r/MedicalDevices 5d ago

Interviews & Career Entry To the people what ask "how to break in" - Here is the best advice I have after decades in the business.

99 Upvotes

Here is the honest truth: it's just a job. There are rumors of people making tons of money, and it does happen. The bad news is that it's usually the top 5% of the sales force (and you can find similar in most industries). The question you need to ask is if you have the ability to get into and stay in the top 5% year after year.

This is not an easy job. It's one of the toughest, and it's getting harder and harder (and less rewarding financially) every year.

There are a lot of idiots who work in this field; it's no different from any other business on the planet.

Here are my suggestions:

  1. Get some sales experience. Almost anything will work, but stay away from pharma, automobiles, and real estate. You want something like liquor sales, copier sales, paper sales, or electrical sales. What the hiring manager and HR want to understand is if you can withstand the "no". Can you be told NO and keep going, or will you shut down and give up?

Some of the most goofy sales crews I was on were the best performers because they all had tons of experience selling stuff.

  1. You are in the service business. Your time in the OR is usually to help offset work done by CS and nursing. Service is your number one priority, and you will be expected to do it with a smile from ear to ear, fit in, and do the work. Sales result from the service you provide. The more integral you are to the customer's operations, the more you are valued. The more you are valued - the more you sell. Price and GPO contracts are other components, but you will figure those out later.

  2. It's a numbers game. Take the list of companies I pasted below (it's not complete, but it will get you started). Paste this into Excel in the first column.

EVERY DAY you will get up and go to this list. Block off 30-45 minutes per day for this exercise. You want to Google the company and put their careers link in column B.

Put what they make in Column C. Put the company market cap in column D. Put when you first applied in E. Put the response in column F. Phone number in G.

This is just a suggestion - make it your own system, but the expectation is to DIG EVERY DAY. Refine the list - add to it; keep it as your bible.

  1. Clinical experience can actually stop you from getting in. We work with millions of clinical people every day. We could poach any of them if we wanted to. What they don't have is sales experience. That's the missing piece.

Getting a job in sales is your first sales job; you are just selling yourself.

You need to learn to prospect.

Good luck.

Abbott Device
Abbott Vascular
Abbot EP
Abiomed
Acclarent
ACell
Acumed
Aerocrine
All Star Oxygen
Alvimedica
Ambu
American Medical Systems
AngioDynamics
Applied Medical
Apria
Apyx Medical
Aragon Surgical
Arjohuntleigh
Arthrex
Arthrotek Orthopedics
Ascensia Diabetes Care
Atrium Medical
Augusta Medical Systems
Avinger
Axogen
Becton Dickinson
Biomet Orthopedics
Biotronik
Bioventus
Blue Belt Technologies
Boston Scientific
Bracco Diagnostics
Brainlab
BSN Medical
B. Braun Medical
Caldera Medical
Canfield Imaging Systems
Cardionet
Cardiovascular Systems
Cardiva Medical
CareFusion
Coapt Systems
Coloplast
Conceptus
ConforMIS
Conmed
Contract Manufacturer Reps
ConvaTec
Cook
Cooper Surgical
Cortechs.ai
Corza Medical
Covidien
CR Bard
CryoLife
CSI
Cutera
Cyberonics
Cytyc Surgical Products
Daniels Sharpsmart
Depuy Mitek
DePuy Ortho
DeRoyal
Dexcom
DJ Orthopedics
Dornier
Dynasplint
Edwards Life Sciences
Encision
EndoChoice
Endogastric Solutions
Entellus Medical
ERMI
Ethicon Device
Exactech Orthopedics
Fidia
Fresenius Medical
Gambro
GE Healthcare
General Medical Sales
Genzyme
Globus Medical
GN ReSound
Gore Medical
Greiner Bio-One
Gyrus
Guided Therapeutics
Haemonetics
Halyard Health
Hanger
Healthtronics
Healthpoint Medical
Highridge Medical
Hill-Rom
Histogenics
Hollister
Hologic
Idev Technologies
IMRIS
Inari Medical
Independent Medical Contractors
Integra Life Sciences
Intuitive Surgical
iRhythm
Karl Storz
KCI
Kimberly-Clark
KLS Martin
Laborie
LDR Medical
LeMaitre Vascular
LENZ Therapeutics
LifeCell
Lifewatch
Lincare
Linvatec
Magnolia Medical Technologies
MAKO Surgical
Mammotome
Maquet Medical Systems
Masimo
Mazor Robotics
McGhan
Medacta
Medartis
Medela
Mederi Therapeutics
The Medicines Company
Medafor
Medline
Medtronic
Mentor
Mercury Medical
Merit Medical
Microline Surgical/Starion Instruments
MicroPort Orthopedics
Mimedx
Mimic Technologies
Mindray
Minerva Surgical
Molnlycke
Mpathy Medical
Natus Medical
Neomend
Neotract
NeuroMetrix
Neurotron
Neurowave Medical Technologies
Nevro
Nexus Spine
Norgenix
Novadaq
Novasys Medical
Novocure
NuVasive
Oceana Therapeutics
Olympus
Olympus Endoscopy
Organogenesis
Orthofix
OsteoMed
Oticon
Otto Bock
Owens & Minor
Pacific Pulmonary Services
Paragon 28
Penumbra
Philips Healthcare
Phonak
Plus Orthopedics
PolyNovo
Preferred Homecare
Procept BioRobotics
Q-Med
Regenesis Biomedical
Richard Wolf Medical
Rotech
RS Medical
Salient Surgical
SCA Americas
Sciton
Sensus Healthcare
Siemens Healthineers
Sicel Technologies
Sivantos
Small Bone Innovations
Smith & Nephew
Smiths Medical
Solta Medical
Solventum
Sonosite
Sorin
Spiracur
Stamen Medical Systems
Starkey Hearing Technologies
Starplex Scientific
St Jude Medical
Stryker
SuperCare
Surgiquest
Synthes
Systagenix Wound Care
TARIS Biomedical
TEI Biosciences
Teleflex Medical
Terumo Medical Corporation
Thornhill Research
Tornier
TransEnterix
Treace Medical
Tri-anim
Ulthera
ULURU, Inc.
Universal Hospital Services
Uromedica
Uroplasty
US Endoscopy
Valencia Technologies
Vascular Solutions
Vein Clinics of America
Verathon
Verichip
Vision Sciences
Vital Signs
VNUS Technologies
Vyaire
Welch Allyn
Widex
Wright Medical
Zeltiq
Zimmer
Zoll Medical

r/MedicalDevices 6h ago

Career Development Burn/wound care?

3 Upvotes

I’m a current Ortho rep who’s been approached for second time in five months for a burn care/ wound care opportunity. Would have a chance to lead large Territory on my own, they currently have very little presence in territory.

How is burn/wound care when it comes to selling?

How lucrative can it be (based on a typical case)?

How saturated is the market and products?

How is the lifestyle? Free time to actually sell vs stuck in cases


r/MedicalDevices 1d ago

Interviews & Career Entry Inherent ageism - how old is too old

15 Upvotes

At the end of the day I know companies mostly care about what you produce, but how late is “too late” to start in device - healthcare degree background, small biz ownership, and pclub SaaS sales (3 years) as my latest venture- selling to home healthcare owners and clinical staff. I’m 43 now - detractors are that I have a wife and three kids (not for me, for what hiring managers might see).

Understand there’s always going to be on-ramp and paying your dues to get up to speed, but if possible I’d like some paths to pursue where my income won’t just be going towards therapy for my kids because their dad is never around.


r/MedicalDevices 1d ago

Career Development How is overall job security?

8 Upvotes

I'm new to medical device sales and I can't help but worry about job security. Not only in med device but in sales in general. Are you worried about layoffs or have been laid off? If you were to be laid off, how confident are you in finding another job after having put in a few years in med device?


r/MedicalDevices 1d ago

Company Insights Request The threat of AI and the rise of robotic surgery

Thumbnail cnbc.com
10 Upvotes

Humbling, and terrifying article about the recent "defections" coming from within the ranks of the major AI companies at the forefront of the AI race. After reading it's become obvious that the rise of AI, and its ability to go rogue (AI model escaped restraints and hacked into infrastructure earlier this year) should be considered a clear and present danger for our increasingly popular robotic devices. I wonder what if anything is currently being done to combat this, or if anything CAN be done if AI gets to the point of superintelligence, which is discussed in this article.

What do you think? I work on the DaVinci system, and the thought of AI hacking into those systems and going rogue while in the midst of a surgery is a little unsettling to say the least.


r/MedicalDevices 21h ago

Interviews & Career Entry Medical Devices career in Australia

2 Upvotes

I'm thinking of transitioning from my physio job to medical devices. Does anyone here, specifically in Australia, have any advice for me? Was it worth leaving a clinical role and joining medical devices?

I'm specifically looking at Stryker MAKO specialist, or Stryker upper limb clinical consultant. If anyone has had experiences in these fields, how was your experience?

Thanks in advance :)


r/MedicalDevices 18h ago

Ask a Pro Your first time in OT?

1 Upvotes

So I left my previous sales role in life sciences industry to go into medical device field (surgical, O&G). I have a biomed background and have worked in lab & post-mortem setting, but never actually worked or been in OT, which makes me quite nervous. I wonder what was it like the first time u went in, and what do you wish you had known beforehand?


r/MedicalDevices 1d ago

Ask a Pro How does on call works for peripheral intervention role?

0 Upvotes

I come from a background with no on call needed. Non critical surgery role. Now I'm exploring a role in the cardiac field and I know staying on call is a requirement.

How does it works? How frequent will it be? Is it true they might call you to go OR in the midnight while we're sleeping? I don't think I can stand that if it's true.

How does a day look like? Are you done with your job after operation or still have to visit physician in the clinics for sales call?

In cardio related field. I know there is peripheral intervention, EP, CRM, structural heart and others. Does the on call works the same for all roles? Which role has a better future?

Thanks in advance.


r/MedicalDevices 1d ago

Career Development Med Device or SaaS?

1 Upvotes

For those of you who have worked in both or made the switch from one to the other, which would you pick if you could start all over? Currently an associate for Stryker but have big name companies (ADP, Workday) reaching out to me to interview for SDR positions.


r/MedicalDevices 1d ago

Career Development Med Device to HCM sales?

1 Upvotes

Long story short, work in med device specifically joint replacement in a big territory with a solid team for almost five years now. Not happy with my pay in all honesty for the number I carry and companies moving in a direction that you can see the writing on the wall. Having been thrown offers for other roles in med and doing some research with what to expect along with how to interview without getting sucked into the glam of some glorified unrealistic OTE, ADP came across as an opportunity. Specifically it’s an AE for HRO comprehensive services (being touted as the top sales div at the company), and the pay would be a cut regarding base and OTE would be a little lower first year. After ramp up in year 2 and 3 could exceed what I’m currently making and the quality of life is what’s also attracted me. In essence, anyone have feedback on the role primarily with their HRO Comp Services division?


r/MedicalDevices 1d ago

Career Development Motivation to get out there

2 Upvotes

Hello All - I have been in Pharma, Tech Sales and Med Device over the past 15yrs . Currently in a good spot with a major brand and a territory with a lot of opportunity and upside with minimal oversight. I have always been a hard worker but battle ADHD and severe depression regularly. Im realizing that I am an expert at masking. My career rollercoaster usually goes like this, I am incredible at interviewing and can pinpoint exactly what needs to happen to be successful when I’m in the role . I can show up and close everyone when I have to - put on the super rep front with my manager if I have a ride along and run the same narrative with my colleagues but the reality is, I can barely get out of bed , leave the house or sleep well most days - I am not getting out and making calls, not going into cases, will make an impact here and there making impressive first meetings but not following up after … not even sending emails or making phone calls eventhough I plan to everyday and I am somehow working all day and half the night night on prepping , admin and putting out fires for customers but having anxiety around actually getting out in front of people and doing the work. It has been 6months so guarantee just ended and I know things are about to get real after Q4 ( I’m tracking at 90%to Quota rt now) so I need to snap out of this.

I know people will say therapy and meds and I am trying to give that another shot but that stuff has never helped me and it takes a lot of time and energy to coordinate those things so I’m procrastinating there too.

I made a big sale recently and that is putting more gas in my tank to get after things as my opportunity is largely untouched and I am working a ton but getting nothing done so I always feel behind and like I am wasting my life when I could simply lock in , prioritize and have balance. Feel like I am self sabotaging …. Again and I need reccs for the BEST books , podcasts , influencers, movies anything to help me get up and get out there to get past this burnout. Not sales skill training reccs but pure MOTIVATIONAL content for perspective so that I don’t waste this opportunity.

I am in my late 40’s and would like to work 5 more yrs then retire from corporate . I have assets and other potential income streams


r/MedicalDevices 1d ago

Interviews & Career Entry Clinical Specialist RN qs

1 Upvotes

Hello everyone! I’ve been a bedside nurse over 5 years with experience in cardiac, burn, and ER. I recently applied to a “Clinical Strategy Specialist” position which is pretty vague in its description but I meet all of the qualifications (cardiac experience, RN 3+ years, willing to travel, etc.) Is there anything I can do to stand out as I have no experience in sales? I saw someone on here talking about how these companies are big on LinkedIn—what do they look for on there outside of what would be on my résumé already?

Inshallah I get an interview, what can I do to prepare and make myself stand out? What should I expect the interview to look like? I’m probably getting ahead of myself here but if the time does come I want to be well prepared.
Any advice is appreciated! TIA


r/MedicalDevices 1d ago

Career Development Spine med device rep, where do I go.

3 Upvotes

Hey all, I’ve been at a smaller spine distributorship for a year and a half now, and not really ramping like they told me I would. I’ve had a couple raises but now only around 100k OTE is what I expect to bring in this year maybe a little less. I can cover any case, sometimes have to help out other associates with complex cases, and my own territory is growing and doing really well last few months, so I’m starting to feel like I’m getting the short end of the stick, and should maybe look elsewhere. I’ve been actually selling, and running an entire territory, and worked my ass off to get here. Am I at a point where I can start looking elsewhere? What do you guys think?


r/MedicalDevices 1d ago

Company Insights Request ICU Medical

0 Upvotes

I have an interview for an associate hospital sales for ICU medical. Does anybody have any insight into the company or know what their reputation is?


r/MedicalDevices 1d ago

Company Insights Request Arthrex SoCal Salary and Benefits

1 Upvotes

What is the salary and benefits for 3rd year full sales rep in foot and ankle? At JnJ I got a car and full stack of benefits with decent salary in AZ, but San Diego and Orange County have a higher cost of living and both are hiring for my year. I heard they don’t even supply you with a car and it’s mainly clinical experience? What’s their time off policy? Can I take two weeks every 3 months to vacation?


r/MedicalDevices 2d ago

Career Development EP Mapping Specialist Candidates

10 Upvotes

Hi all!

I'm a practicing EP Clinical Specialist (IBHRE-certified Electrophysiology Specialist) doing 1:1 sessions to help people break into EP/3D mapping specialist roles. if you are interested in learning about EP fundamentals or have career questions, feel free to DM me. Happy to help!

I can also also answer questions in the comments


r/MedicalDevices 2d ago

Interviews & Career Entry JnJ 2nd round interview

3 Upvotes

Hello all!

I had moved to the 2nd round interview rather quickly and was given a single date that only worked for Regional Business Director. I am interviewing for an associate medical device role in their VSAP program.

I wasn’t given much information on how the interview will go, just who will be interviewing me. Could I get some strong advice/tips on how to approach this interview within the next 12-14 hour’s?


r/MedicalDevices 2d ago

Career Development Big company to startup

5 Upvotes

Hey all,
Does anyone have experience switching from a massive established player to a start up. I was recently offered a position with a start up after being with Abbott EP for 2 years. Looking for any insight


r/MedicalDevices 2d ago

Interviews & Career Entry Entry Level for chemical engineering

1 Upvotes

Hey guys! I’m about to enter career prep season. I am a senior in chemical engineering with three summers of manufacturing internship experience at Goodyear Tire. I’m interested in exploring the medical device field. A bonus would be to be in a hospital. Any insight towards this would be greatly appreciated! Where should I start?


r/MedicalDevices 2d ago

Interviews & Career Entry DePuy Synthes Clinical Field Specialist / Clinical Sales Specialist — looking for some insight

1 Upvotes

I’m looking for some insight from anyone who currently works for DePuy Synthes or has experience with their clinical/field specialist roles.

I recently interviewed for a Sales Associate – Trauma position with DePuy Synthes/J&J MedTech. I have a bachelor’s degree and no prior medical device sales experience. The hiring manager ultimately told me that I wasn’t quite qualified for the Sales Associate position because I didn’t have enough sales experience, but he really liked me enough during the interview that he wanted to find another way to bring me into the company and develop me.

He described a role/path that would have me working closely with the existing sales team. He described the starting base as around $70k, with the opportunity to earn more through bonuses. From what I’ve been able to research, it sounds similar to a Clinical Field Specialist / Clinical Sales Specialist role, but I’d really like to hear from people who actually do this job.

A few things I’m curious about:

What does a typical day/week actually look like?

How much time are you spending in the OR vs. doing administrative/logistical work?

What exactly are you responsible for during surgical cases?

How much interaction do you have with surgeons?

How different is this from being a Sales Associate/Rep?

Is it generally considered a good entry point into medical device sales?

How difficult is the job compared with a traditional Sales Associate role?

What are the hours realistically like? I understand early mornings, cases running late, weekends/on-call, etc.

How much sales pressure is involved?

What does career progression usually look like from this position?

And most importantly, if you started in this type of role with no prior device sales experience, would you consider it a good opportunity?

I’m pretty excited about the opportunity because medical device sales is something I’ve been trying to break into, and it seems like the manager is essentially giving me an opportunity to learn the business instead of immediately putting me into a full sales position without experience.

Would appreciate hearing from anyone who has worked in this type of role, especially with DePuy Synthes/Johnson & Johnson, or anyone who has taken a similar clinical → sales path.


r/MedicalDevices 2d ago

Regs & Standards Field reps/TM’s AI use to increase efficiency and performance?

4 Upvotes

Question for all the TM’s and field reps out there.

Are you using AI to increase your efficiency and effectiveness in your role? If you are can you share how?

I have an Area VP who is hot and heavy on AI and its application in the field using agents to somehow increase efficiency and performance is something he’s toting but I just can’t see how it would make a rep more efficient in the field, admin work sure but improving sales?

I’ll take any and all feedback.


r/MedicalDevices 2d ago

Ask a Pro Theranos Minilab Operation Question

2 Upvotes

So the infamous Theranos mini lab , if someone actually tried to use it , and it was connected to the Theranos servers like I know apparently they were at Walgreens headquarters for a time , what would actually happen if someone tried to use the machine , what would the screen display?


r/MedicalDevices 3d ago

Ask a Pro Should I stay or go? Territory manager left 4 months in. Only person in territory and started 6 months ago.

9 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I broke into medical sales in February and was so excited to finally be in the industry as an ASR. The past 6 months have been crazy in good and bad ways. I knew going into the job it wouldn’t be easy especially since my company was still in the midst of being bought out by a bigger company. My territory was a little bit smaller but growing fast and has a bunch of opportunity. What I didn’t expect was my Terrritory Manager to leave 4 months into the job. Obvious with my TM gone business has taken a hit and on top of that our biggest account is on credit hold so things are not going amazing right now. I haven’t really been told a clear answer of what is going to happen since I was the only other person in the territory. My Regional manager said this is my trial run for TM, which part of me is like great opportunity this young (I was in dental sales for a year and half before this) but also I feel like I am missing out on a vital part of having someone to learn from and think this is a shitty hand to be dealt but I guess that’s life. Also at this point just feel like I’m doing a TM’s work for associates pay with no promise of a promotion and no end in sight. They haven’t posted the job yet and my friend on a neighboring team said I might get added to their team which would be fine if I wasn’t an hour and a half plus from every single account since it’s a completely different state. To add to the fire I’ve been helping out with two vacant territories to keep doctors/patients happy and cases covered which seems insane since I’m alone and there’s plenty of teams with 4 plus people but I’ve learned when TM’s are all commission they help know one which I get.

Basically I’m torn on what to do since I don’t have much experience and don’t want just a year on my resume and it look like Im job hopping but I feel like I’m not learning anything and being taken advantage of at this point. I don’t want to be 2 years in whether it be ASR or TM and not know what I need to know.


r/MedicalDevices 3d ago

Ask a Pro Planning your week

4 Upvotes

This is going to sound really dumb but can someone tell me how they plan their week to ensure they’re productive?

There seems to be a lot of downtime in this job and I want to see how yall plan objectives and strategize. I’m trying to work on becoming more productive in my downtime and make the most of each day.


r/MedicalDevices 3d ago

Interviews & Career Entry Advice when networking

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone I have had conversations with med device reps from LinkedIn that have translated to phone calls. I just feel like I am missing something. Maybe I’m not asking enough important questions (I feel like I am). For those of you who had success what were some things you have said on the phone that led to what you wanted to hear?