Hays Pharma - July 2010
Hotspots
Clinical Research Associates across all levels, from CRA I to Senior CRA, are in demand. Clinical research organisations and Pharmaceutical companies are moving forward with their clinical projects in Australia and require additional staff to meet demands placed on them from overseas.
Meanwhile demand remains high for strong sales candidates with specific industry experience. This business-critical skill is a prime hotspot of demand.
The coming quarter
Based on last quarter, more business will move towards APAC from USA and Europe. Companies will be building teams on both a permanent and temporary basis. In addition, competition within the medical device industry is increasing, and companies are increasing the size of their sales force to maintain and grow market share. Almost all of these sales roles are permanent.
Employer trends
Given the skills shortage within clinical research, employers are increasingly asking more of their current staff. Interim clinical research staff is one way to help overcome this problem. Another solution is to consider candidates who demonstrate the right attributes and cultural fit, with the technical aptitude to learn.
Within the clinical market, salaries are rising as a method of candidate attraction. Temporary staffing needs are also high to cover set periods of time and aid existing teams.
Within sales, employers are increasing their recruitment process to ensure they secure the right people. This includes multiple interviews and the use of psychometric testing.
Candidate trends
Candidates are being more cautious, preferring the stability of a permanent role to a temporary role that offers a higher wage.
When searching for their next role, sales candidates consider a company's reputation and credibility to be very important in their decision-making process. High turnover, product recalls, poor warehousing and logistics processes and a lack of training are not viewed favourably.
