Doing Recruitment Differently | Daisy Tazelaar, Co-Founder & CEO
Panda stands out by embracing both innovation and human connection as fundamental principles in their approach. Their significant investments in technology and people highlight the importance of staying at the forefront of advancements in the recruitment industry. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, Panda is revolutionising the way talent is discovered and matched within the life sciences industry.
We had the opportunity to speak with Daisy Tazelaar, the Co-Founder and COO of Panda, to gain deeper insights into their unique approach and understand why pursuing a career in life sciences recruitment can be incredibly impactful.
Let's delve into Daisy's perspective and explore the compelling reasons that set Panda apart in this dynamic field.
For people who’ve never heard of some of the markets you’ve operated in, how would you open their minds to having a career in recruitment?
There are a multitude of reasons why people choose to work at Panda, but for Millenials and Gen Z in particular, Daisy says, there is a clear difference in what draws them to life sciences recruitment specifically.
Daisy describes how people entering the workforce aren’t driven by the same things recruiters were driven by 10 or 20 years ago. The importance of purpose seems to be the primary driving force – people want to work for companies that are doing a lot for the environment, for example, or have an indirect impact on the world.
For life sciences recruitment in particular, there is the ability to have an impact on something – healthcare – that everyone is affected by.
How important do you think a sense of purpose is to working in life sciences recruitment?
Panda's commitment to providing top talent to clients in the biotech, medical devices, medical technology, and pharma sectors enables recruiters to help achieve a number of healthcare goals that people are passionate about, such as making healthcare less invasive and more accessible.
The work that Panda employees do is having an undoubtedly positive impact on healthcare and society at large.
“The candidates we place are literally helping to find the best medication, and in many cases, highly innovative medication. This means a lot of talent is needed – the candidates are helping clients to achieve their goals and make sure that healthcare is revolutionised in terms of accessibility and many other factors.”
Another important element relating to purpose for Panda employees and those joining life sciences recruitment is the drive for growth and development.
“Recruitment attracts individuals with a strong growth mindset who prioritise continuous development. At Panda, we go beyond expectations by offering a comprehensive onboarding program followed by a personalised learning and development scheme”
What sets Panda apart is the autonomy it offers.
“They understand that we give them the tools but it’s up to them to make it happen and they feel very empowered by that because they know that it’s in their hands how good they become.”
In other words, they’re in an organisation that can help them to accelerate.
How does technology play a role in Panda’s day-to-day life?
One of the ways that Panda stands out as a recruitment organisation is its investment in technology tools such as AI. According to Daisy, Panda leverages technology to simplify workflows, thereby freeing up valuable time for employees to focus on professional growth and capitalise on increased operational efficiency.
Our employees are proud to be part of an organisation that is investing in technology and innovative tools.
“It starts with investing into LinkedIn’s wide range of tools, from the normal sourcing tools and add-ons, to insights which help us to really understand the data. The knowledge we’re able to tap into from these platforms is key, as we’re able to see which companies are growing and, most importantly, could be looking to hire.
Though nearly every recruitment company will use LinkedIn, it’s understanding the data provided that makes the difference, along with utilising all of the additions that make LinkedIn an even more effective tool.
“It’s the AI behind LinkedIn that helps us understand the market because it also shows market trends.”
Panda also invests in AI tools for sourcing.
“Sourcing is an extremely important part of recruitment but something that if you would put 20 recruiters in a line and make them source and find candidates, then they would all come to the candidates in different ways. This is where AI can help.”
“AI enhances our workflows and streamlines the entire process for maximum efficiency. However, it is the human connection that really sets us apart from the competition, our recruiters understanding of the needs of the client and industry is unparalleled and can’t be replicated by AI…yet!”
Panda also uses tools to track referrals, rather than tracking them manually, to ensure everyone gets rewarded when making a referral.
From a great CRM system to automatic dials for the telephone system, Panda uses technology to make work easier whilst also following up on its promises.
The opportunities at Panda cover far more than just technology, from the ability to earn a lot of money to the opportunity for personal and professional growth with the company along with the chance to truly make a positive difference.
Each Panda employee will have different benefits they value more, whether it’s how ambitious the organisation is, or the fast development that Panda offers from starting out as a junior and climbing up the ladder.
Most importantly, Panda is a place where people from all backgrounds can thrive.
It’s not just about delivering the best service for clients and candidates but also about work-life balance, incentives for your hard work, and all of the tools you need to grow if you’re willing to use them.
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