Your 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!
Whether 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.
Most hiring managers will check out your social media profiles before they even invite you for an interview, so it’s essential to carry out an audit before you start applying for jobs. For obvious reasons, this is especially important in the communications industry. It’s vital that you ensure a potential employer won’t see anything off-putting. It’s also critical that you prove you can use social media to good effect. The following should help you do both.
The business of medical communications: a guide to getting started in account management
By Lindsey Heer, 4th edition published January 2021
As we explain in this guide, the terminology, job titles and specific roles of account managers or project managers in MedComms agencies can vary, but effective account management is always critical. This new guide helps explain how that happens in practice and provides you with an understanding of both the challenges and the rewards that come from a career in MedComms. We believe reading this guide will give you the edge to getting that first job.
This issue includes nine personal profiles written by current specialists in leading MedComms agencies, describing their personal journeys in to MedComms and the day-to-day work they now do, and an up-to-date directory of agency contacts. Continue reading
In this webinar, we’re joined by John Gonzalez, the author of our new FirstMedCommsJob careers guide “Ensuring timely dissemination of research: A guide to working as a medical publications professional“, published in October 2020. The expert panel also includes Kat Ayling-Rouse (Scientific Director), Roz Bonomally (Senior Medical Writer) and Andrea Cifelli (Global Lead) from Envision Pharma Group. We talk about the roles involved in the publications management team and discuss the ethical and regulatory environment within which medical publications professionals work. And we answer questions from the audience.
It should be of interest to anyone working in and around MedComms, in particular those with a specialist interest in publications management and wanting to understand more about their career opportunities.
Recorded 02 December 2020 as a MedComms Networking webinar. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv
Ensuring timely dissemination of research: a guide to working as a medical publications professional
By Dr John P Gonzalez CMPP, 1st edition published October 2020
The aim of this guide is to provide an overview of medical publications management. As well as explaining the processes and the regulatory environment, we provide a number of profiles from specialist medical publications professionals that give valuable insights into the various different roles involved to help you determine if you’d like to join the team.
The 1st edition of this careers guide about working as a medical publications professional is freely available here, published by Burntsky Ltd in October 2020, and it will now be updated every year.
This issue includes six personal profiles written by medical publications professionals, describing their personal journeys and the day-to-day work they now do.
Pubication of this careers guide has been supported by Envision Pharma Group.
In this webinar, we’re joined by Jane Smith (AMICULUM), Rebecca Douglas (Ashfield Healthcare Communications), Karen Kent (Envision Pharma Group), Diane Sutherland (Fishawack Health) and Petula Coutinho (Oxford PharmaGenesis), to talk about the different roles within their teams, what they look for in entry-level staff, what training is provided and what are the career prospects. We look back on the experiences of recruitment during the pandemic and consider implications for the future. 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 30 September 2020 as a MedComms Networking webinar. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv Continue reading
A writer’s role in drug development: a guide to getting started in regulatory medical writing
By Dr Debbie Brix Reynolds, 2nd edition published September 2020
This guide aims to provide an insight into regulatory medical writing with a focus on drug development as opposed to medical devices, although writers work in both areas. It explores the roles and attributes of the writer, tips on winning your first regulatory writing role and help in deciding whether this would be the career for you, drawing comparisons with working in MedComms.
The 2nd edition of this careers guide about regulatory medical writing is freely available here, published by Burntsky Ltd in September 2020, and it will now be updated every year.
Pubication of this careers guide has been supported by Insight Medical Writing. Continue reading
In this webinar, we’re joined by Linda Harrison, freelance writer and author of the annual careers guide, “Evidence generation and communication: a guide to getting started in HEOR/market access medical writing“. Linda is joined by Manca Povsic (AMICULUM) and Amy Sears (Adelphi Values | PROVE), HEOR and market access specialists who are profiled in the new edition of the guide, which was published in June 2020. Together they explain what the agencies are looking for and provide tips to help you get your first job. 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 8 July 2020 as a MedComms Networking webinar. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv
Continue reading
Evidence generation and communication: a guide to getting started in HEOR/market access medical writing
By Linda Harrison, 3rd edition published June 2020 [Download your copy
This guide focuses on medical writing roles in the HEOR/market access arenas, but will be of interest to anyone who wants to understand more about the business of ensuring access to new medicines and devices for patients. If you have an interest in the commercial aspects of healthcare delivery and in helping deliver value to patients, a passion for writing and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, then working in HEOR/market access might be for you. This guide will provide you with an in-depth introduction to this specialist area.
This issue includes eight personal profiles written by current specialists in leading HEOR/market access companies, describing their personal journeys and the day-to-day work they now do.
The third edition of this careers guide about HEOR and market access medical writing is freely available here, published by Burntsky Ltd in June 2020, and it will now be updated every year. Continue reading
