What’s this all about?

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We’re here to help you learn about careers in MedComms and then, if you decide it’s of interest, to help you get your first job! Good luck.

Sign up to our FirstMedCommsJob Elert for regular updates for news of careers events, internships, open days and other relevant information.

We’re grateful for contributions from many members of the MedComms Networking community and specifically the following Sponsors of this FirstMedCommsJob service: AMICULUM Ltd, Ashfield Health, Envision Pharma Group, Fishawack Health, Helios Medical Communications, Lucid Group, McCann Health Medical Communications and Oxford PharmaGenesis.

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FirstMedCommsJob: In conversation with the medical writers

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In this webinar, we’re joined by Cassidy Fiford (Medical Writer, Oxford PharmaGenesis) and Danny Hawker (Senior Medical Writer, Ashfield MedComms) to talk about their own journeys into MedComms and their current roles, the day-to-day working life of medical writers, training opportunities and career prospects. Both panellists have been profiled in the new issue of our annual FirstMedCommsJob careers guide, From academic to medical writer: a guide to getting started in medical communications, published in March 2021. And we answer questions from the audience.

It should be of interest to anyone who is looking for insights in to MedComms as a career and how to maximise their chances of gaining an entry level job.

Recorded 31 March 2021 as a MedComms Networking webinar. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv

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Upcoming events

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Relevant upcoming careers events:

Check out www.MedCommsNetworking.com for many more meetings that you might find of interest. Many of which are online and so you can attend from wherever you are based. The following events should specifically be of interest to entry level job seekers…

FirstMedCommsJob Workshop
Writing skills for medical writers: what MedComms agencies expect
Venue: Global
Date: 09.30-13.00 UK time, 19-20 April 2021
[PROGRAMME AND REGISTRATION DETAILS]

WEEKLY #MEDCOMMS WEBINAR
FirstMedCommsJob: Shaping your future at Oxford PharmaGenesis
Venue: Global
Date: 12.00 UK time, 05 May 2021
[PROGRAMME AND REGISTRATION DETAILS]

WEEKLY #MEDCOMMS WEBINAR
FirstMedCommsJob: Is there a doctor in the house? The value of a medical degree for a career in MedComms
Venue: Global
Date: 12.00 UK time, 19 May 2021
[PROGRAMME AND REGISTRATION DETAILS]

I work in MedComms…

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Whilst preparing the new issue of our latest careers guide, From academic to medical writer: a guide to getting started in medical communications (published March 2021)  we invited people working in medical writing and editing positions in MedComms to tell us why they are doing so….

“I work in MedComms because I love the variety of work and being able to combine my creativity and love of science. I come from a clinical background and have been welcomed into an extremely knowledgeable and supportive team. I have seen the powerful impact that effective communication of cutting-edge research in medicine can have on patient care, so I find contributing to this extremely rewarding. The flexibility of remote working has also been a huge bonus for me. I’m excited to travel in the future and learn from leading experts in key therapy areas. I couldn’t be happier that I moved to MedComms!”

Kate Bevan, Associate Medical Writer at Adelphi Communications

“I work in MedComms because I will never stop being fascinated by how the human body works. I love that my job allows me to constantly learn about how different diseases develop, and how we can utilise technology in evermore creative ways to combat them.”

Alex Binks, Medical Writer at Synergy Vision Continue reading →

Careers guide – medical writing

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careersguidecover_369x525From academic to medical writer: a guide to getting started in medical communications

By Dr Annick Moon, 13th edition published March 2021 [Download your copy]

This guide focuses on medical writing careers in medical communications, in particular in MedComms agencies. The MedComms industry provides consultancy services to pharmaceutical companies, and the role of the medical writer is to use science and language to deliver these services successfully, while working to the highest ethical standards and adhering to industry regulations and guidelines.

The aim of this guide is to give you the information you need to decide if you are suited to the role of medical writer, and to provide the insider knowledge you need to excel at interview.

This issue includes ten personal profiles written by current medical writing specialists in leading MedComms agencies, describing their personal journeys in to MedComms and the day-to-day work they now do as well as an updated directory of agency contacts. Continue reading →

FirstMedCommsJob: Working in medical writing at Bioscript

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In this webinar, we hear from representatives from Bioscript who will talk about their company, and the different roles within their MedComms and Regulatory writing teams. On the panel we have Judy Brownsword (Customer Strategy Director), Rye Strutt (Regulatory Writer), Will Wilson (Account Executive) and Ciaran Wright (Scientific Director). You’ll learn about what they look for in entry-level staff, what training is provided and what are the career prospects across the group. And we answer questions from the audience.

It should be of interest to anyone who is looking for insights in to MedComms as a career and how to maximise their chances of gaining an entry level job.

Recorded 10 February 2021 as a MedComms Networking webinar. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv

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Achieving your best results in an video interview

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So, hopefully after reading our CV guide you have now secured yourself an interview. The majority of companies during the pandemic have had to pivot to virtual interviewing. Despite this shift the most important advice doesn’t actually change (read our article on general interview tips for medcomms). However, to help your next video interview go as smoothly as possible we’ve collated some specific tips from speaking with clients and candidates sitting on both sides of the interviewing process.

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Getting the most out of your recruiter – specialist advice

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When you find a recruiter you gel with it can be the beginning of a life-long relationship, a trusted partner you can turn to for professional advice at any stage of your career. It’s worth remembering that a lot of jobs don’t get advertised and a professional, specialist recruiter can give you inside information on the medcomms market that is hard to find anywhere else. Your recruiter may hold the ticket to your dream job, so here are some tips on getting the most out of that relationship.

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Top CV Tips – specialist advice

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Screen Shot 2017-03-30 at 17.38.50Your CV is one of the most important documents you will ever write. It is a sales tool to get you an interview, so it is important to get it right.

Think: you are the brand and your CV is the sales document.

The right choice of words genuinely makes a difference as to whether you get the job or not. Read our tips below to ensure you show any potential employer just why they should hire you!

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A Guide to Interviews

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Screen Shot 2017-03-30 at 17.38.50Whether you’ve been in the MedComms industry for years or are looking for your first job, interviews can be daunting. Getting the right job boils down to the potential employer being convinced that you’re passionate about them and their work, that you would be an asset and to you being sure this is the right company and job for you. The interview process has to make these things happen and, in each of the steps below, you should have that end in sight. During lockdown, of course, everything is online and Zoom interviews have become the norm, but all the principles of interviewing remain the same.

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