Pharmeceutical Sales (Charlotte: job market, pharmacy, closing)

[Madewoman]

Does anyone know what the job market is for Pharmeceutical Sales Reps?

[Hoagie58]

Originally Posted by Madewoman

Does anyone know what the job market is for Pharmeceutical Sales Reps?

Would that be legal or illegal pharmaceutical sales?

[Jake Ryan]

It's a tough market to get into...anywhere. Where specifically are you looking to work? Have you tried their websites which generally list openings. You also would be smart to get to know someone on the inside who can help get you in.

[groove1]

Generally, you have to be a hot female as most of them I know are.

[Samohtal]

Originally Posted by Madewoman

Does anyone know what the job market is for Pharmeceutical Sales Reps?

I'm in the pharma industry in management and I can tell you that its a great field to get into. Having said that, its an especially tough field to get into from the outside right now. Several of the largest companies really over-hired in the past 5-7 years and there have been major layoffs in the past 2 years.

Some companies would have "pods" of sales reps calling on the same physicians with the same drug. Doctors didn't like it and neither did the reps themselves, but at least they all had jobs. With all the cutbacks, there is now a flood of people with pharma experience that are out in the marketplace without jobs - so that's why its all the more difficult to get a job from the outside right now. It can still be done, but its more difficult.

Like any other professional career, I suppose it helps if you are attractive - but now more than ever it matters if you have clinical experience and know what you are talking about. Most companies have great training programs, but they will certainly choose someone with clinical experience if everything else is equal. That doesn't mean you have to be a pharmacist, PhD, MD, or RN, but if you have a decent amount of biology or pharmacology education it would help.

Try to get in touch with a recruiter if you can. By the time something hits Monster or the local classifieds - its probably too late. You can also go directly to the websites of various pharma companies to see what is out there. The biggest companies (like Pfizer, Merck, Eli Lilly, GSK, Roche, Novartis, etc.) are a good place to start ... but the smaller, niche companies may be a better alternative and may be more willing to take someone that doesn't already have experience.

Good luck. I think its worth the effort once you're in. Its been a good industry to me for the past 10-12 years, although I hear the real sweet spot was 20 years ago or so before all the regulation took away the gravy train.

[Samohtal]

Also ... it helps if you spell it right.

Pharmaceutical.

A little anal retentive, maybe, but this industry thrives on specifics.

[Madewoman]

Originally Posted by Samohtal

I'm in the pharma industry in management and I can tell you that its a great field to get into. Having said that, its an especially tough field to get into from the outside right now. Several of the largest companies really over-hired in the past 5-7 years and there have been major layoffs in the past 2 years.

Some companies would have "pods" of sales reps calling on the same physicians with the same drug. Doctors didn't like it and neither did the reps themselves, but at least they all had jobs. With all the cutbacks, there is now a flood of people with pharma experience that are out in the marketplace without jobs - so that's why its all the more difficult to get a job from the outside right now. It can still be done, but its more difficult.

Like any other professional career, I suppose it helps if you are attractive - but now more than ever it matters if you have clinical experience and know what you are talking about. Most companies have great training programs, but they will certainly choose someone with clinical experience if everything else is equal. That doesn't mean you have to be a pharmacist, PhD, MD, or RN, but if you have a decent amount of biology or pharmacology education it would help.

Try to get in touch with a recruiter if you can. By the time something hits Monster or the local classifieds - its probably too late. You can also go directly to the websites of various pharma companies to see what is out there. The biggest companies (like Pfizer, Merck, Eli Lilly, GSK, Roche, Novartis, etc.) are a good place to start ... but the smaller, niche companies may be a better alternative and may be more willing to take someone that doesn't already have experience.

Good luck. I think its worth the effort once you're in. Its been a good industry to me for the past 10-12 years, although I hear the real sweet spot was 20 years ago or so before all the regulation took away the gravy train.

Thanks for the info Samo. I will relay the info. The tips on being an attractive female wont help. I'm gathering info my male cousin who has about 8yrs exp. and considering Charlotte...perhaps why I didnt spell it right

[Stripes17]

Even though the hot female tip doesn't help, you have to acknowledge that this is the competition a person is up against for the job. A sad reality.

[Hoagie58]

Originally Posted by Stripes17

Even though the hot female tip doesn't help, you have to acknowledge that this is the competition a person is up against for the job. A sad reality.

Dead on honest fact. Been in healthcare for 18 yrs, and it's the rule far more than the exception.

[Samohtal]

I'm a dude - and while I can't really comment on my own attractiveness ... I at least clean up pretty well!

Seriously, all the reps are typically at least slightly more attractive than the general population, that's true. The hot women reps help with the male doctors, but more often than not - they can't get past the female receptionist and/or nurses who resent them coming in with a lot of flash. A well dressed man (but not too well dressed ... no flashy watches, etc) does very well at getting past those gate-keepers.

Either way, if their appearance helps get them in front of the decision makers - that tactic will only work so long if the rep doesn't actually know what they're talking about.

"Sales" really is a misnomer. The pharmaceutical reps are more consultants. No one is hard closing and the "buy" is when the doc writes a prescription and its filled at the pharmacy.