The question: “Do you need a PhD to get an entry-level job in #MedComms medical writing in the UK?”
The answer: “Possibly. But not necessarily.”
So, that’s crystal clear then! Can we do better?
During January 2019 we collected data on entry-level writers employed by UK MedComms agencies in 2018. The short report was posted on Linkedin and has attracted some useful comments from others.
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.
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We’re grateful for contributions from many members of the MedComms Networking community and specifically the following Sponsors: AMICULUM Ltd, Ashfield Healthcare Communications, Envision Pharma Group, Fishawack Group, Helios Medical Communications, Highfield, Lucid Group and Oxford PharmaGenesis.
More and more 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!
Adrian Brown, a Training Consultant in Healthcare Communications, provides an overview of the role of the MedComms agency in supporting the strategic communications planning process in the pharmaceutical industry.
Recorded 5 April 2017 at a MedComms Networking event in Oxford. Produced by NetworkPharma.tv
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 med comms 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.
Here are some quotes that were published in the most recent (March 2017) issue of our annual careers guide, from individuals who are currently happily working in MedComms.
“I work in MedComms because after graduating I knew I wanted to stay close to the scientific field, but get as far away from the lab as possible! Medical writing was my solution. It has allowed me to further expand my scientific knowledge and keep up to date with new and exciting treatments, all while communicating them in a unique and creative way.”
Maha Ayub, Junior Medical Writer at Havas Lynx
“I work in MedComms because after finishing my PhD I realised that my future in science lays outside the lab. Working as a medical writer has allowed me to move away from the bench but, at the same time, I can be at the forefront of medical science and enjoy a great variety of projects across different therapy areas. I’ve read somewhere that “Medical writing is both a science and an art as it requires an understanding in medical science and an aptitude for writing”. I couldn’t agree more and I feel so fortunate to live it every day.”
Georgia Bakirtzi, Medical Writer at Fishawack Communications
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. The right choice of words can genuinely make a difference as to whether you get that dream job or not. Stick to our tips below to ensure you show any potential employer just why they should hire you!
