The Talent Race within Life Sciences

A shortage of industry skills & competition from other industries makes hiring difficult.

Vaccine development, gene therapy and DNA assembly… recent Life Science discoveries have been pretty ground-breaking. As one of the most cutting-edge industries in the world, it’s time for talent-attraction methods to take a front seat.

Talent shortages within life sciences have always been an issue, yet the global pandemic did its bit to exacerbate the problem. Enhanced knowledge and a growing number of niche organisations, paired with a lack of talent have made the competition for candidates fiercer than ever.

Bioinformaticians and computational biologists have become the Beatles of the 21st century. Industry-specific expertise are so in demand because they are incredibly difficult to source! Cross-sector competition for generic talent is notable too through the increased demand for technology specialists.

An increasingly significant talent shortage highlights the necessity for organisations to secure the best from the scarce talent available, while also retaining the staff they’ve got!

While start-up Life Science organisations may be unable to match the salary offerings of their global counterparts, there are certain steps your organisation can take to attract talent which won’t break the bank!

Firms will need to look at what can make them stand out from competitors, what they can offer prospective hires and how they can improve recruitment processes.

Making its way into the mainstream in 2020, remote work is here to stay. Embracing flexible work models within the life sciences sector will diminish the restraints attached to geographical talent locations and will allow organisations to access candidates before other firms follow suit. 72% of life science employers believe that flexible work arrangements will enhance talent attraction. Think about how you could introduce enhanced flexibility to your organisation. Perhaps a 4 day work week or shorter workdays are the keys to attracting the talent you need.

Life Science firms also tend to fall behind other industries when it comes to the talent experience focus. Only 71% of life sciences human capital leaders rate their company’s talent experience as excellent or good. Improving this, could be a key differentiator in the race to recruit and retain top talent. Implementing a diversity and inclusion strategy is one way to make new and existing talent feel as though their needs are appreciated while at work, while also becoming an attraction point for potential talent pools.

Organisations should run a cultural audit of their businesses to help identify priority areas for action to improve talent experience. This will include an evaluation of training, review of policies and procedures and focused listening groups.

Reputation, career opportunity and flexibility in the workplace are all attractive elements. A key factor for many firms will be to put the work into building early-stage relationships with prospective candidates. This should help companies identify what it will take to lure them into the life sciences sector.

Need a talent partner that can source the best talent for your organisation? – Click here to find out how our recruitment solutions at Kelly can help fill your vacancies.

Want to find out more about what we do? - Take a look at all we have to offer in the Life Sciences space here .

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Navigating Career Crossroads: Your Guide to a Fulfilling Your Next Career Move!

12 Feb, 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of the professional world, many of us find ourselves at crossroads, contemplating a change in career or seeking new opportunities to ignite our passion.

September Surge – Our Top Tips for Job Seekers

by Shazamme System User • 07 Sept, 2023

Summer is over. September is here. For you lovers of the summer, this can often bring feelings of the blues, but September can represent a time for a fresh start. This time of the year can offer many opportunities for job hunters to find a new job that aligns with their skills, goals, and experience. Check out our top tips on how you can land your dream job this time around (and why you should work with Kelly). 1. Get Clear On Your Goals First and foremost, you must have a clear objective of what you want for your career. Searching for a new job can bring feelings of excitement and motivation but it can also be overwhelming for applicants. Having an idea of what industries, you would like to work in, the timeline in which you would like to find a job, and the companies you’re interested in will reduce those negative feelings but will also give you a sense of direction and focus. 2. Update Your CV The next thing you should look at is improving and updating your CV. Have you demonstrated your most valuable skills? Have you highlighted your most important accomplishments and achievements? Have you included your personal websites, business profiles, and your LinkedIn profile? These are some of the many things to consider when updating your CV. Job applicants should also keep in mind that you should adjust your CV for every job you apply for. You should customize your CV so that it reflects the job you’re applying for. 3. Work with a Recruiter Are you aware of the benefits of working with a recruiter? Recruiters are experts in the hiring industry. They can help save you a significant amount of time during your job search as they know exactly what jobs are available in the market and they can match you with a role that aligns with your experience. Recruitment consultants can help you improve your CV and cover letter as well as make sure you are prepared for interviews. If you would like to read more about the benefits of working with a recruiter, click here . September is an excellent time of the year to find that new opportunity that you have been longing for. By following these tips, you should be on the right course to navigate the job market and find a role that suits you. It’s important to stay positive during your job search as it can sometimes be a lengthy process. But just remember, the right opportunity can take time. If you would like assistance during your job search, please do not hesitate to reach out and email us at info@kellyservices. co.uk. Or click here to search our latest vacancies and apply today!

Change. How to turn your fear into fuel for a rocket move and wake up in a different reality.

28 Aug, 2023

Rephrasing the famous song, “Love is in the air”, let’s talk about change is in the air – and everywhere. We grow. We change. Look at your childhood photos. Watch your kid, your nephew, your niece. The change is there, and it’s incredible. Nature is constantly changing. We wait for summer as the time to enjoy outdoor activities and gardening, for a quick visit to the beach, or simply take time to relax and spend time with family, friends and loved ones. We wait for winter (even if we never see snow falling) to decorate the house for the holidays, pack presents for the people we love and unpack our own. The colour of the leaves changes, the weather shifts, and flowers blossom in their time – the landscape is constantly transforming. The world around us is changing. We travel to other countries and learn new things, cultures and languages. We take on new hobbies. We get new skills. After a couple of minor kitchen accidents (sometimes), we can cook delicious dishes and get compliments from family and friends. We transform our bodies at the gym or simply by creating the habit of walking every day. We meet new people, we sometimes fall in love, we build families, we have kids. And if you step back for a second, you realise you might have met your other half by pure accident. But you took a leap of faith into the unknown. We embrace many types of unknown change, except for the one that can change how we live five days a week – to change jobs. “I am too old/too young to change”, “I’m used to this environment; It’s my comfort zone”, “Well, I don’t get any promotion, and what I do doesn’t change the world, but it’s stable”, “I am afraid to ask for more interesting projects. What if my manager fires me?”. We often don’t want to change because that step requires a vision, courage, external support, and a leap of faith into the unknown. Scary? Yes. But also promising. A step into the unknown? Yes. But it can open a new door. Do your inner values marry what you do? Yes, it is essential. There is nothing terrible about staying in your comfort zone. At some stage of your career, staying put can be an excellent decision. But if you feel that you need a change – talk to Kelly. We don’t mind going the extra mile and support your wish to embrace the change. The one which will give meaning to what you do, feel proud, motivated and fulfilled. Ready for changing? We’ll make sure your talent can truly shine.