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Pharmaceutical Sales; Free Information
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

General Information
Tips On Getting In

Case Histories Of people who successfully broke into Pharma Sales:

Case History #1
Case History #2
Case History #3
Case History #4


Most Commonly Asked Question:
Do Reps really make lots of money? Big bonuses? 
How many products does a rep carry; how do you get paid bonus on them?


Basic Requirements for being a drug rep?
I think I want to be a pharmaceutical sales representative, but how can I know for sure?

How necessary is it to have a 4 - year degree? 

Is a scientific degree/ sales experience required

Am I too old to land a job in pharmaceutical sales?

How long should I expect my job search to last?

I'm willing to relocate for the right pharmaceutical sales job.  Will this help me ?

Will a DWI hurt my chances of being hired as a pharmaceutical rep?

I have bad credit; will this hurt my chances ?

Information  On
Landing the job
Will an MBA or other advanced degree improve my chances of being hired as a pharmaceutical sales rep?

What are the pros and cons of working with a recruiter?


How important is the resume in landing a pharmaceutical sales job?

How do I shop for a resume writer?

What are the essentials that should appear on my resume?

What about a cover letter?

What is the best way to land a job in pharmaceutical sales?

What if nobody will give me reps' business cards?

Are newspaper advertisements a good way to find a job in pharm sales?

What is a Job-Fair?  How useful are they?

What do companies look for at Job-Fairs?

What are the pros and cons of working at a small pharmaceutical company versus one of the biggies?

I am in college. What can I do to enhance my odds of being hired as a  pharmaceutical sales representative?

The Interview Process
Why do the drug companies give so many interviews; why does the process take so long ?

What should I bring to an interview? 

What is proper etiquette for a "ride-along?"

I have been on several interviews but received no offers.  What could I be doing wrong?

Daily Operations/ Miscellaneous
Do Reps really make large bonuses?  How many products does a rep carry and how do you get paid bonus on them?

If I'm hired, what kind of training can I expect?

What is a typical day for a pharmaceutical sales representative?

How many sales calls are you required to make each day?

What is a contract sales company ?

Should I accept a contract sales position if my real goal is to work directly for a drug company?

I am lucky enough to have more than one job offer.  How do I decide?

When the economy does a downturn, what is the job market like for pharmaceutical sales reps?

If I am hired, and I have poor sales, will I be fired ?

What are some of the things that you don't like about being a pharmaceutical rep?
   
What's the hardest thing about being a rep ?

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Drug Information Databases
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Ortho Evra Lawsuit
Pharmacy CE
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Tramadol
 
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Vioxx Trial
Whistleblower Law
Xenical
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Investigations
Enzyte
Zestra
Antibiotics without a prescription

Research/Regulatory
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Q: What are some of the things that you don't like about being a pharmaceutical sales representative?

A: You have to have lots of patience.   You spend a lot of time in waiting rooms, waiting for hours and hours.  Sometimes I feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin with anxiety when I have to wait a long period of time to see a doctor. 

Also, every once-in-a-while, you run into a secretary, receptionist, or some other gate-keeper that is less than polite.  Sometimes, the gate-keepers can be downright nasty.  However, the positive aspects of the job far outweigh its negative aspects.

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You have to also remember that there is a lot of ego- massaging in this job.  Medical practitioners work in a fast-paced, high pressure environment.  Sometimes they may come off gruff or impolite -- if you take rejection personally, this is not the job for you.

Another thing that people gripe about is the volume of paperwork that they get.  Some managers are highly detail oriented and ask their reps to submit several reports, analyses, spread sheets, action plans, weekly synopses, surveys, etc.

Some people have a hard time following orders they disagree with.  But your manager will not ask you to do anything that is illegal.  If she asks for a spread sheet 5 times a week, that's what you have to do. 

Don't go to war with your manager - you will never win.

You need to be totally subservient to your manager.  If she tells you to jump you say "how high".  Your manager is your manager because she is smart and experienced.

In all the years I have been a rep, the paperwork has never been an issue for me.  You need to keep on top of your reports and not save them for the last minute. 

Please keep in mind that you spend a lot of time in waiting rooms, waiting to see the doctor.  Instead of reading People Magazine or playing Gameboy in the waiting room, a smart rep uses this downtime to get a jump on her paperwork. 

Another source of anxiety for some reps is the frustration they feel when they work real hard but they don't make a big bonus.  Sometimes there are factors that are beyond your control at work in your territory that have a negative impact on sales. 

The worst thing is when you and your manager don't see things eye to eye  - as long as you are doing your job you should not have a problem.  Nobody is going to give you a hard time if you are out there busting your butt ( calling on 10 or 15 doctors and two pharmacies a day), and your product knowledge, selling skills and paperwork are up to date.

If you are unfortunate enough to be saddled with a micro-manager as a DM, the job's stress level increases.  However, micro-manager DM's have a tendency to burn out pretty fast and as long as you do what they ask of you they will pretty much love you to death.

See also: What's the hardest thing about being a rep?

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Pharmaceutical sales:

Mother Page; Starting Point / Case Study 1Case Study 2 / Case Study 3 / Tips on how to get in / FAQ Table of contents / Willing to relocate / Hardest part of being a rep / How do I know it is right for me? / Working with a recruiter / Typical length of job search / Interview bring with materials / Ride along / Cover Letter / Resume essentials / Small company versus large company; working for / Am I too old / Scientific degree / MBA / Number of calls per day / Cover Letters / Salary and bonus / Getting laid off / Best way to find job / Newspaper advertisements / Trouble getting business cards / Interviews but no offers / Training / Contract rep / Future sales reps / More than one job offer / Resume essentials / How to find a resume writer / Job fairs(A) /Job fairs(B) / So many interviews



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This Page Last Updated 3/10/2009