AstraZeneca Reviews (101)
| 10.30.09 | Representative |
| 10.19.09 | Administrative Coordinator |
| 11.09.09 | District Sales Manager |
| 12.03.09 | Pharmaceutical Sales Representative |
| 11.14.10 | Pharmaceutical Representative |
| 05.29.09 | Pharmaceutical Sales Specialist |
| 02.08.11 | Cardiovascular Sales Specialist |
| 09.18.09 | Pharmaceutical Sales Specialist |
| 03.21.12 | Sales Representative |
| 03.25.10 | Hospital Pharmaceutical Specialist |
"The Worst Pharma Company to Work for BY FAR."
AstraZeneca Review by Representative in Harvey, MI on
What do you like about working at AstraZeneca?
3 of the 7 representatives in my territory were great and easy to get along with. I strongly believed in one of the products that I sold.
What don't you like about working at AstraZeneca?
From the first week of training, I realized that I had made a HUGE mistake in working for this company. Middle management was a bunch of super-aggressive 20-somethings that would do anything to get ahead. None were married or had kids. They told us we were lucky to have a job with AZ instead of AZ being lucky to have someone as qualified as us. Also, we had tons of online training every quarter that had to be completed online and was monitored so that you would not do it during "normal business hours of 8-5:30." AZ did everything WRONG in dealing with its sales reps. It did not trust them. It required mountains of paperwork for everything. The number one biggest mistake was their treating every territory the same as to expectations. Example- My territory was roughly 6000 square miles with exactly 75 miles of interstate and covered 2 timezones. Expectations are you must be at your first call by 8:30 and have at least 1 signature for samples after 3:30. (another stupid criteria- judged on signatures not results!) For a great deal of my territory I then had to either stay overnight or leave at 5am and get home at 7pm most days. Another rep in my region shared he left his house at 8:00am and was home at 3:45 most days!
What suggestions do you have for management?
Change your attitude towards your people. Promote based on merit, not suck-up. Realize that just because you eat, sleep and breathe work, not everyone does. Judge based on results- not # of calls in a day. Treat your employees better than you think they ought to be treated. Training time is work. I should not have to put in 2 hours a day on top of the normal 1-2 hours after work every day because you think we're lazy.
Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?
Interview only if you need practice for other companies Only take this job if you are desperate and then immediately post your resume Realize that you will be sacrificing your family life for as many years as you work here.
User Comments
| AZ has laid off so many reps that they should be in the catagory of worst companies to work for. I worked at AstraZeneca for 13 years and 2 Circle of Excellence trophies ( top 1% of sales force) and they told me 1 day out of the blue that I had performance issues and I would be put on probation and sales bonuses. The management is terrible and the leadership comes from management. I would not recommend AZ as a place to work to anyone. They have been cutting employees and expenses to look like they turn a profit, however, look at the pipeline for this company. Zero products on the way to market. AZ will marge and fold by the end of 2014. Remember you read this comment in April of 2012. | 04.17.12 |
AstraZeneca Review by Administrative Coordinator in Wilmington, DE on
What do you like about working at AstraZeneca?
It was a great place when it was ICI/Zeneca
What don't you like about working at AstraZeneca?
There are too many things to list. They do not treat their employees right and are a very unethical company.
What suggestions do you have for management?
Have them undergo some of the harsh treatment they inflicted upon insubordinates.
Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?
You will be unncessarily grilled so keep this in mind, write than-you notes restating your qualifications, expect not to be contacted for up to four months, keep your options open, and do not accept an offer unless you lack morals.
User Comments
| I worked there for 17 years. Their current mission is to rid all the dinosaurs to cut benefits. The way they are doing this is highly unethical because by severing valuable, long-term employees they are not subject to recall and there is a huge savings for them. They then turn around and externally hire the same positions but as contractors. | 10.19.09 |
AstraZeneca Review by District Sales Manager in Seattle, WA on
What do you like about working at AstraZeneca?
Nexium Bonuses were awesome - some of my co-workers were great people and good friends.
What don't you like about working at AstraZeneca?
Endless shadow reports. Idiotic middle and upper management. 5 day meetings with only 2 days of content. Jerk bait bonus plans that change in mid stream.
What suggestions do you have for management?
Stop promoting incompetent diversity hires and pick people who really know how to lead and motivate others. Reduce the number of reps calling on the same physicians, instead, change the product mix.
Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?
make sure that you are a diversity candidate and say "president's club" over and over in the interview.
"Overall Bliss: Above Average"
AstraZeneca Review by Pharmaceutical Sales Representative in Marquette, MI on
What do you like about working at AstraZeneca?
Management was open to the ideas and sales creativity of the sales force.
What don't you like about working at AstraZeneca?
In retrospect, after working for a different pharmaceutical company, i realized Astra-Zeneca lack depth in their sales and clinical trainings. Their training was superior to other industries. Yet, in direct comparison with the sales and clinical training I received at Boehringer-Ingelheim, Astra-Zeneca's was sub par at best.
What suggestions do you have for management?
Invest in sales and clinical training for sale force.
Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?
Close your interviews!
"Overall Bliss: Below Average"
AstraZeneca Review by Pharmaceutical Representative in San Jose, CA on
What do you like about working at AstraZeneca?
I like the Physicians and staff members that I run into everyday, I also like being in the Healthcare field.
What don't you like about working at AstraZeneca?
My gerographic territory is very far from Las Vegas, I would prefer to be closer to southern Nevada.
What suggestions do you have for management?
There are too many managers which makes them micromanage, also most of the statistical data is obsure and nobody seems to know where it comes from.
Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?
I would reccomend any job in this economy to other job seekers, however if there is another option I would take it.
"Direct, informative, and comprehensive"
AstraZeneca Review by Pharmaceutical Sales Specialist in New York, NY on
What do you like about working at AstraZeneca?
The ability to interface my interpersonal skills, charmisma, intelligent, and past medical experience.
What don't you like about working at AstraZeneca?
No upward mobility in the corporate hierarchy. Inability to engage is off-label intellectual discussions with doctors becuase against sales guidelines. It stumped my ability to flex mental muscle and become an asset to MD's.
What suggestions do you have for management?
Reward and promote the movers and shakers who get the job done, regardless of corporate politics.
"Overall Bliss: Above Average"
AstraZeneca Review by Cardiovascular Sales Specialist on
What do you like about working at AstraZeneca?
I work as a field rep and I adore the physicians that I call on. I enjoy education them on scientific studies and bringing value to them and the patients they treat.
What don't you like about working at AstraZeneca?
My territory is a bit far from where I live, over an hour. So that means I drive more than what is typical for a representative. In large pharmaceutical companies, there have been a lot of layoff's in the last few years, and I am about to go through the 4th layoff in 3 years with this company.
"Couldn't wait to leave - Overall company morale was awful. "
AstraZeneca Review by Pharmaceutical Sales Specialist in San Diego, CA on
What do you like about working at AstraZeneca?
Quitting. That was the best part of my tenure there.
What don't you like about working at AstraZeneca?
Everything. The company is horrible. Everyone I know has either left or is fighting to find another job so they can leave. Work life balance was a joke. Compensation was a cruel joke. Micromanagement was a sick joke.
What suggestions do you have for management?
Focus on employees and the results will take care of themselves.
Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?
Yes. Don't interview with them. They are HORRIBLE.
AstraZeneca Review by Sales Representative on
What do you like about working at AstraZeneca?
the money, freedom in territory, meeting lots of people, dinner programs, interesting speakers, interesting topics, variety in work
What don't you like about working at AstraZeneca?
micromanaged. Must fit a certain mold. No room for individuality.
What suggestions do you have for management?
Allow more individuality in the sales approach. Less time time away in hotel doing useless things. Shorter meetings and training, but focused on the what is needed and less on fillers.
Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?
be perky, be positive, be a Barbie or Ken, have connections
User Comments
| This company is the most devicive I have ever been with. They claim transparecy? whateverer! they take only care of the executives with no regard to whom pays their pay checks. There are some incredible individuals at this company, but, those are silenced or forced out. unreal! why would anyone "drink this Kool-aid"? Does anyone remember they died? I personally have no problem stating clearly what is going on. promise- they will find a way to remove me- understood! no momey , no respect- but the big dogs are supper happy! Unreal!?\ | 04.06.12 |
"Content, but looking for new challenges"
AstraZeneca Review by Hospital Pharmaceutical Specialist in Los Angeles, CA on
What do you like about working at AstraZeneca?
Freedom to construct my own business strategies and implement them in a way that I determine will be the most profitable.
What don't you like about working at AstraZeneca?
Looking for new challenges
What suggestions do you have for management?
Sometimes executive management teams do not recognize the value and/or role of hospital sales specialist; particularly with regard to developing key thought leaders.
Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?
Be prepared for industry-wide changes and increasing levels of regulatory control.
AstraZeneca Stats
- Industry Average
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