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“Self-care has become a new priority – the revelation that it’s perfectly permissible to listen to your body and do what it needs.” ― Frances Ryan Burnout - lets talk about it!It’s one of those subjects that often gets mentioned, but never really discussed. I think it’s time to change that.I am actually quite surprised that in today’s day and age it has not been classified as a medical condition yet, because let’s face it – it is.Burnout is very popular and happens more often than people would like to admit. It’s that state of mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion, caused by prolonged, work-related stress. In order to come up with ways of avoiding it, let’s break down the definition to see how each of the factors can be FIXED!Emotional exhaustionEmotional exhaustion is a state of feeling emotionally worn out and drained. This can be easily improved by ensuring we eat right, take technology breaks, meet with our friends, and of course exercise. Yes, many people could argue that exercise is a suggested remedy for almost everything nowadays, but in this case it is true. Exercise releases chemical endorphins to the brain which triggers a positive feeling in your body. So there, we have proof that going for a run or taking that HIIT class is worth it!Mental exhaustionMental exhaustion is similar, but the symptoms can be more severe, as the person experiencing this feeling starts to be detached, showing apathy towards their work colleagues and the work itself. The first thing to do if possible is to remove the stressor. If it is an overwhelming task at work, perhaps speak to your Supervisor – see if they could offer you some help. Don’t feel that you have to go through this alone.Again, try to eat well and stay active, but also practice relaxation techniques like yoga, massage, or mindfulness – all scientifically recognized to lower stress and anxiety.Physical exhaustionPhysical exhaustion is an extreme state of unrelenting fatigue and sometimes it can be brought on by the previously mentioned mental exhaustion. Being in this state can cause dizziness, chronic tiredness, and headaches, which if untreated can lead to moodiness, slow reflexes or even bad judgement/decision making.Get some sleep! Clocking in your 7 - 9 hours of sleep a night can restore well-being. Set aside some time each day to stretch and try eating foods that improve your energy level, like nuts, fish, and cheese. Magnesium is an essential mineral to promote a healthy nervous system, energy production, and for muscle relaxation.Also, if you ever notice that someone around you is starting to display any of the above signs, see if they are ok, offer them help. Trust me, it will make their day!

Working from home has become the norm for many of us during the pandemic and it looks like it might just be here to stay for a lot us too! It’s great to have the flexibility that comes with working from home, but it’s also a totally different ballgame and something that we need to adapt to as it certainly comes with its challenges. Whether you’re a work from home pro or are still struggling to get accustomed to this new way of life, here are some top tips and reminders to help keep productivity high on a work from home day without compromising your wellbeing: 1.     Try to get into a routine. It can sometimes be tempting to sleep in on a home office day and just roll out of bed and get straight into work, but it’s far more beneficial to get into a routine and have time to mentally prepare yourself for the day ahead. It’s also nice to have some time to yourself before diving into work. Use the time that you would usually spend commuting in a positive way, you could try yoga, meditation or even just spending extra time treating yourself to a lovely breakfast! Did someone say pancakes?2.     Create your designated workspace. Whether you have an office room or not, you should avoid working from your bed or sofa as these should be your spaces for relaxation. Try to create a working space with a desk/table and a comfortable chair and make it YOURS, add items to make it an enjoyable space to be in, this could be your favourite plant or some artwork but try to keep clutter to a minimum because, after all, a tidy space = a tidy mind!3.     Don’t overwhelm yourself. Making a plan for each day can be really valuable and help to give your day some structure but be realistic about the how much you can get done. Make your to-do lists reasonable and be flexible! If you give yourself too many tasks to complete in one day, the thought of even starting the first task can be so daunting that you’ll be more likely to procrastinate and have to rush through your tasks later on. Figure out what works for you for instance, some people like to work to a schedule and adopt time management practices such as the Pomorodo Technique (work for 25 minute intervals, followed by a 5-10 minute break).4.     Take a proper break! When you’re working from home, it can be strangely easy to just keep working through lunch and not step away from your desk for a proper break and change of scenery, but studies have actually shown that taking time away from your desk can directly increase productivity and creativity! Going for a walk or spending time outside is even better for your well-being, soak up that Vitamin D!5.     Hydration, hydration, hydration. Okay, you’ve heard this 100 times before but it never hurts to be reminded. An easy way to ensure that you’re drinking enough water is to buy a time marked water bottle. Fill it up in the morning, set yourself a challenge and make sure that you finish it before the end of the day. You might just notice that your concentration is better, and it will help to keep headaches at bay, particularly when you’re on screens all day!6.     Limit distractions. Of course, we can’t always control everything but do try to control what you can. If you have a particularly demanding project or are under time constraints, you could try removing distractions; let friends/family know not to disturb you, close the door, put your phone on airplane mode or in another room and switch off that TV!7.     Try a productivity tool/app. Utilising productivity tools can be the extra push that you need; they give you incentives and motivate you and there are so many to choose from! Try an app such as Forest, where you plant a virtual tree that takes, for example, ten minutes to grow, and if you can stay off your phone long enough, the tree will finish growing and be added to your on-screen forest, but if you return to your phone too fast, the tree withers and dies. It’s a light-hearted way to avoid digital distractions and gives you a sense of satisfaction! What tips do you have to stay productive at home?

The medical device landscape is continuing to evolve as we see an increase in AI, surgical robotics, molecular diagnostics, and digital health. Even for the most traditional medical device manufacturers, the ongoing challenges of regulatory compliance, entry into new markets and keeping a harmonious balance between internal departments is prevalent.So, for the professionals working in the highly demanding role within a Regulatory Affairs team, what sets you apart from the rest in this constantly ever-changing professional landscape? What will allow you to develop ahead of schedule and continue professional development? I imagine if you are reading this and we are connected, you already have the technical competence with product registrations for medical devices, relevant academic study experience in Life Sciences or Engineering. Let’s call this the technical and core competencies.What I would like to share with you is the soft, professional skills companies are looking for. The things that start-up, mid-sized and global medical device companies are talking to me about… Every Single Day.Stakeholder management and challenging the status quo Being able to challenge the status quo, having a ‘seat at the table’ internally and being the logical, clear voice of regulatory. Clearly communicating the department wants, needs, challenges, limitations, and hard limits with regards to compliance. Replicating this externally, perhaps with suppliers or the Notified Body. Confidence is key and having the ability to be a change driver in an organisation – companies need these skills to stay innovative and agile in an increasingly competitive and challenging market. Organisational and Project Management In regulatory, unless you are in a large organisation with a clearly divided RA function, normally you will be wearing many hats and working across several areas in the business from R&D, QM, RA and auditing. Companies always have projects on-going and systematic organisation skills are key. Especially with entry into new markets and the transition to MDR and IVDR, perhaps working towards MDSAP or a first ISO13485 certification. Be sure to work on your PM skills and pick up those project leading/contributing skills. Communication skills – The ability to speak the language of engineering and regulatory This links back to point one but essentially, being able to navigate the internal structure and competing demands within the business is key. From R&D who are pushing innovation, to sales whose focus is to get the products out the door, you need to show how you handle these potential roadblocks and come to a conclusion that still meets compliance. Also, translating the data and documentation from engineering into the regulatory framework and QMS is such a valuable skill – showing that you are not only comfortable with the paperwork, but also getting a bit technical. Showcasing your listening skills and ability to negotiate with commercial acumen will gain the respect of senior business leaders who perhaps, have limited knowledge of regulatory and are in genuine need of your expert opinion and guidance. It’s not always going to be easy, but we all love a challenge, right? Working independently and as part of the team Autonomous working, especially in the post-COVID-19 remote working world is going to be so important. It was even before! Whether the company is 10 people or 10,000, medical companies need professionals who can stand on their own two feet, plan their days, have awareness of the priorities and pressures but most importantly, still ask for support when it is needed. I spend 50% of my time with my clients understanding their role requirements but the other 50% is dedicated to understanding the team, culture, environment, and people. It’s important to show you are able to build relationships with a multi-disciplinary department and be a team player towards the common goal. Resilience I will never forget the time a candidate messaged me two minutes before a call and typed “Rebecca, I have to reschedule. I’m stuck on the other line with the Russian MoH dealing with chaos!” There are going to be challenges in every day, but also variety, working with like-minded people and making a difference in the world. In interviews, competency-based assessment will be a topic. Questions like “R&D owe you a document to be able to submit a time critical submission, but they are dragging their feet and don’t see the urgency. How would you handle this situation?” This is the type of question we see come up a lot, particularly from multi-nationals and start-ups.  Dealing with organisational change, resource management, increasing regulatory pressures and interrelationship demands internally are all challenges that will bring you personal and professional growth, extremely valuable in the industry as you progress your career into a more strategic/influencing role. Your job is vitally important. You keep the medical world spinning, patients living longer and leading happier lives. There is a shortage of supply in regulatory affairs and increasing demand, but do not forget the soft skills mentioned above to set you apart from the rest!What competencies do you think are necessary for a successful career in Regulatory Affairs?

Just accepted an offer for your dream job and wondering how best to approach handing in your resignation? Please read on…If you are reading this my guess is that you have just secured a brand-new role, so a huge congratulations are in order – exciting times ahead! Obviously securing a job offer for your dream position is incredibly exciting but, understandably, sometimes that excitement can be overshadowed by the looming prospect of having to break the news to your current employer that you are leaving them.It’s almost never the easiest of tasks to give the news of your departure to your manager but as it’s an unavoidable task on the road to the next step in your career, so here are some tips to make the process as smooth as possible for all parties. Time is of the essence.This is key to you, your current employer, and your future employer. Obviously, your new company will be keen to have you join them as soon as possible and get stuck into your on-boarding process and your current employer will appreciate you giving them the courtesy of as much time as possible to find your replacement. It would always be the “dream” situation if they had sufficient time to find a new colleague who could join whilst you are still there so there could be a hand-over process and whilst this is not always possible, ensuring you’ve given as much notice as possible will keep everyone happy!Counter-offers.This is a tricky one; sometimes when you let your company know that you’re leaving them they are all of a sudden and (often all too late) desperate to show how important you are as an employee and will present a counter-offer to you. This can be tempting as, after all, increased responsibilities or earnings are always exciting but accepting a counter-offer can actually be extremely damaging in the long-term and set you back further in your career. Realistically, you were looking for a new opportunity for a reason and though the immediate prospect of a salary increase or promotion can be attractive, the long-term reality is that you’re likely to be left with regret for not having taken the new opportunity that provided you with what you were missing. Statistically, 80% of candidates who accept a counter-offer from their current employer actually end up leaving within 6 months after realising that their original reasons for looking are still valid and haven’t truly been addressed. As unfair as it may be, as soon as your company know you were interviewing elsewhere, a level of trust is often lost and your employer may be suspicious that you are interviewing again whenever you are off work. Lastly, it can also damage your relationship with the other company if you accept an offer and then retract it, putting you in a disadvantaged position if you want to work with them in the future.Honesty is the best policy.It can be tempting, and may seem like the easiest option, when asked why you’re leaving to simply say something generic along the lines of “I loved it here but just wanted a fresh challenge” and in some cases this might be true, but often there is a bigger reason behind closed doors. In reality, you are doing your employer a disservice to not share your honest reasons behind your motivation to leave as it can actually help the company to realise areas where they’re potentially not doing so well and their short-comings and how they can better support and retain staff in future. Think about what made you look elsewhere, was it down to the renumeration, lack of training or perhaps there are a lack of opportunities to advance your career? Respectfully and constructively sharing these insights with employers can really help them to improve. That said, be sure to also share everything you have gained from your time there and thank them for the opportunity that they gave to you, which leads me onto my next point...Always be professional.Sometimes it can be tempting once you have already secured a new role to let your professionalism go slightly out of the window, particularly if your reason for leaving is down to a negative relationship or unfair treatment in the workplace. This is never a good idea, namely because you never truly know who knows another professional in the industry, negative information could be passed on and come back to bite you in your career down the line so do not burn bridges and always remain professional as it puts you in the best position.Get excited!Once the task of handing in your resignation is complete, make sure you give yourself some time to celebrate your imminent new chapter! When times are “normal”, it is always a great idea to attend any social functions that you may be invited to with your new employer so you can begin to integrate with the team and get to know your new colleagues. That way, the first day will not be so daunting and there will already be a few familiar faces!I hope these tips help in some way to make the process of moving onto the next step in your career as smooth as possible. Most of all, it’s important that you don’t feel anxious or guilty about resigning – always prioritize your happiness, job satisfaction and personal/professional development above all! 

David James, our CEO recently caught up with our Medical Device Recruitment Team at Adaptive Life Science, Rebecca Stevens and Hollie Barry, where we discussed all things in relation to CVs in the MedTech industry!The structure is an easy fix. It is the content which truly differentiates you and gives you a competitive advantage to stand out to employers. Our goal is to demystify the Life Science CV to give it the substance that will make an employer stop and want to speak with you.From the common, and often easily avoidable, mistakes that we see in CVs throughout the industry, how to make your CV stand out, and reflect your suitability for a dream role!What common mistakes do you see on CVs in the Life Science industry?Rebecca: The most pertinent aspect of your CV is clarity and often there is not enough information on positions and industry experience. No two Medical Device companies are the same, not by structure, role or responsibility, so don’t assume that an employer will have a holistic understanding of what you do without proper explanation. We have spoken to Specialists who are leading teams of 5+, and Senior Managers with 10+ years who don’t have any management responsibility. The job title is not enough to go by, so make sure you are including your responsibilities and why you were hired for the role – what have you contributed to the department?The most common pitfall we see with medical device CVs is the missing buzzwords that employers will be looking for, to ensure that you know your standards and relevant regulations. Don’t just write about registrations – elaborate on the geographical markets, classes, therapeutic area, active or non-active products, software, IVDs etc... It is great if you are the business process owner for risk management, but make sure you include that you are working in accordance to ISO 14971. These small steps will quickly grab employer attention and lead to arranging an interview.Hollie: Sometimes CVs are just not specific enough – if 90% of your works focus is UDI/labelling, then write this. Don’t mislead an employer and be honest about your limitations, but instead emphasize the areas where you can deliver immediate value to them. If you’re applying for a role, always read the job description and if there are any applicable skills that you bring that aren’t already listed on your CV… add them! Some fool proof things to include but are not limited to: training accreditations (stay up to date), degree and particular relevant focus topics/thesis work, specialist focuses (CAPA/PMS/QMS Documentation etc..) International Standards, markets, MDD/MDR involvement and classes of devices.How do you make yourself stand out as a junior candidate with limited experience?Rebecca: Don’t devalue your experience and trainings received. Include everything, even if only a small part of your role, e.g. sometimes candidates only talk about their experience with non-active devices but on further investigation have worked on one active device and therefore have some knowledge on the electrical standard EN 60601 – it opens up the job market so much further.Hollie: In this case, it’s always a good idea to add any relevant internships you’ve undertaken – include the skills gained from these and any interesting responsibilities you had.How can you make your CV stand out to a recruiter on LinkedIn?Rebecca: Again, always ensuring that you have the relevant buzzwords or skills listed on your profile and make use of the specific skills section. Ensure that the industry is correct (Medical Devices or Biotechnology or Pharma etc...).Hollie: Think of your LinkedIn profile as an online CV, adding a clear and concise description of your responsibilities and focus points is so beneficial and just making sure that you update your skills regularly to reflect your experience. The more detail you share, the more chance you have of receiving actually relevant job enquiries. As an example, I recently spoke to a candidate with the title ‘Quality Manager’ for an ophthalmic medical device company and I had to decipher what his responsibilities were based off the title as there was no further information for me to use. Turns out – he was pretty hands on in registrations and quality was only 20% of his daily focus! If you can share more, it helps us get it right first time.How do you make your CV stand out for a management position?Rebecca: This is easy if you have already been managing and have direct reports or had reports in the past, although we do speak with professionals who are managing teams with full CVs not mentioning their team or number of direct reports. If not and you’re aiming for your first leading position, add any mentoring experience, project leading, supporting interns. Some companies will be open to this and provide the opportunity to develop these skills, but you need to make it easy for them to say yes by highlighting anything relevant.Hollie: I agree, I often speak with candidates who mention that they’ve been training/mentoring others in the team or providing their specialist skills to help the team in a certain area or even managing projects, yet it’s just not listed on their CV. It’s always worth adding any experience you’ve had in these areas especially if you’re aiming for that management/team lead role!What should I include on my CV?Rebecca: Training and accreditations, your degree and any relevant focus topics/thesis work/International Standards, geographic markets, MDR/IVDR involvement, Quality – are you specialising in one phase of the life cycle? Did you set up QMS from scratch or just maintenance? Employers will only have a few moments to review the CV, so this needs to be clear.Hollie: All of the above, and also confirming what classes of device that you work with? What kinds of device - active or non-active, implantable? Make it clear. Are there any projects you’ve worked on that you’re particularly proud of? Focus on the hard skills and less on the soft skills as these will be observed in the interview.It’s a good idea to always keep your CV up to date, whether you are actively looking for a new opportunity or just keeping an eye on the market.We hope that our advice has been helpful to you in some way but we’re also here to assist if you would appreciate some more specific feedback on your newly updated CV. There is no cost to our service, and we will share our honest advice to help put you in the best position for securing that interview! Rebecca Stevens - Global Life Science Recruitment Managerrebecca.stevens@adaptivelifescience.comHollie Barry - Life Science Head-hunter and Candidate Consultanthollie.barry@adaptivelifescience.com