Reasons For Being a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

You might have come across the article on this blog that touches on a pharmaceutical sales career lifestyle. You probably find that the lifestyle is desirable and to your liking. You decided to give pharma sales job a shot.

And you have also found out what makes a good sales rep in pharmaceutical ...

With the combination of this knowledge, and more reasons you're going to discover in this article, you're going to feel like you have made the right choice with your career path.

It's been my honest belief that you'll have reasons for everything. It's just that whether you're aware of them, and make them known to people, or you choose to drift along without knowing their existence. Whatever it is, the defining question is:

'Do you need a reason to be a pharmaceutical sales rep?' 

Ask yourself that question now, and listen to the answer you're getting.

I might have to add that you need to be in total silence to listen to the answer because it's internal. Try it now -- stay in silence and ask the question. Are you getting any response?

If You Are Aware of The Answer

Let's say you fall into this category of people. You're aware of the reasons why you want to join the Pharma industry as a representative, and selling products. You probably know pretty well that you're going to promote drugs (or better known as medicines) and you are going to sell to healthcare professionals like doctors, pharmacists, etc. Your playing fields are General Practitioners (GPs), retail pharmacists, Consultants in Government Hospitals, or teaching institutions, and other healthcare providers.

You might also know that you're going to have flexible working hours. You sometimes start very early and finish very late. It could be the other way around, but you need to stay open to changes. Due to different channels that you need to cover, you got to travel, which means you're going to spend quite a considerable amount of time on the road.

Knowing all these do not dampen your spirit; not a bit because, perhaps, you also know that the remuneration for this job is handsome. Yes, you need to travel, but the mileage, the lodging, the food, and other expenses are claimable. I know some reps who 'conveniently' manipulate this. Yes, you need to work your butt-off but the incentives you get when you meet your sales target is undeniably handsome.

For the record, even though I had never formally studied it, I believe more than 40% of people who join a pharmaceutical sales career is due to the attractive remuneration package. I have met medical students, law graduates, air-hostess, pharmacists, medical lab technologies, medical assistants (MAs) who changed profession due to that particular reason.

Now, are you aware of this? How did you feel about my observation? Did you think otherwise? Why?

And of course, there's another group of people who is...

Not Aware of The Answer

In fact, these people make the bulk of the sales representative profession. He or she does not have the slightest idea about what this job is all about but somehow cornered into it. Perhaps, they study something else, and we're hoping to get good jobs when they finished school, but things worked out to be totally different. It's all so true during the recent economic slump. I have been in two recessions during my entire career, and I know what it's like.

So, when the job is limited, and many hands were reaching for it, competition is at all time high thus trimmed the chances for many to land on a decent job. That's a harrowing truth, and many had to live with. Can you relate to this? Since you're not aware of the answer, your reason, perhaps, is to land on something that can get you through this tough times until you find something better.

But of course, there's no telling when that tough times will last. Looks to me like it's going to be quite a long time...

Perhaps, the best way to paint a clear picture of you is through...

My Own Pharmaceutical Sales Career Journey

Here's how it goes:

I graduated in 1998. You probably can guess how 'young' I am now by guessing my age when I finished my grueling years in university. Don't get me wrong -- I love the times spent there. I know I got to make the taxpayers, and 'sweat and blood' dollars amount to something. And I did. I finished with an average grade.

Now, back in 1998, the world economy was having a good time with 'bungy' jump. The problem is; it's on its way down! To be frank, it fell pretty fast and everywhere, I can only see scarcity. There was limited job supply, particularly job that you expected to pay you well. Like many people of my age, the pull to reward ourselves with pleasure was at its peak. What could be a better excuse to get to it other than the fact that you've already got through the study obstacle, right?

I can't be studying all my life, you see. I need to get out and enjoy, and the best way to do that was with a stack of cash. And the fastest street to get to that is through a job that pays well. That was my logic back then which, in my belief, is pretty much the same today.

That explains why high bankruptcy cases happen in the age group of the 30s to late 40s...But that's beside the point...Back to my story...

Since my qualification allows me to spend most of my time, if not all, in a laboratory setting, I've decided it was not a productive way to get where I want to be. In fact, I could not see how I could reach my goal sitting in the lab chair, looking at specimens, and determine what it's all about. There are probably some people who appreciate what I'll be doing, but that's not me.

I want to get to 'cash and' fast, and at that time, I saw that sales career was the best route to take me there. So I worked my talents looking for a job in sales, and I tried to keep it as close as possible to my study subject. After a solid 3 months of searching, I finally end up at a Swiss-based, multinational pharmaceutical company.

That was my starting point.

I didn't know what to expect from my new career at that point of time other than I want to haul in the dough. That was my only reason, and you can say that, back then, I was well into the second group. I didn't know much, but I have my own reason. I work my backside there for a solid 5 years.

Before the company can decide to give me a pen with my name engraved on it, for five years service award, I find myself venturing into other companies. It's not like I got an issue with the current company, but deep down, I did not feel like I was growing. My appetite for more monetary rewards propels me forward. I have no regret confessing about this because it was all for good causes.

I want to travel in a more comfortable car, sleep in a better home, and find a 'sleeping' partner (if you know what I'm saying)...

... And I want more money for all that!

If you follow up to this point, you probably know that, right then, I was moving into the first group. Now, I know what to look for, I have set my standard, and I got a laundry list of what I would or would not settle for. the list by no means exhaustive, but that will do.

I end up working for one of the top pharmaceutical companies, which then went to become the biggest pharma company in the whole full world. It was an honor working for that American based company, and as for my goal -- there was never a better time for me to build my wealth other than that period. I considered that as my golden years. It was not unusual for me to bring home, net, high 5 figures income every month.

I can continue with the story, but I believe what I've shared is enough to illustrate my previous point: there are reasons why you want to be a pharmaceutical sales representative, and you either aware of them or not. If I might add, knowing they might not be beneficial initially, but once you get to see the whole picture clearly; you probably want to change it. In fact, you don't need any reasons to be a rep other than your own. Trust me on that...