| Author | Message | ||
| Jerry W. (Tork1966)
Member Username: Tork1966 Post Number: 702 Registered: 7-2001 |
My wife has been a rep for UCB (United Chemicals of Belgium)for 2 years and loves it. They invented Zyrtec and co-promote it with Phizer, and also have a new migrane drug called Frova. She gets a new SUV every 60,000 miles (that we use as our primary vehicle) and the pay and bonuses are great. It is not for everyone as some doctors are not very nice and thus you must have a tough hide, but once you get a good repor with them, it is much easier to get access to the doctors themselves (vs. a P.A.), and they are more apt to write your drugs. The days of taking doctors out golfing, sailing, etc. are pretty much over as the FDA told the drug mfr's to either police this activity themselves, or they will do it for them. | ||
| Tyler (Bahiaau)
Member Username: Bahiaau Post Number: 756 Registered: 12-2001 |
Patrick, busy as hell, but no complaints.  Glad to see things are progressing well for you and your girlfriend. Congrats on her acceptance to the DO program, that's great! I am a firm believer that if you can stand it, you cannot have too much education. If she gets her DO she will have a great number of choices in life! Best! | ||
| Patman36 (Patrickr)
Junior Member Username: Patrickr Post Number: 162 Registered: 4-2002 |
Hey Tyler! How's it going? Tim, she (my sweet, beautiful girlfriend ) is both very smart/talented and a good salesman(woman). She is just weighing her options right now. Basically, it is either medical school, pharmaceutical sales, or pharmacy school. She is leaning toward medical or pharmacy school. Either way she'll stay here in Tulsa where I am. We are lucky in the fact that we have gone to high-school together (where we met), went to the same college, graduated together, and will both be able to stay in the same town together. Looks like I gotta make the next step in our relationship! I appreciate all the comments folks, you guys are great. Patrick | ||
| Tyler (Bahiaau)
Member Username: Bahiaau Post Number: 755 Registered: 12-2001 |
Tim I know we have had this dialogue before in a similar thread. I think it needs to be reiterated that talented people in any field are not easily replaced. Top sales professionals are hardly replaceable. I was involved in orthopaedic sales for a number of years before moving on to do software sales. I've worked daily with lots of surgeons and have many that are still close friends. Most will never attain the kind of success and freedom that being a true sales professional provides. Also, if you are a great salesperson you can take that ability and make it work in any number of environments. Sales(if you can do it) is one of the most rewarding careers out there and provides one of the best foundations for further opportunities later. My humble opinion. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Advanced Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 3143 Registered: 6-2001 |
It seems pharmaceutical salesmen do pretty well, IF they can get the job. the only thing that turns me off to selling is that salesman are replaceable. If this girl becomes a doctor, its much harder to replace one of those than a pharm salesman because not everyone can get into med school, much less finish it. | ||
| John (Cohiba_man)
Junior Member Username: Cohiba_man Post Number: 112 Registered: 1-2003 |
Hahah a few years ago I sold my almost new Mercedes to a 17 year old who I've since found out is a well known pharmaceutical salesman himself... | ||
| Mark (Markg)
Member Username: Markg Post Number: 503 Registered: 2-2001 |
Back in my law enforcement days I came across a 14 year old kid who made a ton of money selling pharmaceuticals .... | ||
| Catherine Roberts (Catherine)
New member Username: Catherine Post Number: 2 Registered: 5-2003 |
I am so glad she got into medical school! It is worth every minute. She will come home with the best stories. | ||
| James Dixon (Omnadren250)
Member Username: Omnadren250 Post Number: 408 Registered: 7-2001 |
David Charles, THanks for the advice. Would it be possible to shoot you an email and ask a few questions?? Regards, James Dixon [email protected] | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Advanced Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 3139 Registered: 6-2001 |
If this girl is so smart and higly motivated, why doenst she do somethihng else? Theres a difference to being smart/intelligent, and being a good salesman (ie. allan). | ||
| david charles (Supraboytt)
New member Username: Supraboytt Post Number: 43 Registered: 10-2001 |
i work as an exec recruiter in sales and the best money in the sales biz as a whole is software- I've plazed tons of reps that have gone on to make 500k to over 5m- and none came from pharm- however a large percentage of software guys work there way up with companies like xerox, adp, or ibm it ultimately depnds on what you want to do longterm the pharm job- will ofer more percs off the bat- company car- higher base- less ••••(no cold calling etc)- even though i'm sure doctors will occasionally treat you like •••• however the xerox job will provide a much better foundation/launching pad imho - its a true sales job as opposed to pharm where your just a glamorized delivery person good luck which ever way you go- nice work getting either job out of college in this economy give yurself a pat on the back | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 4461 Registered: 8-2002 |
Patrick, that's awesome, congratulations...! i knew some people in high school who were in the pharmaceutical sales thing, but it was a felony back then, too, so i'm not too sure where they are, now... | ||
| DJ (Godfather)
Junior Member Username: Godfather Post Number: 109 Registered: 11-2002 |
Congrats!  | ||
| Patman36 (Patrickr)
Junior Member Username: Patrickr Post Number: 161 Registered: 4-2002 |
Just FYI, she got into med-school today!!!! Patrick | ||
| Adam R (Arymarcz)
Junior Member Username: Arymarcz Post Number: 93 Registered: 8-2002 |
Hi Catherine, Actually, I haven't spoken to her in over a year. Doctor eh? Maybe we shouldn't of split up... LOL! -Adam | ||
| Patman36 (Patrickr)
Junior Member Username: Patrickr Post Number: 160 Registered: 4-2002 |
Hey Catherine. She is trying to get into Oklahoma State School of Osteopathy (D.O. school). She decided on osteopathic medicine because she feels like it fits her better than OU's M.D. program. She likes their approach better. She is on the waiting list, we are keeping our fingers crossed. She has thought about going to pharmacy school. OU has a great school in the city we live in. I'll be starting my career tomorrow and would love to get her to stay in town with me! Patrick | ||
| Catherine Roberts (Catherine)
New member Username: Catherine Post Number: 1 Registered: 5-2003 |
Your girlfriend sounds like a great candidate for medical school. It's better to be a doctor than sell to doctors. Where is she trying to get in? | ||
| Adam R (Arymarcz)
Junior Member Username: Arymarcz Post Number: 91 Registered: 8-2002 |
My sister is a rep... sounds like Martin's description is right on; it's a rat race. On another interesting note... My sister has gone on several business trips and has often been required to share a room. Apparently, she has had the same roommate over the course of a few months. One day, her and some associates got around to discussing strange surnames and she mentioned her's prior to being married. Turns out her roommate recognized it and informed my sister that she was my ex-girl friend !!!! | ||
| Dale W Spradling (Drtax)
Junior Member Username: Drtax Post Number: 66 Registered: 4-2003 |
Martin, you certainly got that right. My wife is a Pharmacist, and it's not a lot of fun on the other side of the counter either. The good news is that my wife works for the Univ of Texas and gets to do real pharmacist work. Point being is that you really gotta love it to do into anything in the medical field now-a-days. Not only is the money not worth it, there ain't no mo money no more. Dale | ||
| martin j weiner,M.D. (Mw575)
Intermediate Member Username: Mw575 Post Number: 1004 Registered: 5-2001 |
I know a lot about the business since I was a pharmacist before becoming a physician. Being a drug co detail person is far from a glamorous job.Many hours in the car or sitting in Dr's offices waiting to get 3 min from the doctor and commonly beind dissed and ending up leaving some samples and a card with the receptionist. Because of the pressures on doctors to see more and more pts (for less $) the practices are run like mills with no time to sit and talk with the pts ,no less detail people. | ||
| Dale W Spradling (Drtax)
Junior Member Username: Drtax Post Number: 65 Registered: 4-2003 |
Good luck Patrick and James and et al... The real key is finding a line of work that you really enjoy. Thus, your work becomes your life and your life becomes your work. Don't worry about the money. If you enjoy what you do, you will become one of the best in the world at what you do and the money will find you. Think Enzo. The trick is finding that sweet spot. Many past lives ago, I started out as a Anthropology major at FSU (this was before Bobby Bowden). Somehow I have ended up as a self-employed tax consultant who basically works 7 days a week. Believe it or not, I enjoy what I do, the money is good, I have a great family, and more cars and motorcycles than I can shake a stick at. Don't misunderstand. You gotta pay your dues before you can sing the blues. But just follow your heart and you'll get there. Dale | ||
| Patman36 (Patrickr)
Junior Member Username: Patrickr Post Number: 159 Registered: 4-2002 |
Dale, I thought about accounting and went with finance. Good thing because once I hit my accounting classes, I hated them. I got A's in the classes but it wasn't for me. Most of my accounting buddies are in it for the money... seems like the majority of the business majors who are wanting to make money are going into MIS. That was the hot thing a few years ago but now... Like I said, I just graduated with a finance degree and will be starting my career on monday... my university helped me find the job and it happened to be the highest paying position someone has received from my university in a number of years. Hopefully an F-car is in my future! We will see how much I like the job, it is a management development training program at the largest bank in my state. As per my girlfriend, she is looking into pharmaceutical sales. She does know a couple of people and will be doing a ride-along soon. She is also waiting to hear back from med-school so who knows. We will see! I sincerely appreciate everyones advice. Patrick | ||
| James Dixon (Omnadren250)
Member Username: Omnadren250 Post Number: 407 Registered: 7-2001 |
My interview with Bayer went well today....I find out on Monday if I make it to the next interview process. It would be much easier if I just had the Xerox offer and nothing else on the go. When it rains it pours. | ||
| Drstranglove (Drstranglove)
Member Username: Drstranglove Post Number: 484 Registered: 4-2003 |
Well, one of my ex-girlfriends was a rep. (We call them Detail-Girls.) She ended up killing herself (No Joke.) over the job. I deal with reps alot. I dont recommend the job. I would not want to do it. http://houseogroove.com/blogimg/pancakerabbit.gif [b]PANCAKE BUNNIES OF THE WORLD UNITE!!!!!![/b] DrS | ||
| Dale W Spradling (Drtax)
Junior Member Username: Drtax Post Number: 63 Registered: 4-2003 |
Finally James, The Drug Rep bidness ain't what it used to be and will get worse. Basically, the Feds are taking over health care, and they don't like the $$$ that drug companies spend on marketing. A long story. In a past life, I used to be a college professor in accounting. One of my, uh, chores was advising. Because I taught tax, I always had graduating seniors. Anyway, I'd always ask these guys and gals why then went into accounting. After giving me the bs that they had dreamed up for job interviews, the truth would come out. Namely, they wanted to make a lot of money. Plus, they didn't want to talk or write. This always put me in a bind because (a) do I tell them the truth, which is that they blew it, or (b) pat them on the back and say attaboy (or gal). Bottom line is that commerical sales is where it is at if you want to make money. The myth is that you have to be born with it. The truth is that it is hard work that can be learned by almost anybody. So I say start out with the biggest possible company that you can. If you can cut it, you'll find all kinds of people trying to hire you away. Good luck! | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 933 Registered: 3-2002 |
Not sure where you live, but if you start asking your friends, I would think you're bound to find someone who knows someone in the biz. Kind of a funny story: People may or may not realize it, but most drug reps maintain a cache of whatever drugs it is they represent, which are often kept at public storages. A friend of mine was there one day unloading some things when he noticed a beautiful, young blonde moving boxes by herself. He went over to offer his help when he noticed the boxes all contained Viagra! Kind of threw him off balance a little. | ||
| John (Cohiba_man)
Junior Member Username: Cohiba_man Post Number: 92 Registered: 1-2003 |
I'm always interested in these kind of things...anyone else with good info or experiences? | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 922 Registered: 3-2002 |
Two of the best jobs girlfriends of mine have had were being liquor reps and in pharm sales. My wife checked into it a while back, and was able to go on a ride-along with another girl just to get a real look at the job. I've never heard anyone complain about it, but the reps I've known have all worked in Metro areas, so their territory isn't the size of Ohio. All self-paced with lots of perks. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Advanced Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 3814 Registered: 9-2001 |
yes, women in pharm sales do very well and tend to be good looking - its those horney male docs | ||
| allan fiedler (Allanlambo)
Member Username: Allanlambo Post Number: 569 Registered: 6-2002 |
I know that its one of the only fields ive seen where a woman aged 22 can start out earning over 100,000. It is base salary+ commision. | ||
| DJ (Godfather)
Junior Member Username: Godfather Post Number: 99 Registered: 11-2002 |
I've often wondered about Pharmaceutical sales. How does the pay work? Have a base salary and then commission on what your area sells? | ||
| allan fiedler (Allanlambo)
Member Username: Allanlambo Post Number: 568 Registered: 6-2002 |
My wife worked for Wyeth Ayerst and then a medical device company called Angiodynamics. | ||
| Patman36 (Patrickr)
Junior Member Username: Patrickr Post Number: 158 Registered: 4-2002 |
It does sound like a busy job. She understands that she will have to travel quite often by car but that doesn't bother her. I will relay this info to her, I'm sure she appreciates it. She is just starting the resume/application process so it may be a little while before the interviews start coming. We will see. Thanks for the info. James, go with the Xerox job, I think that would be a great move! Congrats! Patrick | ||
| Doug meredith (Dougm)
Member Username: Dougm Post Number: 303 Registered: 2-2001 |
The key to pharm. sales is to get in with a large company for a training program, like Merck. For bigger dollars, find a company with a good "pipeline" of new drugs coming up. A good friend worked for the dist. of Oxy-Contin and made $150k + for a couple of years. Now with all the legal issues with the drug, doctors are scared of it. She has lost over $70k of income bonuses in 1 year. The company has nothing in their "pipeline" so she is looking to change jobs. | ||
| James Dixon (Omnadren250)
Member Username: Omnadren250 Post Number: 406 Registered: 7-2001 |
Dale, Thanks for the advice. I'm really trying to convince myself that Xerox opportunity is a good one. I have heard a lot about Xerox and their training program. In my Employment Offer, it mentions 3 weeks training here in town, and then another 3 weeks in Toronto of formal sales training. After that, I am not expected to sell anything for 6 months!!! I would shadowing other sales reps to learn from them. Does Xerox still have a good rep in todays workplace?? It seems like the generation that graduated university in the 70's and 80's think Xerox is the best of the best....but the newer managers don't seem to pay much attention to it. The salary is very high for a recent graduate. I just don't think I'm a hardcore sales guy, wheras Pharma sales is more of a relationship building type sales job which would better suit me. HOwever, I have heard that lots of drug companies like to hire ex-Xeroids, as they are well trained. I'm almost definatly going to have to take the Xerox job, as I won't have another offer. But it's frustrating as I have done lots of networking and basically worked my ass off to get this far in the interview process with the drug companies. | ||
| Dale W Spradling (Drtax)
Junior Member Username: Drtax Post Number: 60 Registered: 4-2003 |
James, if you can get into Xerox's sales training program, do it. Once you learn the commercial sales game, you'll be set for life. Trust me, I have more technical training and degrees than a normal person. But sales is where it's at if you are willing to really work. Just my 2 cents. Dale | ||
| Horsefly (Arlie)
Intermediate Member Username: Arlie Post Number: 1184 Registered: 5-2002 |
Have a friend in the business. She travels by car constantly throughout the state. She turned down a promotion to another state because they wanted to increase the size of her sales region. This would have meant 3 or 4 days a week on the road living in hotels. Not so good. On the up side, they buy her a new car every 3 years. She hasn't had a car or insurance payment in years. | ||
| James Dixon (Omnadren250)
Member Username: Omnadren250 Post Number: 405 Registered: 7-2001 |
I know about it.....I'm trying to get into it and I'm getting very close. I have done all the research, have lots of friends in it.blah blah blah Actually, I'm stressed as hell right now, as I have my 7th interview tomorrow and a 6th interview on Monday with two big name companies. But I also have an offer for employment for Xerox on my desk right now, which expires on Wednesday of next week!!! What does a guy do?? Pass up Xerox (which was a 10 interview process, good money) and hope I get the drug rep job, or take Xerox ( I have to move to a city 200 miles away) and keep trying for the drug jobs. I know I wont have an offer from any of the drug companies by the time my Xerox offer expires!!! Damn I'm stressed SHe can email me if she likes James [email protected] | ||
| Patman36 (Patrickr)
Junior Member Username: Patrickr Post Number: 157 Registered: 4-2002 |
I have a very good friend who just graduated with me from college three weeks ago. She is very interested in the pharmaceutical sales industry and I know little or nothing about it. She has a bachelor's degree in biology, was published twice in two different journals by the age of 22, graduated with honors, etc, etc etc... basically, she is highly skilled and motivated. What do you guys know about the pharmaceutical sales industry? Anyone work in it? She has little outside sales experience but has worked on campus for four years in an undergraduate research setting (healthcare related). She is also a CNA and has worked in numerous hospitals and nursing homes. Patrick Tulsa, OK |