The Pharmalot Blog today reported that the Japanese drug maker Shionogi Pharmaceuticals is testing a novel approach to hiring new pharmaceutical sales reps.
According to the post, Shionogi has eight open positions to fill in the US which in of itself is interesting considering that as many as 80,000 pharma sales reps may have lost their jobs over the past three years or so. But, after a little digging, Ed Silverman, who writes the Pharmalot blog discovered something a little different about the ads for the jobs.
“The ads state expressly that anyone with a background in pharma sales is not wanted for the jobs, which pay around $40,000-plus, not counting a bonus of $17,000 to $19,000 and the usual frills, such as the use of a company car. You do, however, need a bachelor’s degree - no major is specified - and must be outgoing, upbeat and comfortable speaking with others (see a job description here).”
Ed posits that by eschewing reps with prior experience the company will spend a lot less money and are likely to be more “trainable” than experienced, higher priced reps who may have developed “bad habits.” And, according to Ed, some those bad habits may include those who may be “inclined to look for off-label marketing violations that could be the stuff of whistleblower lawsuits or those who are primed to seek opportunities to sue for overtime pay.”
Oh that Ed, what a kidder!
Until next time....
Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!
Saving 
Eliot Burdett
peaksalesrecruiting.com