{"id":107,"date":"2014-01-23T13:26:43","date_gmt":"2014-01-23T10:26:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/phdcareerguide.org\/?p=107"},"modified":"2021-02-20T22:02:28","modified_gmt":"2021-02-20T19:02:28","slug":"is-it-possible-to-break-into-the-medical-science-liaison-role-without-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phdcareerguide.org\/is-it-possible-to-break-into-the-medical-science-liaison-role-without-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it possible to break into the Medical Science Liaison role without experience?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
By\u00a0Dr.\u00a0Samuel Dyer<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n I often get asked the question \u201cIs it possible to break into the Medical Science Liaison role without experience?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Yes, it is clearly possible because it’s important to realize that everyone started as an MSL for the first time without prior experience (myself included).\u00a0 The question is- HOW did they do it?\u00a0 There are a number of things you can do to improve your chances of landing your first MSL role including:\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 1) Start educating yourself on the MSL role by reading articles on the role, interview techniques, what to expect on the job, etc. You will find a number of free articles at http:\/\/careercenter.themsls.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 2) Start to build contacts within the Medical Science Liaison community and with MSL recruiters. One easy way to begin building your contacts is with LinkedIn. Recruiters are an invaluable resource to learn about the role.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 3) Join MSL-related LinkedIn<\/a> groups.\u00a0 The largest group for MSLs and Medical Affairs is \u201cMedical Science Liaison and Medical Affairs Networkers<\/a>\u201d.\u00a0 Contribute to LinkedIn discussions on groups. This will help with networking.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 4) Review multiple job descriptions to familiarize yourself with the role and the verbiage used for the role. Learn the language of the role.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 5) In terms of reviewing and applying for roles, focus on roles that are within your Therapeutic Area or Disease specialty ONLY! This will increase your chances greatly and you will be able to position yourself as an expert. Applying for roles in other TA\u2019s is almost a complete waste of time as your application\/CV<\/a> will almost always be immediately discarded.<\/p>\r\n