Turning Hiring Managers into Talent Magnets

In a previous article, we highlighted the importance of recruitment excellence in the pharmaceutical industry. In the face of skills shortages and a looming talent crisis, attracting, recruiting, and retaining top talent has become a strategic imperative. If not addressed, it hampers the pharmaceutical supply chain's ability to bring life-changing molecules to market.

This article focuses on the hiring manager's pivotal role in recruitment and why elevating their skills is essential.

The Recruitment Relay Race

Research by Bersin shows the strongest factor drivingsuccessful talent acquisition is the strength of the relationship between hiring managers and recruiters. Like athletes in a relay race team, they work together, acting with speed and accuracy to secure top talent. However, the reality is often very different. 57% of recruiters feel that hiring managers do not understand recruiting, while 63% of hiring managers think that recruiters do not understand enough about the jobs they are filling. The result? A fragmented candidate experience, lost talent and wasted resources.

Hiring Managers as Talent Magnets

In the pharmaceutical industry, the competition for top-tier talent cannot be overstated. A strong organisational hiring culture is essential; everyone is a talent magnet. Perhaps the most pivotal role is the hiring manager. Effective hiring managers attract and engage top candidates, where as those who lack recruitment skills risk losing the talent essential for your company's growth. This is underscored by the fact that nearly half (49%)of job seekers have turned down a job offer due to a negative experience during the hiring process (PWC).

Therefore, hiring managers are crucial to shaping the pharmaceutical industry's future.  Equipping them (and the wider talent acquisition team) with the knowledge and skills to recruit wellis beneficial and contributes to the business's long-term sustainability and growth.

What are the Benefits of Recruitment Training?

Investing in the skill development of hiring managers is an investment in the future success of your organisation. Here's why:

1. ‍Improved Hiring Decisions: Training ensures hiring managers follow standardised recruitment procedures, reducing biases and improving the quality of hiring decisions. Using evidence-based interview techniques and assessment methods ensures that only the best candidates make it through the selection process.
2. ‍Reduce employee turnover: Hiring the wrong candidate is costly. It leads to wasted training resources, lost productivity, and the potential for repeated hiring processes. Training hiring managers to make informed and strategic hiring decisions reduces the likelihood of turnover. ‍
3. Reduce Regulatory and Compliance Issues: Given the highly regulated environment, hiring managers must be aware of the legal and regulatory requirements associated with hiring, including compliance with the FDA, EMA, and other international bodies. Training helps managers stay informed about these regulations, ensuring the recruitment process is legally compliant and avoiding costly legal issues.‍
4. Strengthen Employer Brand: In a competitive job market, employer branding and candidate experience are critical. Hiring managers are often the first point of contact potential employees have with a company. A well-trained hiring manager can communicate the company's values, culture, and mission effectively, creating a positive first impression. This attracts top talent and builds a strong employer brand that stands out in the industry.‍
5. Boost Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A diverse workforce directly impacts an organisation's success commercially and by bringing different perspectives and ideas and fostering innovation. Training hiring managers on the importance of these principles and how to implement them in the recruitment process ensures a diverse and inclusive workforce. ‍
6. Improved Onboarding Experience: The hiring process doesn't end with a job offer. Effective onboarding is crucial for integrating new hires into the company. Trained hiring managers can design and implement comprehensive onboarding programs that facilitate a smooth transition, helping new employees feel welcomed and prepared to contribute from day one.

At Vector, we are developing a learning solution specifically for hiring managers in the pharmaceutical industry. The solution focuses on enhancing their ability to make better, fairer decisions while authentically representing your brand. We've distilled our recruitment expertise into a comprehensive course covering every aspect of the recruitment process, providing a scalable and cost-effective way of embedding higher standards of talent acquisition in your organisation. Get in touch to learn more.

Summary

Investing in the training and development of hiring managers s an investment in the future of the pharmaceutical industry. It ensures that the right people are in the right roles, driving innovation, ensuring compliance, and ultimately, contributing to the health and well-being of people worldwide.

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