Your First 90 Days in a Pharma/Biotech Job: How to Set Yourself Up for Success

Starting a new role in pharma or biotech can feel like drinking from a firehose—so much information, new acronyms, unfamiliar systems, and a corporate culture that’s often very different from agency or academia.

You're probably wondering how I know all this. Well, I’ve changed teams multiple times, moved companies, and stepped into new roles where I had to learn fast. And let me tell you—I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way. But the good news? I’m sharing everything I’ve learned so you can avoid the same pitfalls and set yourself up for success from day one.

Here’s what you need to do in your first 90 days to integrate quickly, understand expectations, and make an impact.

Week 1-4: Lay the Groundwork & Get Aligned

? Understand internal networks & collaboration styles

• Every team operates differently—some prefer weekly meetings, others rely on email updates or shared docs.
• Ask how your team likes to communicate so you don’t waste time chasing responses the wrong way.

? Clarify expectations & deliverables ASAP

• Meet with your manager and key stakeholders to ask:What are my top priorities?What projects do I need to deliver?What does success look like in my first 3 months?

? Shift your mindset

• If you’re coming from an agency or academia, reframe your approach—you’re no longer just executing work; you’re now influencing strategy and navigating internal processes.

? Complete mandatory training & get system access

• Register for compliance, pharmacovigilance, and internal platforms (e.g., Veeva Vault, Zinc, Datavision).
• Ask colleagues how they organize files—pharma loves its document management systems, and getting this right early will save you headaches later.

? Meet key stakeholders & decision-makers early

• Map out who’s who and who impacts your success—medical, commercial, regulatory, market access, legal, etc.
• Schedule intro meetings and ask how they prefer to work with you.

? Create a personal reference document ??

• Track important acronyms & definitions (because pharma LOVES acronyms).
• Save useful links to key documents, training modules, and internal tools.
• Write down key contacts—knowing who to ask for what will make your life much easier!

Week 5-8: Deepen Your Understanding & Build Relationships

? Study strategic documents (not just scientific papers)

• Understand the bigger picture by reading:Brand plansMarket research reportsAdvisory board summariesKey messaging documents

? Find an internal “buddy” or mentor

• Someone who knows the company culture and unspoken rules—this is invaluable.

? Understand how external experts fit in

• Shadow an MSL (Medical Science Liaison) or attend an advisory board meeting to see how the company engages with healthcare professionals.

? Observe how decisions are made

• Pharma is highly cross-functional, and nothing happens in isolation. Pay attention to who signs off on what, how long approvals take, and who holds the real influence.

Week 9-12: Start Driving Impact & Build Your Reputation

? Move from listening to contributing

• By now, you should be actively participating in meetings, offering insights, and showing strategic thinking.

? Take ownership of your projects

• Ensure you know:Objectives (Why is this project important?)Key stakeholders (Who needs to approve it?)Deadlines & roadblocks (What could delay progress?)

? Position yourself for career growth

• Think about where you want to specialize—Medical Affairs, Real-World Evidence, Market Access, Commercial Strategy?
• Look for mentorship, stretch projects, and learning opportunities in that area.

? Manage your personal brand internally

• Pharma is a relationship-driven industry—your reputation matters.
• Be proactive, reliable, and position yourself as someone who gets things done.

Learn Fast, Avoid Pitfalls & Take Control

Your first three months are about absorbing information, building relationships, and demonstrating value. The faster you understand how your team operates, what’s expected of you, and where you can make an impact, the sooner you’ll establish yourself as a key player.

?? Mistakes I Made So You Don’t Have To: ? Not asking early enough about expectations—so I worked on things that weren’t priorities. ? Not clarifying who approves what—so projects got delayed. ? Not keeping track of acronyms—so I sat through meetings confused.

?? Pro Tip: Create a personal "cheat sheet" with key acronyms, links, and contacts—it will be your best friend in the first few months!