The first half of 2019 saw a consistent and marked increase in demand for healthcare professionals across Japan, Australia and South-East Asia – particularly for those with strong English-speaking ability (in Asia) and seven-ten years in the game. Also demand for qualified healthcare professionals like Pharmacist, Medical Doctors, Ph.D. holders in the industry continued to grow.
We note that many pharmaceutical, medical device and life science companies are building their teams by hiring marketers and product managers – this trend has, in the past, proven a positive indicator for the industry. When companies expand their teams beyond sales and begin to invest in marketing, IT or training and talent development it shows there’s genuine growth and that new products are on the horizon. Then companies also require Regulatory, Quality Assurance and Safety Compliance representatives and demand has certainly increased for those specialities this year so far – there are numerous roles that we’re working to fill now.
In a decade of recruiting for the healthcare industry, this cycle has proven a consistent pattern and it allows us to confidently predict that this second half of 2019 will continue to be rich with opportunities for those who have the qualifications, experience, leadership potential and adequate language skills. It’s our challenge as recruiters to find suitable candidates for these roles - candidates with those qualities and skills and who are also opening to building their careers in Japan or elsewhere in South East Asia, such as Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, South Korea or Taiwan.
There has been a consistent increase in contract employment especially in Australia-New Zealand Market as an interim solution and there’s good reason to consider such a move because there’s a clear skill gap and no sign of the demand abating anytime soon. An Oxford Economics report (2012) identified that in 2021, Japan and Taiwan would be the countries with the strongest talent deficit in the healthcare industry, so opportunities are certainly there.
As recruiters, we are working with employers in the region on solutions to filling that talent void, on tailoring enticing packages with the elements required to meet the evolving needs and desires of our workforce and that can include work-from-home, flexible working hours or childcare options.
Manzur-Ul Alam has been a recruiter for more than 15 years including 8+ years with Tardis Group and specialises in searching for professionals for the Healthcare industries across Asia Pacific. He is experienced in HR Policy and System design, implementation, training and management, skill development and mentoring.
If you are looking for a new challenge and would be open to a confidential discussion about your career progression, please do not hesitate to contact Manzur-Ul Alam directly on manzur-ul.alam@tardis-group.com / Mob: +61 404 425 878.