What Skills Do You Need to Stand Out as a Top Clinical Research Associate?
Posted April 30th, 2018
While each individual clinical research associate position will list a unique combination of desired skills and experiences, certain qualifications are fairly universal. By highlighting your abilities in these areas, you can help yourself stand out from the crowd, making it easy for hiring managers to see why they should consider you a top talent in the field.
If you want to make a positive impression on the hiring manager, here are the skills you’ll need if you wish to stand out as a top clinical research associate.
Strong Math Skills
Mathematics is a foundational skill for every clinical research associate simply due to the nature of the work. Showcasing your abilities in this area demonstrates that you have the necessary knowledge to perform in the position.
If you want to highlight your abilities, make sure to discuss the mathematical approaches you’ve used in your previous positions. Additionally, reference any specific college-level mathematics coursework you completed that would be applicable to the role.
Data Collection and Analysis
Many clinical research associates are responsible for gathering large quantities of data and analyzing it to find patterns or draw conclusions. Since this is a core part of many positions in the field, highlighting your prior experience in this specific area can help you stand out.
Mention any large projects you worked on and don’t forget to quantify the information. Additionally, discuss how your analytical skills helped you solve problems, find patterns, or draw accurate conclusions based on the data you acquired.
Organizational Skills
Nearly any research job requires exceptional organizational skills. After all, you’re collecting a lot of information, and you need to be able to track everything accurately.
To show your abilities in this area, provide details about your approach to organization, including any tools or paradigms you regularly use to ensure that nothing is overlooked or misplaced.
Written Communication Skills
Clinical research associates spend a significant amount of time writing critical documents including protocols, reports and technical papers. This means that written communication skills are essential to companies, so highlighting your level of competency can show the hiring manager that you are up to the task.
To demonstrate your writing skills, you need to make sure that your resume and cover letter are completely error-free. Take extra time to review the documents for spelling and grammar mistakes, making corrections as necessary.
You can also reference specific written documents you’ve created while working with previous employers as well as highlight any college-level coursework that focused on written communication, letting the hiring manager know the origins of your writing skills.
By highlighting the areas above, you can provide the hiring manager with critical information about your capabilities, ensuring that you stand out as a top candidate for a clinical research associate role.
If you are interested in learning more or are seeking new job opportunities, the professionals at Bayside Solutions can help. Contact us to speak with one of our experienced team members today and see how our services can benefit you.
