| December 14, 2008 | Vol. 1 No. 10 Published by Biotech Ink, LLC, and Word Angel Document Design Solutions | |
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Curious and Cool Reading and Writing Tools |
- Wordle - Creates fancy word clouds from text
- WebNote - Take notes on your computer
- Yanobs - Online sticky notes keeper
- BookBot - Read over 14,500 ebooks for free! | |
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Tips for Getting Medical Writing Jobs
by Susan E Caldwell, PhD |
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Tip #1: Get Known!
This is a bigger key to jobs and contract opportunities than you may think. Getting known takes time, and you may have to push yourself to do it if you prefer being alone. But it's worth the effort. Here are my thoughts on getting known, and how it can help your job search and career.
Get Known Locally, In Person. Our introverted readers aren't going to like this idea, but here it is: go to social or business events, even if you don't want to. Say hello to people you don't know-they'll often be grateful, because they're shy, too. Most people like to talk about themselves. So ask them about their job, their hobbies, their interests, and then let them start the ball rolling. Most of the time, you'll be surprised how fast the conversation will get going.
Go to meetings and events held by various organizations. Find and attend the ones that are the friendliest. Also important: find the groups with folks who are interested in you, and in whom you are interested. Those are the networking events that are likely to work the best for you. They're also likely to be the groups you stick with the longest. If you need to get known fast, you might want to find groups that meet weekly, biweekly, or monthly. It will take more time to get known in a group that meets quarterly! When you've found the groups you're comfortable with, go to their meetings often. Make yourself do it, even when you can think of reasons (excuses) to stay home. Think of this "getting known" thing as an effort that will take as long as your career does. It should be an ongoing effort that can eventually support your psyche and your career. If you keep attending your chosen groups, you'll get known locally. Over time, you'll also develop friendships that can blossom into a support system and new business opportunities. Friends really like doing business with friends. Here are a few groups with relevant networking events to attend while you get known: · American Medical Writers Association (AMWA): attend the local and national meetings to cultivate medical writer friends. · Drug Information Association (DIA): the national meetings are huge networking events, and offer high-quality educational opportunities, including many medical writing classes and workshops. · Association for Women in Science (AWIS)· National Association of Science Writers (NASW)There are many, many others! Look for them by searching on Google or Yahoo to find a list of the ones that are right for you. Get Known Online, Locally, and Worldwide. Use LinkedIn and other online business/social networks to put your persona out there on the internet. See the Biotech Ink Insider, Vol. 1 No. 4, for an article that describes six tools available on LinkedIn (beyond just posting your resume there) that will help with your job hunt. Some of these or similar tools are available on other business networking web sites. If you have time, inclination, and/or are hungry enough, use all of them. You'll be glad you did. Check out social, service, and other nonprofit organizations, too-there are clubs of all kinds, some local and some online. Follow the Google nonprofit directory link, and it will lead to many more groups and organizations through which you can make contacts. For instance, that link leads to Consulting Resources for nonprofits, including fundraising and grant writing resources! Some more ideas: · Churches and synagogues · Social clubs · YMCA and gyms · Special-interest groups (eg, stamp collectors or railroad hobbyists) Web Sites and Blogs. Whether you're a staff writer or contractor, you should have a web site and/or a blog. I'm being dogmatic about this because it's important. If you're a contractor, it's nearly essential. Many people have called or email to me ONLY after they looked up my company's web site. Without our web site, I would never have gotten the chance to speak with them! If you are a staff writer, rather than a contractor, consider doing a blog instead of a web site. Use the blog to show your knowledge in your field. Include information in your blog that's helpful to other writers-or to folks who need writers. You can express your personality on your blog, too, and this may help others get to know you better. If you have a good sense of humor, let it shine in your blog. Hosting a blog is another way to get to know people, exchange interesting ideas, and develop friendships. I'll say it again: people like doing business and working with people they like. Because web sites and blogs provide a way for people to get familiar with you, you may want to put your photo out there, a head shot that shows your eyes. It can help people to feel more comfortable with you, even if they've never met you. Make sure the photo shows a glimpse of who you are in the business world. It makes a difference. Next week, Tip #2: Your Resume Needs Work, Because You Need Work!
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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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Five Tips for Communicating with YOUR Clients:
Showcase Your Value and Build Strong Relationships
by Cynthia Haggard, PhD
You've acquired a new client. You've experienced the thrill of having them hire you. Perhaps they've given you work that is well-paid and interesting! A couple of days later, you hit a snag. Despite your best efforts to explain what you just did for them, they don't understand what you are saying. What to do?
The following tips will help you to communicate clearly and effectively while showcasing your value to your client.
1. Ask clients up front how they prefer to be contacted
Some people prefer email, some prefer the phone. You need to find out what your client prefers and stick to that method of communication until something causes you to rethink. The best time to have this conversation is when they are hiring you for the job. So when the clinical scientist from IJK Pharma starts talking about when you will start on the project, be sure to ask about the best way of communicating.
2. Pick up the phone
Even if your client prefers to be contacted by e-mail, add a personal touch by calling every now and then, especially if you have been communicating by email, and you run into the snag described above: Your client doesn't understand what you are saying. For example, you e-mail a detailed summary of some editing you did on a clinical study report to make sure you're doing what the client wants. But your client may be too busy to read long e-mails, especially about complex topics. A brief phone call will usually iron out any misunderstandings, and will provide useful information about your client's mood. And checking in by phone conveys to the client that you care about your work.
3. Be positive - and avoid humor - in e-mails
Words that may sound humorous when you can hear a person speaking them can sound harsh in an email message, where there is no information about the tone of the message. Is it ironic? Humorous? Or just plain nasty? The recipients don't know. And it can hurt. People who say things like "Don't you know that INDA means Investigational New Drug Application?" or "How many books on epigenetics have you read?" in their e-mails often have to apologize to list-mates who find their comments hurtful and rude. If you don't want to develop a reputation as a shrew, be careful to phrase things positively. If you are not sure which tone to adopt, try writing e-mails as letters. I find the formality of letter-writing very helpful in keeping my tone polite and neutral. Don't forget to check your emails before you send them for remarks that might sting. Remember, casual remarks can come back to haunt you.
4. E-mail meeting summaries to clients
Email is the perfect medium to use in certain circumstances. If you have just had a meeting with your client, it is a great idea to repeat what you discussed to your client by email. Suppose the client has provided detailed instructions on a grant proposal for drug and alcohol prevention. E-mail your notes to the client with an opener such as, "This is what we just discussed. Please let me know if I missed anything." That way, you have a paper trail in case anything goes wrong. And the toneless quality of email won't matter so much, because your client will remember the meeting.
Also use of e-mail to help you discuss detailed matters over the phone. Perhaps you are examining a chart that shows how blood pressure changes over the course of the day, and you notice the units of measure on the vertical axis are very small, making any changes seem huge. Reading such details is easier on your client than hearing them over the phone, because they can take the information in at their own pace. E-mail the details to the client with an opener or subject line that makes it plain you will call them to talk about it later. Then, when you follow up with a phone call, your client will have the details in front of them. Lastly, emails are non-intrusive and perfect for quick questions when you are in the middle of a project.
5. Emphasize the personal
Building a relationship with a client is like building a house: It takes time. The best way to build a solid relationship with your client is to use the personal touch. If your client works near you, find an excuse to drop in for a chat. This is especially important if you have not yet met your client. It is fine to say something like, "I happened to be in the area and thought I'd drop by to introduce myself." Face-to-face communication gives you a much better sense of the person behind the voice on the telephone, or the typed text over the Internet. You can assess the client's values, mood and work habits while you chat. If you've finished writing a speech on how genomic medicine can be applied in clinical practice, and you haven't heard from your client for some time, pick up the phone and ask if the client needs your help. It shows that you care. You will be able to assess the mood of the client, and - by extension - how the company is doing. And you may pick up a useful tidbit of information that the client wouldn't have thought to put in an email, because conversation primes the memory pump. Sometimes, there is no substitute for good old-fashioned communication.
© Cynthia Haggard 2003.
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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 |
Sr. Scientific
Communications Medical Writer - 3510
La Jolla , CA
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Assumes primary responsibility for preparation of key scientific
publications, including manuscripts, scientific posters and slide
presentations, and assists the Medical Writing Manager in coordinating
and evaluating the activities of other contributors (including contract
writers and CROs). Assists the Medical Writing Manager in formulating
writing approach, style, publication venue, developing timelines, and
assessing resource requirements for key scientific communications.
Additionally, will assist the Medical Writing Manager and other related
functions (Medical, Marketing) in developing a strategy and timelines across
multiple scientific communications - Draft or author scientific
communication publications. These include, but are not limited to
manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and slide presentations containing key
preclinical and clinical information.
- Manage, substantively edit, and
review content of publications written by external authors.
- Work in
collaboration with other functional groups (e.g., Clinical Research,
Biostatistics, Regulatory, Marketing), check for accuracy, coordinate
reviews, collate reviewers' comments, coordinate approval, and prepare final
submissions.
- Ensure adherence to publication requirements.
- Conduct
necessary bibliographic research in support of scientific communications.
- Represent the Scientific Communications function on the Publications
Team, including conducting relevant research in support of publication plan,
participating in relevant project teams and task forces.
- Provides
guidance to clinical, safety, nonclinical, and marketing functions on a wide
range of issues related to document preparation and production, including
venue, type of publications, requirements for content and format.
- Use
content expertise and understanding of study design and conduct to interpret
scientific and statistical data.
- Strong scientific publication experience,
especially in peer-reviewed, high impact publications, as well as experience
generating posters and slide presentations. Experience with both preclinical
and clinical publication preparation a plus.
Contact: Karen
Penner Recruiter ASG, Inc. 601 Gateway Blvd., Suite 210 South San
Francisco , CA 94080 Phone: (650) 871-5000 ext. 6025 Fax: (650) 871-1207 e-mail: karen.penner@asg-inc.comhttp://www.asg-inc.com |
Associate Director/Director, Medical Writing
San
Francisco, Bay Area
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I am
looking for an Associate Director/Director, Medical Writing. This is a full time, in house position. Given the economic times, they are one of my
few clients that are doing well. $$$$, marketed products and
hiring!! The Medical Writing group is
respected and regarded as the experts.
The
Associate Director/Director of Medical Writing has administrative and
functional oversight responsibilities for Medical Writing staff and is responsible
for departmental resource planning, contributes to submission planning for
program and product development, represents Medical Writing in communications
with regulatory agencies, and may participate in review and approval of
regulatory submission documents and publications.
MS or
higher degree preferred; scientific focus desirable.
Responsible
for up to 5 Medical Writers and 1 project coordinator as functional reports. Up to 2 Medical Writing Managers as direct
reports and may manage the writing effort of contractors.
For further
information please contact:
Bonnie
Gothmann
Vice
President, Executive Search
Corporate
Search
415-296-9692
X 106
bonnie@corpsearchjmi.com
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SR Medical
Writer
San Francisco,
Bay Area
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I am
looking for 2 SR Medical Writers to work full time. The positions are in- house, however
telecommuting options may be available in the future. Given the economic times, they are one of my
few clients that are doing well. $$$$, marketed products, and hiring!! The Medical Writing group is respected and
regarded as the experts.
The SR
Medical Writer applies advanced documentation planning and preparation and
document project management skills to assist in the development, review,
editing and finalization of documents for regulatory submission and
publications.
Bachelor's
or higher degree preferred; scientific focus desirable.
For further
information please contact:
Bonnie
Gothmann
Vice
President, Executive Search
Corporate
Search
415-296-9692
X 106
bonnie@corpsearchjmi.com
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CyberDivan Listings
Posted with permission from Steven J. Pruner
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Job ID
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Job Title
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Location
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Salary
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FEATURED JOB
HH-11058-1
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Senior Medical Writer
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Rockland,
MA
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to 125K
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PCR-12028-1
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Contract Regulatory Medical Writer
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Stamford,
CT
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$65-$70
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FEATURED JOB
TA-12098-1
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Mgr, Clinical Medical Writing
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Westlake Village,
CA
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to 140K
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Click
Here or click on the Job ID for further details.
Please feel free to contact me if you need more information. Steven J
Pruner
CyberDivan
Recruiting
919-598-0110
mailto:recruiter@cyberdivan.com |
Principal Scientist, Toxicology -
Medical Device
Bausch & Lomb- Rochester, NY
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Responsibilities of this full-time position include: (i)
overseeing the planning, strategy, development, and execution of the
Non-clinical Safety programs supporting Bausch & Lomb Vision Care, and other
areas as needed; (ii) prepare and defend regulatory documents; (iii) provide
guidance and risk assessments on new formulations, leachable/extractables,
industrial hygiene, workplace safety, and environmental issues; and (iv) manage
studies at external contract facilities.
Job Duties:
Represent the
Non-clinical Safety function on project teams.
Design strategies, execute
and manage Non-clinical Safety programs focused on Bausch & Lomb lens
products.
Conduct risk assessments on key ingredients, impurities, and
formulations.
Publish novel investigative findings in high-quality
journals and present data at scientific national meetings.
Oversee and
evaluate activities of contract research organizations performing toxicology
studies.
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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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