New to Medical Affairs? It's All About the Position, Angle, and the Frame.

Everyone working in the industry understands that it's a fast-paced environment. It's constantly evolving and so are the needs in terms of talent.

But what if you don't have years of direct experience? How do you position yourself and show your value proposition?

For many companies, here's what the hiring/recruiting team sees from the inside looking out:

• We can use a fresh perspective. Someone who can bring in practical, real-world experience.
• We need someone with a different skillset that complements the existing team.
• We need someone who is a self-starter, quick study, great communicator, and collaborator / team-player.
• The rest, we can train.

But what many candidates see from the outside see looking in:

• I don't have the experience.
• I am not sure how to apply myself to the new role.
• I haven't done much of what's listed in the job description.

How to resolve this divide? Here are a few things candidates can do to frame and position themselves in the best light:

The Position: Know Thyself and the Role.

• What are your core key strengths?
• What are some of the overlapping experiences? Think therapeutic experience, research exposure, soft-skills like project management, publications/writing, teaching, scientific/clinical collaborations, etc.
• How have you helped others?
• What get's you most excited?
• What does the job entail? Relate and find that overlap.

The Angle:

• Candidates' overarching theme? A New and Fresh Perspective
• Enriching, and complementing the current available skillsets
• Bringing in new ideas, approaches and leadership.
• Overall, your addition will take the team, and organization to the next level!

The Frame: Addressing Their Needs

• Understand the needs of the organization. How to find? Ask people from within and do your research.
• Be compelling - how will you help or add value? Be specific with examples.
• Show your potential - discuss you have overcome challenges, and troubleshoot issues, that are relevant to the role.
• Use the STAR (Situation, Task,?Action, Results)?or CAR (Context, Action, Results)

??S: What is the problem / issue?

??T: "So what?", ie, why should anyone care about it?

??A: How you solved / addressed the problem

??R: What was the Impact / Outcome?

KEEP THE STORY SHORT AND SWEET

• Be eager, be grateful, show active listening.
• Be engaging! Nothing can kill interviews faster than lack of engagement (ie, lack of eye contact, lack of energy, not asking the right questions).