“I Miss the Old Days of Interviewing…”

A Medical Science Liaison candidate recently confided, “I miss the old days of interviewing in person. I’m just better that way. I can connect more easily.”

I understood. In-person interviews had a certain simplicity and immediacy. Sitting face-to-face, shaking hands, and making an impression without technical barriers. I even agreed with them.

But here’s the thing: that’s not how hiring works in the pharma industry anymore.

The interview process in Medical Affairs has fundamentally changed, and holding on to the past can put you at a disadvantage.

If you want to succeed in 2025, it’s not about resisting these changes. It’s about adapting to them. The good news? You don’t have to do it alone.  Let’s look at the five major shifts in the interview landscape and how you can succeed in this new reality.