The Life Sciences Careers Podcast
By Don Alexander
The Life Sciences Careers Podcast involves topics and interviews with experts involved in search, recruiting and hiring top talent. Hosted by GeneCoda® executive and professional search. www.genecoda.com
Thank you for listening!
The Life Sciences Careers PodcastMar 26, 2023
The End of Non Competes?
The US FTC proposed a rule in January that would ban all non-compete agreements with limited exceptions. This rule could significantly impact employees and employers that have them in place.
So you don't want to be contacted on LinkedIn?
What is the benefit of being on LinkedIn if there is no or little attempt to update or detail information found on one’s profile or engage one’s network?
Getting real value from professional reference checks
What can insights from professional reference checks give us and what are some great questions we can ask?
Drug Development and Recruiting - Parallel Processes?
Similarities between drug development and executive search processes. Quite a few leads go into an approved candidate in both cases!
How to keep your company culture intact during high growth rates?
If your company is in high growth mode and constantly adding new hires, the question of “how will we keep our company culture” will be one you will grapple with.
How to select a Search Firm - Part 6
In this series, we’ll speak about how to select a search firm and today we’ll cover questions around search firm fees, expenses & guarantees.
How to select a Search Firm - Part 5
In this series, we’ll speak about how to select a search firm and today we’ll cover questions around search firm value adds.
How to select a Search Firm - Part 4
In this series, we’ll speak about how to select a search firm and this episode covers questions around search firm benchmarks.
How to select a Search Firm - Part 3
In this series, we’ll speak about how to select a search firm and this episode covers questions around search firm capacity.
How to select a Search Firm - Part 2
In this series, we’ll speak about how to select a search firm and this episode covers questions around search firm credibility.
How to select a Search Firm - Part 1
In this series, we’ll speak about how to select a search firm and this episode covers questions around search firm discovery and the sourcing process.
Do you serve others?
Chances are, you do. If you do, try this out and reflect on the entries over time.
Would you take a chance?
Whether it’s hiring a candidate, a search firm or cousin Vinny, key to the decision is whether you believe there is enough translational background and motivation to get the job done.
Are you asking the right interview questions?
Most of us have our favorite interview questions but do the questions we’re asking really help us learn more about a candidate and their potential fit to the role we’re recruiting for?
Capturing Candidate Attention
One of the common traps hiring managers and recruiters can make when sourcing potential candidates is not following up with them and assuming they are not interested.
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
One of the common errors we can all be susceptible to in the hiring process is not staying in touch with candidates to keep them updated and informed throughout the entire hiring process.
The Beer Test
Are you using the "beer test" in hiring decisions? It's time to think about "culture add" instead of "culture fit".
The Value of an Intermediary in Recruiting
An example (and closed deal) highlighting the importance of an intermediary in the recruiting process.
Market Diligence
Why is it important to conduct executive search diligence? Let's start with how it might impact your own career!
Connectors
What is a connector and what common traits do they share? Why look beyond someone's immediate profession to see if they might be a good connection? Why is online research no substitute for connecting with others?
Job Descriptions
Tired of poor or few applicants to your job posts? Maybe it's your job description that could use some upgrades...
N-of-1
After a rigorous interview process, you're left with a short list of only 1 candidate. What should you do?
Let's Make a Deal
How does recruiting and hiring resemble the classic game show Let’s Make a Deal?
Hybrid Work Models
What are your thoughts about the work environment of the future? Here are ours...
Armageddon It
Armageddon presents a compelling story and teaches us many lessons about hiring, teamwork and leadership.
The Purple Squirrel
When chasing the elusive "Purple Squirrel", do you consider jobs to be done and job stretch in your hiring?
The Trust Equation
If Trust = the sum of (credibility + reliability + intimacy) divided by self-orientation. How does a “Trust Equation” then apply to interviewing and hiring?
Always Be Recruiting
What positions, assuming there were resignations today, would cripple your business in the near term?
What Yoda can teach us about hiring...
In case you're seeking a Jedi Master for your business, Yoda has some good lessons we can borrow when it comes to the hiring process.
Common Mistakes In Recruitment - Part 6
This series reflects on common recruitment mistakes made through the hiring process. Part 6 offers perspective on mistakes that are made once a candidate is onboarded.
Common Mistakes In Recruitment - Part 5
This series reflects on common recruitment mistakes made through the hiring process. Part 5 offers perspective on mistakes that are made once a candidate has accepted your offer.
Common Mistakes In Recruitment - Part 4
This series reflects on common recruitment mistakes made through the hiring process. Part 4 offers perspective on mistakes that are made during the offer process.
Common Mistakes In Recruitment - Part 3
This series reflects on common recruitment mistakes made through the hiring process. Part 3 offers perspective on mistakes that are made during the recruiting process.
Common Mistakes In Recruitment - Part 2
This series reflects on common recruitment mistakes made through the hiring process. Part 2 offers perspective on mistakes that are made during the initial stages of the recruiting process.
Common Mistakes In Recruitment - Part 1
This series reflects on common recruitment mistakes made through the hiring process.
Part 1 offers perspective on mistakes made before the interview process commences.
Homework Assignments
Homework assignments. A great interviewing tool or free labor?
Referenced Article: https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/03/job-interview-work-assignments-free-labor.html
Work Related Relocation Considerations!
Search firms like ours can be extremely valuable in this process but what other strategies can you deploy if considering a relocation to another state or country?
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger?
The COVID pandemic has disrupted the lives of most people I know in the past year and it got me to thinking about how much change is too much change.
Game of Inches...
In recruiting, as in life, the “gold medalist” or candidate who gets the job is often separated by the “silver medalist” or the runner up candidate, by mere inches. Since the gold medalist most often only finishes a short distance from the silver medalist, have you considered what you can do to become the gold medalist, the next time you interview?
Any Given Sunday Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-xmY5XKEnY
$15M a Day
Is your team getting ready for a potential product launch? If so, the ramifications of potential market miscalculations is likely a top concern of yours. Are you certain you have the right people on your team’s bus?
Contact us on: https://www.genecoda.com/contact/
Fishing for People
What does fishing for people have in common with actual fishing and how do the two differ?
For the eBook mentioned in our video, see: https://www.genecoda.com/12steps_ebook/
Retained v Contingency Search Models... The Search Firm Viewpoint
John Campbell, Global Head of Corporate Recruiting at LabCorp / Covance, and Don Alexander, President and Managing Director of GeneCoda, discuss considerations for companies contemplating Retained versus Contingency search. This part of the dialogue discusses the search firm point of view.
Retained v Contingency Search Models... The Candidate Viewpoint
John Campbell, Global Head of Corporate Recruiting at LabCorp / Covance, and Don Alexander, President and Managing Director of GeneCoda, discuss considerations for companies contemplating Retained versus Contingency search. This part of the dialogue discusses the candidate point of view.
Retained v Contingency Search Models... The Client Viewpoint
John Campbell, Global Head of Corporate Recruiting at LabCorp / Covance, and Don Alexander, President and Managing Director of GeneCoda, discuss considerations for companies contemplating Retained versus Contingency search. This part of the dialogue discusses the client point of view.
Networking: What are people doing?
What does it mean to network successfully? How do professionals maximize the value of their networking? What might an “ideal” networking event look like?
For more information, please see our blog post on: https://www.genecoda.com/blog/networking-survey/#more-18753
Break on Through to the Other Side
How does a martial artist's black belt test of breaking a cement paver relate to breaking barriers in a broad sense?
Think Networking is Going to Get You Your Next Job? Think Again!
Our candidate tip series offers guidance to help you land your next great job! Sources of hire information is of value to anyone involved in the hiring process because it helps determine the origins of a hire. Armed with this information, hiring managers can make better decisions on where to allocate resources.
Likewise, it is important for job seekers to prioritize where their likelihood of success is greatest. Since companies use Sources of Hire information for their benefit, as a job seeker, why shouldn’t you?
For more information, please see our blog post on: https://www.genecoda.com/blog/think-networking-is-going-to-get-you-your-next-job-think-again/
How Much Does Unplanned Employee Turnover Really Cost? Ouch!
We've all been told that unplanned employee turnover costs a lot. How much? Well, that depends on the nature of the role and your company's particulars but what if there was a way this could be accurately calculated?
After watching this video, click the blog post link below and scroll to the link at the bottom. You will need to have your own data or you can use estimates provided by the calculator, itself. There is no charge to use this tool. Buckle up! You may be surprised with how expensive it is to lose great talent!
Link to access the blog post: https://www.genecoda.com/blog/employee-turnover-cost/#more-2275
The Legal and Practical Differences of Corporate vs. Advisory Boards Part 4
In our functions of corporate and advisory board series, we interview Barry Buzogany, Esq. an advisor to several private and public company boards including the advisory board of GeneCoda®.
In part 4 of our 4 part series, Barry discusses board fundamentals including how Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards are compensated, compensation benchmarking, committee compensation and board members as shareholders.
The Legal and Practical Differences of Corporate vs. Advisory Boards Part 3
In our functions of corporate and advisory board series, we interview Barry Buzogany, Esq. an advisor to several private and public company boards including the advisory board of GeneCoda®.
In part 3 of our 4 part series, Barry discusses board fundamentals including how Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards are created, key criteria for selecting members, the role investors play and prototypical sizes.
The Legal and Practical Differences of Corporate vs. Advisory Boards Part 2
In our functions of corporate and advisory board series, we interview Barry Buzogany, Esq. an advisor to several private and public company boards including the advisory board of GeneCoda®.
In part 2 of our 4 part series, Barry discusses board fundamentals including why and when to form an Advisory Board, the differences between an Advisor and Consultant, Corporate and Advisory member numbers and changes, and Board Observers.
The Legal and Practical Differences of Corporate vs. Advisory Boards
In our functions of corporate and advisory board series, we interview Barry Buzogany, Esq. an advisor to several private and public company boards including the advisory board of GeneCoda®.
In part 1 of our 4 part series, Barry discusses board fundamentals including governance and reporting structures, legal liability, duties, and time / meeting structure.
Why You Should Ghost Write Your Own Introduction
Outside of our direct work with clients, when I get requests to make introductions and connection, I ask the requestor to author / ghostwrite what they would like me to send to introduce them.
Busy People Have Little Time to Read "Help Wanted" Ads
Employing or using poor and / or inexperienced talent acquisition specialists, headhunters or recruiters is one of the worst decisions a company can make when seeking seasoned executives and professionals.
Employment Stability | Myths and Realities
Our candidate tip series offers guidance to help you land your next great job! Employment Stability | Myths and Realities. You are in charge of your career!
Avoiding the Resume "Black Hole" - Part 2
Our candidate tip series offers guidance to help you land your next great job! Tips for Avoiding the Resume Black Hole - Part 2.
Avoiding the Resume "Black Hole" - Part 1
Our candidate tip series offers guidance to help you land your next great job! Tips for Avoiding the Resume Black Hole - Part 1.
The Best Job Search Strategy We've Seen? (Part 2)
Our candidate tip series offers guidance to help you land your next great job! Purposeful Job Search - Part 2.
Check out this post on our blog at https://www.genecoda.com/blog/purposeful-job-search-your-7-part-career-gps/
The Best Job Search Strategy We've Seen? (Part 1)
Our candidate tip series offers guidance to help you land your next great job! Purposeful Job Search - Part 1.
Check out our candidate resource blog at https://www.genecoda.com/life-sciences-professionals/resource-library/
COVID Hiring What Are Companies Doing Differently?
For Triangle Biotech Tuesday, Don Alexander of Genecoda hosted a panel discussion on the topic of "COVID hiring: What are companies doing differently?", featuring Andrea Johnson – Senior HR Manager - Kymanox and Aaron Turner – Talent Acquisition Manager at RTI International.
How to make your resume stand out from the crowd?
Our candidate tip series offers guidance to help you land your next great job! Resume guidance Part 2.
Check out our candidate resource blog at https://www.genecoda.com/life-sciences-professionals/resource-library/
Retained or Contingency Search | Which is right for your company?
John Campbell, Global Head of Corporate Recruiting at LabCorp / Covance, and Don Alexander, President and Managing Director of GeneCoda, discuss various considerations for companies considering Retained versus Contingency search.
Who should review your resume and the 2 most important parts!
Our candidate tip series offers guidance to help you land your next great job! Resume guidance Part 1.
Check out our candidate resource blog at https://www.genecoda.com/life-sciences-professionals/resource-library/
Your Org Chart Matters!
The 12th segment of our 12 part series on how to attract, retain and recruit the top 1% of Life Sciences (Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Diagnostic) talent.
How do you reward your employees?
The 11th segment of our 12 part series on how to attract, retain and recruit the top 1% of Life Sciences (Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Diagnostic) talent.
The Importance of Appraisals and Continuous Feedback
The tenth segment of our 12 part series on how to attract, retain and recruit the top 1% of Life Sciences (Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Diagnostic) talent.
How Does Your Onboarding and Training Process Compare?
The ninth segment of our 12 part series on how to attract, retain and recruit the top 1% of Life Sciences (Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Diagnostic) talent.
An employer's next steps after an employment offer is accepted...
The eighth segment of our 12 part series on how to attract, retain and recruit the top 1% of Life Sciences (Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Diagnostic) talent.
Would You Take Your Own Offer?
The seventh segment of our 12 part series on how to attract, retain and recruit the top 1% of Life Sciences (Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Diagnostic) talent.
Determining Compensation For A Players!
The sixth segment of our 12 part series on how to attract, retain and recruit the top 1% of Life Sciences (Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Diagnostic) talent.
Using the Interview Process to Your Advantage!
The fifth segment of our 12 part series on how to attract, retain and recruit the top 1% of Life Sciences (Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Diagnostic) talent.
The Who? What type of people do you want to attract to your company...
The fourth segment of our 12 part series on how to attract, retain and recruit the top 1% of Life Sciences (Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Diagnostic) talent.
Mission & Values... A differentiator?
The third segment of our 12 part series on how to attract, retain and recruit the top 1% of Life Sciences (Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Diagnostic) talent.
Work Environment Matters... A Lot!
The second segment of our 12 part series on how to attract, retain and recruit the top 1% of Life Sciences (Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Diagnostic) talent.
Life Sciences Pulse Labor Market Overview
A guide to leveraging the information contained in the Life Sciences Pulse Labor Market report. Sign up for the report on https://www.genecoda.com/life-sciences-pulse-report/
Branding for Employee Recruitment
The first segment of our 12 part series on how to attract, retain and recruit the top 1% of Life Sciences (Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Diagnostic) talent.
What's Happening in Life Sciences Recruiting, Hiring and Retention During COVID-19
GeneCoda® President and Managing Director is interviewed by Jay Graves of Pathfinder Business Consultants about the impacts of the COVID-19 / Coronavirus on recruiting, hiring and retention during the pandemic. The interview covers industry outlook and trends as well as opportunities and challenges for companies that are hiring talent in the Life Sciences sector.
The V Curve
Why freeze hiring now? A historical view on markets and pandemics.
Recruiting Passive Job Seekers Part 2
Ted Benson of Corralling Chaos interviews GeneCoda® Managing Director, Don Alexander about recruiting passive candidates. Part 1 focuses on defining the promise and challenges. Part 2 will help listeners succeed in recruiting passive candidates.
Recruiting Passive Job Seekers Part 1
Ted Benson of Corralling Chaos interviews GeneCoda® Managing Director, Don Alexander about recruiting passive candidates. Part 1 focuses on defining the promise and challenges. Part 2 will help listeners succeed in recruiting passive candidates.