Tag: Industry Insights

Life Sciences Recruitment Night: What We Learned and What We’ll Improve in 2026

In November, we brought together HR, Talent Acquisition and business leaders, as well as job-seeking life science professionals for the first Life Sciences Recruitment Night. The energy in the room was clear: recruitment is not “just a process”. It’s a strategic capability that shapes speed, trust, and innovation – with pressure shared by candidates, hiring managers and recruitment professionals. 

What made this evening special

• A 360° conversation across candidates, HR/TA, and business leaders

• Honest discussion about what currently works and what breaks trust

• Practical ideas that can be implemented without “big transformation projects”

Three insights that stood out

1) Communication is the trust multiplier
When timelines are unclear or updates disappear, trust erodes quickly even when the role is compelling.

2) Interview quality is a leadership skill
Great hiring isn’t about asking more questions. It’s about creating a dialogue, building trust, and making decisions that are both fast and fair.

3) Small process improvements create impact
Clear expectations, feedback discipline, and a better candidate journey improve employer brand and reduce hidden hiring costs.

What’s next in 2026
We’re planning to continue the conversation — and move from insight to action — with further events in the Swiss life sciences ecosystem (Zurich and Basel-Land/Romandie are on the radar). If you’d like to be informed when the next date is announced, join the monthly update below.

Download: Executive Summary

Download the Summary Whitepaper Closing the Candidate Experience Gap to get the key findings and practical takeaways from from our Candidate Experience Survey and the Life Sciences Recruitment Night. If you wish to receive the full Whitepaper and/or want to join us shape the future of Life Sciences Recruitment, let us know by completing this brief quiz

Stay connected (monthly update)

If you’d like to receive a monthly nextImpact update (events, workshops, and practical insights for life science leaders and organisations), subscribe here

Why This Matters

Switzerland leads on innovation. By improving how we find, select, and support talent, we can keep it that way.

What’s it really like to job hunt in Life Sciences today? Thanks to 108 Life Science leaders who shared their experiences in our Candidate Experience Survey, we now have one of the most comprehensive views of today’s candidate journey — from job applications and interviews to feedback, offers, and the personal impact on confidence and well-being.

The findings are eye-opening:

• 78% rated communication in the application process as poor or very poor
• 58% rarely received feedback after interviews
• 89% said the experience affected their mental health

At the same time, HR and Talent Acquisition teams face huge pressure — managing hundreds or even thousands of applications even for senior and complex roles.

At nextImpact, we support Life Science leaders in transition but also understand the hiring side through our own talent acquisition experience. We see this as a shared challenge — and an opportunity for dialogue and change. 

On the evening of 26 November, we’re hosting an in-person event in Basel, where we’ll :

✅ Reveal the survey results & key insights
✅ Host a World Café with HR and business leaders to explore solutions
✅ Create space for networking and meaningful connections

We look forward to you joining us — or even take an active role as a co-creator. It’s a great opportunity to share your perspective, strengthen your voice, and help shape the future of recruitment in Life Sciences and beyond. Reach out to stefanie@nextimpact.ch for more information. 

Register here: https://eventfrog.ch/de/p/fuehrungen-vortraege/business-treff/life-sciences-recruitment-night-7387489924570698043.html

Let’s reshape how Life Sciences hires — to build trust, engagement, and results for everyone involved.