Anyone working in medical sales?

[nsjuly]

I've been in a profession allied to medicine for 14 years and am unlikely to progress any further in my present career due to very limited opportunities in the area, both geographically and professionally.

I am interested in moving into medical sales as for one thing, I really enjoy teaching and a particular role I'm keen on would have a great deal of product demonstration within secondary care. Secondly, the money is very good. Considerably better than I'm on at the moment and we could really use the higher income after a very tight few years.

I'm worried though about how "family friendly" a medical sales job would be. I've been working part time for the past 3.5 years and it has been fantastic for us as a family but unfortunately I have to go back to full time employment now. Going full time in my current job isn't an option as they will not be hiring or increasing anyone's hours for the foreseeable future.

If you are a sales rep with children, what's your average day like? Do you enjoy it? What do you love/hate about your job?

My children will both be in Primary School from September and are currently 4 and 6 years old. DH is self employed and works 6 days a week.

Thanks for making it this far! I'd love to hear of your experiences.

I should add perhaps that I'm nearly 35.

Firstly, good effort for thinking about trying something new! Now, the job!
There are two approaches to medical/pharmaceutical sales - those who really apply themselves to the job and those who do what they need to do, to get by.
Primary care and secondary care roles differ a bit. Primary care pharma jobs are a stepping stone to secondary care pharma. Although, I'm sure you can enter medical repping for equipment etc straight into secondary are.
You get to control your own diary, with probably 2 visits a month from your manager in pharma. However, when the company organises central meetings (probably every quarter) you have to go and will need childcare support. These can be up to a week away.
The day can start in primary care about 8am if you want to see GPs before surgery, and admin means you might have to work the odd evening (but when kids have gone down).
The slackers can start later and finish earlier though and just about get by. I would suggest its less about teaching as you mention - it really is selling and if you don't hit target it's rubbish for bonus. In medical sales, if you don't have contracts/tenders than you can have absolutely nothing to show for what you do.
I don't work in sales now, but have been in pharma for 15+ years. I love it - but I left Uni knowing this is what I wanted.
Do you know any reps as the best thing to do is go on a visit with one for a couple of days. Also, look up Pharma Field and Pharmaceutical marketing as they will give you links to recruitment agencies (the best way to go and they'll give you top advice).
Good luck!

Thank you minstrels, that's very helpful. It's more likely that I would would in hospital sales, as that is where my experience to date would be most useful, selling products used in my current line of work.

I have always worked in public service and while there are many pluses to it, I find it incredibly irritating that one can work very hard, be extremely conscientious, diligent, efficient, etc and still be paid the same as the laziest member of staff. I think I would work well in an area where productivity is rewarded accordingly. I guess I'm just very nervous of making such a big career change and it not working out but I suppose you only get one shot at life!

I also recently lost out on a promotion that I was deliberately excluded from even applying for, even though I was the most highly qualified and experienced candidate. The (male) head of dept was adamant he wanted a particular (male) colleague of mine in the position irrespective of his lack of management qualifications or skills. Anyway, I'm over it, onwards and upwards, there's better out there for me!

Thanks again for your advice.

Hhhm…am afraid the same issues exist! I remember working as a manager and I was horrified how little some of my colleagues did - yet some were paid a fortune!
I understand that you have experience in one field - but don't let that deter you from looking broader. A good recruitment agency will be grateful that you've got working knowledge of the NHS, they won't think to limit you to one area. I've now got experience in several specialities such as cardiology, oncology, respiratory etc.. It will give you far more choice when job hunting!

I don't do sales, but do a lot of sales support out on the road. I think the role really depends on the type of equipment you are selling - mine is big, capital equipment, and projects are all long term and tenders. The sales territories are large, so sales spend a lot of time at national and international conferences as well as long days to see customers.
People I know who sell less specialist equipment have much smaller areas to cover, so they don't tend to have so many nights away, but have to spend a lot of time on relationship building.

Have you considered technical support/customer support for products in your area ? Salaried, so more reliable income and more use of your knowledge

Thank you both very much for the advice. I'm currently with just one agency but I'll look around and chat to others, see what they think of my experience/qualifications. Have a lovely weekend!

Hi, I have worked in pharmaceutical sales at primary level for 15 years and love it. All the other mums have given good advice but you must understand that this is a sales job first and foremost although a very high level of education or experience of pharmaceuticals is also very important. You will find the 1st year the hardest as that is when all the rejection happens but if you can stick it out it, and bring in sales you it can be really child friendly as you arrange your own appointments and as long as you work very hard the money is great. You will not get an interview with any company or agency unless you have shadowed a rep, phone the local hospital or gp practice they wil pass on your number to a friendly rep who usually is happy to have company for the day and show you the basics. Good luck

Hi, I have worked in pharmaceutical sales at primary level for 15 years and love it. All the other mums have given good advice but you must understand that this is a sales job first and foremost although a very high level of education or experience of pharmaceuticals is also very important. You will find the 1st year the hardest as that is when all the rejection happens but if you can stick it out it, and bring in sales you it can be really child friendly as you arrange your own appointments and as long as you work very hard the money is great. You will not get an interview with any company or agency unless you have shadowed a rep, phone the local hospital or gp practice they wil pass on your number to a friendly rep who usually is happy to have company for the day and show you the basics. Good luck

On the off chance that your profession is radiology based could you not think about being an applications specialist therefore less reliant on sales figures and more of the training you are interested in. Vital they have people experienced in the field so I would have thought you would be great. Totally ignore my post if you are not in radiology as I have no idea how other specialisms work.