Ghosted by Recruiters!
About Event
This program is part of BioBuzz's Career Catalyst series, a weekly virtual program designed for students, recent grads, and early-career professionals navigating the life sciences industry. Our sessions are intentionally built to foster direct, high-quality access to the industry leaders shaping it.
Overview
The scariest thing in your job search isn't rejection. It's silence.
You submit an application. Days pass. Then weeks. Then... nothing. No rejection, no update, no explanation. Just silence, and plenty of time to wonder what happened.
But what is actually going on behind the scenes?
Join us for a panel of talent acquisition professionals pulling back the curtain on the hiring process, from the moment your application comes in to the decisions happening long before an offer is made. We'll talk about applicant volume, hiring timelines, internal approvals, recruiter communication, and the many reasons a process can slow down or go quiet.
We'll also get into the questions job seekers really want answered. Should you follow up? How often is too often? What makes someone stand out in a crowded applicant pool? Why do some applications never get a response? And what can you actually control when so much of the process happens behind closed doors?
Understanding what employers are weighing on their side can take some of the mystery out of the job search and help you focus your energy where it matters most.
You'll also hear about companies and opportunities across the life sciences ecosystem so you can keep your search moving forward instead of waiting around for one application to come back from the dead.
Key Takeaways
Learn what actually happens after you hit "submit" and how applications move through the hiring process.
Understand why hiring processes sometimes go quiet, including factors that may have nothing to do with you as a candidate.
Get practical guidance on following up, including when to reach out and how to do it professionally.
Learn what helps candidates stand out in a crowded applicant pool and what talent acquisition teams are actually looking for.
Discover where opportunities exist across the life sciences ecosystem and how to keep your job search moving even when one opportunity goes silent.
Agenda
6:00 PM - Welcome & Introductions
6:05 PM - Panel
6:30 PM - Live Open Q&A + Career Connections
Ask questions, engage with the speaker(s) and host, and connect the conversation back to your own career journey in life sciences.
Why Attend?
Careers are built on connections.
The people you meet today can become tomorrow's mentor, hiring manager, collaborator, or your biggest advocate. That's why every Career Catalyst session is designed to help you expand your knowledge and your network.
Every Career Catalyst session, you'll have the opportunity to meet and connect with our expert guest directly, BioBuzz's team, and your peers. Don't miss this opportunity to build the relationships that will help you shape what's next.
Join us every Wednesday @ 6pm ET.
SUBSCRIBE to our Career Catalyst calendar for the full schedule of events.
About the Speakers
Katie Smith
About the Speaker:
Katie Smith is a Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist at TAI, bringing more than six years of experience in talent acquisition and strategic recruiting across the life sciences industry.
She began her career supporting biotech and pharmaceutical organizations in the Boston area, where she specialized in recruiting for R&D and Clinical Development roles within fast-paced, multi-client environments. After relocating to Maryland and joining TAI in 2024, Katie expanded her scope to support hiring across the organization, from individual contributor positions to highly specialized and hard-to-fill roles.
Known for her relationship-focused approach, Katie partners closely with both hiring managers and candidates to create thoughtful, successful hiring outcomes. She is passionate about connecting talented professionals with meaningful career opportunities and helping organizations build strong, high-performing teams.
Laura Frew
About the Speaker
Laura Frew is a healthcare and life sciences recruiter with Workforce Genetics, where she supports biotech companies and professionals across functions including process development, manufacturing, quality, and R&D. She began her recruiting career in 2019 after earning a master’s degree in psychology and spending several years working as a therapist - a background that continues to shape her people-first approach to recruiting.
Laura is passionate about looking beyond the résumé to understand the person behind it, helping candidates identify opportunities that genuinely align with their experience, goals, and strengths. She also works closely with life sciences organizations to find talent that not only meets the technical needs of a role, but fits the company and its mission.
An active member of the regional biotech community, Laura has also been involved with BioBuzz and brings firsthand insight into what recruiters are actually looking for, how candidates can better position themselves, and what happens on the other side of the application process.
Bonnie Kate Warren
About the Speaker
Bonnie Kate is a Talent Acquisition Manager with The Ritedose Corporation, bringing nearly a decade of recruiting experience across a diverse range of industries, including life sciences, finance, luxury retail, and hospitality. Her broad talent acquisition background gives her a unique perspective on how skills, experiences, and strengths can translate across industries and into new career paths.
Passionate about creating more inclusive and accessible pathways to employment, Bonnie Kate is a Veteran Advocate, LGBTQIA+ Community Advocate, and has served as an American Corporate Partners (ACP) Mentor since 2021, supporting veterans as they navigate the transition into civilian careers. She is also an active member of SHRM Columbia.
Bonnie Kate is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from The Citadel and brings a people-centered approach to recruiting, career development, and connecting individuals with opportunities where they can thrive.
About the Host
Sneha Saggurthi
Workforce Engagement Lead, BioBuzz
Sneha Saggurthi is a life sciences professional, educator, and workforce engagement leader passionate about helping people build meaningful careers in biotechnology and beyond.
As Workforce Engagement Lead at BioBuzz, Sneha develops programs and partnerships that connect students, early-career professionals, educators, and employers across the life sciences ecosystem.
Sneha’s background spans quality compliance, GxP training, operational excellence, auditing, and professional development. She also serves as an adjunct biotechnology instructor and is actively involved in initiatives that create more accessible pathways into the industry.
Through Career Catalyst, Sneha brings together professionals, recruiters, advocates, and industry leaders to make life sciences careers feel more understandable and attainable. Her goal is to help participants gain practical tools, learn directly from people across the industry, and recognize how their unique experiences can contribute to improving patients’ lives.
Sponsors
TEDCO
TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland.
Workforce Genetics
Workforce Genetics (WGx) is a premier recruiting firm serving the life sciences, MedTech, and healthcare sectors, supporting companies from startup to commercial. The firm delivers transformative talent strategies through retained and executive search, contingent search, and outsourced talent acquisition.
Important Information
BioBuzz's Career Catalyst sessions are intended to provide insights, guidance, and support for students, recent grads, and early career professionals navigating their careers. These sessions are not a platform for selling services, recruitment pitches, or business solicitations. They are designed for job seekers and those looking to make connections and build community.
Please be respectful of fellow participants and help ensure this remains a valuable, trusted resource for all. By registering for this session, you agree to abide by BioBuzz's Code of Conduct.
Participants who engage in solicitation, promotional activity, or behavior that disrupts the intent of the session will be asked to leave. Repeated or serious violations will result in removal from the session and exclusion from future Career Catalyst events.
Want to be an expert guest?
If you're interested in sharing your knowledge with the BioBuzz community, get in touch via hello [@] biobuzz.io.