Here’s Why You Need to Make Smart, Strategic Career Moves in Life Sciences Regulatory Affairs
When considering a change in your career path, taking a more strategic approach becomes crucial. This is especially the case for professionals working in the life sciences and regulatory affairs. In this and similar fields, candidates never want to be perceived as a job hopper.
Many regulatory affairs career tips note that success as a candidate demands a work history with a logical progression. Simply stated, job hoppers need not apply. After earning an opportunity for an intriguing regulatory position, expect the interviewer to probe deeply into your career path. As such, your explanation needs to show wise reasoning whenever you switch jobs.
This practice provides one basic insight into the discerning approach you need when plotting any career change. As a candidate, you must show companies a career path with a well-considered approach to its progression. It remains the best way to gain useful, relevant experience and ultimately advance your life sciences career.
Finding the Right Motivation for a Career Change
If you switch jobs at least once per year, expect regulatory affairs recruiters to consider you a job hopper. As highlighted above, this field boasts an expectation that candidates take a more strategic tack to their career. Therefore regularly switching positions on a whim might provide companies with a poor impression of your candidacy.
In short, if you want a successful job search, you must find a suitable reason for any career changes. Simply telling an interviewer you didn’t like a previous manager might raise their suspicion or draw concerns on your ability to get along with others. In the end, any well-considered career path needs to illustrate the right motivation any time you switch jobs.
To help build a rewarding regulatory affairs career in life sciences, check out these positive motivations for switching jobs. Use this information to inspire your own thoughts when devising the long-term plans for your career. It’s the best way to make the strategic moves you need for professional success.
Changing Jobs to Broaden Your Experience Level
In this scenario, you feel a bit stagnant in your current position and determine a change is necessary. Finding another company in the life sciences field makes sense to maintain your career path. At the same time, also consider moving into a related industry. For example, a switch from biotech into the pharmaceutical world provides a chance to broaden your experience.
Additionally, don’t forget that simply moving to a new company exposes you to a different culture. You get to collaborate with new coworkers and managers, providing a measure of depth to your career. These types of moves also let you build a more robust professional network. Having a collection of colleagues ready to offer advice or a lead on your advancement pays dividends until your retirement day.
Improving Your Marketability to Hiring Managers
We already established that hiring managers in life sciences typically avoid resumes from job hoppers. In short, listing eight jobs over a five-year career remains a poor reflection to many in the field. Conversely, showing a work history laden with strategic career moves makes you more marketable as a candidate.
Life sciences recruiters look for resumes with deep layers of experience. So when deciding to look for a new position, find companies that add unique experiences to your CV. Perhaps you might get the chance to interact with different divisions of the FDA. Another opportunity may offer experience taking a new program from initiation to regulatory approval. This kind of deep work history makes finding fresh opportunities a relative breeze.
A Strategic Approach Lets You Build Your Career More Quickly
If job hopping makes building a rewarding life sciences career more difficult, what about staying long-term with one company? In this case, your professional life still might stagnate when employed at the same place for over 10 years. You simply don’t get the same depth and breadth of experience or learning as when leveraging strategic career moves.
Additionally, expect to grow your salary at a faster rate when changing jobs every few years. You simply don’t get the same opportunity for growth when working in the same position for a decade. Periodically changing tack helps recharge your professional batteries and increase your enthusiasm for each day at the office.
Goldilocks’ own experiences might offer the right advice for this situation. Both job-hopping from position to position or staying with one company for too long offer fewer career benefits. However, leveraging a more strategic approach to building a career provides a solution that’s “just right.”
Interestingly, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes the Baby Boomer generation averages 11 jobs over their career. Conversely, the BLS predicts millennials to nearly double their number of jobs over the same period. Nevertheless, understand that simply switching jobs to make a move remains unwise for your life sciences career growth. Instead, use strategic career moves to put yourself on a path to lifelong success.
Job Search Advice for Your Strategic Career Move
Any useful regulatory affairs career tips must also focus on the job search once you decide to make a switch. Remember, recruiters in the life sciences and regulatory affairs world tend to be more discerning when they vet candidates. You need a well-written resume that’s also clear and concise. Be sure to provide tangible details on the differences you made for previous employers.
Additionally, giving an exemplary interview performance remains critical. Be sure to spend time researching the contents of your resume right before the interview. Having this information at the forefront of your mind lets you answer clearly and confidently.
Also remember to deeply research the company in question. Of course, this remains an important aspect of making any strategic career move. Your research lets you ask meaningful questions of your own when prompted by the interviewer. It also provides you with the opportunity to truly express your interest in the position.
Always Be Ready to Engage Your Job Search
Waiting until your current position becomes untenable to begin a job search makes things more difficult. You need to keep your resume updated, especially any CVs you post online. This includes your LinkedIn account. Having this content ready to go ensures a quick reaction whenever an intriguing opportunity appears out of thin air.
Additionally, note that many hiring managers feel those currently employed remain better candidates. So don’t quit before engaging your job search. In fact, being unemployed might lead to accepting the wrong position out of desperation. This ends up being the opposite of a strategic career move.
Keep Your Social Media Presence Professional
During any job search, expect hiring managers to search for evidence of your online activity. Make sure your social media presence remains professional without any embarrassing photos or posts. Conversely, if you regularly blog or post articles relevant to your career, highlight this content before any job search. Positioning yourself as a thought leader in the life sciences or regulatory affairs definitely attracts interested organizations.
Ensure Your LinkedIn Profile Stays Current
Speaking of social media, LinkedIn remains the most crucial social network for any professional. As such, be sure to include a pro-shot profile photo with your account. You always want to make a good first impression on potential employers, especially in regulatory affairs.
As noted earlier, becoming a thought leader in this field takes your career into overdrive. So use LinkedIn as an opportunity to post relevant articles, either your own or relevant shares from others. Joining a few LinkedIn Groups related to life sciences and regulatory affairs also helps your career growth.
A Top-Shelf Resume is a Must
We already talked about ensuring your resume stays updated whether or not you are actively looking for work. Additionally, take extra care in crafting an exceptional CV that clearly highlights your professional accomplishments in the life sciences. However, don’t make it too long, as hiring managers typically only take a quick perusal when first vetting candidates.
Note that peppering your resume with the hottest keywords in the field improves your search engine optimization (SEO). This makes it easier for regulatory affairs recruiters to find you when looking online for candidates.
Maintain a List of References
In addition to keeping your resume current, you also need to maintain a list of professional references. Expect hiring managers to rely on these references as a differentiator between two equally-qualified candidates. Choose references with supervisory experience over you and those able to provide meaningful insights on your skills. Always reach out to any colleagues beforehand to see if they are willing to be a reference.
Consider Your Willingness to Relocate
You also need to determine whether or not you are up for relocating for a great regulatory affairs job. Also, be upfront with your family to prevent any surprises when an opportunity arises. While some remote jobs might be available, don’t count on this always being the case.
Partner with Our Life Sciences Regulatory Affairs Recruiters Today to Make Your Next Strategic Career Move
Not surprisingly, partnering with a life sciences regulatory affairs recruiter remains a great way to make a strategic career move. So reach out to the team at Shepherd Regulatory Search. As one of the top life sciences staffing agencies in the country, we can help take your career to a higher level. Connect with us at your earliest convenience!