As the latest consultant to join the Healthcare Communications team at Carrot Recruitment, we caught up with Zoe Pindar-Ark to find out what she loves most about recruiting for junior to mid-level Medical Writers and Medical Editors and what advice and support she can offer to graduates looking to start their career within the Med Comms sector:
How did you start recruiting in Medical Communications?
Being the newest member of the Med/Healthcare Comms team I started recruiting for Medical Writers and Medical Editors at the end of April 2021. Prior to this, I was working in R&D Life Science recruitment.
What do you love the most about your job?
I love the fast-paced nature of my job and that no two days are the same. Of course, working with Medical Writer and Medical Editor candidates to land them their dream job is amazing, and when you are the person to introduce them to a role/company it is even better!
What would you say to a job seeker that’s looking to start a career in Medical Writing/Editorial?
A Medical Writing/Medical Editor career is a fantastic option for anyone with a love of both science and writing. For those looking to start within the sector, my three top tips would be:
- Learn about the industry, make sure you have researched what a Medical Writer or Medical Editor will be doing.
- Double-check your CV to ensure it has no grammatical issues!
- Be prepared for the writing or editing test and stick to the brief. Check and double-check before submitting!
What does your typical day at work look like?
8am-9am: Emails (replying and sending).
9am-10am: Call Med Comms applicants / reply to Linkedin messages.
10am-11am: Write new job adverts for any Medical Writer or Editorial roles I'm working on.
11am-12pm: Speak to current candidates I'm working with and action anything required, ensuring they are happy with the stage of the process they are at e.g. interview or offer.
Lunch
1pm-2pm: Recruitment update/briefing calls with clients for any new Editorial / Medical Writer vacancies.
2pm-4.30pm: Carry on with the above.
But no two days are the same and a million things can come up that you want to action asap.
What's been your proudest moment working within the sector?
I managed to find a very happy Medical Writing candidate their ideal role within my second week of working at Carrot! And in my 3rd month, I was awarded Consultant of the Month 😊
Why should Medical Writers/Editorial specialists use you to find their next role?
I always aim to offer the best candidate experience and will help in any way I can. We work with some fantastic Medical Communications agencies and can work with Medical Writers and Medical Editors to find the best match from years of knowledge within our team.
Can you give a brief overview of how you'd support a Medical Writer or Medical Editor through the job process?
I'd always start with an initial call to find out what they are looking for in their new role, or if they are a recent graduate looking to start within the Med Comms sector, I can discuss this with them too.
I'd then go through some potential company options I believe they'd be a great fit for, providing a full overview of the company, the role, and what to expect during the interview process.
I'd also be on hand to support with any interview preparation or tasks (read more about how to master a writing test here), offer feedback and help with queries, and support them through the offer stage and starting at their new role.
Can you share some recent feedback you’ve received from candidates you’ve helped?
"Zoe's lovely and friendly to speak to, always replies to me quickly and calls when she says she will. I really appreciate her."
"Zoe was always available to talk to and was supportive of my requirements."
"Zoe has helped and guided me a lot through the recruitment process. She has been so kind and patient with me, and I can’t thank her enough for it."
Get in touch:
If you're looking for your next entry to mid-level opportunity as a Medical Writer or Medical Editor, or you're looking for support with your Med Comms recruitment needs, get in touch with Zoe Pindar-Ark today on:
+44 (0)1625 361 073
Click here to visit our Med Comms/Medical Education jobs page.
