4 tips on job recruiting in the field of science.
All recruiting efforts are difficult, no matter what the field. Finding and hiring quality scientists comes with its own set of challenges. The need for trained, educated, and experienced scientists means the good ones are in very high demand. Like superstars in other fields, you need to have a plan of action in order to attract the best prospects.
So, how do you identify likely candidates and then go about recruiting them?
1. Target job boards that specialize in science.
Putting a job post on Monster or CareerBuilder likely won’t be enough. Top talent is rarely actively seeking a new position, so don’t expect scientists to be using general market sites. Instead target specialized job boards that cater to the scientific community. ScienceJobs, ScienceCareers and NatureJobs are a few of the niche sites in the US. MedZilla specializes in healthcare, pharmaceutical and biotechnology jobs. You can also widen the search to international sites like EuroScienceJobs and NewScientistsJobs. One important thing to keep in mind is that scientists tend to be more willing to relocate, going wherever the next job project leads, so looking for candidates outside the US can make sense.
2. Design and write job descriptions with careful attention.
The wording and content of job descriptions is extremely important. Your description should include details about the specific job, the project, the working conditions and the benefits. If the person is thinking of moving to a new city or even country, he or she needs to know what to expect. A relocation package might be needed, especially if you are targeting international candidates. They will want to know what moving expenses will be covered, the type of housing, and schools, etc. Scientists are especially interested in the possibility of being published in scientific journals/magazines and attending/speaking at conferences that will allow them to network with others in their field.
3. Make use of social media, blogs, and forums.
Being active on social media, publishing a blog, and taking part in forums on sites that are popular with the scientific community are all ways to develop relationships with “soft targets”: those candidates who aren’t actively job seeking. Make sure you have a dynamic presence on LinkedIn or other professional social sites. You can also take advantage of tools within LinkedIn that let you identify likely targets and contact them directly.
4. Seek out potential recruits in person at conferences.
Be present at conferences, so scientists can get to know you and your company, the projects you work on, as well as job opportunities. This is a great way to find both new graduates and more experienced professionals who are looking for a new position, challenge, or advancement. Speaking or presenting a seminar can establish you as an expert in your field while growing awareness of your company. You can find a list of science conferences here, with sub-fields including: aeronautics, biochemistry, biology, life sciences, electronics, mathematics, oceanography, research, technology and more.
The challenges of finding top scientific talent can be incredibly daunting. If you’re looking for help, we can be partner with you to recruit professionals in any field.