| The Financial Rewards Including a Company | | | | time. Therefore, there is nobody to |
| CarA career in pharmaceutical sales offers | | | | constantly look over your shoulder most of |
| some of the best benefits and perks anyone | | | | the time for this line of work. |
| can ask for in a job. Typical starting | | | | |
| salaries are in the low $30,000s and | | | | The Travel OpportunitiesPharmaceutical |
| established representatives can have base | | | | companies usually conduct sales meetings for |
| salaries in the $90,000s. Bonuses on top of | | | | their sales forces at nice locations, |
| that for high sales performers can easily | | | | sometimes even at exotic foreign spots which |
| push incomes into the six figure range. But | | | | give representatives opportunities to travel |
| in addition to the money, there are numerous | | | | at the companies' expense. Accommodations, |
| other attractive perks in pharmaceutical | | | | meals and entertainment during these meetings |
| sales.One of the nicest perks that | | | | are usually top notch. I've stayed at five |
| pharmaceutical sales representatives enjoy is | | | | star resorts, been on a Mediterranean cruise, |
| the use of recent model company cars. These | | | | took a sightseeing plane ride through the |
| are usually midsize sedans that are leased | | | | Grand Canyon, skied in the Rockies, attended |
| under a company fleet program. Some | | | | live theatre in New York City, toured the |
| pharmaceutical companies even offer minivans | | | | ancient city of Pompeii and experienced many |
| to their sales forces and I've seen reps | | | | other interesting activities that were all |
| drive sport utility vehicles as company cars | | | | paid for while working for pharmaceutical |
| too.Company car leases are usually short term | | | | companies.There are also opportunities for |
| with durations of a few years only so the | | | | pharmaceutical representatives to attend |
| sales representatives end up driving | | | | large medical conferences which are often |
| relatively new vehicles all the time. Once a | | | | held at nice locations as well. Some |
| company car's lease expires, the rep gets a | | | | representatives have been able to bring along |
| new vehicle! All the maintenance costs such | | | | spouses, partners and relatives to combine |
| as tune ups, oil changes, gas and insurance | | | | business trips with personal vacations. |
| are paid for by the company so basically the | | | | Again, all or a large part of the travel |
| sales reps get to drive their cars for free | | | | costs were already paid for by the company. |
| (although for taxation purposes, the | | | | I utilized company paid flights and extended |
| company's payroll department may report a | | | | some stays before or after company meetings |
| taxable benefit for sales force staff).Some | | | | for personal vacations. I was able to go |
| companies have been known to offer the | | | | scuba diving in the Egyptian Red Sea this |
| vehicles that are near the end of lease terms | | | | way. I know reps who extended trips in |
| for sale at significant market discounts. | | | | Europe and the Caribbean in combination with |
| Representatives have been able to purchase | | | | company meetings.The Satisfaction of an |
| relatively good condition used cars for other | | | | Important Role in Health CareOf course along |
| family members and friends at very attractive | | | | with these perks, there are other factors |
| prices through such programs. Some have even | | | | involved in pharmaceutical sales which can be |
| resold these vehicles on the used car market | | | | very satisfying. Pharmaceutical reps are in |
| for a tiny profit.In addition to a company | | | | a position to help educate doctors, nurses, |
| car, a pharmaceutical representative also has | | | | pharmacists and medical students about their |
| access to an expense account which enables | | | | drug products along with the associated |
| him or her to entertain customers such as | | | | medical conditions they treat. There is some |
| physicians on a business level whether it is | | | | great satisfaction when a medical |
| for meals at nice restaurants or other for | | | | professional tells you that your product has |
| business social activities such as golf | | | | made a positive difference in a patient's |
| outings or attending sporting events. Of | | | | health, especially when the professional |
| course, the rep is expected to participate | | | | never used your product before your |
| with their customers at these business social | | | | introduction of it to him or her.It would |
| activities. | | | | have been your selling efforts that caused |
| | | | the doctor to change prescribing habits which |
| The Freedom and IndependenceFor those | | | | ultimately helped treat the patients better. |
| individuals who do not like the idea being | | | | This makes a pharmaceutical representative |
| stuck inside with an office job, a | | | | feel like an important part of the overall |
| pharmaceutical sales position offers the | | | | medical health care team. It's a good |
| opportunity to spend most working hours out | | | | feeling indeed when one knows that he or she |
| in the field visiting customers like | | | | is part of a company responsible for bringing |
| physicians, nurses and pharmacists. | | | | a much needed medical product to |
| Pharmaceutical reps have the freedom to set | | | | society.Clint Cora is the author of the book |
| and organize their own working schedules. No | | | | "How To Get A Dream Job In Pharmaceutical |
| single day is identical as different | | | | Sales - Direct Inside Advice and Guidance |
| customers at different locations are visited | | | | from a Sales Manager". He had a very |
| each working day. Pharmaceutical sales | | | | successful fourteen year career as a |
| involve a lot of independence, as the | | | | pharmaceutical sales representative, sales |
| pharmaceutical reps' bosses or district sales | | | | trainer, product marketing manager and a |
| managers are usually not around 95% of the | | | | national sales manager. |