Interviewing in the life sciences field is a strategic process—one that should be approached as a job of its own. Each conversation gives you the chance to demonstrate the scientific expertise, cross-functional collaboration, analytical thinking, and communication skills that are essential to thriving in biotech, pharma, diagnostics, and related sectors. At the same time, employers are assessing not only your technical qualifications, but also your curiosity, adaptability, enthusiasm for their mission, and ability to contribute within a highly regulated, rapidly evolving environment.

In today’s life sciences landscape, social media is one of the most effective channels for showcasing your professional strengths and attracting the right career opportunities. When building your online presence, be intentional with the keywords you use—highlight scientific expertise, therapeutic areas, technical skills, regulatory knowledge, and industry-specific accomplishments that accurately reflect your background and career goals.

When you’re working with a recruiter who is representing you to a client, transparency is essential. Trust the partnership and lead with honesty, especially when you’re unsure.

Be clear and accurate when discussing your current compensation details, including base salary, bonus structure, equity (stock, RSUs, LTIs), PTO, and any additional perks.

In life sciences, where precision and timely decision-making are critical, it’s important to face challenging tasks directly. Don’t push them aside—tackle them early and proactively. Think of it like entering a cold cleanroom: you hesitate for a moment, but once you step in, the work moves forward.

Adaptation is the number one survival skill of living organisms. Those that don’t adapt, become extinct. In the work world, the same is true for companies, whole groups, and for individuals. Be open to change. Give it a chance. Adapt to new things while using your experience to guide you, and you will have great success.

Finding the right talent in today’s life sciences market isn’t just about filling a role — it’s about finding professionals who can accelerate discovery, innovation, and patient impact.

Want to stay focused and get more done? Keep a power question on your desk, such as: “Am I making the best use of my time right now?” or “Is this task moving me closer to my goals?”

If you let your thumbs do the talking, you’ll find yourself at the bottom of the inbox and lose out on an opportunity.

Stay open to new opportunities, even when you’re content in your current role. The right opportunity could lead to even greater personal and professional growth.

Look at your email address and ask yourself if that email represents a good business image of yourself. Emails like: golfnut@x.com, hatemyboss@x.com, fisheveryday@x.com are probably not images a hiring manager would like to see in a future employee they expect to be hard-working and dedicated.

Don’t

• Fidget or tap.

• Check the time.

• Cross your arms.

• Avoid eye contact.

• Slouch in your chair.

• Play with your hair/face.

• Use closed body language.

Don’t:

• Be late (ever!).

• Check your phone.

• Lie about experience.

• Interrupt the interviewer.

• Use slang or curse words.

• Ask about salary right away.

• Badmouth former employers.

Don’t:

• Skip company research.

• Arrive without questions.

• Forget to check your technology.

• Ignore the job description.

• Wing it without preparation.

• Choose flashy, loud clothing.

• Stay up late before the interview.

It’s, “Did I reveal something real?”

Something unexpected.

Something they didn’t realize they needed.

Never underestimate the power of preparing for an interview, and be armed with examples to showcase your skills. With more companies using phone screens and video conferencing for interviews, we also suggest practicing in front of your webcam or over the phone with a friend.

There are so many AI tools out there, it is hard to know which ones to use for what project or task.  

The small details matter, and if you’re not meeting every single one, you could be creating a domino effect of issues for your company—and your career. Does your manager like reports printed in a very specific font and format? Understand, there is probably a reason for that. Does your company’s CEO have unusual morning rituals for all employees? Understand, there is a method to his or her madness. By paying attention to the smallest details and demands, you will prove to the higher-ups that they can trust you to take care of bigger responsibilities, too.

If you are overworked and exhausted, it’s hard to enjoy your job. The more you enjoy your work, the better you will be at your job. If you make a point to set boundaries and take time to recharge when you can, you will most likely be more productive and successful at your job.

AI can make your recruiting process smarter, faster, and more efficient, but without the right expertise, it can also introduce challenges. The Bandish Group provides the blend of tech and human insight you need to ensure your recruitment efforts are both high-tech and high-touch.

We all will make mistakes at work. It’s natural that at some point, you will do something you regret, like sending an email to the wrong person or forgetting an important project was due. When this happens, the most important thing to do is own up to it. Be honest, be apologetic, and be sincere. Then move on and be the best employee you can be moving forward.