Medical writing is a great entry-level career if you’re looking to break into the medical industry. It is one of the most sought-after and lucrative careers in multiple health-related organisations. But, how do you start medical writing without prior experience?
Breaking into the industry is not easy if you have no experience and no connections with the industry. In this article, we highlight how to break into the industry when you don’t have prior experience.
Take a course
If you have zero experience and have no connections to the medical writing industry, the odds of getting a job as a medical writer are understandably lower than those who do. But if you’re determined enough to get your foot in the door and willing to work really hard there is a solution.
There are many training courses that can help you prepare for this competitive land of healthcare without prior writing experience. These courses will show you how to write all the necessary documents that healthcare companies will require from you.
In addition, the certificate you earn will dramatically boost your chances of securing your first job and many more to come.
You may start with our free 10-day course. Also, feel free to check out other courses we have here at Medcomms Academy.
Do pro bono work
It’s common for medical writers without experience to be apprehensive about applying and/or interviewing for their first medical writing job. To boost your chances of getting hired, you should consider doing pro bono work. By doing volunteer healthcare writing projects, you can potentially gather relevant experience to build a compelling application for employment at any company that employs medical writers.
Many charities offer such opportunities. You can provide meaningful help to them and get some experience in return. Some will even write you a recommendation letter. Even a recommendation on LinkedIn will go a long way in helping you gain the trust of recruiters.
Leverage your previous experience
Leverage your previous experience in practising skills relevant to medical writing. If you’ve worked in health- or education-related industries, chances are that you already have lots of skills that you can transfer to medical writing and vice versa.
Before sprucing up your CV for a medical writing job, take stock of your previous roles and responsibilities. What did you do in your previous jobs that can be useful in medical writing? Highlight those skills in your CV and during any interview.
Find a mentor
Times have changed. Medical writing has become a big business in the past decade. To compete, you need someone who knows the way to guide you. You can’t succeed alone; you need help and support.
Finding the right mentor is your key to success because they tell you what you can’t learn in school. Having someone who can support your growth and guide you through your career is something you shouldn’t take for granted.
The good news is most successful writers will be happy to advise you. You just need to ask. You may find mentors on AMWA or EMWA websites.
Join an internship
Internships are very important for newbie writers looking for their first job. It is a chance to learn about different fields of medicine, introduce yourself to mentors, meet peers and get the opportunity to write on many topics. What’s more, you have to polish your writing skills if you really want a good medical content writer job.
An internship provides a very good and readily available option to get some practical experience in medical writing. It is affordable, easy to manage, and much more efficient than finding an entry job. Not to mention, most students try internships as it reflects well both on their CV and in the future job interviews.
Learn more about internships in medical writing
Conclusion
There you have it – getting into medical writing without prior experience is possible! Medical writing is an interesting career choice because there are so many possible paths to get into it. If you’re not a professional writer, though, you might find yourself at something of a disadvantage in your search for a writing job. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible for you to get hired.
You can still get a medical writing job without having experience as a medical writer. All you have to do is prove your worth, through past success and hard work and knowledge. Most importantly, have confidence in yourself and seek the proper advice and resources to guide you along the way. You are on the road to a promising career, so keep working at it; you are halfway there!
