Being a clinical researcher requires a very specific set of skills and extended research experience. Educationally, recruiters will be looking to see at least a bachelor’s degree in a life science subject. Beyond that, you need to show that you can use all industry standards research tools and that you understand clinical research procedures and regulations.
If you manage to get a job in this profession, you will be joining just over 7 thousand researchers (in the US), 61.7% of whom are women. You will most likely work in the education sector or the private sector, with those two sectors taking up around 73% of all clinical researchers.
Beyond your education and industry standards tools, your resume should indicate your great communication and teamwork skills as well as dedication to your work and critical thinking skills. This guide includes successful resume samples approved by recruiters, as well as some skills and action verb options that you could use to elevate your resume today.
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A clinical research associate (CRA) is in charge of planning and coordinating the execution of clinical trials aimed at testing products. You will also serve as the contact person for doctors, patients, pharmacists, etc. This means you will need to have excellent skills and a strong clinical research background. Take a look at this recruiter-approved resume.
Show recruiters that you are a hardworking and successful researcher by showing an upwards trajectory of your medical research career. It will also show recruiters your dedication to your profession. This applicant started as a medical researcher and moved their way up to a clinical research associate.
In this position, you will not be conducting the trials themselves but rather coordinating to ensure everything that needs to be done for the trial is done. This may include ensuring the finances and personnel needed are available, and that all related regulations and laws are followed. You will be reporting to a clinical principal investigator.
Awards show that not only do you do excellent work but that your work is good enough to receive recognition over others. This applicant has effectively added 2 relevant awards.
In this position, you will be the support system for clinical trials and other lab investigations. You will not work directly on the trials but you will assist in any administrative work that needs to be done and ensure that the trials have everything that is needed and that they follow all guidelines. In essence, you will be coordinating all the moving parts that must work together to make a trial successful. Take a look at this successful resume sample.
Using keywords related to coordinator functions is a great way to ensure that your resume highlights your coordinator experience. Some keywords this applicant uses include ‘spreadsheets’, ‘organizing’, and ‘WCAG’.
If you do not have a lot of professional research and coordinator experience since graduating from school, you can include any student research experience you had. The skills used and experience gained would largely be the same as you would get from professional experience.
As a clinical pharmacist, your resume needs to convey your unique blend of patient care and technical knowledge. With recent industry trends leaning towards an increased involvement in patient management and care, clinical pharmacists are being called upon to be more hands-on. This makes it critical to showcase your experience and skills in direct patient care and health management on your resume. Keep in mind the increasing use of electronic health records (EHRs) across companies and facilities. A clinical pharmacist who is proficient in the latest EHRs systems is an asset, so don't forget to include your technical skills as well.
Clinical pharmacist roles have evolved to become more patient-oriented. This means when you're creating your resume, you should emphasize how you've directly contributed to patient care: adjusting medication plans, educating patients, or collaborating with other healthcare professionals for optimal patient outcomes.
Thinking of stepping into a Clinical Manager role? Well, it's a multi-faceted job that requires not just medical expertise, but solid management skills as well. The healthcare industry has seen a push for more efficiency and better patient care, and Clinical Managers play a crucial role in achieving these goals. As such, recruiters are on the lookout for those who can balance administrative tasks while ensuring top-notch medical service. When crafting your resume, it's important to demonstrate this balance clearly.
Clinical Managers are now often expected to lead initiatives like electronic health record implementation or new healthcare regulations. This has made experience with project management and change leadership highly desirable. So, besides your clinical experience and skills, it's essential to showcase these aspects on your resume to stand out in today's market.
Clinical Managers are expected to lead major initiatives, so it's important to incorporate your project management experience on your resume. You should discuss specific projects you've managed, the teams involved, and the results achieved.
Clinical Managers navigate the busy intersection of healthcare administration and patient care, often working behind the scenes to keep hospitals or clinics running smoothly. The demand for these professionals is on the rise, with changes in healthcare policy and an increasingly aging population requiring efficient management. When writing your resume, it’s crucial to convey your capability to handle the administrative side of healthcare, while not losing sight of patient satisfaction and staff morale. As a Clinical Manager, you're expected to wear many hats, so your resume must reflect your multifaceted skill set, from project management to your understanding of healthcare regulations.
As a Clinical Manager, one of your key responsibilities is to manage and improve patient care quality. On your resume, go beyond simply listing this responsibility. Include metrics or quantifiable evidence of how your management improved patient care quality or increased patient satisfaction during your previous roles.
As a Credentialing Specialist, you're the gatekeeper of quality and competency within a healthcare setting. This role is critical and unique, seeing that you are the one verifying the qualifications and backgrounds of medical professionals. These are sensitive tasks, governed by specific rules and regulations. Recently, we've noticed a trend for Credentialing Specialists to have a more prominent role in healthcare compliance, so it's essential to emphasize your understanding of these aspects. When developing your resume, remember that you're marketing your unique skills and knowledge within this niche field. It's not just about listing job duties but showing how you've excelled in this role.
In your resume, it's essential you demonstrate your understanding of healthcare industry compliance and regulations. Mention specific laws, standards, or regulations you've worked with and how you ensured adherence within your organization.
Credentialing Specialists often use specific software to track and manage information. If you're familiar with any of these systems, ensure you mention them. This shows you can hit the ground running without needing much training.
Clinical Data Managers oversee the complete lifecycle of clinical trials, from design and setup to data collection and analysis. Their role is pivotal in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data used in healthcare decisions. Recently, there has been a surge in demand for this job, especially with the increase in remote clinical trials and focus on digital health. When crafting your resume for such a role, remember it's not just about showcasing your technical abilities, but also demonstrating your grasp of regulatory guidelines, data management best practices, and problem-solving skills.
In the ever-evolving world of healthcare, staying updated with new technologies and methodologies is integral. Potential employers are on the lookout for Clinical Data Managers who keep up with industry trends and standard regulations. When preparing your resume, emphasize your continuously updated industry knowledge, understanding of the latest software, and ability to adapt and learn quickly.
You should list and elaborate on the platforms and software you've used in data collection and management. Know your way around Oracle Clinical, Medidata RAVE, or SAS? Include these. It's essential to show that you're equipped with the necessary technical skills.
As a Medical Science Liaison (MSL), you're a bridge between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals. This role is all about translating complex scientific information into digestible insights that help improve patient care. The MSL industry has evolved recently, with an emphasis on demonstrating value to healthcare providers beyond just providing data. Your resume needs to show hiring managers that you're not only a capable mediator, but also that you’re up-to-date on the latest industry trends. Further, it's pivotal to illustrate your ability to build and maintain relationships, lead educational trainings, and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
MSL roles require the ability to build and maintain relationships with key opinion leaders in the healthcare field. Use your resume to show how you've successfully built these relationships in the past, whether through network development, clinical trial collaboration, or peer-to-peer education.
As a Clinical Trial Manager, you're in the exciting and challenging world of managing clinical research activities. This role often involves collaborating with different stakeholders and ensuring clinical trials are executed properly, safely, and ethically. Over the past few years, the industry has seen an increase in the use of technology and data analysis, so understanding these trends can give your resume an edge. When crafting your resume, it's crucial to show not only your knowledge in managing clinical trials but also your ability to adapt to new technologies and relevant regulations.
Your resume is your opportunity to showcase your experiences and achievements. It should tell the story of how you've successfully managed trials and navigated regulatory requirements. It's not just about listing your previous roles, but about showing how your unique contributions have made a difference in those positions. In doing so, remember to quantify your achievements where possible.
Beyond your educational background, it's crucial to include any certifications or qualifications related to clinical trial management. Certifications like Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) or Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA) show you're well-qualified and committed to staying current in the field.
Given the rise of technology in clinical trials, it's wise to detail any experience you have with relevant software, databases, and data analysis. Showing your proficiency in using electronic data capture systems or statistical software can make your resume stand out to a hiring manager.
We spoke with hiring managers at leading clinical research organizations, including Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Novartis, to gather their insights on what makes a strong clinical research resume. Based on their feedback and our analysis of successful resumes in this field, we've compiled a list of essential tips to help you craft a compelling clinical research resume that will catch the attention of employers and increase your chances of landing an interview.
Employers want to see that you have hands-on experience in clinical research. When describing your work history, focus on your specific roles and responsibilities in clinical trials.
Avoid vague or general descriptions that don't showcase your unique contributions:
A resume summary, also known as a professional summary or summary statement, is an optional section that sits at the top of your resume, just below your contact information. It provides a brief overview of your professional background, skills, and accomplishments, giving hiring managers a quick snapshot of what you bring to the table.
While a summary is not strictly necessary, it can be particularly useful if you are a career changer or have a diverse background that may not be immediately apparent from your work history. It allows you to provide context and connect the dots for the reader. However, avoid using an objective statement, which focuses on your goals rather than what you can offer the employer.
The work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you show potential employers what you've accomplished in previous roles and how you can add value in the position you're applying for. When writing your work experience section for a clinical research role, focus on highlighting your relevant skills, achievements, and impact.
Your education section is a key part of your clinical research resume. It shows hiring managers that you have the necessary qualifications and background to excel in the role. Follow these tips to make sure your education section is effective and compelling.
Action verbs are a powerful way to frame your achievements and experience effectively. They can be used to make your abilities look diverse and your achievements look impressive. For a clinical researcher, you need your action verbs to show that you are skilled in multiple stages of the research process. They also need to highlight your successes and show recruiters that you work well in teams and that your work has borne fruit.
This is a sample of action verbs that can be used to elevate your resume. Use those that apply most to your experience.
For more related action verbs, visit Medical Action Verbs.
For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.
This profession is very technical and as such your skills section should reflect that technical nature. For one, you should show that you are well-versed in the regulations and industry expectations of your research so include things like ‘Good Clinical Practice (GCP)’.
You also need to show that you are experienced in using the industry standard tools for clinical research. If you can find out the tools used by the company you are applying to, add all those tools to your list. Ensure you do a crash course in the tools you are not familiar with, before adding them to your tools section.
It would also be beneficial to include the areas of healthcare that you have done clinical research in. For example, specify ‘Oncology clinical research’ instead of only listing ‘clinical research’. It helps give recruiters a more clear understanding of your research background.
Here is a list of skills that would be beneficial to add to your skills section.
You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Clinical Research job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.
Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.
