Welcome to the MSL Mastery Blog

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

Pro networking skills are required to work in Medical Affairs. Whether you are an Aspiring MSL, existing MSL or in another Medical Affairs function relationship building is critical! With time and practice you get past the feelings of dread and anx...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

Are you frustrated by your MSL job search? You know you are destined to be an MSL but something is not working. Many aspiring MSLs find themselves in this position. They know they are stuck but don't know what to do next. If this sounds like you, k...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

What is one piece of interviewing advice that you always hear? To ask good questions! I even mention it in this Quick Interviewing Checklist. But what does that even mean? Let's dig into this a little deeper and dissect what someone means when they...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

The MSL job search process is a rollercoaster of emotions. For most folks, there tends to be some ups and A LOT of downs. It's hard to stay positive when you:

• Submit application after application and get radio silence
• Make it to the final round
...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

You are looking to land your first MSL position and send your resume to 100s of job listings. Then you never hear back and start to feel really discouraged. The job market is tough and the MSL job market is super competitive. There is a better way ...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD

What is the most dreaded word for every job searcher, PhD, MD, PharmD, and just humans in general?

Networking.

You know you need to network but it is so awful! It's hard. It's awkward. What if you get rejected. You'll have to talk to strangers, and then probably get rej...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD & Tom Caravela

When you get Medical Affairs Interviews, you don't want to miss anything. These jobs are extremely competitive and you want to be prepared to shine. Tom Caravela and I prepared this quick Medical Affairs Interviewing Checklist to help you crush your next in...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD

"There is no need to have her move forward with a presentation. Would you please be able to cancel tomorrow?"

This is feedback that Tom Caravela received from a hiring manager after an interview with an MSL candidate went terribly wrong. So what happened? This candidate ...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD

You have a Medical Affairs interview! Congrats! Or maybe you are interviewing with multiple companies at the same time. High five!

If all goes well, you will be invited to interviews with HR people, the hiring manager, the hiring manager's manager, the team, and maybe o...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD & Tom Caravela

You have some big goals you are going after or high-impact work that will increase your visibility at your company. But you find yourself getting easily distracted and just cannot seem to focus. How can you get back on track and not let the distractions win...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD & Tom Caravela

Have you recently done a scan of your territory and noticed that some of your KOLs have fallen through the cracks? Or perhaps you are breaking into a new territory and working your tail off to build relationships?

Getting access to KOLs and building the re...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

I help a lot of PhDs, post-docs, professors, aspiring MSLs, MSLs, and Medical Affairs leaders with their job search or transition. I get a lot of calls like this, "Hey, I am thinking about taking this role. What do you think?" I always give folks m...