By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

"Do I have what it takes to be an MSL?" 

Tom Caravela and Sarah Snyder say this is the top question they get from aspiring MSLs. Many aspiring MSLs are coming out of their PhDs, post-docs, PharmDs, MDs, or clinical practice and aren't sure what type of jobs exist outside of their current world. They know they don't want to stay in academia/clinical practice but don't have a good idea of what's out there. Google searches or word of mouth plants the idea of becoming an MSL in their minds. 

They reach out looking for confirmation that the MSL role is something they can do. But this is the wrong approach and the wrong question. If you are considering an MSL role, here's what you should do instead. 

A Better Way To Consider the MSL Role & If It's Right For You

What you should be asking yourself is if you WANT to be an MSL. Not do you have what it takes. If the MSL role truly aligns with your values and is the type of work you want to do, here is the better question you should be asking:

What do I need to do to become an MSL? 

Once you decide this is a good fit, the best next steps are to make a plan to land your first MSL role. All your thoughts should be around when you become an MSL. Because if it is something that you actually want, you will put in the work and it will happen. It becomes only a matter of when.

If you clicked on this article thinking it would be a listicle of all the things you need to do to become an MSL, you'd be wrong. This article is about pursuing a career that is meaningful to you and then making a plan to make it happen. 

How to figure out if the MSL role is a good fit for you

1. Decide what type of work you want to do

There's no right or wrong way to do this. The best advice is to be honest with yourself. One way to do this is to make a list of current work tasks that you enjoy doing. Then find roles that align with that. 

If you struggle with this, then try the opposite. Make a list of work tasks you never want to do again. This also tells you a lot. 

2. Research the MSL role

Read everything you can find on the internet about what MSLs do and what a typical week/month looks like. Listen to the MSL Talk Podcast. If you don't listen to Tom's podcast, are you even serious about the MSL role 🙂? Do informational interviews to learn more about what the role is actually like. 

3. Cross-reference what MSLs do with your list of the type of work you want to do

Do the weekly/monthly tasks of the MSL role align with what you want to do for work? Can you see yourself performing the standard MSL tasks with joy and enthusiasm? 

Here's an example. MSLs need to network and build relationships. As an MSL (especially a new MSL), you will likely be handed a list of KOLs in your territory to build relationships with. This will require emailing or calling KOLs you don't know to set up meetings. Can you see yourself doing that?

If the tasks associated with being an MSL sound awesome to you, then move on the step 4. If not, you may seriously consider if the MSL role is a good fit for you. If it's not, that's ok. Look for other types of jobs. There are so many opportunities out there for highly educated and motivated individuals like yourself!

4. Make a plan for how you will land your first MSL role

You know an MSL position aligns well with what you want to do for work. Now it's time to make a plan to make it happen. You can do a lot more research to start figuring this out and make a plan, but I would highly recommend taking the Aspire MSL Program instead. 

Tom and Sarah designed the Aspire MSL Program for people exactly like you. They have years of experience helping people get MSL jobs and know exactly what it takes. The Aspire MSL Program is a step-by-step blueprint explaining everything you need to do to land an MSL job. 

You are 100% certain the MSL role is right for you. Now it's just about making it happen. 

Conclusion: Do You Have What It Takes To Be An MSL?

Reframe your question and job search around what you want to do. Instead, ask yourself: do I WANT to be an MSL? If the answer is yes, then make a plan and it's only a matter of time until it happens. 

What do you think of this approach? Is this how you think about your job search? Or is this new to you? Reach out to me on LinkedIn to let me know or comment on the MSL Mastery LinkedIn page. We want to hear from you!