5 Must Do Steps After a Conference to Boost Your Career in Clinical Trials

1. Follow Up with New Connections

Reach out to the people you met within 48 hours of the event. Send personalized emails or LinkedIn messages referencing your conversation to solidify the connection and express your interest in staying in touch or collaborating in the future.

Did You Know: According to a LinkedIn survey, 70 percent of people in 2016 were hired at a company where they had a connection. 

2. Organize and Review Your Notes

Go through the notes and materials you gathered during the conference. Identify key lessons or actionable insights you can apply to your work, and share them with your network, team or use them to improve your own processes.

3. Update Your LinkedIn Profile

Showcase your participation in the conference by updating your LinkedIn profile. Add relevant takeaways or insights in a post, and tag new connections or companies. This increases visibility and keeps you top of mind for professional opportunities.

Pro Tip: AI is your friend! Here is a prompt you can use to help craft a post: 

I went to the SCRS conference where I attended a session. Use this information to craft a LinkedIn post I can post to share my knowledge and create a conversation with my network: 
[Name of session]
[Session summary]
[Your 3 key takeaways]

Optional: You can add customizations such as - Be sure to make the post # of words, include hashtags, and tagging recommendations.

4. Engage with Speakers and Thought Leaders

If there were any presentations that resonated with you, reach out to the speakers. Engage with their content on social media, share your thoughts on their sessions, or ask thoughtful questions. This can help build relationships with industry leaders as well as your knowledge on the industry.

Pro Tip: According to a LinkedIn survey, more than one third (35 percent) say that a casual conversation on LinkedIn Messaging has led to a new opportunity.

5. Schedule Follow-Up Meetings or Calls

Turn networking into opportunities by scheduling brief coffee meetings or virtual calls with your new contacts. This demonstrates initiative and can lead to collaborations, partnerships, or even mentorship opportunities. Mention something specific when you reach out, like a recent post they shared or your shared industry interests, to show you’ve done your homework.

Example: Hi [Name], I enjoyed your recent post about [Topic], and as someone working in [related industry], I’d love to connect and learn more from your insights.

Pro Tip: Ask for Introductions. If you have mutual connections with an industry leader or potential mentor, ask for a warm introduction. This is often more effective than cold outreach.