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Turning Point in a Sluggish Pharmaceutical Recruitment market in Ireland??

Why recruitment in the Pharmaceutical sector is Snail slow in 2010? Patience is a Virtue!!

Background
The recruitment process in the Pharmaceutical Industry has stereotypically been a slower process than most other industries. The process has involved a number of interviews followed by a medical and could take circa 2-3 Months from start to finish. In the last 12 Months this process has been stretched out to 4+ Months and candidates are finding it frustrating but need to hang in there as the outlook is positive!

Why is the Pharmaceutical jobs market moving so slow??
From the first quarter of 2009 and following in to 2010 we have seen the Global Pharmaceutical and Biotech Industries change dramatically reacting swiftly to the global economic changes. Many global organisations, household names and leaders in the Pharmaceutical field, have entered mergers and acquisitions and they have taken the necessary steps to survive. With this consolidation job losses are inevitable. We have seen others simply cut 5-10% of the global workforce to reduce costs.
However, Ireland has a strong, educated workforce and is seen to be 10 years ahead of China and India in terms of technologically advanced manufacturing so we have a lot to offer these cutting edge organisations. Many of the global job loses that these multinationals have announced will not effect the Irish operation, it is extremely difficult to get roles approved from head office until the dust settles over the mergers, acquisitions and global redundancies.

In reality, in Ireland many of these organisations are extremely busy with hiring managers screaming out for staff and HR managers are finding they have requests for staff building up on their desks, many of them referring to is as a bottle neck of requests. In this scenario, they have to sit down and prioritise the most important roles and unfortunately many roles get pushed back because they are not seen as necessary. This process takes time and is frustrating for everyone involved but if candidates have a real understanding of why the process is taking so long, they may have the ability so be patient and hang in there until the time comes.

The Industry is still performing very well in Ireland and the outlook is very positive. Our educated work force has proved to be the all important factor in attracting these multinationals and it is this educated workforce, now with strong relevant experience, that will be the deciding factor in these companies staying in Ireland.

Yes, the recruitment process is slow but patience is a virtue, the tide is turning and without doubt I believe there is positive news on the horizon for the Irish Pharma and Biotech Industries!!