If you’re struggling to attract the right candidates, or losing them before the offer stage, your life-sciences hiring process is most likely the reason.
In sectors where compliance is critical, and competition for talent is high, unclear recruitment workflows can lead to missed opportunities.
At SEDA Talent, we work with HR teams, internal recruiters, and department leads to audit their processes, and improve them.
Here’s how to do the same for your organisation:
Step 1: Map your current process, end to end
Begin by ensuring full visibility, track and document every stage a candidate goes through, from creating the job specification to their onboarding process.
Common stages include:
- Job spec creation
- Internal approvals
- Advertising or agency brief
- CV screening and shortlisting
- Interview stage(s)
- Offer process
- Onboarding and compliance
Don’t just note what’s supposed to happen, capture what actually happens.
Step 2: Identify delays, drop-offs, and confusion points
Once you’ve mapped the process, ask:
- Where do we lose candidates? (e.g., between first and second interviews)
- Where are the longest delays? (e.g., internal sign-off, feedback loops)
- Where are candidates unclear or unengaged? (e.g., vague job specs, no timeline)
In your life-sciences hiring process, even minor delays can result in losing top candidates, who are also often juggling multiple opportunities simultaneously.
Step 3: Audit your job descriptions and briefs
This is often the first point of failure.
Ask:
- Are job specs tailored to the specific project or site?
- Do they clearly outline systems, regulatory frameworks, and daily responsibilities?
- Are you being honest about expectations (e.g., shift work, contract length, salary bands)?
Vague or generic job specifications fail to attract the high-Caliber candidates you need, especially for specialized roles in regulatory, QA, or R&D.
Step 4: Evaluate your interview process
Hiring in Pharma, MedTech, or biotech demands not just strict compliance, but also the agility and precision to move fast and stay ahead in a competitive landscape.
Consider:
- Do your hiring managers ask consistent, role-relevant questions?
- Are there clear rubrics or criteria for decision-making?
- Is feedback returned quickly and clearly?
- Do candidates leave interviews informed and motivated, or confused?
It’s not about adding more interview rounds, it’s about making every stage count and being worthy of the candidate’s time.
Step 5: Review how you work with recruitment partners
Working with an agency like SEDA means your hiring process goes beyond the CV, it’s the start of finding the perfect fit.
Ask:
- Are briefs clear and well-communicated?
- Are you getting the right candidates, not just the most available ones?
- Are you giving timely feedback, so your recruiter can adjust search criteria?
A strong agency partnership can speed up, sharpen, and boost your hiring edge.
But only when you’re truly aligned.
Step 6: Review onboarding and compliance holistically
Life-sciences roles require strict compliance, but onboarding can still be smooth, streamlined, and hassle-free.
Make sure:
- Documents, background checks, and start dates are well-coordinated
- Line managers are prepared for day one
- Candidates are fully briefed and supported throughout
First impressions count, and onboarding is your chance to make a lasting one.
Want help auditing your hiring process?
At SEDA Talent, we don’t just fill roles, we transform how biotech, MedTech, and pharma companies across the UK and Ireland find and hire top talent.
Whether it’s streamlining your interviews, sharpening your job specs, or defining exactly what ‘success’ looks like, we tailor our approach to fit your unique needs.
With our deep sector expertise and proven strategies, we help you attract the right people faster, so you can focus on what matters most: driving innovation and growth.
Partner with SEDA and experience recruitment done smarter, faster, and with real impact.
