Ireland is the world’s 7th largest pharmaceutical products exporter and the largest net exporter of pharmaceuticals in the EU. Accounting for over 50% of all exports from the European Union.

Being such a powerhouse in this sector comes with many opportunities for growing companies in Ireland, but it also comes with several challenges. Perhaps the biggest problem facing the pharma industry in Ireland is the skill gap.

There is a growing demand for skilled labor which is making it harder and harder for pharmaceutical companies to find high-quality staff. 

Here are some tips on how to find quality pharmaceutical employees in a tight labor market.

Tip #1: Focus on your brand first

Like attracts like.

For you to get quality staff, your brand has to be quality itself. But creating an attractive impression is not just about the external brand image. It is also the way employees are treated internally and the quality of pharmaceutical products your firm produces. Your employees are the ones preaching how good (or bad) your company is, and this word of mouth can have a significant impact on the quality of your recruits.

Ensure the values of your brand are reflected and portrayed both inside and outside the walls of operation, in everything you do. This way, your company will organically attract quality staff and be the top pick for the best talent.

Tip #2: Be a thought leader

The pharmaceutical sector is constantly changing, and the most innovative and forward-thinking companies are the ones that inevitably come out on top. This industry demands creative and innovative minds that work together to create societal level changes to people’s lives, through product development and groundbreaking new initiatives.

If your company is not leading the pack by researching, developing, and publicising key industry innovations, you will find it hard to entice the best talent and convince them to buy into your culture and ideas.

Bring the best talent together, interact with them, publish your findings, and share your insights with the world. Then the best people will be drawn to you.

Tip #3: Get proactive about recruitment

The average recruitment process looks like this:

Develop a staffing need > Advertise a position > Conduct interviews > Make a hiring decision

Unfortunately, this conventional process almost never delivers the best talent to your company. It’s too linear and far too reactive in nature. Not to mention that bad hires can be extremely costly.

The best companies are proactive in their recruitment. They are regularly meeting with industry experts, up and coming stars, university graduates, and potential employees, so that when a recruitment need presents itself, they have a pool of talent to engage with. Internships and short-term placements for younger talent are a great way to develop insights about the future talent of the industry and unlock gems you can collaborate with at a later date.

It’s also important to monitor the trends and actions of your competitors when it comes to recruitment, to stay ahead of the marketer.

Recruitment is an ongoing process, it never ends. This is especially true in the pharmaceutical industry given its reliance on research, product development and continual innovation.

If you don’t have the manpower or resources to develop these proactive relationships, you should consider partnering with a staffing agency (such as Flexsource) that is specialised in the pharmaceutical market and has done the legwork already.

Specialised staffing agencies provide an accountable partner who ensures an efficient and proactive recruitment process.

Conclusion

These are just a few important tips to help your company find quality pharmaceutical staff.

The most important thing is to produce quality and reliable products, that develops an attractive image for the company.

No great employee wants to be associated with any ordinary business.

Being extraordinary establishes a clear gap between you and your competitors, and subsequently creates a pull into your firm from the best talent. Rather than you always needing to push your agenda to the world. 

Are you in-market for an Innovative Recruitment Partner?

Linda Hickey - Service Delivery Manager at Flexsource Recruitment.

CONTACT LINDA today or see our staffing services.