Panda Perspectives: Cristina Ruiz

Cristina has always been curious about people: why they behave the way they do, what motivates them, and how their experiences shape their decisions. That curiosity took her into Forensic Psychology, where she was drawn to the point where psychology meets the law. How we understand responsibility, how justice systems work, and how legal decisions affect individuals and society.

Today, she's a recruitment consultant at Panda, placing life sciences professionals across Europe. The question at the heart of her work hasn't changed much. Only the setting has.

"Initially, I imagined building a career more directly within that field," Cristina says. Work experience gradually shifted her focus. "As I gained work experience, I realized that what interested me most was understanding people and having a tangible impact on their lives. Recruitment gave me a way to do that in a different setting."

She's clear about what's at stake when someone changes jobs. "A career move can affect someone's confidence, financial stability, family life, and sense of purpose." On the other side of the table, the hiring decisions businesses make shape their teams, their culture, and what they're able to achieve.

What she didn't expect was how much she'd enjoy the job itself. "Once I started working in recruitment, I also discovered that I enjoyed the pace, the commercial side, and the ownership. It brought together my curiosity about people with work where I could see the impact of what I was doing."

Ask Cristina what psychology gives her in a candidate conversation, and her answer starts with listening.

"For me, it's about listening beyond the first answer, being able to read people, and having empathy for their situation. I pay attention to how someone says something, where they hesitate, what makes them enthusiastic, and whether their tone matches what they're telling me."

Those cues tell her when something is worth exploring further. Salary is a good example. "Someone might say they want a higher salary, but as you talk, you realize they're also feeling undervalued, frustrated with their manager, or unsure about their progression. A salary increase alone might not make the next role the right move."

Getting to the real answer often takes patience. "Sometimes it takes asking the question differently, or giving someone a little more space, to understand what actually matters to them."

Her studies also taught her to consider someone's experiences and circumstances before making judgments. "Changing jobs can be exciting, but it can also feel vulnerable. Understanding that helps me approach those conversations with patience and empathy, especially when someone is struggling to explain what they want or has had a difficult experience at work."

Just as importantly, it taught her not to take her own reading of people for granted. "My background has helped me become more perceptive, while also teaching me to question my own interpretation. I use what I notice to ask better questions and understand the person behind the CV: what motivates them, which environment brings out their best, and what they need from their next move."

Before Panda, Cristina worked in in-house recruitment, and she valued what it gave her. "I enjoyed being in-house because you get close to a business and understand the people and culture behind the vacancies. But I wanted more variety, more commercial responsibility, and the chance to build relationships across different companies."

The move came with an adjustment. "The first few months at Panda were a steep learning curve. You're learning your market while also learning how to develop business, manage processes, and deal with rejection."

Cold calling was one of the biggest stretches. "Cold calling pushed me outside my comfort zone. You're picking up the phone to someone who wasn't expecting your call, and you have to build a connection and give them a reason to keep talking."

Then there were conversations with very senior stakeholders about complex research, in fields she had never worked in herself. "That could feel intimidating at first. I had to prepare, ask thoughtful questions, and get comfortable admitting when I needed someone to explain something further. Those conversations have been a huge part of how I've learned."

The challenge turned out to be the appeal. "What appealed to me was ownership and how much the role challenged me. The effort you put into understanding your market and building relationships can directly create opportunities, and seeing that happen has helped me become more confident."

Caring about candidates is easy to say. For Cristina, it shows most clearly on an ordinary afternoon when something has gone wrong.

"It means picking up the phone, especially when the update is difficult. If an interview is delayed, feedback is unclear, or expectations have changed, I don't want the candidate sitting there trying to guess what is happening."

Empathy sits at the centre of it. "We've all been candidates ourselves, and we know how frustrating, and sometimes genuinely upsetting, it is to be ghosted, especially after putting time and effort into an application or preparing for an interview. You might have taken time off work, shared your ambitions, and started imagining yourself in that role. I try to remember that there's a person on the other side waiting for an answer. Even if I don't have a decision yet, I can still check in and explain where things stand."

It also means holding on to what people share along the way. "If someone has a family commitment, a salary minimum, or concerns about relocation, those things should stay part of the conversation throughout the process."

"I can't control every outcome, but I can take responsibility for following up, explaining what I know, and being honest about what I'm still waiting for. Caring shows up in those small actions consistently."

Sometimes Cristina knows from the very first call that a candidate is the right match. The signal, she says, is rarely on the CV.

"The strongest signal is when someone's motivation fits what the role can actually offer. Their experience might look relevant on paper, but hearing what they enjoy, what they want more of, and why they're considering a move is what brings the match to life."

She also listens to how engaged someone is. "When someone sounds excited, asks thoughtful questions about the role and the team, and wants to understand the next steps, it shows they're genuinely considering how the opportunity could fit into their life. Their questions often tell you as much about their priorities as their answers do."

Thinking back to one placement where that feeling came early, she puts it simply. "I could see a connection between what she wanted next and what the opportunity offered, and her engagement reinforced it."

But instinct is where the work begins, not where it ends. "I do trust my instinct, but I use it as a starting point. Enthusiasm is a positive signal, and I still need to explore the experience, expectations, and practical details."

Not every process ends in an offer. The conversation Cristina finds hardest is giving disappointing feedback to someone who really wanted the role, especially when they've invested time and started picturing themselves there.

"I try to be clear and personal about it. Where I have useful feedback, I explain it properly. Where the feedback is limited, I'm honest about that rather than inventing a reassuring explanation."

The other is telling someone that an opportunity they're excited about may not give them what they need. "If the salary, responsibilities, or working arrangements don't line up, we need to talk about that. I want people to feel they can trust my advice, including when it's uncomfortable."

It's a long way from where Cristina first imagined her career going. But the question that drew her to Forensic Psychology, what makes people tick, is still the one she asks every day. Now, the answer helps someone take their next step.

Panda supports life sciences professionals and businesses across Europe through permanent recruitment, contract and freelance placements, executive search and workforce solutions. Whether you're considering your next move or building your team, get in touch with Cristina directly or explore our open roles at panda-int.com/jobs.