Here’s the catch-22 everyone faces when they’re starting out: you need writing samples to get work, but you need work to get writing samples.
I faced this problem near the end of my 2nd postdoc. I’d landed on medical writing as my way out of academia. It seemed to be the right mix of science, data analysis, and creativity. But I had no client work, no published pieces outside of academia, and nothing that looked like a portfolio.
The answer was simple but counterintuitive. I needed to create the kind of work I wanted to do before I started applying.
This may seem intimidating at first, but I’ve broke down into 4 steps that you can emulate.
Step 1: Build a simple website
This applies to any job seeker, not just aspiring medical writers. Claim a domain and put up a one-page portfolio. A free service like WordPress is fine to start. The point isn’t to be impressive, it’s to have somewhere to send people. A LinkedIn profile alone signals that you’re not serious.
Step 2: Research the actual deliverables
This step will put you ahead of most applicants. The majority of people apply thinking only about themselves (“am I qualified?” “does this pay enough?”) You’re going to do something different and demonstrate that you already understand what the job produces.
There are many types of medical writing. Regulatory documents, medical education content, advisory board materials, publications support. Pick the area that interests you and find real examples of what those deliverables look like.
Step 3: Repurpose what you already have
Here’s where it gets interesting. You don’t need to start from scratch. Your PhD work is full of the raw material, and you can repurpose it to make an impressive medical writing portfolio.
Some examples:
In medical communications, slide decks are a standard deliverable for advisory boards. You’ve made dozens of PowerPoint presentations for lab meetings and conferences. Pull the background slides from your own research and reframe them as the introduction to a mock advisory board deck.
In continuing medical education, needs assessments are common. These are structured documents that define a gap in current clinical knowledge or practice. If you’ve written a grant, you’ve already written something structurally similar. Repurpose it.
These aren’t fake samples. They’re demonstrations of real skill applied to a new format.
Step 4: Share your portfolio (start closer than you think)
None of this pays off if no one sees it. Start with trusted colleagues who know you’re making a move. Tell them what kind of role you’re looking for. This step alone has a way of generating introductions you didn’t expect.
Once you have positive feedback, widen the circle into 2nd-level connections, hiring managers and job listings. Your portfolio isn’t just evidence, it’s a confidence anchor. You’re not just hoping you can do this work, you’re proving it before anyone asks.