Wise words for pfired drug reps (and others)

Found on CafePharma by Pharma Giles:

A 20-year industry vet here, not a PFE employee. I've been through this five times. For what it's worth:

--Right now there's almost a sense of exhiliration as you call around to get the buzz on who is staying, who is going. And a sense of relief because there are no more silly ride-alongs with your DM or call metrics. You will call all your district-mates and pledge everlasting love/you'll always keep in touch, etc. Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, people will start drifting away in pursuit of the next chapter in their lives, so be prepared for that. There will be a sense of betrayal that your "friends" don't really keep in touch. The fact is, they were never real friends, just situational acquaintances. Don't be brought down by that. This goes double for your DM and RM, irrespective of the relationship you had with them.

--As quickly as you can start distancing yourself from PFE. Discard all your materials, prepare your samples for return, clean out your car, do all your expense reports, make copies of critical documents, like performance reviews and attaboy's. Cash in all your award points from Amex, and otherwise mop up, it's over. Whatever you do avoid the temptation to make a last lap around your territory. Here and there you can visit your favorite offices, but in time you'll see your relationship with them was largely situational, also. Now that you don't call on them anymore they'll have little use for you. Be prepared for that, as well. Remember, PFE has already distanced themself from you, so you do the same.

--Console yourself with the fact that you've been doing a job that hasn't really existed for the last three years. It wasn't your fault, you were just dancing to the tune management was playing, but they weren't prepared for the new realities of the healthcare marketplace. But what you take with you is that you have been the beneficiary of world-class marketing, world-class training, i.e. you've had some big-league experience. This is what you'll leverage for your next job.

--Take a lesson from a dope--that would be me: don't spend any time plotting your revenge (I'll sue the reckless bastards, etc.) And as quickly as you can stop commiserating with your colleagues. It's all about you and your family, now. Your mental, emotional, and financial health will be directly related to how quickly you can let go and move forward.

--Pull the family together and take stock of where you are financially. Start downsizing immediately. If you need to buy a car or make any financial moves, do it asap while you're still on the radar screen as "employed." There are dozens of expenses you can cut out, and it'll be amazing how much your kids can help if they know they are part of the solution. Commit to cooking together and eating and living frugally. It will be a god-send to have dinner with your family again.

--Avoid the temptation to sign on with another pharma company; they aren't hiring anyway, and the last thing you need is another gig as a "retail-detail" rep. As I said, that job doesn't exist any more, so parlay your experiences and assignments into something better.

--Start your job search immediately, and be disciplined in how you go about it. It's easy to sit at your desk and play office and fool yourself into thinking you've been productive. Network, network, network.

--Remember that there are only three objectives in healthcare: to cure a condition, to treat a condition, or to prevent a condition. If you plan to stay in healthcare remember that you've been in the treatment arm of our industry. One of the mega-trends is that the emphasis will shift/has shifted to prevention. It's by far the best ROI for our collective health-care dollar, so I'd move in that diretion.

--Look at other mega-trends in our society: green industries, like re-cycling, waste management, and energy; education; health and nutrition; anything having to do with senior citizens, such as long-term care, adult education, etc.

--The reality of things is that our society will be going into a collective downsizing--look for opportunities in simpler solutions.

--This one's going to hurt: we can't all be big-deal, wheeler-dealer white collar power brokers. There will be a need for more blue-collar labor, don't thumb your nose at it. Why am I telling you all this? Because after being unemployed for almost a year I just found my dream job: A mid-size construction company just offered me to come in and be their "HR generalist." They were ecstatic to have someone with corporate experience help them move to the next level in their continuum. They value my knowledge of the business world--my first assignment is to develop a policies and procedures manual. I know nothing about HR (or construction), but my sales and sales management experience will be helpful to them as they gear up for the stimulus money. I'll be able to spend a lot more time with my family, they value my experiences, and I know I'll be doing something useful. It's not what I would have chosen for myself, and the pay is about 1/3 of what I was making, but since I downsized a long time ago I realized I didn't need as much money as I thought.

There's a poem from a Civil War soldier that goes something like this:

"I got nothing that I wished for, but everything I had hoped for. Almost despite myself my silent prayers were answered. I am, among men, most blessed."

There are those who will read this and declare it to be sappy and cheesy, but I'm at peace for the first time in a long time. Imagine that, no company car, humble pay, fewer benefits, no Amex card, etc., but happy for the first time in a long time. In case you're wondering I'm a former Regional Manager who was laid off a year ago. It's clear my guardian angel was looking out for me all along.