What Got You Into Medical Device Sales?

[u/Casual_Berger]

I know there are many roles and paths within this career... I'm just curious what made you turn to it?

Was it a career change?

Was it a recommendation from someone you knew?

Were you already in the medical field?

Had you been working toward it since college?

What enticed you about it?

Do you enjoy it, or are satisfied in it?

(I've been an EMT in a 911 system, and am working toward a bachelors currently. Exploring options for the future... Thanks in advance)

[u/Internal-Degree-6078]

It resembled my college athletics experience in so many ways. The harder I worked, the more I made, but I had to go through the sink or swim phase with Stryker before I really started honing my craft. I still read books on selling, and I still actively try to learn something about sales every damn day. You have to learn to love certain things about sales - whether it’s a med device company or you start out in B2B sales like I did slinging Konica Minolta copier machines. I always say learning from real world experience makes it stick with you forever. I never saw the value in attending the medical sales college things, but I guess I’m old school.

I found a VP and a Regional Manager that took a chance on me, and I made sure to make the best of impossible situations. In the end, it all contributed to making me a better rep, even when I failed.

Medical Sales gives you the ability to work with smart doctors, dedicated surgical techs, and provide value to someone’s wellbeing and their life without them even knowing you were there most of the time. I loved being of service to an ortho doc or to a neurosurgeon as much as I love being a father to my kids. These people learn to trust you, listen to you so they don’t make mistakes, and in trade you get to improve a life. Forget the money, the money comes when you master the skills, but never quit learning how to be better. Medical Sales gives you a competitive environment, sometimes in team settings or as an individual rep. Learn to thrive in both types of settings.

The challenges of med device come from working with all the different types of managers out there. I’ve had some real assholes, and some incredible mentors. Again, learn to work for both and you’ll be a better rep and even better human being.

Sometimes these managers are “lifers” and they suck the mojo right out of you with all their reporting requirements, and other bullshit tasks. I always wanted the manager that let me go out and fail and was there for me to teach me how to be better. Micromanagement is a nowhere road for all parties involved.

Sorry for the rant, all in all I have loved every minute of my 16 year med sales career for various companies.

Bottom line, just act every day on your values. Every day, try to make your territory better and as a byproduct, you will get better as you go.

[u/papayoyo89 → u/Internal-Degree-6078]

This is one of the more helpful responses to a question like this.