Hiring in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry can be extremely challenging. Not only are you looking for a candidate that has the right educational background and experience, but you also want to be sure that it will be a good fit for the team and overall company culture.
To make sure you fill your open position with top talent, you will likely want to offer great perks in addition to expanding your search geographically. You may run into the problem of relocation. Now that most organizations are beginning to ask employees to return to the office environment as the pandemic slowly subsides this will become an increasingly common issue. The chances are that you are hiring for a metropolitan area, where the cost of living could be a deterrent to some candidates.
So, once you have found the perfect fit, how can you make your offer as attractive as possible? Keep the following tactics in mind, and your top pick will be accepting the offer and, if necessary, packing his or her bags.
Provide perks to help with their daily commute
The majority of biotech company locations are in areas where living close to the office is costly. However, living even 10 to 15 miles away can mean a long commute in bumper-to-bumper traffic each day. The employee needs to also factor in the expense of parking. As more people value work-life balance, the headaches of a commute and parking can be enough to have your offer declined, regardless of the compensation. To make your offer more attractive, consider offering discounts on public transit or parking. Many companies are also offering flexible work arrangements with work from home and alternative work hour options, particularly since so many employees have become accustomed to working from home during the pandemic.
Make the relocation process as easy as possible
Moving can be a logistical nightmare, especially when you are talking cross country or with an entire family. You want to make this process as easy as possible for the candidate. Discuss moving services and have a flexible onboarding schedule. You can get them in touch with a local real estate agent and trusted banker. And, if you can, coordinate the start date with school enrollment. An experienced recruiter can make a relocation effortless, as they have access to relocation specialists.
Engage the entire family
Relocating for a job becomes exponentially harder with children. You need to be aware this is something that will weigh heavily on the candidate’s mind. Do your due diligence and research things like the best school systems and family-friendly attractions that are nearby. If possible, you may want to consider having the family come out to the city to get excited and feel more comfortable.
Committing to a tedious daily commute in addition to the potential of relocating nationally or internationally is a big decision – but it is something that will come up if you want to access the top talent in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. By following the tips above, you can make sure that it is as exciting and minimally stressful as possible.
Dave Murphy
The Alpine Group
