This is a conversation between my friend, currently selling office supply and me, on changing my career to selling related medical products. As this was a casual conversation, some words have been 'censored' due to the readers' demographic.
And I make no apology for that ;-)
My friend, a lady friend, paid me a visit a few weeks back.
We talked about the usual kinds of stuff when she asked about how my daughter was, at school.
Me: She's doing OK. But we're are a bit worry when school's time over. Transport sometimes comes late, so she needs to cross the road to get to it. My heart skips a beat thinking about that. But we did spy on her the first two weeks.
Friend: Yeah, and that's why I wish I don't have to work like this. Rigid working hours and I can't do what you did. How I want to have a job like yours...
Me: Are you sure? You don't really know what my job like.
Friend: But look at you...how can I not feeling like wanting your job right now?
Me: (Smile) OK. That's only a small perk of my job. But I do have to work extra hours and leave family behind also. Maybe you missed that since it's not that frequent...
Friend: Maybe...
Me: You really want to give this job a shot?
Friend: What do you think?
Me: I'll gladly show you the way if you asked me a few years ago. But things are very different today. As a friend, I got more precaution than a recommendation for you. Want to hear from them?
Friend: Why not? Since you're already on the subject, and you look like you have a lot to say...
Me: OK. I'll be straight with ya... Right now you're selling office supplies. Your position is quite high on the company hierarchy. And I assume, your paycheck is somewhere there, also.
Your products are pretty straight forward. No won't be mistaken for any of your products based on their looks. Maybe they're a bit challenging with the serial numbers, but you can always refer to the catalog.
And I know for a fact that your competitions are stiff. I'm amazed at how you can prosper despite all that.
Regardless...
In the medical field, with pharmaceutical products, in a pharma company, you probably have to start from the bottom. You have to start with a sales rep job, at the most basic position.
And the paycheck?
Well, the pharmaceutical industry used to pay their reps 11% higher than the average pay for reps in other industries.
But that's what it USED to...
Right now, I'm probably at par, or maybe even been paid lower than many industries.
Heck! I might even be paid lower than you...(my friend chuckles)
In my view, you can put up with lower pay. Your husband is well paid and can provide more than enough for the household, so that's. not a problem for you.
What I see as the biggest hurdle is the body of knowledge you need to develop, and the time you'll have to improve it.
Balancing working life, in such a situation, with family life is going to be a considerable challenge.
I got friends, step down and out of the pharma industry to take care of their loved ones, children, especially. But if you're moving in, then, there's something to think about here: why you want in when they want out?
I know you want in for the spare time benefit, but I can tell you that time, right now, is the most valuable commodity in the pharma industry. I can say, more precious than human resource...
Related reading: Sales techniques for medical sales
And that remark ends our conversation.
She seems to drift away in thought, despite her children happily running back and forth in my house.
She looks lost, while laughter and screams filled the air.
I hope I did not scare her too much. I want the best for her, but if the fact needs to be told, I'll explain it as it is.
The same goes for you folks...
Things are not the same anymore. And things keep changing as we move along...
Related reading: Medical devices sales job
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