Why a career in medtech could be for you

New year is a busy time for most people, but for final year undergrads, it’s around this time when they really begin to think about potential employers.

The ‘first appointment’ after graduation can really define a career path: the breadth of opportunity currently available and the type of graduate programme will certainly give those graduates a flavour of what the medtech market can offer in terms of a challenging and exciting career.

So where to begin? Well, let’s work backwards: what is it that you want?

If you’ve already decided what area you want to specialise in, then is there really any point in completing a two-year graduate scheme, where you spend three to four months in various departments? On the flip side, if you’ve no idea yet what your specialism will be - you just know you love medical devices - then this could be the perfect solution for you.

Another option is to go for a graduate specialist role, for example a graduate design engineer role in a smaller company. Here you will get to specialise, but you will work closely with all the other departments in the business and get a really good understanding of the product development lifecycle and all the influencing factors which affect the design of the product.

Whatever your strategy, make sure to properly target your choice of companies within medtech. Explore all elements, from IVD to surgical robots, keep your options open.

Research, research

If you really want to secure a role with your employer of choice you need to invest some time now. All companies will have a website. Now, you can follow the crowd and register your interest via these websites. But even better, why not engage with your target employers through social media? It has never been more prevalent as a job search tool, providing immediate access to talent acquisition teams and recruiting managers directly - what’s not to love?

Remember that anybody can rattle off a few statistics about profits, number of employees or key products. In addition, therefore, try to really understand the target organisation and, above all, how you can add value to it. Show insight and commitment. Look at the latest news, trade press and competitors to comprehend the key challenges and opportunities they face. Work out how your experience and expertise will help tackle these challenges.

Network, network

Companies recognise that to secure the best of future talent they need to be engaging with candidates across all social media channels. So get ‘talking’ or stalking your target companies, follow Twitter feeds, join Facebook groups. Check out company alumni, especially those on LinkedIn. Connect and message with these people where appropriate and start getting the inside track.

In summary, it has never been easier to get in front of decision makers - all from the comfort of your phone, laptop or tablet. You can use your own network to find information about the interviewer and possibly the team you may be working in. Use LinkedIn and other networking sites to gather all the intelligence you can. It’s never too early to start engaging skilfully and get yourself known - in a good way.

Competition is fierce. A recent graduate recruitment campaign for a blue chip international medical device company yielded over 400 applicants for two available roles. You need to stand out.

In the coming weeks and months Medical Engineers will be visiting UK universities to speak with undergrads about how they can optimise their CVs for medical engineering roles and engage with target companies professionally and effectively. We always ensure we have plenty of time, so please do come and speak to us after our presentation.

We are passionate about keeping STEM graduates in our industry. Medical Engineers allows any medtech company, regardless of whether they’re a client or not, to advertise graduate roles and internships on its website and we will forward on all applicants directly at no cost to the recruiting company.

Remember also that the medical device and diagnostic industry within the UK is at the forefront of some of the most innovative and technological advancements in the world.

And so when the time is right, you may seek the value of a third party chat and assessment.

And we are here to help candidates at all levels and ages – whether broadening or deepening your career in medical device development, be that within biotech, pharmaceutical, diagnostics (IVD), medical electronics, robotics, orthopaedics, surgical instruments, wound care, drug delivery, research and development or consultancy.