We've looked at the answer to whether you need a degree to be a drug sales rep. We have looked at 2 different solutions, and the conclusion I hope you can make from there is that, you can find a job in pharma sales with or without paper qualification.
For this post, we're going to move a bit higher ...
We are going to look at the academic requirement if you want to move up a notch in a Pharma sales division, which is to take on the managerial position. Some of you might be moved with the compensation, and how colorful your resume will be if you can get one of the sales manager's post listed inside.
But we're going to approach this subject with a slight twist ...
If you have been accepted into a Pharma Company with your current credential, then, you already have what it takes, based on paper qualification, to have a shot for the managerial position:
The thing is, what you need to get you into a manager's post is sometimes not endorsed by any 'formal' education institution.
Some Pharmaceutical Sales Managers get to where they are today by rank and file. It took them years to get to where they are today. Not only that, it made their sweat and blood to reach the managerial level. It took them a lot.
So, you're not going to get the 'formal' stuff in this article ...
In fact, you are going to glimpse into 'behind the scene' know-how that gets many people to the manager's position. You better be prepared though because what you'll soon discover in this post is the 'uncensored' version of the degree requirement for you to get to the sales manager post in Pharmaceutical Sales Division.
It must be embarrassing for me to talk about the degree requirement for pharmaceutical sales manager.
My experience has everything pointing in the opposite direction when discussing this matter. Seriously, I never take this as a joke because I have enough expertise seeing many sales managers are ‘degree-less.’
[Proceed with caution! You have been WARNED!]
But maybe you still need to know what degree a pharma sales manager needs:
Well, not to disappoint you, here are my top picks, for now, based on my personal observation:
- 1. Degree in Office Politics
I can tell you this: if you have any means of getting a degree for this, by all means, go all the way out. It is going to save you lots of frustration, heartbreak, and at times, hard work when climbing the corporate ladder.
Am I so pessimist to say that you would not succeed if you do not know how to play office politics? NO, but I am OPTIMIST that you will be far better if you know how.
For example, I have a friend who was previously held the position as a National Sales Manager for a bone implant company. He has a medical degree to boot and had been in the industry for well over a decade. But sadly, he was replaced by (how should I put this), his Boss’s mistress, and clearly, she is the expert in office politics.
Sad but true…
- 2. Degree in Personal Broadcasting
It is really irrelevant whether you a significant contributor or a small one to the company’s revenue but the most important thing is to make it well known by everyone, especially those in power.
You can claim that you are the person who licks the chewing gum under your Managing Director’s shoes and prevent it from getting stuck on the floor. Whatever you do, no matter how small, you got to make a big noise about it.
And that is why you need a degree in ‘personal broadcasting.’
I can tell you this: a person who is really good in this can lift himself way up from the whole group even though his contribution is no more than to complete the team members. He or she can skip all the meetings and briefing but end up claiming that the best ideas from the teams are theirs.
I believe those of you who already in such situation can relate to this, right?
And that is the reality…
- 3. Degree in Backstabbing
This is currently not offered in any martial arts school, but the skill is so important I cannot help but mention it here.
I remember at one time during my career, two female candidates were competing against each other for a Key Account Manager post. They have one thing in common; they have been with the company for more than 10 years.
But one thing they obviously got nothing in common is the story they tell during the interview. One of them is so good with her ‘backstabbing skill’ that she ends up getting the position and the other drench is tears. Why?
Since they used to be teammates, the successful one use the same story but spin it to make the other one look bad while the other one tells the story to make her look good thus result in failure.
If there is an essential lesson from this story, it is this: getting on somebody’s back is the fastest more acceptable way to climb the managerial post in a pharmaceutical company (and maybe other companies as well).
Of course, I am writing this in my most sarcastic tone, but if you read it carefully, you will notice that I did not take any of this matter lightly. These all are actual encounters and real scenarios that I am not afraid to make my stand.
When I received my VSS offer a few years ago, it was a sad scene to see many good colleagues left BUT what saddens me more is to see the ‘not so good’ colleagues still around carrying their flags.
What degree requirement for pharmaceutical sales manager you ask? Well, as long as you know how to stroke the right folks, blow your horn until your lungs bleed and step on as many peoples’ back as you can; that are the ONLY requirements you need to secure your position. But then again, I am just sarcastic…
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