Prescription For Success

We all know how hard is to break into the Pharmaceutical Industry.  Its very complexity is part of the reason you’re reading this handbook right now – to get an edge on the competition.  In fact, for every single person striving for a position, there are at least ten others vying for that very same spot!  With overwhelming odds like that, every little advantage helps. That’s where this book comes in. The points covered in this handbook won’t just give you a few tips here and there, but actually help you gain the skills and tools that are necessary to break into this industry.

One thing that needs to be stressed before moving on is that most pharmaceutical companies require a four-year college degree before they will even consider a potential candidate. This may come as a surprise to some, and some of you reading this may have already been faced with this obstacle, but it’s the reality of this industry. This is also a minimum requirement with most industry recruiters. They too will be the first to tell you, they can’t help you without that degree (we will talk more about recruiters later). I won’t say it’s impossible, I know of nurses with two-year LPN (Licenses Practical Nurse) degrees who have obtained jobs with pharmaceutical companies. But this is more the exception than the norm.

Because of how competitive, this particular industry is, companies can be extremely selective. I have run across many sales people whom I thought would make great pharma reps, but I couldn’t even consider them for sales opportunities, because they didn’t have that requirement. The best advice I can give to those individuals pursuing a career in this industry without a four-degree is; obtaining that four-year college diploma significantly increases your likelihood of breaking in. Enough said.

Here’s another “dirty little secret” about the industry: once you do break in, you’re pretty much in for good!  You’re a lifer!  And it’s absolutely true.  You see, after you obtain the magical “two-year” in the business, stamp of approval; you gain a lifetime membership to the fraternity.  And while many have tried to gain a position with a pharmaceutical company and been told, “Come back when you have two years of experience,” I know countless individuals who have made a career out of jumping from company to company every few years, increasing their salary with each and every leap.  Although I know that’s not what most people want; most folk’s just want to start a career with a good company, make great money and be happy.  More power to both camps, because in this industry you can have all that and more, but first you gotta' get an interview!

There are many ways to get in front of a pharmaceutical hiring manager. Lets look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of each: