What’s the first month as a rep like?
Boy, it’s been a long time since I wrote.
I finished my training in December, and at the turn of the new year, I finally hit the road to meet my doctors and talk product. I wish I could talk specifically about the fascinating interactions I’ve had with my physicians, but I can’t for confidentiality reasons. I can at least talk a bit about the rep experience, which has been tough but rewarding.
Last week, I came up with the perfect analogy for being a new rep: It’s like being transferred to a new school. At first, you don’t know where the classrooms are. No one knows who you are, so they aren’t especially interested in talking to you. You’re nervous, so you drop your books a couple of times. Your jokes aren’t funny, but you’re nervous so you laugh at them yourself. That sort of thing.
Things get better the same way they do in high school. You make a few friends, they actually laugh at your jokes, and eventually things get better, and before you know it, other people are glad you’re there. In the meantime, you do your homework conscientiously, ask good questions, and try to get your grades up as quickly as possible.
[Of course, it also helps when your big sister (aka partner) gets straight A’s, is as popular as the prom queen, and is kind enough to point the way.]
