Portfolios are incredibly important in medical communication, whether you are looking for full-time employment or pursuing a freelance career. A portfolio is concrete proof of your experience and expertise, emphasizing your work and unique style. Having a well-structured portfolio builds credibility, making it easier to stand out in a competitive job market and increasing the chances of being hired by potential employers or finding clients.
If you are looking to enter or just getting started in this field, you should start working on a portfolio. And here’s why!
Showcase Expertise and Specialization
Portfolios allow medical communicators to showcase their expertise in various specialties of the field along with any specific domains or therapeutic areas. A carefully organized portfolio highlights a professional’s ability to write, edit, or both, along with an understanding of medical and scientific concepts and potential experience in industries such as health care or research.
Offer Samples
Different portfolio platforms allow medical communicators to present a variety of work samples. An example is using platforms such as Clippings.me, which is typically used to highlight select health pieces along with a focused bio. Some medical communicators may choose to add their samples to their own websites. Other times, writing or editing samples are shared with prospective employers or clients, as needed. Make sure that the work you share isn’t protected by copyright or non-disclosure agreements!
Reflect Professional Growth
Portfolios can illustrate a medical writer’s or editor’s progression over time and an ability to tackle complex topics or multilayered projects. For example, I’ve had to fine tune ways to show potential clients how my combined experience in writing, editing, and education made me the ideal candidate to edit or develop content for higher education organizations and platforms!
Build Credibility
Through a well-organized portfolio, medical communicators can enhance their credibility by providing examples of successful projects along with client testimonials. Testimonials can be shared on websites or on platforms such as LinkedIn, helping potential employers or clients assess a professional’s skills and reliability.
Provide networking tools
Portfolios can be invaluable networking tools, allowing writers and editors to share their work easily with peers, clients, and potential employers at conferences, local events, or online.
Want to keep in touch?
Sign up for our monthly newsletter and receive our content.
Want to learn more?
Evergreen’s Introduction to Health Writing is designed to help health and science writers start putting together their own portfolio. Learn more about this self-study course and the testimonials from our learners!
Want to learn more about entering the field?
Sign up for our professional development webinar on November 21! Register here.
2 thoughts on “The Importance of Portfolios for Medical Communicators”