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nicole, senior territory manager at irhythm technologies: Advize Career Interview
A career in medical device sales offers dynamic variety and significant impact.
This professional's journey began with a political science and business degree, fueled by early internships and a passion for the field solidified by hands-on experience.
A senior territory manager at iRhythm Technologies, this individual manages a large California territory, balancing in-person meetings, online training, and administrative tasks.
Success requires a social personality, grit, self-motivation, and a willingness to learn and adapt.
While navigating challenges like insurance obstacles and a demanding quota is part of the role, the most rewarding aspect is the intersection of medical devices and technology, improving healthcare and helping people feel better.
Aspiring professionals should research company culture, considering the male-dominated nature of the industry, and focus on building experience through entry-level positions like marketing coordinator or associate sales representative roles.
Perseverance, networking, and leveraging transferable skills from a business degree or extracurricular activities are key to success.
The interview highlights the importance of internships, developing leadership skills, and maintaining ethical standards in a potentially challenging environment.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
nicole gutierrez
senior territory manager
irhythm technologies
University of Arizona
n/a
Political Science, American Studies
Healthcare
Sales and Client Management
None Applicable
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Career Path of a Senior Territory Manager at iRhythm Technologies
Nicole's career path began with a political science and business degree, and a father who insisted on summer jobs/internships, leading to a medical device internship during freshman year. Exposure to the field, including "a cadaver training," solidified a passion for sales and training within the medical device industry, culminating in internships with several companies across different departments before graduating and beginning the job hunt.
Main Responsibilities Of A Senior Territory Manager At iRhythm Technologies
As a senior territory manager at iRhythm Technologies, Nicole manages a large territory in California, calling on various medical specialties—"one day I can be in a cardiology office...the next day, going to a primary care office"—requiring diverse responsibilities from in-person client meetings to online trainings and administrative tasks. This variety, combined with continuous professional development, keeps Nicole's role engaging and dynamic.
A Day In The Life Of A Senior Territory Manager At Irhythm Technologies
A senior territory manager at iRhythm Technologies prioritizes daily tasks based on a rolling forecast, focusing on "low hanging fruit" and meetings with "a sooner close date" to meet yearly quotas. This approach, considering the "longer sell cycle" involving platform sales, Epic integration, and product training, allows for efficient management of a large territory and a diverse sales pipeline.
Most Important Skills for a Senior Territory Manager at iRhythm Technologies
Nicole, a senior territory manager at iRhythm Technologies, highlights the importance of a "social engaging" personality, "grit," and self-motivation in medical device sales, emphasizing the need for both independent work and collaboration. The willingness to learn, adapt, and even take on "little projects" outside the typical sales role, such as their participation in a West Area Journal club, is crucial for continuous growth and clinical savvy in this field.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Senior Territory Manager At iRhythm Technologies
Nicole's biggest challenge as a senior territory manager at iRhythm Technologies is navigating "objections...a little bit out of [her] control," such as insurance issues, while simultaneously managing a demanding sales quota and prioritizing time effectively amidst a heavy workload; this highlights the complexities of balancing external factors with individual performance goals in a high-pressure sales environment.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Health Tech Industry As A Senior Territory Manager
Nicole, a senior territory manager at iRhythm Technologies, finds the most rewarding aspect of her career to be the intersection of "medical device and technology," allowing her to combine a passion for wellness and the human body with the application of technology in healthcare, ultimately "trying to make it better, trying to help people feel better." This role allows Nicole to leverage both her interest in healthcare and her belief in technology's potential to improve the industry.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Healthcare Technology Industry, According To A Senior Territory Manager At IRhythm Technologies
Nicole, a senior territory manager at iRhythm Technologies, identifies a successful professional in the medical device industry as someone with "an openness or a willingness to learn," "grit, tenacity," and a "competitive or money motivated spirit," coupled with the ability to remain flexible and resilient in the face of rejection. The desire to "help people and work to improve the healthcare system" is also key to thriving.
What a Senior Territory Manager at iRhythm Technologies Wishes They Had Known before Entering the Medical Device Industry
Nicole, a senior territory manager at iRhythm Technologies, advises aspiring medical device professionals to thoroughly research company culture before accepting a position, emphasizing that the industry is "very male dominated" with a potential "bro culture." This research should include reaching out to current employees on LinkedIn to assess whether a company's values align with their own and to identify potential mentors, while also establishing boundaries against unacceptable behaviors.
Entry-level positions for aspiring Senior Territory Managers
Nicole's career progression highlights the value of entry-level marketing coordinator roles in medical device companies as a pathway to sales, emphasizing proactive networking ("being very vocal with what you want") and seeking opportunities like associate sales representative positions to gain experience and demonstrate commitment for promotion to territory manager roles. The interview also suggests business-to-business sales experience as an alternative entry point into the medical device industry.
Career Lesson from a Senior Territory Manager at iRhythm Technologies
Nicole's significant career lesson is perseverance: "For every 10 to 15 nos, you'll have one yes," highlighting the importance of persistent effort despite setbacks like initial rejections due to lack of sales experience. This involved continuously improving skills, networking, and applying until success was achieved.
College Experiences That Helped a Senior Territory Manager at iRhythm Succeed
Nicole, a senior territory manager at iRhythm Technologies, emphasizes the importance of internships to gain field-specific experience and suggests a business major for its transferable skills. Active participation in extracurricular leadership roles, such as "student government and sorority," helped develop valuable "life skills" and fostered confidence in putting oneself forward, ultimately contributing to career success.
How Identity Has Influenced A Senior Territory Manager At IRhythm Technologies' Career
Nicole, a senior territory manager in the male-dominated medical device sales field, emphasizes the importance of "staying true to your values and ethics" and "demanding that you are treated with respect" to navigate career challenges. Building rapport, trust, and confidence through respectful interactions are key, as "it all catches up to them" when dealing with disrespectful individuals.
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