Anyone work for in medical or pharmaceutical sales?

[2ltdjorn]

If so please PM, would like to seek some career advice about jumping in. As far as skills, recommendations for getting experience, etc.


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[G8RDPM]

Hey Daniel,
Been looking at your posts for a bit.
Are you in your residency?

Just curious!

[BBL]

Been around some sales folks in healthcare. The pharma jobs require an incredible knowledge base of medications and how they interact with each other, in addition to the high pressure requirements of sales to be successful. Medical equipment sales is harder to get into.

I just sleuthed internet, and found this website. It has a good snapshot for pharma.

http://www.topmastersinhealthcare.co...epresentative/

Good luck. Sounds like you are determined!!

[BristolCavendish]

A neighbor down the road earned his pharmacology degree from UC and after years of toiling as a research chemist for a major drug manufacturer, he decided to open up his own medical marijuana/home delivery service.

He finds this new occupation very relaxing and rewarding.

[GMTMasterII44]

I may be able to help, I head up the talent acquisition (recruiting) function for one of the top private medical practices in the country and a partner with Humana. Feel feel to PM me any time, happy to share my LinkedIn profile with you so we can connect, and provide career related advice or answer any questions that you may have.

[2ltdjorn]

Originally Posted by G8RDPM

Hey Daniel,
Been looking at your posts for a bit.
Are you in your residency?

Just curious!

No. I am a Nurse Practitioner

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by 2ltdjorn

No. I am a Nurse Practitioner

Dont know a thing about it, but I have a lot of respect for your achievements and wish you the best.
My mother, God-sister, other family members are either RNs or NPs, a truly remarkable career.

[ICUdR]

Originally Posted by 2ltdjorn

No. I am a Nurse Practitioner

Then don't even consider Australia.

NPs here do less than in the US and Canada and jobs are getting harder and harder to get. At least in the metropolitan areas.

Cheers
Ken

[sleddog]

Zama, aka Craig from Sydney, was or is in Medical sales If I remember correctly.. He may pop into this thread, or perhaps a PM to him?!

[breitlings]

I knew a pharma salesman who became ceo of several public companies. Very nce man.

[rr-nyc]

I've been in the space for 20 years. starting in pharmaceutical sales then to medical device sales, management, and executive level management.

Although they are often thought of as being similar, they are two entirely different worlds that require two different skill sets. An NP can certainly be successful at both but you need know what you're looking for before making the jump.

PM me and I'll do my best to answer any questions you may have.

[Fleetlord]

Pharma and Medical Device Sales are pretty different beasts.

Do you have any sales experience?

Pharma does like med experience and degrees, but they still want to see some track record of outside sales for 1-2yrs. Companies like ADP or Enterprise Rent a Car (believe it or not) are pools for pharma to draw from.

Medical device is more hardcore selling, so they look for more sales SUCCESSFUL experience. They love copier sales. They also prefer candidates who played competitive sports at a high level....as this market is very competitive. Very EAT what you kill mentality here as jobs are commission. You will be on call for assistance in procedures if you do implants or other surgical equipment.



Here is a site to check out.

http://www.cafepharma.com/

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Pharma and Medical Device Sales are pretty different beasts.

Do you have any sales experience?

Pharma does like med experience and degrees, but they still want to see some track record of outside sales for 1-2yrs. Companies like ADP or Enterprise Rent a Car (believe it or not) are pools for pharma to draw from.

Medical device is more hardcore selling, so they look for more sales SUCCESSFUL experience. They love copier sales. They also prefer candidates who played competitive sports at a high level....as this market is very competitive. Very EAT what you kill mentality here as jobs are commission. You will be on call for assistance in procedures if you do implants or other surgical equipment.



Here is a site to check out.

http://www.cafepharma.com/

Agreed with much of this except cafepharma. Don't waste your time. It's a site for disgruntled employees to disparage their former companies and bosses.

The entire industry has changed over the years and continues to evolve. Not necessary for the better. Earnings potential has dropped significantly and a lot more hospital bureaucracy to deal with.

[2ltdjorn]

Originally Posted by rr-nyc

Agreed with much of this except cafepharma. Don't waste your time. It's a site for disgruntled employees to disparage their former companies and bosses.

The entire industry has changed over the years and continues to evolve. Not necessary for the better. Earnings potential has dropped significantly and a lot more hospital bureaucracy to deal with.

Read through the cafepharma... very intense at times. Ha, I have noted it is usually the disgruntled that sing the loudest.

[Slippy Chips]

I've worked in pharmaceutical sales for nearly 13 years. One of the best careers one could imagine.

I started out as a Primary Care field sales rep and worked my way in to some different positions in specialty divisions. I'd be happy to give you any advice. Getting an interview is the hardest part. Your medical background could help help a lot. Once you get the interview there is a certain "dance" that is expected that is not really advertised.

Depomed (not my company) is hiring all across the country . I know they are open to those without experience so that may be an excellent starting point.

[Slippy Chips]

Originally Posted by rr-nyc

Agreed with much of this except cafepharma. Don't waste your time. It's a site for disgruntled employees to disparage their former companies and bosses.

The entire industry has changed over the years and continues to evolve. Not necessary for the better. Earnings potential has dropped significantly and a lot more hospital bureaucracy to deal with.

I agree. Cafepharma is a complete waste of time. It's nothing but anonymous, bitter employees and competitors to go on and bash each other and employees. Anyone can post anything and claim to be whomever they want.

LinkedIn is probably the best way to network with individuals who are currently employed. Just reach out to some in your area and ask if you can buy them coffee some time.

[Dr.Brian]

I would echo what's written above regarding the differences between pharma and medical device sales. My wife is a regional manager at a medical device company and her best friend is a former pharma exec. They're not the same and for the most part once you are in one, you will have trouble switching to the other. My wife won't hire pharma people and even at the executive level, medical device didn't want my wife's friend when she left her old job.

[G8RDPM]

Originally Posted by 2ltdjorn

No. I am a Nurse Practitioner

Sorry that I can't help you here. Appreciate my NP's and your contributions to this forum.

[jhilly8982]

I recently started my own manufacture independent rep firm, mostly capital equipment.

It all depends on what segment you are interested. Pharma and medical are two different worlds. Within the subset of Medical is device, implants and equipment.

Feel free to PM me.

If you want to get into sales I highly recommend you read "The Challenger Sale"

Be prepared for answers to questions like "what makes you unique?"

[2ltdjorn]

I appreciate responses, will send PMs this afternoon.


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[Slippy Chips]

Originally Posted by jhilly8982

I recently started my own manufacture independent rep firm, mostly capital equipment.

It all depends on what segment you are interested. Pharma and medical are two different worlds. Within the subset of Medical is device, implants and equipment.

Feel free to PM me.

If you want to get into sales I highly recommend you read "The Challenger Sale"

Be prepared for answers to questions like "what makes you unique?"

+1 on "The Challenger Sale." It seems like most companies are (or have) implemented it. It seems like it permeates every new initiative we undertake.