If you have been to PharmBoard.com before, you are probably looking to break into pharmaceutical sales or move onto to another opportunity within this industry. This site gives you informative articles on various aspects of pharma job search, industry news, networking opportunities and more. But, we at PharmBoard.com thought it would be even better if we shared what a real PharmBoard.com member has to say about his experiences breaking into the industry and using PharmBoard.com.

Gibber, his PharmBoard.com name, graciously agreed to be our guinea pig and allowed us to interview him. We queried Gibber on his career before pharmaceutical sales, how he found us, his path into pharmaceutical sales and what benefits he found by using the information contained on PharmBoard.com. Read on for his answers. Thanks Gibber!

PharmBoard.com (PB): Did you have any pharmaceutical sales experience at all, before you landed you current position?

Gibber (G): No. My immediate position prior to pharma was (sic) an owner of a dry cleaning establishment, which I did for 5 years. Prior to that I worked for the largest uniform rental company in the country, as a sales rep.

PB: So, you had sales experience before getting a job in this industry. Now, how did you discover PharmBoard.com?

G: When I began my search for a pharma job I slammed the Internet for information, probably spending about 4 to 5 hours each day gleaning all the info I could find. I was on another site, when a pharmboard member said to me “Come to the other side…..it’s better over here!” So, I immediately checked it out and never looked back.

PB: That’s great, it is always nice to hear our members are satisfied enough to refer us to others. Gibber, has the information on pharmbaord.com helped you with your pharma search? And, if so, what specifically has worked for you?

G: Yes, immensely! I learned about everything, from brag book s to business plans. I had a few interviews before I learned of pharmboard and I realize now how silly I must have looked coming into those interviews completely unprepared. The folks on pharmboard raised me and helped me go fully armed into each and every interview…from basic information to detailed information about the company I was interviewing with next.

PB: So, it is fair to say that PharmBoard.com contributed to your successes. Please share some of those successes with other members.

G: Well, I got hired! I have also done very well since starting because of the information I have received from pharmboard. Not necessarily competitive info, but general industry information, that has helped me develop my own personal strategy for success.

PB: It sounds like you have used all the available information to your advantage and really maximized your membership. So, Gibber, what position do you hold today?

G: I am a Territory Representative and I started in November 2003.

PB: Since beginning your pharma sales career, what has been your biggest challenge in this industry?

G: Time management. I spend a lot of hours working at home the night before with pre-call planning and prepping for the next day. I enjoy it greatly, and maybe do too much of it….but as the saying goes, “Plan your work and work your plan”. I kind of consider myself the Peyton Manning of the industry.

PB: Well, Manning has said that people can’t understand why he spends so much time preparing for just a three hour game, but he thinks it makes it very gratifying to win after all that planning, so your philosophy of a lot of pre-call planning makes sense. Gibber, we appreciate your time, so in closing what advice would you give to any of our members who are looking to break into pharmaceutical sales?

G: Obviously, patience. But, having said that, I don’t want to infer that someone should be patient in their search. Just be patient in actually finding a position. The jobs are out there to be had. A person must go all out to find them…job fairs, current rep referrals, internet postings…find the jobs and go get them. Treat every interview like it’s your last one and of course, by all means, close at each interview. Let the interviewer know that if you aren’t hired that they just let the competition have the best rep available.

PB: Excellent advice, Gibber. Thanks again for your time and best of luck as you continue in pharma sales.

If you find this site helpful, please send a link to your career services department so your fellow alumni know about PharmBoard too! I've already written the message for you. :)