Cheeky Logo
Ready To Transition Into Industry?
Apply To Book A Free Call With Our Transition Specialist Team

5 Essential Job Search Statistics For PhDs

When I reached the last year of my PhD, I was burnt out.

All I wanted was to finish my PhD and leave academia as fast as I could.

But, whenever I talked to other people at my university, no one seemed to have a clear idea of what was available outside academia.

Most people told me I should just do a postdoc.

I did not want to do a postdoc, of that much I was certain.

I was desperate, so I went to career services.

These people were pros at getting university graduates jobs, right?

Well, that wasn’t my experience.

I left career services more confused than when I went in.

As the career services person talked to me about resumes and job prospects, all I kept thinking was that all the time I spent getting my PhD was completely useless.

She even suggested that my time working at a coffee shop before I began my PhD was something I should highlight on my resume.

Was everything that I did during my PhD useless?

I was lost.

I kept searching for more information about how I could leave academia.

There must be something out there that my PhD is good for, besides doing a postdoc.

Soon, I found an alternative career mentor that helped me see the value in my PhD.

There were actually lots of jobs in industry that wanted people with PhDs.

As it turned out, I had gained tons of transferable skills during my PhD that made me a desirable job candidate.

But, as I began my industry job search, I realized there was much I didn’t know about how to get an industry position, or how to successfully execute a job search.

As a PhD, I had learned the minute details of my biochemistry project, so I knew I was capable of figuring out how to get a job outside academia.

I learned how to search for a job the right way, and it has served me well on my transition from academia to industry.

Why PhDs Must Know Job Search Statistics

PhDs know the value of numbers.

You know that making a good decision requires understanding all the data.

Your job search is no different.

As reported by Inc., every corporate job posting has more than 200 applicants.

And, according to Jobvite, of those 200, only about 12% will get called back for an interview.

But ultimately, only 1 candidate will get the job.

To be that 1 in 200 who is chosen as the best candidate for the job, you need to stand out from the crowd.

You need to leverage your transferable skills.

You must have great body language and display confidence.

And, you must understand the job search market and how the job search process functions.

Being an expert in the job search process will give you a head start over other candidates.

For example, do you know what is the best way to find out about available positions?

How long should you wait to follow up after an interview?

Should you always accept the job offer that is presented to you?

As a PhD, you have excelled in academia because you became an expert in your field.

To excel in your industry transition, you must become an expert in the job search process.

5 Must-Know Job Search Statistics

Not understanding how to execute your job search will ruin your industry transition before it has even begun.

You need to know the ins and outs of your job search.

That means knowing the numbers.

Here are 5 job search statistics that you must know…

1. 80% of jobs are never advertised.

Executing a reactionary job search means that you are only applying for jobs that you have seen advertised somewhere.

This is not efficient.

Only 20% of jobs are ever advertised.

You are missing out on 80% of jobs when you only apply to jobs that you have seen advertised.

In addition, about half of the jobs posted online have already been filled.

They are only posted online as a formality.

And, of those few jobs that are left, the companies will be using applicant tracking software (ATS).

ATS software will automatically reject 50% of the resumes that are submitted.

This means that for every 100 jobs that are available, only 20 are advertised, only 10 are not already filled, and only 5 will actually have a person look at your resume.

This is not a smart way to apply for jobs.

Instead, you should be networking.

Networking will give you access to the 80% of jobs that are not advertised, and will get your resume past ATS software, and into the hands of the hiring manager.

2. On average, it takes 52 days to fill an open industry position.

When you see an advertisement for a position that you want, it can be tempting to rush to put together your resume, and submit it online as fast as possible.

But, this rush is not necessary.

On average, it takes 52 days for an open position to be filled.

This means that when you see a job posting appear online, you still have time to network.

You have time to set up informational interviews with people who work at the company.

Networking is a wise use of your time.

Instead of spending hours on your resume and filling out an online job application, spend that time building rapport with people who work at your target company.

Make sure you ask how long the job has been available, so you know the timeline you are working with.

Add value to the connections that you make at this company.

Your end goal is to get a referral.

That referral will help get your resume past applicant tracking software and on the desk of the hiring manager.

3. It takes up to 2 weeks to hear back after an interview.

The relief that comes after an interview soon becomes mixed with worry and stress.

Why haven’t you heard anything from them?

Did you mess up the interview that badly?

Put these imposter syndrome thoughts to rest.

It can take up to two weeks to hear back from a company after an interview.

They will be interviewing other candidates and, if the company is large, there will be several stages of approvals required.

All this can take a bit of time.

But, you should not just sit around waiting to hear back after an interview.

It’s important that you are proactive.

Immediately after an interview, you should send a personalized thank-you email to each of the people who interviewed you.

You should also send a handwritten thank-you note.

These personal touches will show that you are very interested in the position and will make sure you remain in the thoughts of the hiring manager as they continue the hiring process.

4. 56% of job offers are rejected.

When you are desperate to leave academia, you might be tempted to accept any job offer that comes your way.

It may seem hard to imagine why anyone would reject an industry job offer.

But, the fact is that 56% of job offers are rejected.

You need to realize that not every job is going to be right for you.

As a PhD, especially, you are highly valuable and deserve a position that suits your professional lifestyle and salary requirements.

It is up to your potential employer to make the job appealing to you.

Whether a candidate rejects a job because the salary is too low, or they have gotten a different job, it is important to realize that it is okay to reject an offer.

If a position isn’t right for you, don’t take it.

5. Not negotiating will cost you $500,000 by the time you are 60.

In industry, negotiating your starting salary is expected.

The company is a business, and they are trying to get the best deal that they can.

You should be doing the same.

It is possible to negotiate tens of thousands of dollars more to your starting salary.

You will miss out on more than $500,000 if you are too scared to negotiate.

You should not be scared to negotiate.

Negotiating is a win-win.

You get a salary you deserve, and the company gets a committed, high-quality employee.

Always be positive when negotiating, and support your ask with the value that you will bring to the company.

When you are considering a job offer and negotiating a salary, you need to know your walk-away number.

Your walk-away number is the lowest salary that you are willing to accept.

If a company is not willing to meet your bottom line salary, then it is okay to reject the offer.

As a PhD, you deserve a job that values your skills and expertise.

Don’t settle for less.

The truth is in the numbers. PhDs need data. You need to know the facts. How else will you make a decision? This is true in the lab and in your job search. Understanding the essential job search statistics is the only way to really know how to execute a successful industry transition. You need to know statistics, such as: 80% of jobs are never advertised, it takes an average of 52 days to fill an open industry position, it can take up to 2 weeks to hear back after an interview, 56% of job offers are rejected, and not negotiating will cost you more than $500,000. Learning the important job search statistics, and executing your job search accordingly, will set you up for a successful industry transition.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

Book a Transition Call
Get Free Job Search Content Weekly

ABOUT JEANETTE MCCONNELL, PHD

Jeanette is a chemistry PhD turned science communication enthusiast. During her PhD she realized that her favorite part about research wasn’t actually doing research, but rather talking and writing about it. So, she has channeled her passion for discovery into teaching and writing about science. When she isn’t talking someone’s ear off about her latest scientific obsession, you’ll find her on the soccer field or reading a good sci-fi novel.

Jeanette McConnell, PhD

Similar Articles

White Collar Jobs For Degree Holders Contract Steeply

White Collar Jobs For Degree Holders Contract Steeply

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Robert has had 7 final stage interviews for R&D positions and been rejected every time.  He has a PhD and the exact skills these employers were looking for.  Sarah has a Masters and was looking forward to making a good paycheck to pay off her student loans.  But she’s been uploading resumes for 6 months without getting one single interview.  What’s happening?  The skilled, or white collar job market is contracting sharply and shows no signs of expanding again over the next decade.  A recent report in Forbes discussed news that UPS drivers can earn up to $170,000 annually and…

5 Tough But Common Interview Questions For Research-Based Jobs

5 Tough But Common Interview Questions For Research-Based Jobs

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“I can’t get hired because of my technical skills.” “I’m nervous about the technical questions.” This is what many PhDs obsess over before interviewing for a research role.  The problem is that interviewers are rarely going to ask highly specific technical questions, even for research-based roles.  I had a PhD who was up for an interview at Baxter and told me that they appreciated the advice, but because it’s Baxter they know the interview will be mostly technical.  “Like what?” I asked. “Do you think you’re going to have to create a buffer in front of them?” “Are they going…

Adjunct, Postdoc, Or Amazon Warehouse Worker: Where PhDs With No Plan End Up

Adjunct, Postdoc, Or Amazon Warehouse Worker: Where PhDs With No Plan End Up

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

My PhD story is a cautionary tale.  I got my PhD against the backdrop of today’s contracting skilled, or “white-collar” job market.  Armed with my doctorate and an unwavering passion for research and academia, I had set my sights on a future brimming with intellectual pursuits.  Little did I know that the unpredictable twists of fate would lead me down a path I detested—donning the uniform of an Amazon warehouse worker. This is not a slight against those I currently work with. It’s just not what I thought my years and years of PhD-level training would bring me.  Sadly, after…

Scam Job Posts Versus Ghost Job Listings: A Guide For PhDs

Scam Job Posts Versus Ghost Job Listings: A Guide For PhDs

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“I’ve applied to hundreds of job postings.” “Using the same resume?” I asked. “No, I targeted every resume. I’ve heard nothing back. In some cases I was sent a rejection email within the hour. What’s happening?!”“Ghost job listings.” I replied.  “Like fake jobs? Scams? I had a friend who applied to a job online and entered their private info and got hacked after. Like this?” “No, though that happens. Ghost job listings are from real companies but these companies have no intention of actually filling these jobs anytime soon …or at all.” “Why would they do this? What’s the point?”…

How To Get Hired In 3 Months Or Less When You Have A PhD (5 Action Steps)

How To Get Hired In 3 Months Or Less When You Have A PhD (5 Action Steps)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

I had a client named Sarah years ago who needed to get hired in less than 60 days.  She was very concerned, and rightly so, that this wasn’t possible. She had her own reasons why she had to get hired so quickly, as everyone does. There were family obligations she had to pay off. She had been unemployed for a few months at this point. And she was about to lose her visa. This was an urgent, uncomfortable situation to say the least.  When I first talked to Sarah, she was frantic. She couldn’t keep a thought in her head…

How PhDs Can Find The Best Fit Company To Work For

How PhDs Can Find The Best Fit Company To Work For

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

When I started my job search, I was obsessed with finding the right job title. I wanted to make sure that I got into a job that was a good fit for me. So I scoured the internet for jobs that sounded interesting. By that I mean I would read a job posting, play out scenarios in my head of working in the role, and then based on what I imagined, would apply to the job, or not.  This was a disastrous strategy.  First, job titles are so variable and numerous that I was lost in a sea of phrases…

10 Gotcha Interview Questions That Derail PhDs

10 Gotcha Interview Questions That Derail PhDs

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

There are hundreds of interview questions I’ve heard in the last 10 years. Thousands, actually. PhDs report back to me from the business end of their industry interviews a dozen, two dozen times a day. They ask for coaching on standard questions that you’ve probably been asked yourself in industry interviews: “Tell me what makes you the best fit for this job?”  “Where do you see yourself in five years?”  “What’s your biggest weakness?” I’ve also met with PhDs post-interview who tell me they were stumped by some really off-the-wall questions. Head-scratchers like: “How would your greatest enemy describe you?”…

15 Questions To Ask Employers To Show You're Industry-Ready

15 Questions To Ask Employers To Show You're Industry-Ready

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

I know many PhDs who moved from one lab to another or one adjunct ship to another and never really had to interview. Because academia is such an isolated environment most PhDs already know most of what they need to know about the culture, pay, and what’s expected of them. This familiarity gets them in the habit of not asking questions during industry interviews and blowing it spectacularly.  I kept bombing my early industry interviews and I couldn’t figure out why – I knew I was the most qualified candidate they’d interviewed. Many of the interviewers told me so. I…

Interview Follow-Up For PhDs: Exactly What to Say And When To Say It

Interview Follow-Up For PhDs: Exactly What to Say And When To Say It

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

I wish I could say that I didn’t know I should send a thank-you email after my industry interviews, but that’s not entirely true.  Thank you notes weren’t a totally foreign concept to me.  I’d read or overheard it said that I should “be sure to send a thank you message after you leave your interview.”  But every article or blog post I read about this topic was roughly 10 years old. How trustworthy is job search advice from a bygone decade? And some of the points these articles wanted me to include sounded desperate to me. Like reminding them…

Top Industry Career eBooks

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD & Arunodoy Sur, PhD

Learn about the best 63 industry careers for PhDs (regardless of your academic background). In this eBook, you will gain insight into the most popular, highest-paying jobs for PhDs – all of which will allow you to do meaningful work AND get paid well for it.

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel

The LinkedIn tips & strategies within have helped PhDs from every background get hired into top industry careers.

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Learn how to craft the perfect industry resume to attract employers. In this eBook for PhDs, you will get access to proven resume templates, learn how to structure your bullet points, and discover which keywords industry employers want to see most on PhD resumes.