Comments on: Laid Off Pharma Workers Find Jobs: Survey

By: Jean

Jean — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:08:56 +0000

The survey reported a comparable or higher level position - nothing was stated about pay. When I was downsized, my job title was comparable - but at a 40% pay decrease.

By: Ed Silverman

Ed Silverman — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:17:07 +0000

Hi Mark,

I’m sorry, but apparently the firm chose not to post the results on its site. I provided a link, nonetheless, because not everyone is familiar with the many firms and companies that I sometimes refer to in my posts.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:05:26 +0000

I went to the site and could not find the survey.

By: Alastair

Alastair — Tue, 20 May 2008 07:47:05 +0000

I wonder how accurate surveys of this type are. Do you think a similar percentage of persons currently out of work respond compared with those back in work?

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:01:25 +0000

Sorry Jack2, not as easy as that. The skills and experience are not that transferable.

By: Jack2

Jack2 — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:54:47 +0000

I’m talking about going from a pharma rep to a rep for a communications company, or a defense company, or an electronics company or something totally different.

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:30:09 +0000

Agree with Paul. Laid off reps find today the larger pharma cos. are cutting or have hiring freezes. Smaller ones pay much less, if you land one as a sales rep.

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:25:29 +0000

I have a feeling that reps will have the hardest time. On the one hand, yes, their jobs may be more transferable across companies; however, with so many companies cutting sales positions, that leaves very few openings across the industry.

As for the new start up companies, the last thing they needs is sales reps. They are looking for clinical development, regulatory, finance and deal-making people.

By: Ed Silverman

Ed Silverman — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:06:07 +0000

Hi Jack2,

I should clarify that the survey didn’t suggest sales reps may have had a harder time. The survey was silent on the types of jobs involved altogether.

That was my speculation, because that job category has suffered substantial losses in the past year or so. I interepreted comparable as being within the same industry, but perhaps comparable means different things to different people. In any event, apologies for any confusion.

By: Jack2

Jack2 — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:58:17 +0000

I really have no idea, but I would have expected reps to have the easiest time. A sales rep can move to another industry since some of their skills are just about being a salesperson, and applicable to other industries.