Starting a Job Search After a Career Break – A Practical Guide for Life Sciences Professionals

The numbers tell a clear story: 62% of professionals globally have taken a career break, and nearly half of hiring managers now view returners as an untapped source of talent.

In the Netherlands, where innovation hubs such as Leiden and Amsterdam are thriving, employers are prioritising adaptability, problem-solving, and transferable skills. Initiatives like Johnson & Johnson’s Re-Ignite program demonstrate how the industry is investing in structured pathways back into critical roles.

Key takeaway: Your career break doesn’t reduce your value. In many cases, it can be the differentiator that makes you stand out.

FOR CANDIDATES

Be open and confident: Frame your break as a purposeful choice, whether for personal development, caregiving, or gaining global experience.

Showcase skills gained: Leadership, resilience, project management, or even technical upskilling during your time away.

Leverage LinkedIn: Use the “Career Break” feature to highlight what you learned and achieved.

FOR EMPLOYERS

Look beyond the gaps. Returners often bring renewed motivation, loyalty, and a stronger sense of purpose, qualities that are invaluable in life sciences teams facing pressure to innovate and deliver.

Update your CV & LinkedIn: Optimise for industry keywords like GMP, validation, QA, regulatory affairs, or biotech.

Close knowledge gaps: Short certifications in digital manufacturing, regulatory affairs, or data integrity can quickly boost your profile.

Reconnect with your network: Attend industry meetups in Leiden, Utrecht, or Amsterdam, and engage with recruiters specialised in Dutch life sciences roles.

FOR CANDIDATES

Structured programs like STEM Returners and Re-Ignite offer mentoring, technical training, and a clear route back into pharma and biotech.

FOR EMPLOYERS

Offering returnship-style opportunities signals inclusivity and unlocks a motivated talent pool, helping you compete for scarce skills in GMP, validation, and QA.

A pause in your career is also a chance to redefine direction.

FOR CANDIDATES

Ask yourself:

• Do you want to re-enter a technical role such as cleanroom operations, QA, or validation, or move into strategic regulatory affairs?

• Is flexibility, international exposure, or rapid progression most important to me now?

• Which Dutch clusters Leiden Bio Science Park, Utrecht Science Park, Amsterdam Life Sciences District, best fit my ambitions?

FOR EMPLOYERS

Clarity from candidates translates into stronger alignment, reduced turnover, and faster hiring for mission-critical positions.

FOR CANDIDATES

Your career break isn’t a setback, it’s a launchpad. At Panda International, we specialise in life sciences recruitment across pharma, biotech, and medical devices in the Netherlands. Our consultants will connect you with the right employers and support you throughout your return-to-work journey.

FOR EMPLOYERS

In a competitive talent market, returners represent a powerful yet underutilised workforce. Partner with Panda International to tap into this pool of skilled, motivated professionals and strengthen your teams with expertise and renewed energy.

Your career chapter is far from over.

Submit your CV, and our specialist team will match your refreshed skills and experiences with opportunities perfectly suited for returners in the Dutch life sciences market.
https://www.panda-int.com/upload-cv/