As a life science graduate or experienced recruitment consultant, have you ever considered transitioning your career to the life sciences industry? It could very well be one of the most rewarding decisions that you make. You may not realize it yet, but there are so many advantages this new journey can provide – and ones that simply cannot be overlooked.
Whether you’re setting out on your professional journey or looking for a mid-career pivot into something new, here are 11 reasons why a career in life sciences recruitment should not be overlooked.
In this Article:
What is life science recruiting?
Life science recruiting is the process of identifying life science talent to fill life science jobs within the life science industry. This includes life science companies and medical device manufacturers. life sciences recruitment involves the life-saving medicines industry and all stages of their product life cycle. life science recruiters specialize in finding the right life science talent for the job.
How do I get a career in life science?
Getting a career in life sciences requires a combination of life science skills, life science expertise, and life science team leadership. It also requires a passion for life-saving medicines and life-saving engineering support. While life sciences is a demanding field, it also comes with the satisfaction of knowing that life-saving medicines are being developed and lives are being saved.
What qualifications do life science recruiters need?
To become a life sciences recruiter you will need to possess a good understanding of the life sciences industry and life science jobs.
- You should have knowledge of interviewing techniques: life science recruiters need to have an in-depth understanding of life science skills and qualifications to be able to assess candidates accurately.
- You should have life sciences qualifications: life science recruiters must also have life science qualifications to operate medical devices. You should also have experience in life sciences to ensure they are able to identify the right life science talent for the job.
- You should have life science experience: life sciences recruiters should also possess life science industry experience and be able to identify life science employers’ needs and challenges.
- You should possess excellent team leadership skills: life sciences recruiters need to be able to manage life science teams, provide guidance and mentorship, and lead life science projects.
Is life science in demand?
Yes. Life science is an in-demand field and life sciences jobs are increasing significantly across the UK, Europe, and other life science hubs around the world. life science companies are looking for life science talent to join their teams and life sciences recruiters can help match life science candidates with the right life science roles. life sciences recruitment is an ever-changing industry and life science recruiters must stay up to date with life science industry trends and life science job market demand.
What is an example of a job for life science?
Life science jobs are varied and can range from clinical research assistant roles to life sciences engineering or life sciences product development positions. In a Recruitment company, life science recruiters must have a good understanding of life sciences qualifications, life science skills, and life science team dynamics to successfully match life science job seekers with life sciences employers.
Reasons to consider life sciences recruitment career
With an abundance of exciting benefits, it’s no surprise why recruitment is a widely sought-after job. Experienced recruiters know first-hand that these jobs bring variety, great career prospects, and unlimited earnings potential along with incredible rewards and incentives. Yet the decision to become a life sciences’ recruiter doesn’t only depend on previous experience; check out the below points for additional reasons:
1. A chance to make a difference
We all desire a sense of joy and accomplishment at the office, life sciences recruitment provides both. Not only are life science recruiters helping people find life-changing roles, but they’re also connecting life science companies to life-saving talent.
Use your aptitudes, abilities, and experience to effect real change in a globally influential industry by aiding life sciences companies recruit the best professionals. Your work will be instrumental in creating innovative drugs, treatments, and products that can eventually help millions of people around the world! It’s an opportunity to make a true difference while using your qualifications for something meaningful.
2. Meaningful career advancement
Life sciences recruiters will have substantial opportunities for growth. With such a dynamic industry at hand, there’s always something to learn, and plenty of new challenges to master in order to stay ahead of the competition. Plus, the ability to take on fascinating projects with interesting placements will surely keep you motivated and inspired.
You’ll have the chance to develop your skills and experience, as well as make valuable contacts in the life sciences industry which could open up significant opportunities beyond just a recruitment role. This is an excellent way to build up your CV, network, and climb the career ladder.
3. Flexible working hours & high earning potential
Life science recruiters are lucky to have the flexibility to work from wherever they choose, and at times that suit them. With remote working becoming increasingly popular in the corporate world, you can enjoy a balance between your personal and professional life—all while earning a great salary in the process!
What’s more, recruitment is one of the most rewarding careers out there. The better you are at what you do, the higher your earning potential will be—especially in a rapidly evolving industry such as life sciences. You can expect to make a competitive salary, along with bonuses and other compensations depending on the agency or branch you’re working for.
4. Dealing with people who care
When transitioning to a recruitment job, you will be surrounded by the highest quality professionals. Clients can range from well-established giants in pharmaceuticals and medical device engineering, all the way to cutting-edge biotech startups and contract research organisations (CROs).
Not to mention, you will have the opportunity to recruit and place talented professionals in essential leadership roles like medical director, clinical project manager, and senior manager of regulatory affairs. Working with people who care about their industry and the impact it makes on society is an incomparable benefit of joining the recruitment sector.
5. An alternative to white coats and laboratories
If you’re looking to stay closely connected with the life sciences industry while still keeping it a desk-job, recruitment is an ideal way to do so. You won’t need to put on that lab coat or get stuck in experiments all day—but you will still feel like part of the team, and be able to contribute significantly to the field.
It is not uncommon for those who have completed their undergraduate, master’s, and PhDs in life science to be unsure of what to do with their qualifications post-graduation. Research has demonstrated that graduates often veer away from a career path within the scope of their degree and instead pursue something else entirely.
For those in the life sciences industry who want to use their degree, but don’t prefer a lab or pharmacy setting, life science recruiter jobs can provide an ideal solution. You get to employ your academic achievements on a regular basis while at the same time working in an energetic and customer-oriented role. It’s like having two benefits rolled into one.
6. A different approach
Leading on from the previous point, recruitment offers you a much different approach to the life sciences industry than your typical laboratory setting. You get to apply the knowledge and skills that you’ve developed over the course of your degree in an entirely new way, allowing you to use your expertise instead of just learning about it.
It also requires a more analytical approach from yourself in order to identify the right candidates for those specialised positions. You’ll need to be able to understand the needs of both the client and candidate, so you can make sure that each meets their job expectations.
7. Use your existing knowledge and experience
If you have spent time working within the life sciences industry and have now decided to move into recruitment, you’ll have the advantage of knowing what skills and experience are needed for certain positions. This will help you to establish yourself as an insider in the industry, and be able to accurately assess candidates for certain roles—ultimately making your job much easier!
8. Become a subject matter expert (SME)
Clients and candidates require you to have an in-depth comprehension of the life science industry and the niche that you specialize in. As high-income, accomplished professionals, they will entrust their careers with you if they can see that your understanding meets both client’s and candidate’s needs. To do this, it is essential for you to become a subject matter expert (SME) in the niche(s) you specialize in.
This means that you need to stay up-to-date on industry trends, news, and regulations. It will also be beneficial for you to attend conferences and seminars related to your sector, as well as read specialist publications and join online forums. All of these activities will help equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a successful life science recruiter.
9. Lots of opportunities
As the majority of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies operate globally, there is an increasing demand for professionals with the ability to speak multiple languages. To ensure that you can tap into this market and secure the best candidates, it is essential that you acquire language skills in addition to your existing knowledge of the industry.
Moreover, as scientific breakthroughs continue to happen within the life sciences sector on a regular basis, so do opportunities for recruiters specialising in these areas. This means that you can not only secure employment within the sector for yourself but also help others to find work in their field of specialisation.
10. A better working environment
By working in recruitment, you get the opportunity to leave the lab behind and work in an engaging environment. This can be a great way to escape the monotony of laboratory work and apply your knowledge in new ways while being part of a dynamic team.
You will also have more control over your working hours as recruiters often have the flexibility to work remotely, meaning that you can balance your career with other commitments and interests.
11. A good choice of industry
If you are looking for a way to make use of your scientific knowledge and experience in the life sciences sector, then recruitment could be an excellent choice. With lots of opportunities to progress within the sector, plus the flexibility that it offers, you can be sure that this is an industry where you will continue to learn and grow. Plus, you will be helping others to find their perfect job in the process.
Not only is the life sciences industry full of tangible advantages, but there are also many unseen benefits. Unlike many other industries that may be affected by political events and economic downturns, the life sciences sector remains stable and growing – providing job security for those within it. Additionally, this essential field will always be well-funded; thus ensuring a safe career choice for years to come.
Conclusion
Working in life sciences recruitment can be an extremely rewarding career. You have the opportunity to help people find their dream job, advance scientific research, and make a great salary. If you are considering a career in recruitment, life science is a great field to consider. With so many different subfields, there is always something new to learn and keep you challenged. And with the current global situation, there is an even greater need for qualified life science recruiters. So if you are looking for a stable and fulfilling career, look no further than life sciences recruitment.
