Senior-Level Candidates: Optimizing Your Job Hunt

With all of the recent restructures, re-orgs and downsizings in the pharmaceutical world, I've been speaking to many highly qualified senior-level candidates who have been affected and are actively looking for new roles. I know the market isn't the easiest right now and it can be frustrating, so for anyone in that position, here are my top four pieces of advice:

1. Patience is Key

Many companies are a little more cautious in the current climate and senior candidates are a big investment for them. As such, the number of roles at this level are limited and clients are taking their time making sure they find the right candidate when roles do become available. Processes can take time and vacancies are competitive so don't get disheartened if you don’t receive feedback right away or receive negative news about roles you are interested in. It's a good idea to manage expectations going into the job hunt, be prepared for it to take a few months and just keep going - job hunting can feel like a full-time job in itself and I know it can be frustrating but the right role will eventually pop up as long as you stay at it.

2. Network, Network, Network….

I always urge candidates to get out there and mobilise their network as much as possible. It's a lot easier for clients to reject a CV on a computer screen than it is to reject someone they've had a conversation with or met in-person. On top of that, a CV can only communicate so much - essential qualities like communication, passion and chemistry can only be showcased by actually speaking to and meeting people. So get out there, meet your network for a coffee, pick up the phone and call your ex-colleagues, ask trusted professionals to put in a good word for you and just do what you can to get yourself in front of the right people. In-person impressions go a long way in today's increasingly digital world.

3. Ask for Professional Support

Enlist the help of one or two recruiters who you trust to have your best interests at heart. It doesn't help anyone if you're working with five different headhunters, all of whom are representing you to the same pool of clients - companies selectively work with a handful of recruiters and so should you. Many recruiters will tell you they work with every pharma company out there and can represent you to all of them, which usually isn't true. We add the most value to you and your search by selectively representing you to the clients we have a strong relationship with and who you struggle to get access to yourself. Know what you want to get out of working with a headhunter and ask for them to be transparent with you about where they can add the most value. Also don't be afraid to ask for help on CV formatting, interview coaching and setting realistic salary expectations - this is all part of the service a competent recruiter can and should provide you with.

4. Keep Track of Your Applications

Given the amount of applications you are likely to send, it is a good idea to keep track of them in an Excel or other platforms. The pharma world is small and repeatedly applying to the same client or position does not send the best message. Clearly track which companies and roles you have applied to, whether you applied directly or through a recruiter (and if you're working with recruiters, make sure you know who is representing you to which clients), note down which applications you've received feedback for and what the feedback was. This can help you follow-up with companies or recruiters that you haven't received feedback from (follow-up is key!), and you'll get an idea of which kinds of roles and clients you're getting the most traction with, which can help you optimize your search.

And last but not least, the most important piece of advice I can give is not to give up. It can take a couple hundred applications before you find the right role, but the right role is out there.

Please feel free to reach out if you’re currently looking for a role and want to have a chat about it - I can't promise to have the right opportunity for you but I can do my best to help you with the search.

And if you're a client looking to streamline your hiring and selection process in order to focus on the right candidates, my team and I are more than happy to help.