If Two's Company & Three's A Crowd, What the Heck is 40,000?

…the number of pharmaceutical sales reps laid off between 2006 and early 2013, according to ZS Associates, a sales consultant to drug makers.  WOW!  

Since it has been over a year since I last blogged, with the exception of my M.I.A. apology post a couple of weeks ago, I thought it would be a good idea to discuss the "state of the [pharmaceutical] union".  The aforementioned statistics suggest that over 40,000 pharma sales reps have been showed the proverbial door since 2006…just in time for the 2009 recession.  40,000 is a HUGE number and I tend to wonder where all of those reps went.  Well, let's see…to another pharma sales job, back to school, to a different type of healthcare sales job (ie. medical device sales or Physician Liaison), to a sales job in another sector (e.g. real estate sales), to a clinical healthcare job (e.g. Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse, etc.), home to take care of children full time, and the list goes on and on.   The point I am making is they all had options.  The question is whether or not they made the best of the options available to them.  Unfortunately, many are most likely unemployed or underemployed.  I am sure you can even find many of them complaining on the beloved Cafepharma.  Nonetheless, there is still a reason for displaced and/or disengaged pharma reps to be encouraged.  There IS life after pharma and you can Get Off the Pharm.

I have been able to successfully Get Off the Pharm…twice.  In other words, I have had two different careers/jobs since I voluntarily left pharmaceutical sales in 2011, that I have thoroughly enjoyed…including my current role as a physician recruiter.  Unfortunately, there are many former (& current) pharma reps out there who think they will never find a career/job as lucrative, fulfilling, exciting, seemingly secure, sought after, (and whatever else you thought about your pharma job) as pharmaceutical sales. Relax, relate and release!  There are actually careers out there that are just as good as, if not better than, pharmaceutical sales.  

While the overall unemployment rate hit an all time high in 2009, the unemployment rate has been declining since 2011 and is at its lowest since 2008.  What does that tell us?  There are job opportunities available.  However, it will take some creativity, ingenuity, persistence, consistency and stamina to land your next gig.  If you don't know where to begin or need some help along the way do not hesitate to reach out.  Remember, I have been there, done that and thinking about creating a t-shirt.  :-)


Best-

Off the Pharm

Ooops…I Did It Again!

I know, I know…I did it again.  I had every intention of not letting this happen again.  I realize the point of blogging is to communicate with your followers on some sort of regular basis.  But, what can I say?  Life happens.  However, I am back for now with a plan for consistent communication.  It's so funny how this all happened.  I was talking with an old friend, a former pharma rep, who shared how she had been thinking lately about starting a blog.  My mind quickly came back to the blog I started here almost 4 years ago.  WOW!  Time really flies when you're having…kids.  LOL!  Nonetheless, I decided to revisit my ole' blog to see what I had left behind.  I was pleased to return to multiple page views and new subscriptions.  What did I learn?  That there are actually people out there who are interested in the advice I can share. So, the last thing I want to do is disappoint.

Since I last posted content I have gotten a new job…truly my dream job.  I am a physician recruiter, working from home.  I am living proof that you can "get off the pharm" and that there is life after pharma.  You just have to "plan your work and work your plan".  I am here to help you do just that.  I am working on an e-book about how to land your dream job in 30 days and I am very excited about it.  And how can I be so confident about that topic?  Because I did it…twice!  Stay tuned for more updates.  In the meantime, stay close for tidbits.

Thank you for being patient with me as I work out this blogging thing.  I think I almost have it down.


Wishing you all the best-

Finally Off the Pharm

Mission Accomplished: I Made It Off the Pharm!!!

Wow!  What a journey.  First, please accept my apologies for being gone so long.  I finally took my own advice and got off the pharm.  I pursued a role as a Physician Liaison and started my new job in July of 2011.  So, here I am over 18 months later and I am still enjoying my "new" job.  As you can imagine, making the transition required me to take a hiatus (although longer than expected) from writing this blog.  But, rest assured, I am back...hopefully to stay.

I would like to share my experience and the specific steps I took to get off the pharm to hopefully encourage someone who is still trying to do the same.

Step 1:  I made a decision about the type of job I wanted.  I decided to search for Physician Liaison jobs.

Step 2:  After finding the job I wanted, instead of applying online like all the other 200+ candidates probably did, I Googled the company to find out where it was located in my city, as well to find out more about its leadership.  While searching on the company website I came across the profiles of 2 people who I thought might be instrumental in my pursuit of this opportunity...the Director of Human Resources and the Director of Marketing (whom I figured must be the hiring manager for the job since it was considered a marketing position).

Step 3:  I went "old school" and took a hard copy of my resume and cover letter to the company headquarters, one set addressed to the Director of HR and one set addressed to the Director of Marketing.

Step 4: I waited...but not for long.  I got a phone call from the Director of Marketing the next day.  WOW!!!

Steps 5-10:  I was off to the races.  I had a phone screen, a face-to-face with the Dir. of Marketing, a face-to-face with Executive Leadership and an offer within one month.  And get this...I never even applied for the job.  I didn't fill out an application until I already had the offer.

Moral of the story: In order to land a new opportunity in this job market, you have to go about your job search in a different way.  You can't do what all other applicants are doing (ie. applying for jobs online).  You have to "think outside the box" and do what you have been trained so well to do: SELL!!!

If you would like to know more about my experience or would like me to help you do what I did, please reach out to me at:  getoffthepharm@gmail.com.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Despite our circumstances we still have much to be thankful for during this holiday season. Some of you may find yourselves displaced from your pharmaceutical sales job, while others may find yourselves trying to figure out your career purpose or passion because you definitely know that pharmaceutical sales is not it. Nonetheless, let's take a moment to reflect on what's really important in life during this Thanksgiving season. Family, health and peace of mind are just a few things that I am grateful for. Please take this time to enjoy all that's well with your life. Monday will be here soon enough. Have a happy & safe Thanksgiving!

Pharmaceutical Sales: Golden Ticket or Golden Handcuffs?

For as many pharmaceutical sales reps who say they love being in pharmaceutical sales, you will find just that many who don't.  In a thorough search of the internet and various forums you will find those who will do anything to break into the industry.  Prospective pharmaceutical sales reps join various groups on LinkedIn trying to find others who can give them insight into the industry, ask questions on CafePharma forums to get specifics about various pharma sales openings, salaries, etc. and ask for advice on Yahoo Answers about how to "break" into the industry.  Students, recent graduates, professionals and the like are all looking for the best way to start a lucrative career in pharmaceutical sales.  Just like I did, when I first researched this most coveted position during my senior year of college, many potential candidates only see the above average starting salary, great benefits, company car, laptop computer, cell phone, expense account and flexibility that pharmaceutical sales careers offer.  I wonder if anyone has researched or been made aware of the actual responsibilities of the job or the major challenges that currently exist in the pharmaceutical industry.  I must admit the industry was at its peak when I joined Big Pharma over 10 years ago, but has been going down hill at a rapid pace ever since.  I can only imagine how great a pharmaceutical sales position was 20-30 years ago.



However, the current pharmaceutical sales environment leaves much to be desired.  Don't get me wrong; anyone who has a job at all in this environment should count him/herself among the fortunate ones, nonetheless, this industry has become a disappointment to many.   Anyone who performs his/her due diligence will find that starting salaries have been cut nearly in half, benefits do not benefit one nearly as much, the company car has been reduced to a car allowance (or even less, mileage reimbursement), the corporate credit card has been switched to expense reimbursement and flexibility has been replaced with computer signature tracking.  Now, many will still argue that pharmaceutical sales is the Bentley of all jobs, but it all depends on what one values most in his/her career.    In addition to all the changes in compensation and perks, there have been monumental changes in pharmaceutical marketing guidelines, managed care reimbursement and medical practice access; all of which have limited the role and value of the pharmaceutical sales rep.


The bottom line is this: pharmaceutical sales can be a GREAT job...for the RIGHT person.  Whether it is a golden ticket or golden handcuffs is for you to decide.  Let us know how we can help!

{Hint: This is the time for you to vent.  Remember to keep it "above the line".}

Career Spotlight: Physician Liaison - Capitalize on Your Current Relationships

The Physician Liaison position is one that I have seen a lot recently as hospitals and healthcare systems buy out private medical practices and seek to increase patient loads.  The Physician Liaison is essentially an account manager who develops and strengthens relationships with physicians within a particular healthcare or hospital system, as well as solicits referrals from medical professionals outside of their particular network.  This is a great position to transition to because in many instances you will have the opportunity to work with physicians you are currently calling on.  Here is the job description for an actual Physician Liaison position:

Description

This position is responsible for strategically planning and implementing visits to physicians, physician office staffs and other potential referral sources throughout the primary and secondary markets.

Reports on the activity level and outcomes of activities on a regular basis, focusing on increases in volumes and/or addressing issues.

Responsible for assisting in the development of the annual hospital business plan and development and implementation of the hospital marketing plan for all service lines.

Performs other duties as required.

These positions are easy to find.  Just search for the job title in your city or surrounding areas at Indeed.com or SimplyHired.com.  These online job boards pull job postings from all the major (and some minor) online job boards.

Know Thyself: Identifying Your Strengths & Finding Your Passion(s)

You have been a pharmaceutical sales rep for a while.  It has become your life; it is all you know.  You feel like you have lost yourself in your work and are not quite sure what else you can do.  Maybe you know exactly what you want to do next and can't wait to get started.  Then this post is not for you.  This post is for the pharmaceutical sales rep (current or displaced) who is struggling to find Plan B.  I mentioned in previous posts that there are numerous career assessments available online; many of them are free.  If you become a Professional or Executive member of Get Off the Pharm, we will send you a copy of Strengthsfinder 2.0.  It is important to get started right away identifying your gifts, skills, talents and passions.  Can you recall what you enjoyed as a young child, student or adult?  What do you enjoy doing now?  What are your hobbies?  What do you gain pleasure from doing?  What would you do for free?  These are indicators of your passions.  What do people (family, friends, colleagues, managers) often tell you that you do well?  What are you able to do with little effort or thought?  These are most likely your gifts or talents.  What has your manager consistently listed as your strengths on your performance review?  What have your colleagues complimented you about?  These are probably your skills.  Our goal is identify what you do well and what you enjoy doing.  There is no need to highlight your weaknesses, so don't go there.  Once we identify your strengths and find your passion(s) we can move forward in the goal setting process to help you determine your most productive next steps.   Remember, we are more than happy to assist you in any way we can.