Summary
Highlights
Charlie, with 6.5-7 years at Costello Medical, introduces herself and outlines the full recruitment process to be discussed. She emphasizes the growth of Costello from 90 to over 500 people, the opening of new offices, and the creation of new teams. She oversees all company operations and offers to provide insights into various roles and teams. She also provides the recruitment email address: [email protected] for further inquiries.
Charlie advises applicants to carefully review job requirements, honestly assess their strengths and interests, and not apply based solely on job titles. She suggests imagining interview questions while reading job descriptions to gauge suitability. Additionally, applicants should consider daily tasks, work pace, logistical aspects (start dates, work patterns, commute), long-term career goals, company values, and culture. She also highly recommends gathering insights from current employees through networking.
Costello Medical has various teams grouped by service offerings. 'Evidence Development' (literature reviews, real-world evidence, statistics) focuses on collecting and analyzing data to show drug effectiveness. 'Value and Access' (market access, health economics, HTA) demonstrates treatment value and ensures availability. 'Medical Communications' (publications, medical affairs, creative) communicates healthcare data to diverse audiences. 'Health Policy' works on improving healthcare access and quality. 'Expertise Teams' (MedTech, rare diseases, gene therapy, innovation) specialize in specific healthcare areas but collaborate across the other service offerings. Charlie acknowledges the technical terms but reassures applicants that prior knowledge is not expected; rather, interest in the types of projects is key. You can also work across different teams and change teams throughout your career.
Charlie debunks common myths about applications, such as AI reviewing profiles first or that part-time roles don't count. She stresses the importance of a clear, logical, and concise CV (resume) that highlights impact rather than just tasks. Tailoring the CV for each application is crucial, focusing on relevant skills and experiences. For cover letters, she emphasizes using them to tell a story beyond the CV, explaining motivations and interests, even if not required. Cover letters must be tailored and authentic, showcasing personality and genuine excitement for the role and company. She cautions against submitting AI-generated cover letters as final products.
Screening calls at Costello Medical can be one-way video interviews or two-way telephone conversations. Key recommendations include finding a quiet space, checking technology, and preparing examples related to motivations (why this role, why this company) and key skills (background, project examples, soft skills). Charlie reminds applicants that these are not final interviews and aims to understand motivations and what candidates can bring to the company more broadly.
Charlie addresses myths about assessments, affirming that mistakes are not fatal, and the approach to a task is as important as the outcome. Assessments test technical knowledge, written communication, critical and analytical thinking, and healthcare sector understanding. She provides examples of tasks such as summarizing trial papers, creating infographics, building economic models, drafting emails, and reviewing methodologies. Accuracy and a thoughtful approach are prioritized over speed.
Charlie debunks myths, emphasizing that interviews are a two-way conversation, interviewers are not trying to 'catch you out,' and nervousness is normal. Presentations, often linked to previous assessments, are evaluated on technical understanding, clarity, structure, communication skills, design, and the ability to answer follow-up questions from the panel. She advises extensive practice, writing speaker notes, and focusing on technical accuracy over flashy design. For the interview, candidates should be prepared to discuss prior experiences, hypothetical scenarios (showing problem-solving and structured thinking), and specific motivations for joining Costello Medical. Being honest, focusing on personal impact within projects, and preparing questions for the panel are also highlighted.
Charlie answers various questions from the audience, including: the value of volunteering experience for medical writing roles, full-time vs. part-time internship availability, in-person vs. virtual interview options, recommended roles for specific degrees (email for more depth), assessment formats (mostly remote, some timed), GPA requirements, senior role experience, application process for degree apprenticeships (email for specifics), interview preparation time (ideally 7 days), the difference between permanent roles and internships, and the use of AI in screening (humans review everything). She also clarifies that the application process is the same for PhD and BSc graduates, and 'Analyst' is the entry-level role.