subject: Why Leave Device Sales For Pharmaceutical Sales? [print this page] Why Leave Device Sales For Pharmaceutical Sales?
About two years ago, I wrote something opposite to the topic of the article today. That year, I joined a company that sells medical devices after getting involved for almost a decade with pharmaceutical selling. I got nothing but good things to say about my move and I last for three years. Right now, I am reattached to a pharmaceutical company, and I got nothing but good things to say about this also.
They cannot say that I have never tried.
Whether you are selling for a pharmaceutical company or planning to change direction to selling medical devices, I suggest you give this article a quick read with an open mind. Whatever I said here is my opinion and mine alone but I believe it will spur an idea or two for you to consider.
Why did I leave device sales for pharmaceutical sales?
The first reason is workload. The amount of effort and hours you need to put in as medical devices sales reps are longer compared to typical pharmaceutical reps. The reason is because devices reps are the frontline for maintenance and troubleshooting. In fact, those two activities make the most of their working hours. The thing about machine is; you can hardly tell when it will get into trouble. When that happens, customers are more than ready to jump at you to straighten things out as fast as possible.
Next, pharmaceutical reps in general enjoy better remuneration package. For example, when working with the devices sales company, the maximum amount of incentive I can earn is $25,000.00 a year while with the current pharmaceutical company I can earn about $35,000.00 per year. That is a huge gap and for the amount of effort required to achieve it, I will take the pharmaceutical industry anytime.
Honestly, I look highly upon those who work with medical devices sales companies. I know it is not easy to carry out the job functions and being rewarded less for such strong effort makes it less interesting. I cannot say that I learned nothing useful during those three years but if I were to plan my career thoroughly, I probably have end-up with a nice pot of cash at the end of my tenure.
So for those of you who are planning to leave the pharmaceutical sales industry, after what I have shared with you here, I strongly suggest you reconsider your position. There is no such thing as an easy ride in either industry but being rewarded the most is truly satisfying.
