IS CLINICAL RESEARCH RIGHT FOR YOU? - FIND OUT WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED BEFORE YOU MAKE THE LEAP
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IS CLINICAL RESEARCH RIGHT FOR YOU? FIND OUT WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED BEFORE YOU MAKE THE LEAP JAMIE STACEY
INTRODUCTION /02
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, professions in KEY HIGHLIGHTS
the field of clinical research are predicted to grow faster than In this ebook,
you’ll learn about:
the national average in the upcoming years. In fact, projected
• The qualities needed
increases range from 13 to 23 percent, depending on the
to succeed in
specific occupation. clinical research
• How to use your network
When you’re looking to pursue a career in clinical research, it’s essential to
to help you land a job
understand that, while rewarding, it isn’t a career for everyone because it
• The experience you
requires a unique skill set that may not come naturally to many scientists.
need to move toward
your career goal
It’s a definite team sport that requires a combination of job specific abilities and soft skills
on any given day. So while your scientific mind is definitely an important instrument that • How recruiters can
help you meet your
can help advance medicine, you’ll need to bring more abilities to the table to meet all of
professional goals
the requirements of today’s pressure-filled, team-oriented, clinical research projects
Moreover, even if you have all of the required skills, you also need to use every resource
at your disposal to gain the right kind of experience and keep landing jobs that match
your career trajectory./03 PART I – DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO WORK IN CLINICAL RESEARCH?
PART I – DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO WORK IN CLINICAL RESEARCH? /04
ADDITIONAL
INNATE SKILL SETS
SCIENTIST REQUIRED
SKILL SETS FOR CLINICAL
RESEARCH
Today’s clinical talent needs to possess a combination
of personality traits, job specific abilities, and soft skills
that make them well-rounded in a manner that reaches
beyond science proficiencies alone. Attention
to detail
IT know-how
Some of these qualities are inherent to the field of science, such as attention
to detail, critical thinking, and deductive reasoning.
Critical Communication
thinking skills
However, many of these attributes—such as IT know-how, communication skills,
management and strategy abilities, knowledge of government procedures, and
conflict resolution skills—are just as important, yet not always intrinsic strengths
Deductive Management
of a science professional. reasoning and strategy
abilities
Knowledge of
government
procedures
Conflict
resolutionPART I – DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO WORK IN CLINICAL RESEARCH? /05 Let’s take a closer look at the skills and personality traits required for the roles of regulatory affairs professionals, clinical data managers, and clinical research associates. Regulatory affairs professionals In addition to having a good understanding of science, regulatory affairs professionals should possess the ability to think critically, as well as have a pronounced love of detail so they can manage even the tiniest nuances of detail in multi-gigabyte documents. It’s crucial that they’re strategic thinkers who understand regulatory implications at every stage of the product lifecycle. They need to be well versed in government language and procedures, and they should know how to apply their expertise to specific situations as they occur. Since these professionals are required to integrate regulatory knowledge into business strategies and decision making processes, they need a solid understanding of finance, marketing, and policy—frequently even on a multinational scale. They should be skilled at focusing on multiple areas at the same time, as well as utilizing analytical thinking to handle the gray areas often encountered in regulations. They need to be able to negotiate between parties when conflicts of interest arise. Finally, they need to be effective communicators who can assist colleagues from other areas in understanding regulatory implications.
PART I – DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO WORK IN CLINICAL RESEARCH? /06 Clinical data managers Clinical data managers need to be proficient in a wide variety of software programs such as analytical and classification software, database user interfaces, and presentation software. They should possess a good understanding of business and management principles, as well as the ability to think analytically and critically in order to effectively solve complex problems. These professionals are required to monitor themselves and others for improvement; actively listen to gain insights into others’ contributions; and exercise good judgment when evaluating potential courses of action. They must have the ability to order information effectively and employ deductive reasoning to find the best answers or solutions. They should be sensitive to potential problems and able to act appropriately to avert them. Moreover, they need to be adaptable in terms of handling change and variety in the workplace.
PART I – DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO WORK IN CLINICAL RESEARCH? /07 Clinical research associates Clinical research associates have highly diverse, visible positions. They need to be friendly, professional, punctual, knowledgeable, and accessible in order to work well with the staff at the various sites they visit. They should possess outstanding conflict resolution skills, as well as the ability to anticipate challenges and appropriate solutions. Since they monitor the progress of clinical trials, they must be supportive of the on-site staff and capable of providing positive reinforcement for any accomplishments. Moreover, they need good interpersonal skills so they can foster relationships with key stakeholders in order to position their projects or studies for success.
PART I – DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO WORK IN CLINICAL RESEARCH? /08 What to do if you’re lean on skills If, after reading this, you realize you might not have what it takes, take time out to really evaluate if you think you can acquire the necessary skills, or if it’s beyond the scope of your own personal traits and desires. Be honest with yourself before pursuing a field that might not be for you. If you do want to pursue a career in clinical research but are lean on certain skills, then it’s advisable to work towards developing the abilities and proficiencies you need. Fortunately, many skills are transferable, meaning you don’t necessarily have to acquire them in a clinical setting. You can look for courses at local or online educational institutions to enhance your knowledge of subjects such as management, communications, and IT. But you can also gain experience by taking temporary positions or performing volunteer work. For example, if you’re looking to work in regulatory affairs and need to develop your writing skills, you could take a temp position that involves producing reports in order to hone your writing abilities. If you want to become a clinical data manager but your software skills aren’t well developed, look for a volunteer position that allows you to manage a variety of databases. Or if you’re applying for clinical research positions but your interpersonal skills could be better, try getting a temporary job that involves a lot of outward facing communications to clients and partners.
PART I – DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO WORK IN CLINICAL RESEARCH? /09
At the same time, if the skills you need are job specific, look for courses or seminars
DETERMINE WHICH
that will allow you to enhance your knowledge. Professional organizations offer courses,
SKILLS YOU NEED
seminars, and certifications geared to the field of clinical research. The advantage of
IN YOUR CLINICAL
investing in industry-specific education is that you’ll learn the most current skills and earn
RESEARCH PROFESSION,
certifications from recognized organizations—something that potential employers like to AND ASSESS IF
see on your résumé. YOU’RE QUALIFIED.
The bottom line is that if you’re looking to break into the field of clinical research IF YOU’RE LEAN ON ANY
and have no prior experience, it’s not easy to bring all of the required abilities SKILLS, DEVELOP THEM
to the table. FURTHER BY PURSUING
EDUCATION OR
So take some time to evaluate which skills you need to develop further and find the most ACQUIRING EXPERIENCE
appropriate way to do so. Because when you can present an employer with a résumé THROUGH TEMPORARY
OR VOLUNTEER WORK.
that shows you’ve got what it takes, your chances of being hired greatly increase./10 PART II – WORK THE NETWORK: PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
PART II – WORK THE NETWORK: PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS /11
Landing your first job in clinical research is challenging. Due to
AN IMPORTANT REASON
the high stakes nature of the industry, it’s understandable that FOR NOT BEING
employers looking to start projects want to work with talent they CONSIDERED FOR
know can deliver—and they can only really be certain if you have PROJECTS IS BECAUSE
NONE OF THE PRINCIPAL
a proven track record.
INVESTIGATORS KNOW
This means that when you’re entering the clinical research field, you can find yourself YOU. BY NETWORKING
IN PERSON AND ONLINE,
in the frustrating cycle of not gaining experience because you’re not being considered
YOU CAN GIVE THEM
for projects.
THE OPPORTUNITY TO
GET TO MAKE YOUR
But here’s a key piece of information that can help move your career forward:
ACQUAINTANCE AND
an important reason for not being considered for projects is because none of the main
LEARN WHAT YOU HAVE
decision makers in charge of studies or clinical trials, know you yet.
TO OFFER.
The answer? Give the decision makers the opportunity to get to know you. And the way
to do this is by networking.PART II – WORK THE NETWORK: PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS /12
There are two methods of networking:
the traditional, face-to-face way and online or virtual networking. Professional organizations are
excellent places to network.
Traditional networking Below are some key national and
global organizations for clinical
research professionals:
Even in a connected world, face-to-face meetings with professionals in your field
• Regulatory Affairs Professional
can give you an edge over the competition. The reason is that in-person meetings often
Society (RAPS)
allow others to form a more comprehensive picture of you. While your résumé lists your www.raps.org
education, skills, and experience, it doesn’t provide proof of your interpersonal skills,
• Develop Innovate Advance (DIA)
communications skills, or ability to speak in an informed manner on a topic related to www.diahome.org
your specialty.
• Society of Clinical Research
Associates (SOCRA)
Whenever you have an opportunity for an in-person meeting, make the most of it. www.socra.org
Research the people you’ll be meeting and find a common interest that can serve as
• Association of Clinical Research
an initial conversation starter. Present yourself professionally, carry business cards, and Professionals (ACRP)
always be courteous. Don’t take up too much of somebody’s time, but try to secure an www.acrpnet.org
invitation to follow up on your conversation at a later date. • Society for Clinical Data
Management (SCDM)
www.scdm.orgPART II – WORK THE NETWORK: PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS /13 Visit key organizations’ websites, subscribe to their newsletters, or follow their social media pages to find out about events that are of interest to you. By selecting those events that line up with your interests, you stand a better chance of connecting with professionals in your area. Moreover, DIA, SOCRA, ACRP, and SCDM are regularly looking to fill volunteer positions, and by volunteering for a professional organization, you stand a better chance of getting noticed by decision makers in your field. In addition, alumni events and volunteer work (especially in hospitals) both offer excellent networking opportunities. Though the route might be more indirect than through industry events, it can help grow your network, which in turn could lead you to somebody who can open a door for you.
PART II – WORK THE NETWORK: PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS /14 Online networking Roughly 70 percent of talent in the life sciences professions use social media as their preferred method of networking. And it’s easy to understand why: online networking offers the benefit of allowing you to connect with professionals in your area, no matter where they are in the world. Bear in mind that just like in-person networking, you need to find common ground, present yourself professionally, and find a reason to continue the conversation beyond the initial introduction. The trade publication Science Careers not only offers a variety of information related to clinical research careers, it also has a forum where you can interact with other professionals. Moreover, many clinical research professional organizations offer online communities ranging from social media sites and dedicated communities to eForums and LinkedIn groups. Networking might take time, but it’s worth it to make the connections you need in your field. Because the more principal investigators you know, the better your chances of being considered for a project that’s a good match for your skills, thereby establishing a solid foundation for the rest of your career.
/15
KEY LINKEDIN GROUPS,
BY PROFESSION:
REGULATORY AFFAIRS:
Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS)
Regulatory Affairs Jobs & Quality Assurance Jobs REGULATORY
AFFAIRS
Drug Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory Affairs Professionals
CLINICAL DATA MANAGERS:
Certified Clinical Data Manager (CCDM) LinkedIn
groups
Electronic Data Capture – Clinical Trials
Association for Clinical Data Management
CLINICAL CLINICAL
DATA RESEARCH
CLINICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES: MANAGERS ASSOCIATES
Clinical Research Professionals
Independent Clinical Research Associate
Clinical Research Associates
CRA/Clinical Research Associate Network/16 PART III – MANAGING YOUR CLINICAL EXPERIENCE TRAJECTORY
PART III – MANAGING YOUR CLINICAL EXPERIENCE TRAJECTORY /17
If you’re successful at networking and are selected for a position,
AS AN ENTRY-LEVEL
it’s time to start planning for the future. Landing the job isn’t the PROFESSIONAL,
stopping point; in fact, it’s crucial that you put the hours in to YOU HAVE TO START
manage your career. MANAGING YOUR
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
The reason for this is two-fold. TRAJECTORY FROM THE
MOMENT YOU ENTER
First: there’s no guarantee that the trial you’re currently working on will continue through
THE FIELD.
all three phases.
Second: without careful career planning, you could wind up accepting projects that don’t
broaden your experience or follow a logical course toward your career goal.
And neither of these scenarios strengthens your qualifications in an employer’s eyes.
The truth is that as an entry-level professional in clinical research, you have a limited
amount of time to show how you can add value to projects. That means that from the
moment you enter the field, you not only have to start defining your area of expertise, you
also have to consistently perform well. In short, you have to start managing your clinical
experience trajectory. And the way to do this is by first defining your career objective and
subsequently projecting your professional brand.PART III – MANAGING YOUR CLINICAL EXPERIENCE TRAJECTORY /18
Defining your career objective
THE POSITIONS YOU
ACCEPT SHOULD
The secret to managing your clinical experience trajectory is to know your
ALLOW YOU TO GAIN
career objective.
THE EXPERIENCE YOU
By knowing your end goal, you’ll be in a stronger position to make choices that NEED TO MOVE TOWARD
YOUR CAREER GOAL.
purposefully propel you toward your goal—regardless of where you are in your career.
Admittedly, your first position might not be your dream job, but if it’s enabled you to
enter the field, make the most of it. Now you’re in, it’s time to analyze what steps you
must take to get to your career end goal.
For example, let’s say your objective is to become a clinical data manager for large
Phase III trials. If you’re currently an analyst on small trials, you should look for
positions that begin to broaden your experience. Gain exposure by working on larger
studies. Alternatively, if you continue working on smaller studies, accept positions with
more responsibility.
No matter which route you take, the positions you accept should allow you to gain the
experience you need to move toward your career goal.PART III – MANAGING YOUR CLINICAL EXPERIENCE TRAJECTORY /19
Projecting your personal brand
YOUR PERSONAL
BRAND IS YOUR
A key element of gaining the right kind of experience is projecting your
UNIQUE COMBINATION
personal brand. Your personal brand is your unique combination of skills, knowledge,
OF SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE,
and experience that enables you to add value to trials and studies.
AND EXPERIENCE THAT
ENABLES YOU TO ADD
To define your personal brand, you need to combine your career objective with your
VALUE TO TRIALS
unique qualities. To do so, ask yourself the following questions:
AND STUDIES.
• What professional accomplishments am I proud of?
• What do I excel at?
• How would my colleagues describe me?
Using the example above, let’s say you’re a clinical data analyst aspiring to become
a clinical data manager. One of your most important accomplishments was to design
a custom data tracking system for a Phase II clinical trial that’s now been approved
to enter Phase III. You excel at analyzing the data that results from trials, and your
colleagues describe you as a natural leader. Putting it all together, you’d describe your
personal brand as follows:
Skilled clinical data analyst with leadership qualities and proven
expertise in designing and customizing data tracking systems.PART III – MANAGING YOUR CLINICAL EXPERIENCE TRAJECTORY /20
Once you know your brand, it’s key to reinforce it.
BY PROJECTING
YOUR BRAND IN
By projecting your brand in everything you do professionally, from the organizations you
EVERYTHING YOU DO,
join to the types of trials you work on, you distinguish yourself in the eyes of your peers and
YOU DISTINGUISH
employers. They will associate you with the types of trials you’ve worked on—and be more
YOURSELF IN THE EYES
likely to consider you for projects that fit your clinical experience trajectory. OF YOUR PEERS AND
EMPLOYERS, WHO
Finally, remember this: if you deviate from your trajectory, make sure there’s a very
WILL CONSEQUENTLY
good reason for it. Career moves that don’t line up with the rest of your choices can raise
BE MORE LIKELY
questions, so if you take a different direction, be prepared to explain your reasons with TO CONSIDER YOU
prospective employers. FOR PROJECTS
THAT FIT YOUR
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
TRAJECTORY./21 PART IV – WORKING WITH RECRUITERS TO MEET PROFESSIONAL GOALS
PART IV: WORKING WITH RECRUITERS TO MEET PROFESSIONAL GOALS /22
In Part III, we discussed why it’s important to manage your
BY PARTNERING WITH
clinical experience trajectory. But even if you know what type A RECRUITER WHO
of project you want to do next, the fact is that when you’re SPECIALIZES IN PLACING
working full time on a trial, you might not have enough time to CLINICAL TALENT, YOU
CAN REMAIN ACTIVE
stay abreast of developments in the job market. Yet you can’t
ON THE JOB MARKET
always be certain that the trial you’re currently working on will EVEN WHILE YOU’RE
move on to the next phase. WORKING FULL TIME.
In short, no matter how good your performance in your current position and how
aware you are of your desired career moves, you could find yourself suddenly back
on the job market.
And there’s no guarantee that your next job will be an ideal step on the path toward
your ultimate career goal.
Fortunately, by partnering with a recruiter who specializes in placing clinical talent, you
can remain active on the job market even while you’re working full days plus overtime.
A professional recruiter can be your eyes and ears on the job market so that when it’s
time look for another position, the groundwork is already laid.PART IV: WORKING WITH RECRUITERS TO MEET PROFESSIONAL GOALS /23
What a professional recruiter can do
BY VIEWING YOUR
RECRUITER AS A
Once you’ve clearly communicated your career objective and personal brand to your
PROFESSIONAL
recruiter, he or she will evaluate your candidacy and look for positions that could be
PARTNER, YOU CAN
a match. Your recruiter can assist you in locating opportunities that fit into your overall
ESTABLISH A LONG
career plan, as well as help you market your personal brand to principal investigators and TERM RELATIONSHIP
other decision makers. And because a recruiter has an extensive network of professional YOU CAN CALL UPON
contacts, he or she often hears about new positions before they’re listed anywhere. If a WHENEVER YOU NEED
job’s a match, your recruiter can help you circumnavigate the pile of applicants and get OR WANT TO MAKE
your résumé on the desk of the principal investigator charged with selecting the best A CAREER MOVE.
team for the project.
You and your recruiter: a partnership
Your partnership with your recruiter should be built on mutual respect, trust, and
performance. Just like it’s your recruiter’s job to find positions that match your career
trajectory, it’s your responsibility to always conduct yourself in a professional manner and
perform your duties well. Remember to check in regularly—even when you’re working—
and keep your recruiter abreast of any new developments that affect you professionally,
such as promotions, trials being extended, or life changes that have an impact on your
work preferences./24 SOURCES: http://money.cnn.com/pf/best-jobs/2013/snapshots/9.html http://myfootpath.com/careers/health-care-careers/clinical-trials-and-research-careers/ http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/medical-scientists.htm http://www.acrpnet.org/MainMenuCategory/Education/How-Do-I-Get-Started-in-Clinical-Research.aspx http://www.biospace.com/askHR.aspx?ContentEntityID=987 http://www.diahome.org/en-US.aspx http://www.raps.org http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org http://www.socra.org http://www.acrpnet.org http://www.scdm.org
/25
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Search for jobs on our Kelly Career Network , join our
Talent Network, or visit www.kellyservices.com to get started today.ABOUT THE AUTHOR JAMIE STACEY is vice president and Americas Science Product Leader for Kelly Services, Inc. In this role, Jamie is responsible for strategic planning including gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements for the scientific workforce solutions market. Jamie’s expertise includes global system implementations, vendor management, global recruiting, employment marketing strategies, contingent labor programs, talent sourcing, and diversity & inclusion. She has a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a Master of Science in organic chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. ABOUT KELLY SERVICES® Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: KELYA, KELYB) is a leader in providing workforce solutions. Kelly® offers a comprehensive array of outsourcing and consulting services as well as world-class staffing on a temporary, temporary-to-hire, and direct-hire basis. Serving clients around the globe, Kelly provided employment to approximately 540,000 employees in 2013. Revenue in 2013 was $5.4 billion. Visit kellyservices.com and connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Download WorkWire™, a free iPad® app by Kelly Services. This information may not be published, broadcast, sold, or otherwise distributed without prior written permission from the authorized party. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. An Equal Opportunity Employer. © 2014 Kelly Services, Inc. EXIT
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