Skip to main content
SEARCH

4 things you need to know to get ahead in Medical Communications

Getting a foot in the door in the world of Medical Communications is only the first step in your journey to a successful career as a writer or editor. Not only do you need to balance your excellent writing skills with the scientific knowledge required to speak authoritatively about your chosen subject to GPs, academics and more, you also need to develop the business smarts needed to climb the career ladder.

With the UK Pharmaceuticals industry flourishing - and with R&D spending hitting £4.8 billion in just a year - the demand for skilled Medical Communications professionals to spread the word about the latest developments in devices and drugs has soared. Indeed, the time is ripe for you to seize the moment and develop your career. 

Here’s how.

Work on your expertise

Though you might think that you know everything you need to about the Medical industry- and about your area of expertise- it’s never too late to continue improving on your knowledge. The Pharma industry is developing at a colossal rate: in the last ten years alone, we’ve seen the birth of gene-editing technology, ever-smarter Biotech solutions to a variety of diseases and ailments, and much more. As scientists continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in science, and new products enter the market, don’t get left behind. Subscribe to pharmaceutical magazines if you don’t already: it’ll give you a good knowledge of what’s going on in the industry, and who the movers and shakers are. It’s not just the medical sector you need to brush up on, either: knowing how to research and condense your research into a succinct message is key to being a successful professional working in Medical Communications, but so is knowing how to market yourself, and get key marketing messages across in your work. Brush up on your techniques: go to content marketing or Medical Communications conferences and find out what the latest trends are in the industry. It will come as no surprise that written communication is one the top skills you need to be a successful Medical Writer because it will allow you to offer a cutting-edge service to your clients.

How organised are you?

59% of employees are disengaged or actively disengaged at work, and whilst you may not be one of them, any kind of lethargy or inability to finish projects on time can prove dangerous when it comes to building a successful career in Medical Communications. Being a good Medical Writer is all about being able to work to deadlines and manage multiple projects effectively. After all, how will your clients trust you if you can’t deliver work on time?  

Whether it’s by timetabling slots for certain tasks, working in forty-minute segments with ten minute breaks, or assigning time at the start and end of the day to deal with the pesky emails that can soak up a lot of your time and concentration, make sure that you keep a cool head and keep up to date with everything that you’ve promised to deliver.

Find a mentor

Building on your experience is essential if you want to forge a strong career in Medical Communications, as is building up a strong client base. For that, you need to network and it’s one of the most helpful tips for becoming a medical writer. The more comfortable that you are in speaking to senior people in the industry, the better you’ll become at client meetings, at pitching, and at finding the information you need to write great pieces for your job.  

There are multiple ways you can start cultivating your network, the most traditional being attending industry events. But with technology continuing to change the modern workforce the digital space is a great place to take your networking and meet new contacts. There are multiple Medical Communications groups online, such as MedCommsNetworking or LinkedIn groups like Healthcare Marketing Network or the Forum for Healthcare Strategists where you can swap insights with the rest of the industry and expand your knowledge of the latest trends.

Find the right company for you

One of the most important things you can do if you want to advance your career in Medical Communications is ensure that you work for a company that suits you. Getting started in Medical Communications can seem daunting at first since it’s such a huge and varied industry: you could be working for a small agency, or for a Pharma giant, so make sure your values and motivations line up with those of your prospective employer before you start looking for new jobs- or decide to stay in your current one. Are they working in a sector that you’re passionate about, or that you’ve done a PhD in? Do they have a good company culture? Once you’ve found a place that suits you, you’ll be much more motivated and enthusiastic about what you’re doing, and go further as a result. After all, happy employees are 13% more productive.

Go further at IQVIA

We go the extra mile to connect talented professionals with jobs where they can thrive. We have over 10,000 field professionals helping our clients to launch and promote their products around the globe and bring patients closer to treatments that will save or improve their lives. Take the next step in your career with us and browse our medical communications jobs today; alternatively, why not browse our articles for more insights into life in the Pharma industry? 

List #1

IQVIA Related insights

Diana Heres - Service Development Executive at IQVIA Interface
What does career growth mean at IQVIA? Q&A with Diana Heres

Teaser

Medical Sales & Services

Content Type

Article

Published

24/10/2024

Summary

We caught up with Diana Heres, a Service Development Executive at IQVIA Interface, on her career development journey with us so far.  Diana shares her journey to help answer questions such as “How do

Teaser

Diana shares her journey to help answer questions such as “How do I build up my career?”

Read more
Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

Corinne Scott, Client Services Manager at IQVIA
Client Services Manager Corinne Scott shares her career change advice

Teaser

General

Content Type

Article

Published

08/10/2024

Summary

Recently, we interviewed Corinne Scott, Client Services Manager at IQVIA for her insight into how to decide a career change.  Corinne shared her own journey and valuable advice with us to help answer

Teaser

We interviewed Corinne Scott, Client Services Manager, for her insight on changing careers.

Read more
Corinne  Scott

by

Corinne Scott

Corinne  Scott

by

Corinne Scott

man typing at a laptop with a coffee next to his laptop.
What is a Virtual Sales Representative and how can you become one?

Teaser

Sales

Content Type

Article

Published

04/10/2024

Summary

Virtual Sales has a growing presence in the healthcare and medical solutions industry, especially since the pandemic. Virtual Sales is set to be the new normal, even as we’ve emerged on the other side

Teaser

Virtual Sales is set to be the new normal, even as we’ve emerged on the other side of COVID.

Read more
A clipboard on a table while two peoples arms are visible resting over it.
How do I explain my technical skills in an interview?

Teaser

General

Content Type

Article

Published

27/09/2024

Summary

Kickstarting or switching your career is only made easier by having solid technical skills under your belt. Technical skills are expertise and specialised knowledge that you enhance throughout your c

Teaser

Kickstarting or switching your career is only made easier by having solid technical skills.

Read more
Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

A laptop, notebook, and phone on a desk with a virtual image of Biological molecules.
What can you do with a biomedical science degree at IQVIA?

Teaser

Sales

Content Type

Article

Published

18/09/2024

Summary

If you’re a recent or soon-to-be graduate of biomedical science, and have realised that a laboratory-based career may not be the right direction for you, you may be wondering what other career opti

Teaser

Working in medical sales (or an allied role) could be a great choice to consider after graduating.

Read more
Tracey Smith

by

Tracey Smith

Tracey Smith

by

Tracey Smith

four hands, each holding a piece of a jigsaw, placing the pieces together.
The top 4 medical sales rep challenges and how to overcome them

Teaser

Medical Sales & Services

Content Type

Article

Published

17/09/2024

Summary

Stepping into any role in the healthcare sector comes with its challenges, and being a successful medical sales representative is no exception.  Whether you’re an experienced sales rep and feel confi

Teaser

Stepping into any role in the healthcare sector comes with its challenges

Read more
Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

A man and a woman sat at a computer, both are wearing business-wear.
How to kickstart your medical affairs career

Teaser

Medical Affairs & Services

Content Type

Article

Published

13/08/2024

Summary

Medical Affairs is a fast-paced sector and the work is so varied that no two days will look the same.  Medical affairs professionals working in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device in

Teaser

Medical Affairs is a fast-paced sector and the work is so varied that no two days will look the same.

Read more
Medical technology concept - a virtual screen with med tech symbols.
The roles IQVIA offers in MedTech

Teaser

Medical Affairs & Services

Content Type

Article

Published

31/07/2024

Summary

At IQVIA, we recruit for various roles within the MedTech sphere and we’re always looking for professionals keen to move healthcare forward.  In this article, we’ll outline the market for MedTech so

Teaser

We’ve outlined just some of the field-based roles IQVIA has to offer in MedTech.

Read more
Tracey Smith

by

Tracey Smith

Tracey Smith

by

Tracey Smith

Some hands at a laptop with a virtual screen popping out of it showing data and trends.
What is the outlook for the global oncology market in 2024?

Teaser

Medical

Content Type

Article

Published

30/07/2024

Summary

In IQVIA, we support customers in their mission to get drugs to patients. As such, we recognise the value of keeping track of the latest market trends, developments, and insights.  Modern healthcare

Teaser

Oncology is just one example of a rapidly advancing field in 2024.

Read more
Catherine Scott

by

Catherine Scott

Catherine Scott

by

Catherine Scott

A lab setting with a clinician looking at a tablet.
What is clinical pharmacology?

Teaser

Clinical Operations

Content Type

Article

Published

23/07/2024

Summary

Clinical pharmacology, a specialised branch of biomedical science, holds a pivotal role in developing vital drugs and ensuring their effective use in patients.  Clinical pharmacologists bridge the ga

Teaser

Clinical pharmacology holds a pivotal role in developing vital drugs and ensuring their effective use in patients.

Read more
Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

Smiling female executive making successful deal with partner shaking hand at work.
How to specialise in oncology sales

Teaser

Sales

Content Type

Article

Published

23/07/2024

Summary

Oncologists focus on diagnosing and treating cancer while overseeing treatment and managing post-treatment care. The oncology drugs market worldwide is expected to reach a market volume of $268bn by

Teaser

When it comes to medical sales, we dive into how you can specialise in oncology.

Read more
Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

Ruth Lynn

by

Ruth Lynn

Group of three young coworkers working together in a sunny office.Man typing on computer keyboard. Woman pointing hand to desktop screen. Horizontal image, blurred background
What does a market access manager do and why should you become one?

Teaser

General

Content Type

Article

Published

17/07/2024

Summary

Market access is all about preparing a drug for market entry, and as such it’s a vitally important part of the drug development process and wider pharmaceutical industry. While for pharmaceutical an

Teaser

Market access is all about preparing a drug for market entry, and as such it’s a vitally important part of the drug development process and wider pharmaceutical industry.

Read more