if I needed to, when I needed to. Take it easy, he said. Unheard of today.
My last manager (early 30s female) said things like "8-5 you must be in the field; no exceptions!" and the one before that, berated me for having to hop off the highway for LITERALLY about 3 minutes to grab something at my house (not anything I'd forgotten. I got a call from my spouse), like I was a 5 yr old. Oh, and our RD (another female!) said at one of our regional sales meetings that we were all "laughing too much" during one of the workshops, and we "needed to stop it". Are you f-----g kidding me? How times have changed. Glad I left the industry.

I'd like to be glad I left the industry too - where'd you end up and how easy/hard was the transition? One thing I've noticed on these boards everyone loves to say they're glad they left or how well they're treated at their new non-pharma sales job but they never say what industry!

 

[Anonymous]

I'd like to be glad I left the industry too - where'd you end up and how easy/hard was the transition? One thing I've noticed on these boards everyone loves to say they're glad they left or how well they're treated at their new non-pharma sales job but they never say what industry!

Well. I think people end up a little everywhere really. I started a small business but ended up ending it (mainly for family reasons). Now job-hunting! And I will tell you, it's not easy. Pharma truly is a tough thing to have on your resume, especially when it was long-term. Everyone says they're glad to be gone, and at least I, personally, can say that for sure. I would rather be unemployed and even have to work temp or p/t until something comes along, than ever go back into pharma. No joke. I told my spouse that even if a job came along offering me 150k back in pharma, with the same shit I dealt with before, I would ABSOLUTELY NOT take it. That's how much I hated it, and how bad it made me feel on a daily basis (in the last 3 yrs of it. Before that, I was good and pretty happy). I am considering going to school again, or if not, then I pretty much know that any job I get/take will be a pay cut. But that's ok. I don't believe there's one particular place where all the ex-pharma folks end up. I know one who went into banking. Another ended up stocking shelves full-time (I know!). Another selling diagnostics. 2 others went into long-term care stuff. One became a financial planner. Others back into pharma (yikes). It's a crap shoot.
Guess you just have to make the decision to get out, get your $ in order, be prepared to quite possibly make less money (but for better QOL), and take a leap of faith.
If nothing else, I guarantee you WILL feel better mentally, emotionally, and physically.
I look back at pharma and see just how toxic it really was. Even as an unemployed person!!
Best of luck to you.

 

[Anonymous]

Well. I think people end up a little everywhere really. I started a small business but ended up ending it (mainly for family reasons). Now job-hunting! And I will tell you, it's not easy. Pharma truly is a tough thing to have on your resume, especially when it was long-term. Everyone says they're glad to be gone, and at least I, personally, can say that for sure. I would rather be unemployed and even have to work temp or p/t until something comes along, than ever go back into pharma. No joke. I told my spouse that even if a job came along offering me 150k back in pharma, with the same shit I dealt with before, I would ABSOLUTELY NOT take it. That's how much I hated it, and how bad it made me feel on a daily basis (in the last 3 yrs of it. Before that, I was good and pretty happy). I am considering going to school again, or if not, then I pretty much know that any job I get/take will be a pay cut. But that's ok. I don't believe there's one particular place where all the ex-pharma folks end up. I know one who went into banking. Another ended up stocking shelves full-time (I know!). Another selling diagnostics. 2 others went into long-term care stuff. One became a financial planner. Others back into pharma (yikes). It's a crap shoot.
Guess you just have to make the decision to get out, get your $ in order, be prepared to quite possibly make less money (but for better QOL), and take a leap of faith.
If nothing else, I guarantee you WILL feel better mentally, emotionally, and physically.
I look back at pharma and see just how toxic it really was. Even as an unemployed person!!
Best of luck to you.

such a great post...and so true..I just left Big Pharma after 22 years...I would not go back for anything...I realize that I will eventually need to sell my house and my vacations to exotic lands are probably a thing of the past...at a certain point though, the nice pharma salary was not worth what it was doing to my soul, and to my self esteem...i was so embarassed to admit to anybody I met that I was a drug rep...I was also un-able to "just wait until they lay you off" as most people advise on CP. I would have liked to do that, but I honestly thought this joke of a job would give me a nervous breakdown if I stayed any longer...Pharma is toxic....

 

[Anonymous]

If you take away the "high school" quality managers, the job would be bearable.

But, we dug a hole for ourselves, and now the offices can't stand us either.

I am glad to be in my late 30s (just in time to change paths), and starting over.

For those into their late 40s, its not too late.

Late 50s, well, you are in the loser mode, and hopefully you saved up.

Anyone in their 20s or 30s reading this would be wise to move into another industry!

 

[Anonymous]

such a great post...and so true..I just left Big Pharma after 22 years...I would not go back for anything...I realize that I will eventually need to sell my house and my vacations to exotic lands are probably a thing of the past...at a certain point though, the nice pharma salary was not worth what it was doing to my soul, and to my self esteem...i was so embarassed to admit to anybody I met that I was a drug rep...I was also un-able to "just wait until they lay you off" as most people advise on CP. I would have liked to do that, but I honestly thought this joke of a job would give me a nervous breakdown if I stayed any longer...Pharma is toxic....

This sounds like me writing this post, but it wasn't!
Wow, pharma soul mates lol. I couldn't hold out for a layoff either. And I actually DID start having very physical health problems as a result of that job. All kinds of things started happening (stomach issues, weird allergy type of symptoms, anxiety, complete sleeplessness, even full blown panic attacks, which I never had in my life!!), and I'm an avid exerciser, always healthy, strong person, not "old". You will probably not believe this, but immediately after leaving the job, every BIT of it went away. Those crazy panic attacks stopped and have never had one since. What does that tell everyone about what this job/industry can do to you, your well-being, your soul? Btw, I was embarrassed by the job also, and even worse, my spouse was embarrassed as well!!

 

[Anonymous]

This sounds like me writing this post, but it wasn't!
Wow, pharma soul mates lol. I couldn't hold out for a layoff either. And I actually DID start having very physical health problems as a result of that job. All kinds of things started happening (stomach issues, weird allergy type of symptoms, anxiety, complete sleeplessness, even full blown panic attacks, which I never had in my life!!), and I'm an avid exerciser, always healthy, strong person, not "old". You will probably not believe this, but immediately after leaving the job, every BIT of it went away. Those crazy panic attacks stopped and have never had one since. What does that tell everyone about what this job/industry can do to you, your well-being, your soul? Btw, I was embarrassed by the job also, and even worse, my spouse was embarrassed as well!!

I guess some jobs are better than others. I cringe when I go into pharma interviews, and see managers that actually think they are cutting edge business people. They are not. They are just "yes" men that have no clue how to actually run a business.

I still remember my RD (in his early 30s at the time, amazing as that sounds, it was true), doing a field ride with me, and it was so embarrassing. The guy couldn't even function in the office, just kept his mouth shut and didn't interact with the office at all. Today, I don't bother to take any management to my key accounts, because they carry themselves so poorly.

 

[~T~]

What happened to Rolodex Stallion?