How to Network in the Pharma Industry

Pulling out a previous blog on NETWORKING. Networking is a critical component to your successful transition.

If you review my blogs, you will see a common theme in all the physicians’ stories about what helped them to land their first role in the pharmaceutical industry…

NETWORKING

but, HOW?

Attend conferences and/or congresses AND visit the exhibit hall where all the people that work in the pharmaceutical industry are at booths…

Most of the biopharma companies have medical booth of some type – usually called “Medical Information” or “Medical Affairs” booths.  Talk to the Medical Science Liaisons or Medical Directors at those booths and let them know of your interest in pharma, ask for their contact information and follow-up with them after the congress.

Attend the pharmaceutical sponsored symposium events and network with speakers.

Review the program for the conference and make note of attendees that work in pharma; find them at a poster presentation or after their talk and introduce yourself and ask if you can connect with them given your interest in the biopharmaceutical industry. 

Linkedin – this is where all the pharma industry is… 

search LinkedIn for “medical directors” at the companies that you are interested in and ask them to connect with you.

identify any former colleagues from medical school, residency or fellowship that are now in the pharma industry and re-connect with them.

Facebook groups – find the physician non-clinical career facebook groups and join!

Interview – as you start to get interviews, always connect with the people that interviewed you; even if you don’t get the job, these connections can make other connections for you.

!!Most importantly!!

You must treat networking as a constant and consistent part of your job search.  Make specific goals for yourself such as completing 3 outreaches/day via LinkedIn and one meeting or phone call to network and introduce yourself weekly.  

Ready to make a career transition to pharma/biotech… want to explore a way to use your medical training and knowledge in a fulfilling way without nights and weekends call or charting. Watch this webinar on Getting Past the Three Major Hurdles to a Career in the Pharma Industry HERE.