The Carolan Group

🧠 Want to pick the brain of an MSL Hiring Manager? 🧠 This is one of my favorite aspects of my job at The Carolan Group – I love hearing what a Manager’s driving “it” factors are and what exactly separates an “okay” Medical Science Liaison from a true stand-out for them. In 4 recent MSL role intake sessions, I have had the pleasure of consulting 4 different Hiring Managers on what they are specifically seeking in their MSL hires. Interestingly, each had unique perspectives and answers to this same question: ▶ 1. “SPARK.” This Manager noted that he was looking for a go-getter who had “spark.” He wanted to hire someone with notable passion, palpable excitement, and clear motivation to jump into the position and hit the ground running immediately. ▶ 2. “I am looking for an engaging MSL personality.” This Manager noted the importance of charisma and soft skills in the MSL role – and the ability to build lasting, meaningful relationships. It’s great to have the science down, but a stand-out MSL is also an exceptional relationship-builder. ▶ 3. “Turn-key, pre-existing KOL relationships.” This Manager noted that in their specific scientific niche, relationships mean EVERYTHING. Therefore, her most critical need was someone who had a pre-established, well-developed KOL network they could utilize and leverage from Day 1. ▶ 4. “Loyalty.” This Manager stated eloquently, “I want to hire someone who is loyal – loyal to our science, to our patients, and to our team.” This team’s science will impact a Rare Disease community subject to progressive vision loss – they want folks who will commit to their mission to change lives for the better and save the vision that they can. In a nutshell, different Hiring Managers are attracted to different "it" factors. The key is to find the right mutual fit for both parties. Hope these insights help you continue to thrive on the MSL/Field Medical Affairs path! Wishing you positivity and career success, 🤗 all day and every day 🤗 , from The Carolan Group!!! Tom Caravela, Sarah Snyder, Arielle Perrusio, Rachel Strauss, Danielle Bartsch, George Riedel #TheCarolanGroup #MSLHiring #MedicalScienceLiaisons

We’re #hiring a new Medical Information Specialist - GU/Immunology in New York. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We’re #hiring a new Medical Science Liaison in New York City Metropolitan Area. Apply today or share this post with your network.

😎 When is it a good time to go to San Diego? 😎 Trick question! ANY time! But an especially excellent time is September 25th-26th for MASS West 2024, hosted by our awesome friends at Fierce Life Sciences Events. Year after year, this event stimulates great networking and learning opportunities within Medical Affairs. Tom Caravela and I will be very enthusiastically repping The Carolan Group and hope to see you there!!! Safe travels! 😁✈🌞 #MASSWest2024 #TheCarolanGroup #MedicalAffairs #MSLTalk

Are professional references really THAT important in ultimately getting a job offer? The nutshell answer is YES.❗❗❗ This week, our team at The Carolan Group was tasked with checking professional references for two finalist Medical Science Liaison candidates on behalf of our clients – one in Oncology, the other in Rare Diseases. (P.S. This is a very normal “ask” and part of the process – it does not mean that the hiring team does not have faith in you; it is a very routine part of a team’s hiring requirements that we see often!). Sarah Snyder and George Riedel completed the 3 references for each MSL candidate, and we were so collectively impressed. They were EXCELLENT. Here is why: ✳ The candidates picked references who were very knowledgeable about their work history. They could speak in-depth to specific situations and offer granular examples of how these candidates operated in their prior positions. They could answer and illustrate all behavioral-style questions with ease, thoroughness, and depth – i.e. how they worked in a team, how they managed problems/adversity, and how they always put patients first. 👏 ✳ Every reference was highly relevant to the positions the candidates were interviewing for. One provided connections from her prior industry position in a very similar therapeutic area; the other provided references from a key Oncology institution where she has worked for 5 years. ALSO, both provided prior Directors they reported into, which is key. 👏 ✳ Every reference was extremely enthusiastic in their recommendation of the candidate and expressed how much they would love the opportunity to work with them again – “Yes, without question!” & “Absolutely, in a heart-beat!” 👏 👉 The key take-away: It is important not to snooze on this part of the interview process. The two MSL candidates – exceptional and excellent in their own right – had their candidacies further bolstered and highlighted because they chose the RIGHT individuals to speak on their behalf. If you are asked for professional references, be thoughtful in your choices. It can make all the difference in further highlighting your talent, fit, and ability for the job! Good luck, and wishing you utmost positivity, career success, and happy interviewing from each one of us at The Carolan Group!!! 🤗 Tom Caravela, Sarah Snyder, Rachel Strauss, Arielle Perrusio, George Riedel, Danielle Bartsch #TCG #InterviewTips #MedicalAffairsHiring #MSLHiring

🔅 Annual Summit on Medical Affairs - Boston MA🔅 👉 Join me at the first Annual Summit on Medical Affairs (ASMA) USA Chapter meeting on August 23rd in Cambridge, Boston, MA. I am super excited to be speaking on "Field Requisites for Success: What’s the next frontier for MSLs?” 〰 ASMA is a premiere event for aspiring professionals as well as leading Medical Affairs experts to come together and shape the future. 〰 At ASMA, we'll cover the hottest topics in the field and provide practical examples and "how-to" guides for each strategy. Aspiring MSLs are welcome. #MedicalAffairsSummit #MedicalScienceLiaison #MedicalAffairs #MSL The Carolan Group

If, like me, you largely work remotely (I see you, MSLs and Field Medical Affairs friends!!!🤗), you know firsthand the deep importance of fostering connection and community with your co-workers and within your industry despite the miles of distance. No one should feel like they are stranded on an island, but sometimes, when you are only Zoom-ing and going about your day-to-day from your home office or the field, that feeling can start to creep in here and there. If you could use enhanced community, color, and connectedness in your Medical Affairs life, consider the following: ☑ Check out Tom Caravela's hit podcast, MSL Talk. His guests are brilliant time after time, and it is easy to pop on at the gym or during a car-ride. You will not only learn – you will feel a greater connectedness to the wider Medical Affairs community. It is accessible on multiple platforms, including Spotify. P.S. Tom is super funny and entertaining. 😆 ☑ Follow the incredible Sarah Snyder on LinkedIn. She will inform you, inspire you, and make you feel like this world is a far better and brighter place. She is THAT special! ✨ ☑ Check out Tom’s and Sarah’s JOINT venture, MSL Mastery, which offers courses, coaching, and ongoing community to enhance your Medical Affairs career and overall professional happiness/success. 💪 These are just a few resources to foster a deeper sense of connectedness and community no matter where you are! Wishing you a great day EVERY day from The Carolan Group! #TheCarolanGroup #MSLs #MedicalAffairs

👀 Curious about the ironic parallels between being a Medical Science Liaison versus being a Medical Affairs recruiter? Both share stronger similarities than you may initially see on the surface… 👀 ▶ Both MSLs and recruiters have to cultivate an innate sense of persistence and perseverance. Just as KOLs sometimes require multiple touchpoints to build a relationship, recruiters have to do the same with their candidates. ▶ Both MSLs and recruiters have to take unexpected changes in stride – and ADAPT! Between flight cancellations / travel plans gone awry or a candidate deciding to withdraw the day before a final interview, both career paths take flexibility, adaptability, and grit. ▶ Both MSLs and recruiters experience a high degree of autonomy in crafting their day-to-day game-plan – and functioning remotely. This can feel great/liberating sometimes, but it also can feel pretty isolating at other times. It is very important to take care of your mental AND physical health in both of these roles. These are not easy jobs... but they are very worthwhile, highly rewarding careers that will challenge you and foster personal and professional growth. Our team at The Carolan Group understands the MSL path quite well (😉), and we are here to support you on your industry journey! Wishing you the highest degree of success and positivity, always! Tom Caravela, Sarah Snyder, Rachel Strauss, Arielle Perrusio, George Riedel, Danielle Bartsch #CGTeam #MSLs #WeLoveMedicalScienceLiasons #MedicalAffairsRecruitment

😎🌞 How's your September looking? Will you need a dose of post-summer sunshine by then? 🌞😎 Welllllllll... Come join our team at The Carolan Group at MASS West in sunny San Diego, hosted by our friends at Fierce Pharma! This is one of my favorite events of the entire year. The positivity, opportunities for learning, insights-gathering, and quality networking with other Medical Affairs professionals is top-notch! Tom Caravela, Sarah Snyder, and I would be thrilled to see you and say "hello" live!!! 🤗 We hope to meet you there! #MASSWest2024 #MedicalAffairsStrategicSummit #TheCarolanGroup #FiercePharma

🔥 MASS West - Registration OPEN 🔥 The MSL Talk Podcast is proud to partner with Fierce Pharma for this years Medical Affairs Strategic Summit, WEST. ➡ MASS West is the ultimate event for Medical Affairs, Medical Communications, and Field Medical leaders. ➡ This is the premier event for you to connect with medical affairs leaders across pharma for three days of focused learning and fun networking. ➡ Elevate your expertise at the Fierce Medical Affairs Strategic Summit WEST in sunny San Diego, CA September 25th-26th, 2024. ➡ For more information and to register, please visit the link in comments. 🙌 Hope to see you in San Diego 🙌 #msl #medicalaffairs #medicalscienceliaison #medicalcommunications Zohaib Sheikh Caroline Dee Jessa Pacheco Rachel Schiff Bridget Rasmusson Sarah Snyder The Carolan Group