One in Five Biopharma Workers Have Been Laid Off Multiple Times, Survey Shows

A recent BioSpace LinkedIn poll found that 64% of biotech and pharma professionals have been laid off in the past five years, and 22% have experienced job loss at least twice.

Those who have faced repeated layoffs report significant career disruption. One respondent said a senior role turned into part‑time consulting after the layoff, while another described uncertainty and stalled professional growth despite prior experience.

Recruiting experts note that hiring managers often prefer candidates without employment gaps. They advise candidates to address gaps directly in interviews and highlight continuous learning or consulting work undertaken during those periods.