Recruiting in the Pharmaceutical Industry

By: Asha McGarrell

Cerexa, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Forest Laboratories, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a growing portfolio of novel anti-infective therapies for the treatment of serious and life-threatening infections.

The ultimate goal of our dedicated team of employees is to advance research for treatments of serious and life-threatening infections.

At the time of our company’s founding in 2005, we focused our energy on advancing our lead product candidate‚ ceftaroline fosamil. In 2007, we became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Forest Laboratories.

They are also developing an intravenous non-beta-lactamase inhibitor, NXL104, to be used in combination with ceftaroline.

ScreeningAfter defining the need and sourcing, Cerexa

moves onto the screening process. The different types of assessments used are based on the job the candidate will be filling.

Since screening takes a lot of time Cerexa uses various but consistent methods to narrow down the candidate pool.

Screening cont’dMedical WritersMedical Editors

Screening cont’dThe Director of Clinical Operations The Senior Manager of Biostatisticians

Screening cont’dAdministrative Assistants

Background ChecksThe background check varies according to

position and whether the applicant will be a regular employee or just a contingent worker.

Background Checks cont’dTruck driversFinancial employeesAll employees, especially people involved in

making the drugs.Contractors

OnboardingThe onboarding process is important because

it helps with retention. In onboarding we get them to feel like a member of the family by socializing them to their new work environment.

Onboarding cont’dThe next step is required training such as AE

training and signing the proprietary agreement.

Onboarding cont’dWe also take care of the logistics such as

badges, e-mail, phone number, office/cubicle, computer access, etc.

ConclusionCerexa first narrows down the applicant pool

and then tests the most promising candidates.The background check investigates the

relevant history of the candidates.The last step, onboarding, helps to increase

retention. Most regular employees stay for at least 2 years.