Top MSL Resume Mistakes to Avoid (and What Hiring Managers Actually Want to See)

If you are an aspiring Medical Science Liaison (MSL), you already know that breaking into the role is competitive, and the first hurdle is your resume. Your resume is more than just a list of your degrees and work history. It is a strategic marketing document. It must showcase your scientific expertise, highlight your communication skills, and demonstrate that you understand what the MSL role entails.

Unfortunately, many strong candidates are overlooked, not because they are unqualified, but because their resume does not reflect the specific competencies that MSL hiring managers are looking for.

In this guide, we will walk through:

• The most common MSL resume mistakes (and how to fix them)
• What hiring managers actually want to see
• How to structure your resume for clarity, relevance, and impact
• Practical examples that help your resume stand out

Let us make your resume work for you, not against you.

Why Your Resume Matters More Than You Think

Before the interview, the resume is your first impression. Most MSL hiring managers and recruiters will only spend 6 to 10 seconds scanning your resume before deciding whether to move forward.

That means:

• The top third of your resume must be compelling
• Keywords matter (especially for ATS scanning)
• Formatting and clarity can make or break your chances

You might be brilliant, articulate, and passionate, but if your resume does not communicate that, you may never get the opportunity to prove it in person.

10 MSL Resume Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Mistake #1: Using a Generic Resume for Every Application

Your resume should not be “one-size-fits-all.” Customizing it for each role (especially the summary and key skills) shows that you have read the job description and understand the company’s needs.

How to fix it:
Use keywords directly from the job posting. If the company emphasizes “oncology experience” or “scientific exchange,” make sure those words appear early and often.

❌ Mistake #2: Leading with Academic or Clinical Experience That Is Not MSL-Aligned

Many aspiring MSLs have backgrounds in research, academia, or clinical practice. While these are valuable, they must be translated into MSL-relevant language.

How to fix it:
Instead of saying,

“Led a lab focused on oncology biomarkers,”
try:
“Synthesized oncology biomarker data and presented findings to interdisciplinary teams, demonstrating scientific communication skills relevant to MSL roles.”

❌ Mistake #3: Including Too Much Technical or Irrelevant Detail

A common issue is including excessive detail on dissertation topics, benchwork, or coursework.

How to fix it:
Focus on impact, communication, and collaboration, not every reagent or statistical method used.

Use bullets that answer:

• Did I communicate data to stakeholders?
• Did I collaborate with clinicians, researchers, or cross-functional teams?
• Did I help bridge science to practice?

❌ Mistake #4: Burying Key Skills at the Bottom of the Resume

MSL hiring managers are scanning for specific competencies. If they cannot find them quickly, they may pass.

How to fix it:
Include a “Key Competencies” section near the top with high-impact terms such as:

• Scientific communication
• KOL engagement
• Clinical trial support
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Therapeutic area expertise
• Regulatory and compliance awareness

❌ Mistake #5: Neglecting the Summary Section

If your resume opens with “I am a hard-working professional seeking a challenging role…”—you are wasting valuable space.

How to fix it:
Write a clear, focused summary that includes your advanced degree, therapeutic focus, and alignment with MSL work.

Example:

PharmD with 4+ years of oncology experience, strong background in clinical data interpretation, and proven ability to communicate scientific findings to diverse stakeholders. Actively pursuing an MSL role to leverage expertise in evidence-based medicine and patient-centered care.

❌ Mistake #6: Failing to Quantify Achievements

Generic bullets like “worked on clinical trials” do not say much. Hiring managers want impact.

How to fix it:
Use numbers where possible:

• “Presented clinical research at 3 national conferences to audiences of 50+”
• “Collaborated with a team of 6 clinicians to streamline trial site operations, reducing IRB turnaround time by 20%”

Even qualitative outcomes can work, but quantitative is often preferred:

• “Received positive feedback from physician stakeholders for clarity of scientific presentations”

❌ Mistake #7: Ignoring ATS (Applicant Tracking System) Optimization

Many companies use ATS software to screen resumes. If yours is not formatted properly or lacks keywords, it may never reach human eyes.

How to fix it:

• Avoid graphics, tables, and multiple columns
• Use standard section headers: “Education,” “Experience,” “Skills”
• Include keywords from the job posting (e.g., “scientific exchange,” “therapeutic area knowledge”)
• Use keywords directly from the job description or posting *key*

❌ Mistake #8: Overlooking Compliance or Regulatory Language

MSLs operate in a highly regulated space. Even if you are new to the industry, you must show awareness.

How to fix it:
Include language like:

• “Operated within non-promotional scientific exchange boundaries”
• “Maintained compliance with PhRMA Code and FDA guidance”
• “Communicated evidence-based data in accordance with regulatory standards”

❌ Mistake #9: Making It Too Long

Three-page or longer resumes packed with walls of text signal to hiring managers that you do not know how to prioritize.

How to fix it:

• Keep it to 1–2 pages for U.S.-based roles (CVs may be longer internationally)
• Use bullet points, not paragraphs
• Include only the most relevant roles and responsibilities

❌ Mistake #10: Forgetting to Tailor Your Resume to the MSL Role

The MSL role is unique. It is not a research job. It is not a sales job. It is its own hybrid role with its own expectations.

How to fix it:
Show that you understand:

• What MSLs do
• How they communicate
• What types of value they bring to KOLs and internal teams

Every bullet should reflect either:

• Scientific expertise
• Stakeholder communication
• Strategic thinking
• Field autonomy

What Hiring Managers Actually Want to See

Based on hundreds of conversations with MSL hiring managers and recruiters, here is what they are actually looking for when scanning a resume:

✅ Advanced Degree

MSLs typically have a PharmD, PhD, MD, or other advanced clinical degree. If you are still in training, highlight your expected graduation date.

✅ Therapeutic Area Focus

Your therapeutic expertise should match the role you are applying for. Even if you are pivoting from one area to another, show that you are actively building fluency (e.g., independent study, certifications, journals followed).

Note that if you are a community pharmacist or internal / family medicine practitioner, you have a breadth of therapeutic expertise and can therefore apply to many types of jobs. You can contact the coaches at The MSL Academy to learn more about strategies to do this!

✅ Communication Experience

Did you present research? Lead journal clubs? Deliver clinical training sessions? These are indicators of strong communication.

✅ Strategic & Cross-Functional Impact

Hiring managers want MSLs who can see the bigger picture. Highlight collaboration with medical affairs, clinical ops, or regulatory, even if informally.

✅ Evidence of Compliance Awareness

Especially for first-time MSLs, this shows that you understand the expectations and boundaries of the role.

✅ Clear, Clean, Readable Formatting

A good resume is easy to scan, well-organized, and clean. Use 10 or 11 pt font, clear section headings, and consistent bullet formatting.

MSL Resume Structure Template

Here is a high-level structure you can use to craft your own:

[Your Name, Credentials]
Email | LinkedIn | City, State

Professional Summary
2–4 lines focused on your advanced degree, therapeutic area, communication strengths, and MSL alignment.

Key Competencies

• Scientific Communication
• Clinical Trial Support
• Therapeutic Area Expertise
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• KOL Engagement
• Compliance Awareness

Professional Experience
[Role Title] – [Organization] | Dates

• [MSL-relevant bullet 1]
• [MSL-relevant bullet 2]
• [MSL-relevant bullet 3]

Education
[Degree, Institution, Graduation Year]
Certifications (if applicable)

Publications / Presentations / Leadership (if space allows)

Final Thoughts: Your Resume Can Be Your Gateway to the MSL Role

You do not need a complete industry background to land your first MSL role. What you do need is a resume that clearly, confidently, and concisely communicates your value—and aligns your experience with the competencies the role requires.

If you avoid the common pitfalls and structure your resume intentionally, you can go from being passed over to being shortlisted.

Want Help Creating an MSL Resume That Gets You Interviews?

If you are serious about becoming a Medical Science Liaison, The MSL Academy is here to support you.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you are ready to stop guessing and start progressing, we invite you to join our flagship training program.

🎓 The MSL Academy’s Excel Into MSL™ Platinum Program is designed to give you everything you need to:

• Build a standout MSL resume and LinkedIn profile
• Develop therapeutic area fluency and scientific storytelling skills
• Master the scientific presentation
• Ace interviews with mock coaching and insider insights
• Get connected with current MSLs, mentors, and hiring managers

This program has helped many aspiring MSLs land their first role, even without prior industry experience. 

Your MSL journey starts now. Let us help you take the first (and most important) step!