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Challenges facing biotech companies

Challenges facing biotech companies

As the global biotechnology industry continues to grow at a rapid pace, companies in this field face unique challenges when it comes to finding and hiring talented individuals to join their teams. With breakthroughs in gene editing, personalised medicine, and other cutting-edge technologies, the demand for skilled professionals in biotech has never been higher. However, there are several factors that can make hiring in this sector particularly challenging.

One of the biggest challenges facing biotech companies is the highly specialised nature of the work. Many roles in biotech require not only advanced degrees, but also extensive experience and expertise in specific areas such as gene sequencing, protein engineering, or clinical research. This means that there is a relatively small pool of qualified candidates available for many biotech positions, making it difficult to find the right fit.

Another challenge is the competitive landscape of the biotech industry. With so many exciting breakthroughs happening in this field, top talent is in high demand and may receive multiple offers from different companies. This can make it difficult for smaller or lesser-known biotech firms to attract the talent they need to stay competitive.

Finally, the regulatory landscape of biotech sector can also present challenges for hiring. The industry is heavily regulated, and companies must comply with a complex set of laws and regulations governing everything from clinical trials to product development. This means that many biotech positions require not only scientific expertise, but also a deep understanding of regulatory compliance.

Despite these challenges, there are strategies that biotech companies can use to attract and retain top talent. These include offering competitive compensation and benefits packages, providing opportunities for professional growth and development, and building a strong company culture that values collaboration and innovation. By addressing these challenges head-on, biotech companies can continue to build the talented teams they need to drive innovation and push the boundaries of science.

To see how we can support you with your hiring needs, contact Jamie Rafferty:

LinkedIn: Jamie Rafferty

Email: [email protected]

Call: +44 (0)1606 212 020

 

 

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How to attract life science candidates in a competitive market

How to attract life science candidates in a competitive market

When you are looking to grow your business in the life science sector, brining in the right people is one of the biggest challenges you will have. This is often ‘make or break’ and companies find themselves in a reactive and high-pressure situation leading them to poor hires.

Our advice is to get ahead of the curve – it’s not just about engaging with the right search practice, there is a lot you can do yourself. We are obviously advocates of using search companies but there are hires you can make yourself with some effort at the front end.

Invest in promoting your business – This is not just about marketing your products or services this is about promoting you and your team.

  • Networking – Everybody in your business can help, actively encourage people to talk to their network. Hold social events – naturally your team will spread the word for you if they are happy (and unfortunately the same applies when they are unhappy!)
  • Social Media – You don’t have to look far to see businesses championing themselves on a social level on LinkedIn. Follow liked minded companies and use their ideas, you don’t always need to re-invent the wheel. Find someone in your business that is a natural promoter within social media and give them the chance to take it on.
  • Culture – Be yourself, your culture is you and you want people to fit with that – if people don’t then possibly, they are not right for your business.

If you are innovative shout about it. If you agile and flexible tell people. If you are a group of academics working things out – the right people will engage with you.

If people know your business exists there is far more chance of them engaging with it. If you do the hard work up front, build your social followers, promote a positive and engaging culture, then, when you promote an opportunity, you have a much better chance of finding the right person.

Take a strategic long-term view – Networking can be hit and miss. No doubt. However, it’s about taking a long-term view and having the right expectations. Like business development, hiring strategy can be the same. You can’t expect to only meet people where you always get an immediate return (as nice as that would be) however these people can play a part in your hiring for the future. Recommendations are often great hires so you should leverage that route to market.

Partner with the right search business – With so few candidates actively looking for roles there will come a point where you need to invest in a proactive approach to recruitment and work with a search business. These are some golden rules:

  • Look for specialists not generalists – They will have a more relevant network to start from and their knowledge of the market will give you (and candidates) confidence.
  • Take time to get to know them – and they should want to get to know you. Considering a new role when you’re already in one is a risk – the relationship with the recruiter has a direct impact on their confidence in you – you need to empower your recruiter to sell.
  • Look for trust and use your instinct – do they listen, and do they act in a way you want. Don’t compromise on this.
  • Set clear and realistic expectations with mutually agreeable timescales and goals.
  • Communicate regularly – this is for both parties’ benefit! Sometimes you need to change tact and the quicker you do this the better. Feedback will lead to better decisions and a better outcome.
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The benefits of using Delve life science search services

The benefits of using Delve life science search services

Partnering with a search firm to proficiently manage and consult during the hiring process, from sourcing to placement, is invaluable for many reasons. This is especially true in the life sciences, semiconductor, and engineering industries where competition for top talent is fiercer than ever and gaining a competitive advantage can be the difference between a great hire and wasted resource. 

 

Choosing the right search firm, with specialist recruitment skills and an in depth understanding of your industry is key to making successful hires. Here at Delve, we think there are many reasons why we should be your recruitment partner of choice, but here are just a few…

 

Our consultative approach – Fundamentally, we care about your business (seriously, we really do)! We appreciate that no two businesses are the same and we invest time in getting to understand your hiring challenges and what makes your business great – and sometimes where you might be missing the mark.  

 

Only by understanding these can we advise on a longer-term recruitment strategy and hiring processes that could give you the advantage. With the ability to provide sound advice and personalised solutions our team of consultants can help, whether you are an early-stage start-up or a global organisation with complex people needs, we have the expertise to support you.

 

Our International reach – We have a wide international reach, and this is reflected in the partnerships we have built with leading companies globally. With offices in the UK and Germany, we are constantly developing and investing in ways of work that enable us to be closer to our clients, helping them to overcome their hiring challenges. Our international network and robust approach to delivering a value-added, holistic service means we can deliver projects successfully, in any location, utilising our bespoke “Beyond the Paper” approach.  

 

Our highly skilled consultants – Our consultants are the lifeblood of our business and simply put, they are what make us great. They are the experts in their industries and will go to extraordinary lengths to make sure that our clients and candidates get the best possible experience from the first conversation to the last! 

 

To find out more about how we can support you and your recruitment needs, visit www.delvelifescience.com

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What is the impact of COVID-19 on recruitment in the semiconductor market

What is the impact of COVID-19 on recruitment in the semiconductor market?

What hasn’t Covid-19 impacted? The way we work and or our own personal lives have changed in some way, shape or form. Recruitment in the semiconductor market is no different.

The pre-covid traditional ways of working on site 100% of the time are no longer appealing to candidates and we have seen that a lot of candidates won’t hesitate to discount a role if this is the expectation. The vast majority are now looking for hybrid roles to allow for a better work-life balance.

Hybrid working itself has revolutionised many areas of work, a key factor to this is increasing the efficiency of the recruitment process. Being able to have virtual interviews means hiring managers or HR teams based in different areas can collaborate on a quicker timescale.

Over recent years there have been multiple announcements from some of the big players (the likes of Intel, Texas Instrument and TSMC) in the semiconductor industry to build, or consider, facilities that have traditionally been in areas such as Asia. This could be down to the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns in affected areas, so new facilities would allow for tensions to be eased.

From a recruitment perspective, this will lead to talent being in even more demand. Candidates who are actively searching for work are likely to have multiple offers of employment meaning more detailed analysis of company reviews and packages is required.

Delve’s bespoke approach to understanding your business allows us to provide realistic and achievable solutions to your recruitment needs. We work with you to devise a recruitment strategy that overcomes any hurdles and ensures that the candidate experience is clear and positive.

Get in touch to see how we can support your business.

Tel: +44 (0)1606 212020

Email: ​[email protected]

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News from Munich

News from Munich!

Office in Munich
Our office in the heart of Munich is running well with our colleague Nathan Falconer leading Delve Search GmbH’s growth in the DACH region. Nathan has been busy meeting clients new and old, and we are now looking to expand and hire two highly qualified recruiters to join our team in Munich.

If you know someone that might be interested in joining our team, that speaks fluent German & wants to work for a business who value independence and autonomous working, they should contact [email protected] and he would be happy to share more information.

Team Delve recently visited Munich to see the sights, sample the local cuisine, and get a feel for the local culture. We had a fabulous time and can’t wait to be back again soon.

Delve life science visit
The Delve life science team has extensive experience of providing support to life science companies looking to raise their profile and increase their hiring ability. We have vast experience of working with a variety of businesses in the sector, from start-ups to established manufacturers and distributors of essential technologies.

This week Gareth Foden and Jamie Rafferty are visiting Munich to connect with clients new and old. If you would like to arrange a meeting contact:

Gareth Foden – [email protected]

Jamie Rafferty – [email protected]

SemiCon Europa
Nathan Falconer and David Evans will be attending SemiCon Europa from 15-17 Nov 2022, it looks like it’s going to be a great event this year and they are really looking forward to getting the chance to meet up with people. Please reach out to arrange a meeting:

David Evans – [email protected]

Nathan Falconer – [email protected]

 

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Top 5 reasons to partner with a life science search firm

Top 5 reasons to partner with a life science search firm

When it comes to hiring, deciding who will or won’t fit your business can be incredibly difficult. Often it takes a huge amount of time and effort, and the total cost to a business can be significant. This doesn’t just apply to companies who “go it alone” in the hiring wilderness, but also applies to companies who decide to work with a recruiter, or multiple, but get their selection of a search firm wrong. Partnering with recruiters who specialise in their markets can be very advantageous.

Here are our top 5 reasons that Life Science companies should partner with recruiters who specialise in their markets.

  1. Networks – It sounds obvious when you say it out loud, but put simply, a recruiter who is entrenched in their market will have immediate access to a network of people who could suit your open positions. If they don’t know someone themselves, their networks often lead them to the right person. This means that you should have the selection of the best available talent at the time of your search.
  1. Time – a good recruiter will want a lot of detail at the start of a search, and often an in-person meeting to really refine what the right profile looks like. Beyond that, they should be able to conduct the search as if you were doing it yourself, producing a robust and well assessed shortlist for you to interview. The time this will save you from sifting through countless applications and needless interviews will be immense.
  1. Technical expertise – Selecting a recruiter with expertise in your market will prove to be a shrewd decision. Not only will they have the access to a network, but when it comes to applying a secondary depth to their interviewing, they will be able to assess competence in the areas most important to you.
  1. Risk management – during a recruitment process candidates are keen to impress the people interviewing them. So, when it comes to telling the hiring manager that they don’t agree or see something in the same way, it is often avoided to keep the ball in their court. Recruiters are trained to get to the detail with any concerns candidates may have so that they can help their clients manage the risk. I frequently hear stories of offers being rejected when the company had the “perfect candidate” apply directly. Your recruiter will manage all the risks throughout the process to try and avoid any wasted time and effort. When it comes to people, nothing is guaranteed, but strong risk management really can put the odds in your favour.
  1. Money. Yes, your recruiter will save you money! It seems strange when you know the fees associated with using a search firm. The recruitment fee is always the seen and tangible cost, but I always ask my clients to understand the cost of not hiring someone or taking 12 months to do so. What is the overall cost to the business if your sales team can’t scale to hit revenue objectives? Or what is the cost of having your Quality Director bogged down in basic QA issues instead of considering the long-term strategy? Often the cost of getting your hiring wrong can far outweigh the fees associated with a robust hiring process undertaken by a specialist recruiter.

If you are a potential client who is reading this and wondering how some of the points above could benefit you, our team would be happy to hear your challenges and walk you through potential solutions.

For further information contact Gareth Foden at [email protected].

 

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Recruiting women into STEM roles

Recruiting women into STEM roles

The STEM industry has become a much more inclusive and diverse market, with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and cultures studying and working in the industry. However, there is still more to be done to make STEM more appealing for women.

Early exposure – As with most things, early exposure is crucial to sparking interest. One step to attracting more women to STEM is creating environments in schools that invite young women into STEM subjects. Schools and colleges need to advertise STEM to boys and girls equally, creating a balanced environment for all to start their STEM journey.

Positive role models – As well as this, ensuring that young women have positive role models from within the STEM community will showcase the future opportunities and help them to visualise a career in the industry. Having positive female role models and mentors who are working in STEM is a great way for prospective STEM employees to learn, explore and develop through advice and inspiration.

Gender pay gap – The industry needs to do more once women are in employment. Closing the gender pay gap is still an important topic in most industries and although STEM is one of the leading industries for equal pay, there is still a gap that needs bridging between male and female colleagues’ pay. There also needs to be a more balanced representation of women at the top – companies don’t just need to pay their employees equal wages; they also need to open opportunities for women to take higher positions at the top of businesses. By showcasing routes to the top, women can enter the industry with the confidence that they can progress and have equal opportunities to their male counter parts.

Our team would be happy to hear your challenges in recruiting women into STEM roles and support you with potential solutions. For further information call us on +44 (0) 1606 212020 or email [email protected].

 

 

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We’ve got a new website!

We've got a new website!

We are delighted to announce the launch of our new website – www.delverec.com

Our new website includes updated information to help you find out more about who we are and what we do, as well as an improved design to better represent who we are as a company. 

We have also developed new sector specific areas to demonstrate our expertise in sourcing talent for the life science, engineering & semiconductor communities worldwide.

Life Sciencedelvelifescience.com

The team at Delve has extensive experience of providing support to life science companies looking to raise their profile and increase their hiring ability. We have experience of working with a variety of businesses in the sector, from start–ups, to established manufacturers and distributors of essential technologies.

Semiconductordelvesemiconductor.com

Delve’s experienced semiconductor team can support your business securing talented individuals involved in semiconductor design, semiconductor manufacturing and outsourced semiconductor assembly and test.

Engineeringdelveengineering.com

The engineering industry is always adapting and finding the right employees to support this continual adaptation is critical for all business in the sector. Our team perform a vital role securing talented candidates for growing companies involved in everything from electronic and electrical engineering to water treatment solutions and the processing of technical fibres.

We will continue to add new and interesting content, as well as adding job listings and blog posts. To keep up to date, follow us on LinkedIn

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Spam recruitment – are employers to blame?

Spam Recruitment - Are Employers To Blame?

As a recruitment business owner, you might think this is a dangerous topic to bring up. However, as a recruitment “puritan”, it’s a subject close to my heart and one that needs to be addressed.

Recruitment has changed immeasurably over the last 12 years. The whole scope of finding candidates, especially in the engineering and technical worlds, has taken a 180° turn. Whereas originally recruiters had to be skilled in assessing applicants who respond to adverts, they must now be far more proactive in finding the candidates (networking) to fill client opportunities. The interview part has since become more limited with telephone screening becoming increasingly common. Quite simply the time spent and skills deployed are now focused on finding, rather than assessing and shortlisting the right candidates.

Why has this happened? Is this a good thing?

Without doubt a lack of technical talent has impacted on this. My theory is that during and immediately post-recession, clients who were recruiting needed quick results to justify the investment in new talent. This led to a poaching culture, and along with the emergence of LinkedIn and portal-led recruitment, recruiters were now focused on finding experience rather than the “right person”. This can lead to unrealistic goals which aren’t met and ultimately slow and poor hiring decisions.

If companies were to focus on hiring the right person with the skills to do the job (and there are some great examples out there), time to hire and quality of recruitment would improve as a result. Poor recruiters would be found out. Recruiters should have the skills and confidence to consult with a client, but the reality is that most just focus on making placements as it’s easier not to challenge a client on their brief than to challenge them. Unfortunately, this costs recruiters and clients time and money in the long run.

At Delve we use unique client qualification and candidate assessment models to give our clients the confidence of getting recruitment right without compromising on speed. We don’t just follow wish lists and hope to find the golden ticket – we work in partnership with our clients to ensure objectives are met on both sides of the table.

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Candidate onboarding – where to start?

Candidate Onboarding - Where To Start?

It’s reported that one in three people experience poor onboarding when they are joining a new business. One in three. Wow. As someone who is hiring, just think about all the pain that goes with finding that person. All of the time, money, and blood, sweat and tears. Then they start, and due to bad onboarding you have already given them reasons to think that this isn’t right for them.

As a recruiter, I hear great onboarding stories and hear horrendous onboarding stories. I hear vanilla ones as well, the ones that people forget the moment they leave the room. So, how can we combat this and put our best foot forward, I hear you say? Well, say no more…

It all starts with the interview. This will sound crazy, and you may think this is so obvious that it’s pointless to even write it. But here goes… Don’t lie. If you lie to get someone through the door, you are setting yourself up for failure. Simple. Now, understand this: I’m not saying be critical of your business to the point that they think it’s the worst place they have ever seen and would never step foot in the door again. But do tell them about the opportunity to address challenges within their role. “Yes, our business isn’t perfect and we are aware of some of the challenges. We see this role solving some of those challenges by implementing X, Y and Z”. No lies. Just honest, transparent opportunity. 

Right. You operate with transparency and honesty and the candidate accepts your challenge. This is where your induction starts. As a recruiter, I will tell you first-hand that time kills deals. Resigning from a job can be the most daunting thing many people will do. So please, please, please try to be there for your new employee. Give them a call and ask them how they are doing. Ask if they would like to pop in and meet the team? Tell them you’re having a couple of drinks on Friday and it would be great if they could come along. Do anything that would suit you and your company, but keep in contact. The chances are that after a resignation, your chosen candidate will be asking themselves if they have done the right thing – show them that they have.

Next, get your tech and merch ordered ASAP. Laptop, phone, keyboard, pens, papers, phone list, brochures, merchandise, employee profiles, chocolates, mug, business card holder – you name it, get it ordered. There’s nothing worse than turning up on day one and nothing being ready. Then, send diary requests to the people you want your new employee to meet on day one. Plan it in, and make sure you talk to people face-to-face to check that they know what you need from them and that they understand the plan.

Once everything is set, sit back, grab a brew and phone your future employee to check they are okay (again), and then confirm the start time with them. It’s also worth pointing out dress code and what people typically wear. It may sound silly, but people worry about these things.

Day 1, 10.00am, they arrive (always ask them to arrive later than you). Their desk is set, laptop waiting, phone plugged in, and there’s merchandise everywhere. Show them to their desk. Introduce them to people. Walk them around and make them known to everyone who is available. The more the merrier. Remember your first day in a job? You will forget 99% of the names but the face is at least familiar. Show them where the tea and coffee is, how to work the annoying vending machine and the best sandwich shop in town. Make them feel like you actually want them there.

Execute your well-planned induction covering the history of the business, future growth plans, and in what way their role and team is crucial to your success. 

The small details count. If you’re a line manager, give them your mobile number, take them for regular one-to-ones and set an appraisal date three months from now. Engage your new super hire. Create the environment where they will motivate themselves.

The detail behind the actual onboarding is a different blog all together, but hopefully this highlights that you have the power to make that candidate journey brilliant from the second they sit in that first interview, or even beforehand.

If you’re keen to ensure your onboarding runs like clockwork then I’d be delighted to hear from you[email protected].