In this episode of The Pharma Medic Podcast, we dive into the rollercoaster that is the modern job search—especially for those navigating careers in Medical Affairs and the broader pharma world. Inspired by a recent panel discussion at King’s College London, I reflect on the honest, sometimes frustrating realities of trying to land the right role in today’s hyper-competitive market.

From being ghosted after applications, to investing hours crafting tailored cover letters only to never hear back, many of us have experienced the emotional toll that comes with trying to get noticed—and hired. This episode is a candid and comforting guide for anyone who's ever felt stuck, overlooked, or just plain exhausted by the job hunt.

But we don’t stop at the frustration—we explore strategy too. One of the key takeaways from the panel discussion was this: it’s not just about your resume or your LinkedIn profile. It’s about how you show up. It’s about your presence—the value you bring in how you engage, comment, and contribute to the conversations that matter in your field.

We talk about how engagement on LinkedIn—insightful comments, thoughtful questions, and adding perspective to industry posts—can do more for your visibility than polishing your summary line for the 15th time. Your profile matters, of course. But the way you think and show up? That’s what people remember.

I also unpack a lesser-discussed reality: sometimes, roles are posted publicly because of policy or regulatory requirements, but the hiring team already has an internal candidate in mind. It’s not personal. It’s procedural. And yes, it stings. I’ve been there, and in this episode, I share what to do when it happens—and how to still use your application to stand out by offering the unique value of an “outsider’s” perspective.

We’ll also dig into the framework hiring managers often use to evaluate resumes in those first 15 to 20 seconds. Spoiler alert: they’re not reading your life story. They’re asking four key questions:

What role are you targeting?

What results have you delivered?

What skills and strengths do you bring?

Can you repeat your success in this role?

And all of that? Needs to be clear in the top third of your resume.

I’ll walk you through how to structure your resume to make an immediate impact—starting with a target job title, top three skills, a short personal branding statement, a showcase of key achievements, and a strengths section tailored to the role.

Finally, I reflect on the value of not internalizing rejection. If a role asks for specific experience—say, affiliate experience in a certain region or regulatory submission exposure—and you don’t have that, it doesn’t mean you’re not capable. It just means the fit wasn’t quite there. That’s not a measure of your potential. That’s alignment, not inadequacy.

This episode is a reminder that your journey is unfolding, even if it doesn’t look like it today. Whether you’re rewriting your resume for the third time, considering a bold pivot, or just trying to stay hopeful—this one’s for you.

Tune in to hear stories, strategies, and the mindset shifts that will help you not just survive the job search, but find your way through it—one conversation, one comment, one brave next step at a time.