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.

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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Kelly Staffing delighted to introduce Gi Group to the Irish Market

By Ben Forde • 19 Apr, 2024

As a longstanding temporary and permanent staffing supplier to leading businesses across Cork and Galway Kelly Services Ireland are pleased to confirm their acquisition by Gi Group Holding. Kelly, under the new name of Gi Group Ireland, will be joining Marks Sattin & Matthew Fitzpatrick as another Gi Group Holding Recruitment and HR solutions offering in Ireland. The recent acquisition comes with great opportunity for the Irish market, introducing Gi Group and their breadth of expertise to the region while maintaining the invaluable local capabilities delivered by Kelly Ireland. This marriage of well-established local knowledge, relationships and expertise from Kelly with the resources granted by Gi Group’s considerable size makes for a formidable new staffing provider in Ireland. The existing Kelly team will be on hand to support current clients and workers continuing ‘business as usual’ to offer a seamless transition to all parties involved. In support of this transition, some common queries regarding the acquisition have been address below. Is it BAU for us as a Kelly Client? Yes absolutely, our dedicated teams in Cork and Galway will remain the same, delivering to client requirements as they have been for over 40 years. What are the main changes? Initially the change of name. We will continue to provide temporary and permanent staffing services to the Life Sciences, Engineering, IT and Renewable Energy Industries. In time we may add additional services in line with Gi Group service offerings across Europe, this will not impact any existing relationships. What do we put on invoices going forward? We are currently still operating as Kelly Staffing Ireland Ltd. All invoices must be addressed as such to avoid any delays in payments. Once the transition to operating as Gi Group Ireland is complete further communications will be sent out.

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

06 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 Sep, 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.ie . Or click here to search our latest vacancies and apply today!