Career Development
Ines Santos, PhD (she/her/hers)
Principal Scientist
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Princeton, New Jersey
Caroline Sangal, PhD, SHRM-CP (she/her/hers)
Founder & People Champion
Next Success
Durham, North Carolina
Pharmaceutical scientists today face an increasingly competitive and complex job market. Traditional job search strategies-such as simply submitting applications into online portals-are no longer enough to stand out. Instead, professionals can take control of their careers by strategically leveraging LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, to increase their visibility, build meaningful connections, and position themselves for the best opportunities.
This session, Beyond Resumes: Leveraging LinkedIn for Career Growth in Pharma provides attendees with a behind-the-scenes understanding of how hiring and networking actually work in today’s job market, along with practical, immediately applicable LinkedIn strategies for career advancement.
Through this session, attendees will learn:
● How recruiters, hiring managers, and industry leaders use LinkedIn to find talent-and what makes some profiles stand out while others get ignored.
● Why traditional job applications alone fail and how networking through LinkedIn significantly increases job placement success.
● The key elements of an optimized LinkedIn profile-including the most critical sections that influence visibility in recruiter searches.
● How to strategically build a strong pharmaceutical industry network that opens doors to job opportunities, collaborations, and promotions.
● The role of engagement and thought leadership on LinkedIn-including how commenting, sharing, and posting content can position scientists as valuable industry contributors.
● How AI and digital hiring trends are shaping the job market, and what pharmaceutical professionals must do to stay ahead.
This session is specifically designed for early-to-mid career pharmaceutical scientists, researchers, and professionals looking to navigate career transitions, explore new opportunities, or build their leadership presence. It outlines a practical approach to using LinkedIn strategically and intentionally for career growth and opportunity.
The session is interactive, with live audience engagement woven throughout. Participants will assess their own LinkedIn profiles, reflect on their networking strategies, and leave with clear action steps they can implement immediately.
Attendees will also receive access to a LinkedIn Profile Checklist, a step-by-step guide to enhancing their presence and visibility on the platform for career success.
Today it is estimated that 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn regularly, proactively searching for talent. Understanding how to leverage it effectively is a career necessity. This session ensures that pharmaceutical professionals are equipped with the right tools to thrive in today’s evolving job market.