There’s a lot of focus on hiring challenges in life sciences, but not as much attention on how candidates are actually navigating the market day to day.
GForce Life Sciences recently conducted a poll of over 750 professionals in life sciences and when we looked at the data, a different side of the story starts to come through, one that’s less about roles themselves and more about how people are searching, preparing, and positioning themselves.
1. Job searching is active, but heavily application-driven
Right now, most candidates aren’t waiting for opportunities—they’re actively going after them.
- 85% say they are applying to new roles
- Only 6% are primarily focused on networking
- Just 4% are updating resumes/LinkedIn
- 5% are focused on upskilling
That tells us something important:
The majority of candidates are in execution mode, not preparation mode.
People are applying at scale, which likely increases competition per role and adds pressure to stand out quickly.
2. Networking still plays a major role – just not always the starting point
Even though only a small percentage listed networking as their main focus, when asked how they stay sharp during a job search:
- 38% said networking with peers/recruiters
- 32% said updating resume/LinkedIn
- 30% said learning new skills
So while applications dominate the front end, networking is still a key supporting strategy.
Candidates may be applying first, but relationships are still part of how they stay competitive.
3. Most candidates are in “exploration mode”
Beyond just applying, many professionals are keeping their options open:
- 72% say they are exploring new opportunities
This suggests a market where:
- People are not necessarily desperate to leave
- But they are very open to the right opportunity
That creates a more nuanced dynamic – candidates aren’t just looking for any role, they’re looking for a better fit.
4. There’s a gap between effort and outcome
When you combine these behaviors with earlier insights (high application rates + hiring friction), a pattern starts to emerge:
- Candidates are applying heavily
- They’re networking and staying engaged
- But they’re still running into slow processes and unclear outcomes
This creates a situation where:
Effort is high, but conversion isn’t always matching it.
5. The modern job search is more reactive than strategic
Looking across the data, most candidates are:
- Responding to open roles
- Applying quickly
- Supplementing with networking
But fewer are focused on:
- Long-term skill building
- Strategic positioning
- Differentiation
Only a small percentage are prioritizing upskilling as part of their job search.
Takeaways
The life sciences job market isn’t just competitive – it’s fast-moving and reactive.
Candidates are:
- Actively applying
- Exploring options
- Using networking to stay in the loop
But they’re also navigating a process that doesn’t always reward that level of effort.
The biggest shift isn’t just in hiring – it’s in behavior.
Candidates today are more engaged than ever, but also more selective and more aware of what they want.
For companies, that means:
- The best candidates may already be in multiple processes
- Speed and clarity matter more than ever
- And standing out requires more than just posting a role
If you’re in the life sciences space, does this reflect what you’re seeing right now?
GForce Life Sciences is a leading talent partner delivering precise recruiting and workforce solutions to biotech, pharma, and medical device organizations.
If you are interested in learning more about GForce’s workforce solutions, please contact us.