Hiring is an extensive and rewarding process, but it’s not immune to stagnancy. From long stretches without any fresh candidates to getting turned down when using outreach marketing to advertise your role, many obstacles present themselves in the task of hiring new employees. Sometimes there’s only so much you can do and you need someone else to lend a hand. In these types of situations, it’s often wise to bring in the expertise and support of a third party staffing resource to get the role filled.
Selecting the right recruiter is extraordinarily similar to choosing the right candidate; there are aspects of both technical and cultural fit to consider. In a highly competitive market, many staffing agencies, firms, and companies will do anything possible to place themselves on a preferred vendors list. So, bringing in the right partner is a critical step to not only fill an open position but also to incorporate sustainable growth for your company. But, how do you go about doing so in an honest, efficient, and value-based manner?
Look for honesty.
We’ve all met recruiters who say, “Of course, I can get this filled for you in a week!” or “Everyone I send over will be perfect.” As enticing as these promises may be, accepting such temporary relief will often lead to more stress and long-term headaches. Sourcing for talent is not a step-by-step lab experiment but rather an abstract puzzle; since there isn’t one right answer, you’re often left with many alternate solutions. During the initial introduction call, poor recruiters will emphasize false beliefs so as to impress you and gain your trust. Not to invoke a cliché, but trust should be earned.
Talented and efficient recruiters often walk you through their methodology and approach and discuss how to integrate those with your preferences and your company’s process. Keep an ear out for questions such as, “What have been your pain points in finding competitive candidates?” and “To be frank, there is currently no one in my active pool who fits this role, but I will reach out to my network which has always helped point me in the right direction.”
Find out what their niche is.
Often times, a recruiter will state “Sure, I can work on any role that comes my way!” during their first conversation with you, and in some cases, this could actually serve as a huge benefit if hiring is across multiple departments. For more specialized circumstances, however, that same recruiter may not provide effective resolutions. So, don’t be shy in asking a recruiter specifics regarding their recent and related placements.
When a recruiter has built up a talent pool with direct contacts, they have a natural jump start, which often lends to impressive referrals – a jackpot in our industry. For example, let’s say you have a Senior Medical Science Liaison role that targets an individual with not only a doctorate degree and at least five years of experience, but also hands-on research experience in epilepsy and the flexibility to travel to Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah. Recruiters who have never worked in Medical Affairs roles may have a tough time stepping in and efficiently sourcing for this position. Don’t write them off yet! Rather, inquire about their background in neurological Medical Affairs and their approach for this search. If they mention referring back to a previous search/pool or colleagues who have a related network, then that’s a good start and a potentially good partner for this position!
Set expectations up front.
Possibly, the most antagonizing aspect of hiring is not during ruts, but when issues arise in the contract/agreement phase that puts everything to a grinding halt. When a problem crops up so late in the process, it can be related to a misstep or oversight during early communication efforts. Again, look for honesty. You need to find recruiters who not only value, but also practice it. In the initial call, such issues can be deftly navigated before it proceeds to review. Even after the discussion, ask for paperwork regarding agreements and contracts to be sent over and have your legal team review it.
Moreover, to avoid constant rescheduling and unqualified or non-ideal candidates, be sure to set up a weekly meeting with your recruiter. Hiring will always be an addition to your day-to-day responsibilities, but ten minutes each week of clear communication with your recruiter could save hours later.
At the end of the day, do not let hiring create an unwarranted burden on your business. Staffing resources are vital because finding the right addition to your team will impact how the company grows and even how you develop as a leader.
Have you noticed the increase in privacy policy emails from companies such as Twitter, Facebook, Spotify, and LinkedIn over the past year? Although the emails do not advertise it, they are the direct result of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) enacted in April 2016 and implemented by the European Union (EU) in May 25, 2018.This new ruling is governing the collection of personal information of individuals within the EU, ultimately causing a paradigm shift in how personal data sharing occurs on the internet.
So, why was GDPR introduced?
Prior to GDPR, laws were written for a world without smartphones that could collect massive amounts of sensitive information for companies such as Google and Facebook.GDPR now provides companies guidelines on how they may utilize personal data, while giving users clarity on how their data is being used.
Legislators in the United States are working on regulation that would be similar while also monitoring GDPR’s effects. No matter where you are located, however, GDPR impacts companies and users everywhere. Although it’s only law in the EU, it’s become a de facto world regulation.
But, what exactly is personal data under GDPR?
GDPR was designed to protect the data of European users, but because the “cloud” is not on one computer and software services have a global reach, GDPR takes into account all EU users even if they work internationally. Any business hosting personal identifiable information (PII) – any data that can identify you such as your name, email address, social security number, picture, phone number, username, location, and internet protocol (IP) address – falls under GDPR’s supervision.
Well, how did the US react?
Similar to the GDPR, California passed the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) of 2018 – which will go into effect on January 1, 2020 – affecting how personal data is collected, processed, and shared in California.
The CCPA was designed with three major themes: ownership, control, and security.
Ownership gives users the right to know what personal information is being collected and whether that personal identifiable information is being sold, or disclosed, and to whom.
Control gives users the right to say no to the sale of personal information and the right for equal service or price; so if you opt out of a sale, you will not be penalized. If the principle of control sounds similar, it’s because the Federal Communications Commision (FCC) put into place rules to prevent internet service providers (ISPs) from selling your data without obtaining an opt-in. CCPA reinstates this legislation at the state level, requiring the ISP to ask you before they can sell or market your personal information.
To uphold security, a business that suffers a breach of their system will be penalized up to $75,000 for each violation for each affected user. Although this isn’t as strict as GDPR, it’s more than just a slap on the wrist.
Even though that CCPA is only in one state right now, it may be the most impactful start to a GDPR-like act in the US.
Ultimately, where are the ethical lines?
When data is used in ways that benefit others while adversely affecting you, ethical problems will arise. Complying with changing privacy regulations is stressful for companies, as well as a drain on resources, but many are embracing it as an opportunity to increase trust and transparency.
As we enter into the age of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and facial recognition, your data profile stems from your social network activity. When it comes to our data, many Americans see this as a black-and-white issue. In fact, an overwhelming63 percent of Americans believe that social media platforms have far too much power.
But, how can data collection be immoral when it serves as the backbone of so many of these services we use every day? How many helpful job recommendations have been given by software that matches job seekers’ skills and attributes? How many human connections have been built through recommendations on social media platforms such as Facebook or LinkedIn?
Social media, particularly with Facebook and Twitter, has been found to reflect people’s personality and intelligence as well as characteristics such as sexual orientation and political views. So, could it be ethical to mine this data for hiring purposes when users typically used these online applications with a different intent – and therefore, without consent for data analytics to draw conclusions from their social media postings?
Federal legislation was recently passed, via the Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2019, which intends to prevent inaccuracies, bias, and discrimination in automated decisions – particularly in the hiring process. So, as the adage goes, “great power does come with great responsibility”. Data and its collection is not the issue – but rather the improper use of it is.
If you’re here, you’re probably on the hunt for a job. And if you’re on the hunt for a job, there’s a secret you should know: according to a study by CareerArc, “Almost 40 percent of employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to screen candidates for job openings.” Alarmingly, “62 percent of employers who use this software admit that some qualified candidates are likely being filtered out of the vetting process by mistake.”
The name Applicant Tracking System is somewhat misleading. ATS doesn’t track your application status or where you are in the recruitment process. Instead, the purpose of these systems is to sift through resumes, separating the “strong” candidates from the “weak.” This ultimately saves companies valuable time and manpower.
It is estimated that ATS reject 70 percent or more of the resumes submitted because (1) the documents don’t reflect the desired job qualifications and/or (2) are formatted in a way that doesn’t make sense to the system. This means that your resume could be rejected solely based on the formatting and word choice, rather than the information and experience it contains.
Companies in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries are most certainly using this software, which means that you’re going to have to do more than follow the basics for crafting a professional resume. That’s why spending time to carefully format and compose your resume can increase your chances of moving past this initial screening process. So, we put together a list of tips to help you beat the system and increase your chances of getting an interview:
Keep it simple.
Although Applicant Tracking Systems are becoming more advanced every year, they still have limitations. Most systems can’t read tables or non-standard resume sections like “What I’ve Done” vs “Work Experience,” so it’s best to keep formatting and word choice simple and traditional. Microsoft Word documents are the safest file option, however, many systems will tell you what other file types are compatible.
Your font may also be working against you. Some ATS have trouble reading serif fonts like Times New Roman or Cambria—serif fonts have little marks or “feet” on the ends of the letters, sans serif fonts do not. Play it safe and use Calibri or a similar sans serif font.
Resume SEO matters.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is what writers, marketers and website designers use to move their content up in search engine rankings. SEO is important in applicant tracking systems, too. Experts recommend rewriting your resume every time you apply for a new job and incorporating keywords from the job posting’s expected duties, responsibilities and skills sections. Those keywords are what the ATS uses to assess your resume.
However, not just any keyword will do. Applicant Tracking Systems will only find what they’ve been told to look for—a list of keywords from the hiring manager. So you need to use the exact same keywords and punctuation found in the job description. For example, some systems can’t distinguish between front-end and front end, or Master of Business Administration, Masters of Business Administration and MBA.
Don’t overdo it.
If SEO matters, adding in tons of extra keywords is a good idea, right?
Wrong.
There is a fine line between resume keyword optimization and “keyword stuffing” and overdoing it will likely cause the ATS to red flag your resume and sort it into the “weak” pile. If your resume does happen to get through the ATS and in front of a human being, it probably won’t land you an interview. Overdone resumes are often poorly written and tend to sound awkward, which won’t impress the recruiter.
Play it safe and follow the general rule of thumb, which is to use a keyword two to three times.
Previous job titles should mirror the company you’re applying to.
This one may feel wrong, but stick with us for a second while we explain…
Your job title matters in an applicant tracking system (remember SEO keywords?) and small changes can make a huge difference. Professional resume writers fine-tune job titles all the time to fit the position their client is applying for.
Consider this example: Your current title is Business Advisor, but at the company you’re applying to, the comparable position is called Business Consultant. Tweaking your title to fit the new company can make a world of difference when your resume is processed by the ATS.
Keep it human.
Congratulations! You optimized your resume and you were flagged as a strong candidate by the ATS. Now your resume will be reviewed by a real person. Keep this in mind when you are writing your resume and ensure that it will impress a human reader who knows proper grammar and not just computer software.
Optimizing a resume to impress an applicant tracking system and a human requires careful planning, but the time invested is well worth it when you land that dream job. If you are concerned about how your resume will perform in an Applicant Tracking System, check out this handy tool from Jobscan.
If you’re in the biotech industry in Boston, you couldn’t be in a better place. Well, technically the whole state of Massachusetts is the place to be, but we’re a little biased towards the capital. In fact, Massachusetts, and more specifically, the Boston metropolitan area, has surpassed California and is now the top biotech hub in the world by the metric of a total number of people employed in the industry.
The Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation’s (MassBioEd) most recent job trends forecast reported some encouraging statistics for those currently in or thinking of joining the industry.
Explosive Growth Predicted to Continue
According to MassBioEd’s summary, the industry exceeded 70,000 jobs for the first time and it’s not slowing down anytime soon.
Since 2014, the Massachusetts life sciences industry has grown at approximately double the rate of both the state and U.S. economies.
The total amount of job listings exceeded 27,700 in 2017. Of those, over 16,000 were STEM/Technical positions.
The Massachusetts biotech sector will add almost 12,000 new jobs by 2023.
Eighty-three percent of life sciences companies reported plans to expand their headcount in the next 12 months.
Growing Pains are Unavoidable?
Rapid growth will inevitably pose several challenges to the industry, including:
Longer recruitment cycles: 65 percent of organizations surveyed reported that the average time it took to fill an opening was over 10 weeks; compared to the national average, which is only about 30 days.
Clinical research was named by 31 percent of companies surveyed as the hardest area to find qualified candidates in, followed by openings in Regulatory Affairs, Quality, and Research & Development roles—which also happen to be the top four areas that life sciences organizations plan to expand. This means that recruiting candidates to fill these roles is going to quickly become even more challenging.
Job openings requiring an Associate’s Degree and Ph.D. saw much higher levels of growth in demand compared to supply.
Colleges and universities have improved somewhat, but are still struggling to produce a sufficient number of graduates to fill entry-level positions for certain types of roles.
Specialization in these positions means that new workers cannot simply be poached from another industry or sector.
Twenty-nine percent of companies said that they had formal diversity initiatives—for either gender or race/ethnicity—at the contributor level, 28 percent at the management level and 17 percent at the board level.
Sixty percent of companies reported that they had no formal diversity initiatives.
Largest Life Science Companies in Massachusetts
The Boston area is home to almost 1,000 biotech companies, including both pharma giants and small startups. According to the Boston Business Journal, these are the top five largest life science companies in the state of Massachusetts as of August 2018:
Firm
Mass. Employees
Total Employees
Total 2017 Revenue
Company’s Main Product/Service Focus
Sanofi 50 Binney St. Cambridge, MA 02142sanofi.com
4,800
100,000
$41,088,250,000
Specialty care, primary care, vaccines and consumer health care
Shire PLC 300 Shire Way Lexington, MA 02421shire.com
3,059
23,000
15,200,000,000
Therapeutic areas including immunology, hematology, neuroscience, genetic diseases, internal medicine, ophthalmics and oncology
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. 40 Landsdowne St. Cambridge, MA 02139takeda.com
2,700
30,000
NA
Oncology, gastroenterology, CNS and vaccines
Biogen 225 Binney St. Cambridge, MA 02142biogen.com
2,400
7,200
$12,300,000,000
Therapies for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases
Novartis 181 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, MA 02139novartis.com
2,337
129,222
$49,100,000,000
Broad range of medicines for a variety of diseases/conditions
The bottom line? Biotech is booming in Boston.
And if you’re a biotech recruiter, don’t be surprised if it takes a little longer to fill all of your vacant positions. Sci.bio is here to help make that process smoother when you decide to outsource your recruiting efforts.
Setting goals, whether short or long term, is an ongoing and effortful process. Many people tend to set personal and professional goals with a to-do list mindset and superficial consideration. Goal-setting is adeptly illustrated by Aesop’s “The Tortoise and The Hare” fable. When we rush to set goals and consistently compare our progress against others, we become the hare who eventually loses the race. So, let’s take a look at the tortoise’s strategy. And find out how you can begin to set smart goals.
The hare ran the race to ridicule and beat the tortoise. The tortoise ran the race to prove he could run. They both ran for the specific reason why, a reason that reiterated or added to their self-image. Similarly, start with why you want to set goals in the first place. By understanding the origins of your ambitions, you can discern in which ways your goals will set you up to succeed. When goals tie back into your long-term vision, even if they are short-term in nature, you are much more likely to adhere to them. By framing the why behind the what, you can better define what your goals are and develop strategies to maintain your commitment to them.
The extract above from the fable dually serves as a reminder of how to effectively define our goals. For the hare to be successful, it mattered solely on the tortoise’s progress – not his own. He is not the main character in his definition of success. But, the tortoise established a firm, self-relying reason why he proposed the race. After creating a list of goals, evaluate if how you define success relies on you or others. When you define success in relation to your ability only, you are more readily accepting of difficulties as challenges you can overcome rather than setbacks you cannot surmount.
The tortoise set an extremely effective goal following the SMART framework: run one marked distance (specific), timed by a judge (measurable), a task he knows he can accomplish (achievable), to prove he can run (relevant), starting as soon as possible (timely). When you adhere to the SMART framework of goal-setting, you provide an effective way to measure your progress towards a goal you know is both doable and supportive of your vision. The more ambiguous you are when defining your goals, the less likely you are in maintaining your drive to achieve them.
As extensive as the process is in setting your goals, the journey to fulfilling them is equally as intensive. Unlike the hare, do not get complacent and procrastinate! The tortoise was able to achieve his goal because he remained steadfast in his pacing and his focus. Be sure to keep your goals in a visible area. In this way, you will be frequently reminded of your potential destination. Schedule reminders to check on the progress of your goals weekly or biweekly so you can evaluate if your current strategy is effective enough. Goals should not be viewed as something to achieve in the future. They should be seen as daily tasks. If the process of achieving your goal is embedded within your daily routine, then you will be that much more likely to stick to it.
With the holiday season around the corner, we all have the opportunity to get an early start on our goal-setting for the upcoming year!
Late night in the lab, staring at the data and the computer screen, trying to come up with a solution to a problem. Been working on this dilemma for weeks on end, toiling twenty hours a day and just can’t figure it out. The next day I decide to leave early from work and go for a long run while listening to my favorite music on my iPod. After that a nice bath while enjoying a novel. My mind is anywhere but on the problem. And then – the lightbulb goes on! I have figured out the solution! It was so obvious, but I was completely focused on overworking that my mind couldn’t think outside the box.
Most of us professionals today have the mentality that the harder we work, the more results we produce. However, that is absolutely not the case. I compare that to a racehorse running with their blinders on – all you do is go full steam staring straight ahead at the finish line without looking around and opening your mind to other alternatives for the solution.
Meditation for Brain Health
The brain needs diverse activities for plasticity and proper stimulation. Different creative activities stimulate various parts of the brain. For example, exercise increases the heart rate, thereby providing more blood flow to the brain and enhancing its activity. Exercise stimulates brain plasticity by increasing growth factors that are crucial for the formation of new connections in the cortical areas of the brain (1). Studies show that meditation helps preserve the aging brain. Compared to non-meditating counterparts, the participants who meditated retained more gray matter and increased cortical thickness in the hippocampus which governs learning and memory (2-3). Meditation has also been shown to decrease activity in the default mode network (DMN), the part of the brain responsible for mind-wandering. Hence, meditation improves concentration (4).
Art, music, and literature have just as significant positive effects on the brain and, in turn, on one’s productivity. Whether you are looking at art or creating it, listening to music or playing an instrument, writing for enjoyment or reading, the effects are tremendous. (5-6)
In addition, all of these activities increase attention and concentration while decreasing anxiety and depression. These are, of course, only a few examples of creative activities. You find what your passion is and pursue it whether it’s taking a walk in nature or cooking a fantastic meal (watching TV doesn’t count!). Every time you perform a creative activity, it will improve your brain plasticity, relax your mind, and take your thoughts off the problem at hand, which in turn, will help you think outside the box.
An excellent example of the importance of the effects of creativity on utilizing knowledge is the Finnish school system. Although a small country that not many know much about, students in Finland consistently score high on the PISA test which includes 72 countries and measures the level of knowledge in science, math, and reading. 93 percent of Finns graduate from academic or vocational schools, and 66 percent go on to pursue higher education (7-8). Yet Finnish schools have little homework, short school days, and children don’t start school until seven years of age. How is this possible?
Part of the explanation is: that’s exactly why. Besides the excellent quality and training of the teachers, the children get to be children. In other words, they get to be creative. Emphasis is placed on arts, music, sports and playtime just as much as academic subjects. One might think that this would have a negative effect on learning, but it’s quite the opposite. Children are more focused in class, can concentrate on acquiring knowledge, and learn to be problem-solvers rather than memorizing material.
The Importance of Play
As an adult, we often get so overwhelmed by work, bills, family, and life in general that we forget the importance of ‘play’. Due to all the things we have to accomplish during the day, we don’t allow ourselves to enjoy, to relax. This is detrimental, not just to one’s health and mental status, but also to succeeding in one’s career. We all need to take some time out of the day to enjoy a creative activity of our choice. There is absolute truth to the old saying ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’.
