Employers Blog

The Hidden Cost of Leaving Positions Unfilled in Life Sciences & Diagnostics

Written by Tony Bishop | Sep 22, 2025 2:22:12 PM

 

Open Roles That Stay Open Too Long

In the competitive world of life sciences recruiting and diagnostic recruiting, leaving positions unfilled can quietly cost companies millions.

Many organizations rely solely on their internal talent acquisition teams. These teams do incredible work, but often aren’t approved to bring in external recruiters—even for highly specialized roles like pathologists,  oncology sales representatives, post-sales support, and clinical operations leaders.

On the surface, avoiding recruiter fees looks like a cost-saving move. But in practice, the longer a role sits unfilled, the more expensive it becomes for the business.

 

What Open Positions Really Cost Your Business

Unfilled roles create ripple effects that most companies underestimate. The true costs go far beyond an empty chair:

Lost Revenue & Market Share

Without the right sales rep or account manager in place, competitors step in and win the business you can’t cover.

Operational Strain on Technical Teams

Clinical staff, pathologists, and technical specialists are forced to absorb additional workload. That strain can delay projects, slow client deliverables, and cause service gaps.

Employee Burnout & Turnover

Overworked employees lose morale and productivity. In the case of pathologists—who are already in short supply—burnout often drives them to take calls from other recruiters offering better work-life balance.

Decline in Client Experience

When operations are stretched thin, client satisfaction suffers. Delayed turnaround times or missed deliverables can quickly damage relationships.

Hidden Financial Costs

Every day a key role is vacant, your organization risks lost revenue, increased turnover costs, and declining employee morale. These hidden costs often far outweigh the expense of engaging a specialized recruiting firm.

 

Why Specialized External Recruiters Work

This is where life sciences recruiting firms like Connexis Search Group step in. Our role is to help you fill the positions that internal TA teams don’t have the resources to close.

Laser Focus on Challenging Roles

Internal TA manages dozens of requisitions at once. We dedicate concentrated time to your hardest-to-fill positions in pathology, diagnostics, and clinical recruiting.

Deep Market Knowledge & Relationships

With 24 years of experience in life sciences recruiting, we know the market, understand the talent pool, and maintain relationships with passive candidates who aren’t actively applying for jobs.

Urgency That Drives Results

Because we work on commission, our recruiters have a built-in urgency to deliver. That means making calls after hours, on weekends, and whenever necessary to connect with the right candidates.

Protecting Your Team & Business

Filling roles quickly reduces burnout, stabilizes morale, and ensures clients continue to receive the service and expertise they expect.

 

Final Thoughts — Protecting Your Business and Your Team

At Connexis Search Group, we’ve seen first-hand the toll unfilled positions can take—especially in life sciences, diagnostics, and pathology recruiting.

The truth is simple: sometimes the cost of not using an external recruiter is far higher than the recruiting fee itself.

👉 If your organization is struggling to close a tough search, let’s talk. As a specialized life sciences recruiting firm, we’ll help you find the right candidate before the hidden costs start adding up.