Kris Steen, Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer at Stevenson Search Partners, recently participated in a timely and insightful panel discussion hosted by Women in Bio-Greater Boston titled "Optimizing Your Job Search in the AI Era." As artificial intelligence continues to transform recruitment processes across industries, particularly in life sciences, job seekers and employers are navigating a rapidly evolving landscape of tools, techniques, and expectations.
The panel brought together top talent acquisition leaders including Ava Gallagher (Manager of Recruitment at Scientific Search), Dylan DeVore (Sector Head, Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals at Real Staffing), Matt Vossler (Managing Director at Diversified Search Group), Tara Kochis (Founder & CEO of CollectiveMinds), and our own Kris Steen. The conversation was expertly co-moderated by Kamayani Gupta (Co-Founder and CEO of Kami Think Tank) and Stephanie Oestreich (Managing Director of the Myeloma Investment Fund).
Where Human Connection Meets Technological Innovation
During the discussion, Kris offered valuable perspective on how AI is reshaping recruitment while emphasizing that technology serves as an enhancement, not a replacement, for human judgment and relationships. She highlighted how AI-powered tools are streamlining the hiring process, enabling recruiters to identify qualified candidates more efficiently while allowing more time for meaningful human connections.
"At Stevenson, over 80% of our placements stem from personal connections," Kris noted, underscoring that while AI brings remarkable efficiency, the human element remains the cornerstone of successful recruiting. The panel collectively acknowledged this balance, with several speakers emphasizing how relationship-building remains essential even as technology advances.
Strategic Advice for Job Seekers
Throughout the event, Kris shared several practical strategies for candidates navigating this new recruitment environment:
· Optimize for AI-powered screening: She emphasized the importance of using keywords, especially those from a job description, in resumes and applications to increase the chances that AI will identify you as a top candidate.
· Elevate your LinkedIn presence: Kris highlighted the impact of using AI to optimize LinkedIn profiles through compelling headlines, tailored skills sections, and strategic alignment with specific roles to stand out to recruiters.
· Embrace new application formats: She discussed evolving application standards, including the rise of video submissions and the growing importance of maintaining a strong online presence.
· Cultivate your digital footprint: Kris stressed that while a solid resume is important, companies should be searching for candidates online to assess their full online persona and ensure they are getting the whole picture of each candidate.
The Human Element Remains Essential
Perhaps most important, the panelists emphasized that while technology is reshaping recruitment, human networks remain invaluable. The Women in Bio event provided attendees with actionable insights on navigating the evolving job market in life sciences. As AI continues to reshape recruitment practices, Kris's expertise highlights how candidates who understand both technological and human elements of the process will be best positioned for success.
