#142 Steve Swann - The Art and Science of Recruitment & the Importance of the work in the middle

In this episode, I catch up with Steve Swan, a seasoned recruiter in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. We discuss the current market trends, the importance of thorough candidate evaluation, and the balance between art and science in recruitment. 

Steve emphasizes the need for setting clear expectations with both candidates and companies, building trust, and maintaining long-term relationships. He also shares insights from his podcast, Biotech Bytes, and reflects on his definition of success in the recruitment industry.

Takeaways

• AI is changing the recruitment landscape, but human evaluation remains crucial.
• Thorough candidate evaluation is essential to avoid mis-hires.
• Setting clear expectations upfront can prevent misunderstandings later.
• Recruitment involves both art (human interaction) and science (metrics).
• Building trust with candidates is key to successful placements.
• Understanding the business needs is vital for effective recruitment.
• Long-term relationships with clients are built on trust and consistent communication.
• Curiosity about candidates' backgrounds fosters better connections.
• Success in recruitment is defined by the impact made on companies and candidates.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Steve Swan and His Business
00:55 Current Market Trends in Biotech and Pharmaceuticals
04:03 The Importance of Thorough Candidate Evaluation
07:51 Setting Expectations in Recruitment
11:01 The Art and Science of Recruitment
17:06 Building Trust with Candidates
19:48 Best Practices in IT Recruitment
22:57 Building Long-Term Client Relationships
25:00 The Evolution of the Biotech Bytes Podcast
29:05 Defining Success in Recruitment

Check out Steve below:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/swangroup/

This episode is partnership is with Recview:

https://recview.ai/