There is definitely a cyclical nature to hiring Medical Science Liaisons and Medical Affairs professionals. Typically, peak season for recruitment and hiring is from March to June, which is the time-frame in and around which MSLs collect their annual bonuses. However, Medical Science Liaison hiring continues throughout the year, regardless of the seasonal highs and lows. As we enter the summer months and intense hiring activity tends to slow down, one question you may be asking yourself is, “How do I continue to maintain a productive job search during this slower period?”

To help answer this question, I polled the Medical Affairs recruiters on my team to gain a variety of firsthand insights from them, including best practices and advice for active job-seekers that they would give to MSLs to be successful.

Arielle Perrusio, Executive Recruiter:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielle-perrusio-239020a5/

It is important to stay focused on your goals. Set time aside to scour the internet for openings and stay organized. If there are certain companies you’ve had on your radar, make those your starting point before branching out. Additionally, the slower summer months can be a great time to think of your job search as more of a networking opportunity. Sending out connection invites to MSLs or Hiring Managers at those companies and interacting with their LinkedIn posts could be a great way to stand out from the crowd.

Anne Marie Neggia, Executive Recruiter:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-marie-neggia-6a4270139/

My biggest piece of advice to those currently navigating a job search is to be patient. Keep in mind that you want to be happy with the new position you accept. Make sure you are choosing a company that you expect to be with for a while, and that fits with your expectations of workplace culture and structure, (as well as one that fits your lifestyle outside of work). The best practice would be to reach out to a recruiter and explain what you’re looking for. Don’t settle – something that fits your needs is bound to come your way. Otherwise, you may find yourself on the job market again sooner than you thought.

Stephanie Shapiro, Executive Recruiter:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-shapiro-b14171172/

Consistency is key. Whether it is March or August, maintain a daily and weekly effort of job search activities that will help you work closer to your next position. It is easy to say to yourself, “well, it’s the summer, so I may as well wait until September or October.” If you are truly eager for a new MSL role, you may not want to wait nor would you want to miss out on the right opportunity. Stick to your goals and continue to engage with recruiters and companies in hopes to stand out to hiring managers and possibly future teammates.

Bridget Rasmusson, Director of Client Services:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-rasmusson-672762106/

The summer months are an ideal time to thoroughly edit all of your interview/resume materials and make sure you are well-prepared to apply when that perfect job comes along. Make sure that your resume is 100% up-to-date and accurate – check your dates, add any responsibilities that you’ve acquired in the past few months or year, and edit your Professional Summary if you’ve gained any new responsibilities or experience. Summer is a great time to take a step back, do some self-reflection on what you truly want in your next job, and to make sure your materials are prepared – this way, you’ll be ready to apply to the right position when it surfaces.

Dan Herr, Director of Recruiting Operations:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/herrdaniel/

It is extremely important to network and connect with current MSLs, including those in your home city, as well as colleagues from current or previous organizations. Check LinkedIn to see who has started at a company recently to see if they may have any connections to new opportunities. Lastly, because there are a finite number of positions available, be selective. Don’t just send your resume into the “black hole,” i.e. any ATS system or LinkedIn job posting out there. Make sure you are really tailoring your application and CV to each job if you have the relevant experience. It can make a big difference in your response rate.

Manja Molan, Executive Recruiter:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manja-molan-4755b858/

Give yourself time limits on your search so that you don’t get burnt out. Set a specific amount of time aside and don’t sit behind your computer for hours on end. Take a step back and give yourself a small break from looking at the same job postings, LinkedIn connections, etc. Pick up other activities that may help you in your job search, such as finding a new podcast to listen to within your industry.  Keeping your mental health in check is important so that you don’t start to miss things or get overwhelmed.

Excellent advice from a talented group of experienced Medical Affairs and MSL recruiters. If I can add, timing is EVERYTHING. We never know when that perfect role is going to come along, so even though there are peak hiring months for MSLs, the ideal position could very well come along in July or August. I agree with all the great advice from my team and certainly wish all the Medical Science Liaison job-seekers out there a very safe and successful summer. Happy hunting!!

Bonus Question:

Is there a reason to postpone or hold off on a job search? That question can only be answered individually. It is really up to the person to decide how badly you want to find a new role. It is important to keep in mind that if you are searching for a new position in the summer months, you will likely wind up with a start date of July, August, or September – maybe even October. In which case, unless your new employer offers a sign-on bonus, you may be walking away from your annual bonus which you have already worked at least half the year towards.