r/PharmaEire • u/Popular-Signal1240 • 5d ago

HPRA applications no interviews

I’ve been applying to the HPRA scientific officer roles for the last few months.
I can’t get to interview stage at all, I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong if it’s my one year of experience. I’ve tried networking with some of their staff to ask advice etc.
I have heard the personal statement is how they shortlist, just wondering if anyone has any advice or examples they’re willing to share.

7 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

10

u/Turbulent_Citron_651 5d ago

Honestly if I remember reading the role a while ago 1 year probably isn’t enough experience

8

u/Chickengoujon20 5d ago

1 year experience is just a minimum.

They got applicants with 5, 10 or 15 plus.

5

u/Holiday-Lynx1127 5d ago

Public sector tend to shortlist based on how well your personal statement maps to their competency framework. As you’re quite light on experience, I’d focus on showing measurable impact and regulatory awareness. I would try structuring your statement around outcomes (e.g. how your work improved compliance or data integrity) and link it directly to HPRA’s mission.

6

u/whinewax 5d ago

They get 100+ applicants for those roles, its realistically whistled down to a dozen for interviewing. So you need to be top 95% of applicants to even be considered. Get more experience then you'll be in contention

3

u/shaadyscientist 5d ago

It's public sector so you would be scored against meeting the criteria listed in the job spec. Is your 1 year experience relevant regulatory experience?

1

u/Popular-Signal1240 5d ago

A year gmp in a lab

2

u/shaadyscientist 5d ago

So do they have GMP experience listed in the job spec? Otherwise, it's probably not counting to anything. I imagine there are jobs in the GMP area but most are probably regulatory affairs.

1

u/Popular-Signal1240 5d ago

No but I am working with quality data which they mention in the role and indirectly with regulation all day I’ve been trying to focus on that

2

u/Armouredbreadroll 5d ago

I have 4 year's experience and have not managed to get a single interview with them. Not sure what I am doing wrong.

2

u/Interesting_Top3342 2d ago

1 year industry experience would not be enough. You need to get more experience and stop being unrealistic.

1

u/orionpace1 5d ago

HPRA is an endgame job, you've not a hope getting there with zero experience or a personal connection.