| December 5, 2008 | Vol. 1 No. 9 Published by Biotech Ink, LLC, and Word Angel Document Design Solutions | |
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Job Hunting and Your Online Persona
by Susan E Caldwell, PhD |
Most of us are painfully aware of the financial meltdown that is happening in the US and world economies. Although it's a stressful time, the good news is that there are still medical writing staff and contract jobs out there. In fact, last week I heard that there are three sectors of the US economy that haven't seen layoffs, at least not yet: education, government, and healthcare. Without a doubt, it's more competitive in the medical writing job market, but there are still new jobs to be had.
For those seeking a new staff or contract position, the question is how to do the search most effectively and competitively. In today's fast-changing job market, that question is more relevant than ever. But it gets down to the basics: you must let hiring managers and recruiters know you are available, and that you're a great match for the target job. How to do this?
Use the internet to accomplish your goals, whether you're a writer, hiring manager, or recruiter. Medical writers are a scarce breed, so it's hard for recruiters and managers to find writers for their open positions. The internet has become the tool of choice for locating talented job candidates. Similarly, finding open medical writing positions on the internet is an important step in your job hunt. Until a few years ago, the internet job boards were mostly used to fill permanent jobs. More recently, contract positions have been very well represented on the major job boards. And many recruiters now handle contract and permanent placements.
If you want to compete for one of those staff or contract positions, it's well worth the time to develop an online persona. Here are some ideas:
(1) Your Resume. Put your resume "out there" on the job boards. If you're a medical writer, be sure to use Monster.com, Medzilla.com, and Biospace.com. If you're only looking for contract work, make sure you say so, to avoid unwanted calls for staff openings.
(2) Your Networking Profile. Develop your public profile on the networking sites, such as LinkedIn.com. In a previous issue of the Insider, I described several job-hunting tools on LinkedIn and how to use them in your search. The article is in Vol. 1 No. 4 of the Insider, and you can access it in the Biotech Ink Insider Archives.
(3) Your Web Site. If you don't have a web site, get one. When I began consulting, I didn't realize how important a web site is for your business. It's almost a validation of your business, even though anyone can put web site on the internet--with or without a valid business behind it. And don't despair; you don't have to spend a lot of money to have a web site. It doesn't need to be fancy, but it does need to contain the right information. Describe the kind of writing you do, your experience, education, and describe the services the client can expect from you. And don't forget to include your contact information.
(4) Your Blog. Going beyond the web site, or maybe instead of it, blogs can be effective tools to let others see a little of who you are. Often more conversational and less formal than web sites, blogs can help you project not only your credentials, but also your personality. If you have a web site, too, be sure your blog links to your web site, and vice versa.
After you begin bringing your online persona to fruition, you'll probably get noticed by hiring managers or recruiters. After that, of course, there's yet another challenge. it's up to you to convince the hiring manager that you're the perfect fit for their opening. Your resume and online persona get you the interview, not the job.
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 Susan Caldwell is managing editor of the Biotech Ink Insider. She works as a medical writer consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her specialty is writing and editing regulatory documents, including clinical study protocols, investigator brochures, study reports, nonclinical documents, and CMC documentation. More information is available at the Biotech Ink, LLC, web site. You can email Susan at caldwell@biotechink.com.
Copyright 2008. Biotech Ink, LLC. All rights reserved. |
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Cheat Sheets to Quality Control
by Cynthia Haggard, PhD
Ever have to deal with the client who rarely gives feedback, but just quietly drops you at the end of the project with no explanation? The question becomes: How can you be sure of providing excellent quality to a client, when you get no feedback? The answer: Cheat sheets.
1. Use a cheat sheet to provide consistent excellence - Cheat sheets are lists of things to check for before you hit the Send button. If your project requires you to do a great deal of research, then you want to check that you have combed through all the relevant Web sites. For example, if you are researching new cancer drugs, then your checklist should include NCI clinical trials, the FDA Web site and the Mayo Clinic. If you are writing definitions for medical terms in 7th grade-level prose, then your cheat sheet will include Stedman's and Dorland's medical dictionaries, as well as a style guide for writing in easy-to-understand English.
2. How to find the things you need to put in your cheat sheet - Every time you do work for your clients, you should have a word-processing document open that you call a work-log, in which you record exactly what you did for the client that day. No time to do this? Take a short five-minute break at the top of every hour and jot down what you just did. You must have this valuable information at your fingertips. It will tell you which sources you had to use to do your job, what your tasks were, how long each task took, and therefore how to invoice your client.
3. How to construct a cheat sheet - Pull up your work log and look at the different tasks you did for your client. Dividing up your work into different tasks allows you to create one cheat sheet per task. If you did research, you have a research cheat sheet in which you list all your sources. If you wrote definitions, you create a definitions cheat sheet in which you check dictionaries for spelling and content and style guides for language level and tone. List all your sources and all the things you think need checking before you send your final draft to the client. You may want to re-order the list of items to conform with your work-flow, or to take account of the fact that sometimes you need to check a particular thing before you can check anything else. When you are satisfied, make several copies and store in folders that you label Research or Definitions or whatever the task is.
4. How to use a cheat sheet - The next time you turn in work for a client, pull out your cheat sheet and check off the items before you hit that Send button. Make sure you pay as much attention to the last two items on your list as the first three. A friend once did a proofreading job, and was told she didn't really have to worry about mistakes because they'd all been taken care of. However, she decided to proofread the document starting from the back. She found 20 mistakes in the last three pages of the document, including the company's name and Web site! To avoid this, make sure you take a short break between each task. Just closing your eyes for a minute or so can be very refreshing. When you do your checking, pay attention. Do not let your attention wander. Remember: It's your reputation on the line!
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 Cynthia Haggard, PhD, is a science writer who specializes in newsletters, writing for the public, and regulatory writing. She holds a PhD in experimental psychology and has 20 years of experience in scientific research and writing. She has worked both in academic and corporate environments. She has published papers in peer-reviewed journals and written pieces for newspapers, magazines, and web sites. She has a background in neuroscience, perception, and motor control. Recently she created and delivered a 3-hour workshop on Motor Control and the Musculoskeletal System for the American Medical Writers Association. In her other life, she writes novels and poetry.
You can view Cynthia's blog at clarifying.wordpress.com. Cynthia's website is www.clarifyingconcepts.com, and she can be reached at cynthia@clarifyingconcepts.com. |
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Open Medical Writing Staff and Contract Jobs |
| Contract CMC Editor I
South San Francisco, CA |
Job title: CMC Editor I 361853
Client: Genentech
Location: South San Francisco , CA 94080
Duration: December 01, 2008 through May 1, 2009 (extendable contract)
Shift: Monday to Friday (8 am to 5 pm)
DUTIES
The CMC Editor plays an integral part in the preparation of regulatory submissions at Genentech. He or she copy edits, formats, and coordinates the review of the CMC sections of regulatory documents to ensure the timely submission of high-quality applications to regulatory agencies.
In this role, he or she represents the CMC Editing department on cross-functional CMC teams; works closely with Regulatory Affairs CMC representatives; and communicates with authors and other team members to manage the review, adjudication, revision, and internal approval of draft documents. He or she copy edits complex text for clarity, consistency, grammar, punctuation, and adherence to house styles; edits and formats detailed tables; and provides authors with document training and support.
SKILLS
Three or more years of recent technical copy editing experience.
Thorough knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and usage as well as familiarity with technical or scientific language. Excellent organizational and time management skills and a tenacious approach to detail. The ability to manage multiple, often lengthy, documents simultaneously; communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing; meet demanding deadlines; and collaborate with scientists and other subject matter experts. Advanced word-processing skills (Microsoft Word).
EDUCATION
BS or BA in biology, chemistry, English, or journalism or the equivalent
Radiants System, Inc. 107B Corporate Boulevard South plainfield, NJ 07080 Radiant is preferred (Direct) vendor to several other Fortune 500 clients (HP, AT&T, Motorola, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, Caterpillar, Genentech, GE, Abbott, and Avaya, Lucent etc.). To know us a little better, please visit us at www.radiants.com |
Contract-to-Perm Medical Writer: Clinical Trials
Boston Area
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This Medical Writing opportunity should
provide an 40+ hours of work per week for at least 3-6 months,
and if all parties are interested, could become a permanent position. The
work is writing for clinical trials including FDA submissions for an
established suburban Boston pharmaceutical company. The contractor will
need to work on-site for much of the projects, however the client
believes the work will permit working from home 1 - 2 days. Here are
the details. Our client, an established Boston Area
medical technology/pharma company seeks an experienced clinical Medical Writer for their clinical
trials program. This position will write and prepare SOP
templates, complex integrated clinical study reports, and other clinical
and regulatory documents such as protocols, synopses, protocol amendments,
informed consents, data monitoring, and imaging charters, annual reports,
and investigators brochures etc. Other responsibilities include: - Leading
the process of critical review of clinical and regulatory documents and
incorporating multiple reviews into successive drafts, reviewing tables,
listings, case report forms, drafting safety narratives, being an active
participant in clinical project team meetings and providing background
information and editorial support for meeting abstracts, presentations, and
manuscripts.
- Drafting
and/or review and updating of writing SOPS and be key departmental resource
for regulatory and scientific writing guidance and processes.
REQUIREMENTS - MS or PhD in a scientific discipline with 3+
years experience writing clinical regulatory documents, OR a BS with 5+ years experience writing clinical
regulatory documents
- MUST
BE ABLE TO WORK ON SITE 2-3 DAYS
- Working
knowledge of ICH guidelines with a detailed understanding of writing
guidance and regulations
R
- Demonstrated
experience in the creation, production, and publishing of major regulatory
filings such as NDAs and PMAs
- Demonstrated
the ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced
environment. Some
experience managing other writers or writing consultants is preferred
- Background in cardiovascular imaging and diagnostics is a plus.
If interested, call 954-385-3122! David
Schmitt, Clinical,
Statistical, Compliance Specialist Visit our
website: www.mriweston.com
2645
Executive Park Drive
Weston, FL
33331
Tel: 954-385-3122 Email: david@mriweston.com |
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DISCLAIMER: Biotech Ink, LLC, and the Biotech Ink Insider provide the Insider jobs list on an "as-submitted basis," and neither assumes responsibility for, nor guarantees the quality or accuracy of, any listing or response. All listings are provided as a free service and courtesy to subscribers and users, and users assume all risk in using the information in the Insider.
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