While going into any sort of interview can be a daunting matter, here are some tips that will help you crush your next Medical Science Liaison interview!
- Prepare your pitch: Almost every interview begins with “Tell me about yourself.” Knowing that this will be asked gives you the opportunity to have a 2-3 minute pitch prepared on who you are and how you will best fit into the MSL role. Because most interviews start off this way, this is one of the first impressions you will make to the hiring manager so it is important that you have a well thought out response that sells you as the best candidate for this role. Practicing this pitch out loud prior to your interview will allow you to appear more confident in what you are saying on the day of.
- Research the Company and Products: Familiarize yourself with the company’s history, mission, and the therapeutic areas they specialize in. Study their products and pipelines and leverage the information you learn during your interview. It may not be enough to just look at the company’s website, you want to find information that will go beyond what everyone else will find.
- Prepare for Behavioral Questions: Almost all interviews ask behavioral questions to get a sense of how you work and navigate certain situations. The idea is to evaluate the candidate’s past behavior as a predictor of their future performance. By practicing answers to these types of questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) and brainstorming 3-4 scenarios that you can pull from during the interview, will help you ace this portion.
- Ask Thoughtful Questions: At the end of the interview, you will inevitably be asked if you have any questions for the hiring team. This is your chance to show that you have come prepared to the interview with an understanding of the company and what the MSL role entails. You should ask questions that will allow you to learn information about the company that would not be readily accessible online.
- Stay Professional and Enthusiastic: With multiple rounds of interviews, you may end up interviewing all day which can be extremely tiring, especially if all these interviews are taking place in-person. It is important that you stay composed throughout the entire day and continue to show your enthusiasm for the position during all rounds of the interviewing process. Set yourself apart and showcase your board certification in medical affairs if you have one. If not, think about getting board certified to stand out.
At the end of the day, hiring managers are looking to asses 6 key skills – emotional intelligence, learning agility, presentation skills, drive and passion, engagement skills (and active listening), and flexibility. If you can showcase that you possess these skills through your interview, it is a good sign that you are on the right track. Always remember to be yourself during the interview so that the hiring team can get a feel for your true character, personality, and aspirations.