Pernilla Agardh Offers Tailored Recruitment Services in Life Science
In the medtech and pharma industries, the journey from product development to an approved product is long and complex. Even small decisions can have major consequences—particularly in recruitment, where several factors determine the outcome.
– “The right hire is an asset to the company, while the wrong one can affect an entire team. A professional and thorough recruitment process greatly increases the chances of success, which is why many companies today turn to a specialized recruitment consultant,” says Pernilla Agardh, Senior Recruitment Consultant at Agardh Recruitment & Consulting.
After 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry—where she gained deep knowledge of the sector and insight into what makes a recruitment process successful—Pernilla decided in 2017 to transition into recruitment consultancy. She founded Agardh Recruitment & Consulting, focusing on life science.
– “Understanding the structure of the industry and what different roles and responsibilities entail is a major advantage. I don’t need to cast the net too wide but can directly narrow the search to the specific expertise required.”
Unlike agencies where a junior consultant handles the initial research before a senior recruiter steps in, Pernilla is personally involved throughout the entire process—from start to finish.
– “That allows me to guarantee quality at every stage, which is important for both companies and candidates.”
Wide Range of Assignments
Agardh Recruitment & Consulting supports both large companies with hundreds of employees and smaller startups.
– “Many of my assignments come through my network or referrals, and several clients use me as their long-term recruitment partner. I handle all types of roles—from assistant positions and CEO appointments to specialist functions—and I’ve even been involved in recruiting entire teams.”
When a company approaches Agardh Recruitment & Consulting, whether for a new role or a replacement, the process begins with one of the most critical steps: conducting a thorough job analysis and developing a requirement profile together with the client.
– “If that work isn’t done properly, the rest of the process suffers. Some companies come with a long wish list, and then it’s important to challenge them to define what is truly essential.”
After the research phase, the search begins, using various channels to reach suitable candidates. The timeline depends on the scope and complexity of the role. Over the years, Pernilla has built up a pool of candidates who can be matched to future recruitment processes. Typically, she conducts initial interviews and then presents three to five candidates to the client.
– “The key is asking the right questions to find out if the candidate is a true match—or if there’s something that would ultimately make the recruitment unsuccessful. Sometimes you have to dig a bit deeper. What is said, and even what isn’t said, during and after an interview provides valuable insight.”
Expansion to Gothenburg
Recruitment processes have recently been a hot topic on LinkedIn, where many candidates have shared experiences of being excluded from processes without feedback. Pernilla emphasizes the importance of always responding with professional, transparent communication.
– “Since the start, I’ve been committed to treating every candidate with respect and transparency, providing as concrete feedback as possible. Maybe they lack a key competence for the role, or perhaps competition for that position was particularly tough. I also give feedback on their CV, suggesting improvements where needed.”
After eight years in Lund, where Agardh Recruitment & Consulting has built a strong network at Medicon Village, Pernilla is now looking to expand her presence and client base in Gothenburg, with a particular interest in GoCo Health Innovation City in Mölndal.
– “With my expertise and network, I’m ready to establish myself in the Gothenburg region, and I’m open to different forms of collaboration,” says Pernilla.
