Edition 27: 3 Mistakes Every Aspiring MSL Makes

A few weeks ago, Patrina got 3 very different messages in her inbox. 1. From an Aspiring MSL: “I’ve applied to 40 roles and I’m not hearing anything back. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.” 2. From a Medical Director: “I keep getting asked to mentor people who want to be MSLs. I want to help them, but I am super busy and I don’t always know what advice to give.” 3. From a seasoned MSL: “I wish I’d known what not to do when I was applying. It would have saved me years.” That’s when it hit us: these aren’t separate stories. They’re the same one. Aspiring MSLs want in. Leaders want to guide better. And current MSLs want to pay it forward. The problem? Most people are spinning their wheels because they don’t know the 3 mistakes that stall progress. Keep reading for solutions, including a live webinar happening today, Sep 5 @ 4 pm ET. Don’t miss it!

The 3 Mistakes That Keep Aspiring MSLs Stuck

❌ Mistake 1: Over-Focusing on Credentials
Degrees are table stakes. Hiring managers really want to know:
“Can you translate complex science into a clear, credible conversation that builds trust?”

💡 Resource for you: Why Highlighting Transferable Skills Is So Hard

❌ Mistake 2: Playing the Application Lottery
“Spray and pray” feels busy, but it wastes time and tanks confidence.
The smarter play: apply strategically.

💡 Resource for you: How To Become an MSL Without Experience (free replay)

❌ Mistake 3: Treating Networking as Optional
Networking isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s the audition. It shows you can build trust long before you step into a KOL meeting.

💡 Resource for you: The Real Reason You Don’t Like Networking

Bottom line:

• Aspiring MSLs → Avoid these mistakes to accelerate your job search.
• Current MSLs → Use these insights to support your peers and pay it forward.
• Leaders → Share these resources with the people asking you for advice.

Because degrees and applications get you considered.
But communication and networking? That’s what gets you hired.

 And even when candidates fix these mistakes, credentials, applications, and networking, most still stumble at the very end.

The final presentation is where strong candidates often lose the offer. Not because they don’t know the science, but because they present like scientists instead of MSLs.

That’s exactly what we’re tackling in today’s webinar.

📅 Webinar Today: The AI Hack That Can Help You Land Your 1st MSL Job

Friday, Sep 5 | 1 pm PT / 4 pm ET
👉 Save your spot here before it starts

In this live session, we’ll show you:

• The AI hack that makes building your scientific presentation dramatically easier
• Why so many strong candidates lose the offer at this step
• How Aspire gives you the practice + feedback to deliver like an MSL, not just a scientist

TL;DR – Don't Spin Your Wheels

• Credentials are table stakes
• Applications only work when they’re strategic. 
• Networking is the audition.
• Webinar is TODAY (Sep 5 | 1 pm PT / 4 pm ET) → Save your spot

In your corner always,
Patrina, Sarah, Tom & Ralph

P.S. We’re booking 60-minute workshops with MSL teams now through the end of 2025. If your team wants to level up in communication, presentations, or KOL engagement, hit reply and we’ll share the details.