How to hire in the Pharmaceuticals industry
- Content Team
- April 1, 2024
Applicant Tracking, Recruitment Marketing, Sourcing and Talent CRM software are powerful alone, but unstoppable when used together!
The pharmaceutical industry, similar to healthcare, is considered one of the most important industries as it has a big impact on populations’ health and well-being. With the emergence of many new diseases, health problems, and epidemics, the need for new drug development is also growing. That being said, the demand for pharmaceutical professionals with good skills, knowledge, and experience is high in many different parts of the world.
Understanding the Industry
Key Challenges
Hiring in the pharmaceutical industry presents several unique challenges, primarily due to the highly specialized and regulated nature of the field. Here are some key challenges:
Finding Highly Specialized Talent: The pharmaceutical industry often requires candidates with very specific skills and expertise. Roles in research and development, for example, may need advanced degrees in pharmacology, biochemistry, or related fields. Finding candidates with the necessary educational background and experience can be challenging.
Regulatory Compliance: The pharmaceutical sector is heavily regulated. Candidates must not only be qualified but also well-versed in various regulatory frameworks like FDA regulations, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and others. Ensuring that employees stay compliant is crucial for the company’s reputation and legal standing.
Ethical Considerations and Reputation Management: Pharmaceuticals often face scrutiny regarding ethical concerns like drug pricing, clinical trials, and product safety. Hiring employees who are not only skilled but also ethically sound and sensitive to these issues is important for maintaining a positive public image.
Competition for Talent: The industry competes for talent not just within itself but also with other sectors like biotechnology, healthcare, and even tech industries. This competition makes attracting and retaining top talent more challenging.
Cultural Fit and Soft Skills: Apart from technical skills, the right cultural fit is crucial. Soft skills like communication, teamwork, and adaptability are essential, especially in an environment where collaboration between various departments is vital.
International Talent and Regulatory Differences: Many pharmaceutical companies operate globally and need talent that can navigate the regulatory and cultural differences across countries.
Keeping Up with Scientific Advances: The pharmaceutical field is continuously evolving with new scientific discoveries. Professionals need to be committed to lifelong learning to stay relevant in their fields.
Balancing Cost and Quality in Talent Acquisition: Finding the right balance between cost-effective recruitment strategies and attracting high-quality candidates is a critical challenge, especially for smaller or startup pharmaceutical companies.
Intellectual Property and Confidentiality Concerns: Employees often have access to sensitive information. Ensuring that they respect intellectual property rights and confidentiality agreements is essential for safeguarding the company’s interests.
Key Roles in Demand
In the pharmaceutical industry, several key roles are in high demand due to the specialized nature of the work and the industry’s constant evolution. Here are some of these roles:
Clinical Pharmacist: Clinical pharmacists work directly with healthcare professionals and patients to ensure the optimal use of medications. They play a crucial role in patient care by managing medication therapy, providing drug information and advice, and monitoring patient health and progress to optimize response to medications.
Pharmacy Technician: Pharmacy Technicians support pharmacists in a variety of tasks, including organizing medications, managing prescriptions, and assisting with customer inquiries.
Research Scientist: Responsible for conducting experiments and research to develop new drugs and medical treatments. They often specialize in fields like pharmacology, biochemistry, or molecular biology.
Clinical Research Coordinator: Manages clinical trials to test drugs for their effectiveness, risks, and benefits. They ensure that trials are conducted ethically and in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist: Ensures that companies comply with all of the regulations and laws about their business. They are key in navigating the complex regulatory landscape, especially in areas like drug approval and safety.
Quality Assurance/Control Analyst: Focuses on ensuring the quality and safety of pharmaceutical products. They are critical in maintaining standards and identifying issues before products reach the market.
Biostatistician: Applies statistical analysis to a wide range of biological data. In the pharmaceutical industry, they are crucial for analyzing data from clinical trials and other research.
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative: Plays a key role in promoting and selling a company’s products to healthcare professionals. Their knowledge of drug benefits and compliance regulations is key.
Formulation Scientist: Involved in developing the composition of new drugs, including the combination of different ingredients to create the final medicinal product.
Manufacturing/Production Manager: Oversees the process of drug manufacturing, ensuring efficiency, quality control, and compliance with industry standards.
Effective Strategies for Recruitment
Recruiting effectively in the pharmaceutical industry requires a mix of traditional and innovative strategies to attract and source top talent. Given the industry’s unique challenges and high demand for specialized skills, the following strategies can be particularly effective:
Specialized Job Boards and Professional Networks: Utilize job boards and professional networks that are specific to the pharmaceutical industry. Websites like BioSpace, Medzilla, and PharmaOpportunities can be valuable for reaching professionals with relevant experience and qualifications.
Employee Referrals: Encourage current employees to refer qualified candidates. Employees in the industry often have networks of colleagues with similar qualifications and can be a valuable source of referrals.
Related: How to Set Up an Employee Referral Program
Collaboration with Academic Institutions: Establish relationships with universities and colleges that offer programs in pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, and related fields. Internship programs and career fairs at these institutions can be a great way to attract emerging talent.
Social Media Recruiting: Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and even Facebook to reach potential candidates. These platforms can be used to promote company culture, post job openings, and engage with potential candidates.
Industry Conferences and Seminars: Participate in industry-specific events, conferences, and seminars. These venues are great for networking with professionals who are actively looking for career advancement opportunities.
Employer Branding: Develop a strong employer brand that highlights your company’s culture, values, and the benefits of working there. Showcasing your commitment to innovation, employee development, and social responsibility can make your company more attractive to potential candidates.
Download FREE E-Book: The Ultimate Guide for Understanding the ROI of your Employer Branding
Talent Pools: Build a talent pool by keeping records of interested and qualified candidates for future openings. This proactive approach can reduce hiring times when a position becomes available.
Related: Why you need to have a talent pool and how to build one
Recruitment Agencies: Utilize specialized recruitment agencies that have expertise and networks in the pharmaceutical sector. They can help in sourcing candidates for highly specialized roles.
Recruitment Tech: Leverage new technologies in recruitment such as AI-driven applicant tracking systems, which can help in efficiently sorting through applications to find the most suitable candidates.
Interviewing and evaluation
Interviewing and evaluating candidates in the pharmaceutical industry requires a thorough approach, given the complexity and specialized nature of many roles. Here’s a guide on how to prepare for interviews and the types of questions to ask:
Preparing for the Interview
Understand the Role and Requirements: Review the job description thoroughly. Understand the technical skills, educational background, and experience required for the role.
Know the Regulatory Environment: For roles that involve regulatory compliance, ensure you are familiar with relevant laws and guidelines, as this will inform the type of questions you need to ask.
Review the Candidate’s Background: Examine the candidate’s resume and cover letter in detail. Look for relevant experience, qualifications, and achievements that align with the role.
Prepare a Structured Interview Format: Develop a structured interview format to ensure consistency and fairness across all candidates. This could include a mix of technical, situational, and behavioral questions.
Prepare to Answer Questions: Candidates will likely have questions about the role, company culture, career progression, and more. Be ready to provide clear, honest answers.
Related: 20 Mistakes to Avoid When Interviewing a Job Candidate
Questions to Ask
Technical or Skill-Based: Ask specific questions related to the technical skills required for the job. For example, for a research scientist, you might ask about their experience with certain laboratory techniques or data analysis software.
Behavioral : These questions help you understand how a candidate has handled past situations. For example, “Tell me about a time you had to deal with a challenging project in a tight timeframe.”
Situational : Present hypothetical job-related scenarios to assess the candidate’s problem-solving and decision-making skills. For instance, “How would you handle a situation where a clinical trial did not produce the expected results?”
Regulatory Compliance: For roles involving compliance, ask about the candidate’s familiarity with relevant regulations. For example, “Can you describe your experience with FDA regulatory submissions?”
Teamwork and Collaboration : Since teamwork is crucial in this industry, ask about their experience working in teams. For instance, “How do you approach collaboration on a multi-disciplinary project?”
Culture Fit : Assess whether the candidate’s values align with your company’s culture. Questions like “How do you align with our company’s mission?” can be insightful.
Retention strategies
Retaining talent in the pharmaceutical industry is crucial due to the high costs associated with turnover and the specialized nature of many roles. Here are some key strategies:
Competitive Compensation and Benefits: Offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, bonuses, and other perks. Regularly review and adjust these packages to remain competitive in the industry.
Career Development and Advancement Opportunities: Provide clear career paths and opportunities for professional growth. Encourage and support continuous learning through training programs, workshops, certifications, and education reimbursement.
Work-Life Balance and Flexibility: Promote a healthy work-life balance by offering flexible working hours, remote work options, and generous leave policies. Recognizing the importance of personal time can greatly increase job satisfaction and reduce burnout.
Positive Workplace Culture: Foster a culture of respect, collaboration, and inclusivity. Encourage open communication and feedback, and create a work environment where employees feel valued and part of a team.
Related: How to Increase Employee Happiness at Work?
Supportive Management: Ensure that managers and supervisors are supportive and effective leaders. They should be trained to recognize the needs and aspirations of their team members and to provide the necessary support and guidance.
Related: Employee Recognition: The Key to Employee Satisfaction
Health and Wellness Programs: Offer health and wellness programs that cater to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This could include gym memberships, wellness workshops, counseling services, and health screenings.
Employee Autonomy and Empowerment: Empower employees by giving them autonomy in their roles. Trusting employees to make decisions can boost their confidence and sense of ownership in their work.
Final Thoughts
By focusing on these aspects, companies in the pharmaceutical industry can not only attract top talent but also create an environment where employees feel motivated, valued, and committed to the organization’s success. This approach is essential for driving innovation, maintaining a competitive edge, and ensuring long-term sustainability in this specific industry.
Applicant Tracking, Recruitment Marketing, Sourcing and Talent CRM software are powerful alone, but unstoppable when used together!