Articles Written By Gemma Paech, Ph.D.

Job postings usually do not include the name of the person who you should address your cover letter to. And, you may be tempted to address your cover letter, “To Whom It May Concern”. Doing this will set you up to fail. Take the initiative to find out whose name you should put on your cover letter. Always call the company first if you are not sure who to address the cover letter to. Then, if that doesn’t work, you can try other tactics such as networking, reading the job posting more thoroughly, finding out who your supervisor would be,…

Getting a job referral is by far the best way to get an industry position, but you have to earn a job referral. The best way to accomplish this is through quality networking, both online and in person. Once you reach the place where you want to ask for a job referral, there are a few things that you need to make sure you do before you make the ask. You need to build a professional relationship with your connection, demonstrate that you have good work habits, show your passion for the position, determine if you are a good fit…

When looking for positions abroad, it can seem daunting and impossible. You face the problems of distance, cultural clashes, and visas. However, living in a different country can be extremely rewarding. It will broaden your perspective in a way no other experience can. The key to obtaining an industry position abroad is to start networking with people from abroad. If you wisely utilize online tools, have an active online presence, join international groups, and connect with other expats, you can easily network from abroad and successfully transition into industry.

Do not be strung along by the academic system and work as an underpaid postdoc for upwards of 10 years, only to be denied the academic position you wanted. There are endless industry opportunities available to social science PhDs outside of academia. As a PhD, you can learn anything. You can learn to write an excellent resume and cover letter. But, if you don’t know what types of jobs are out there, you won’t be able to successfully transition into industry. No matter how much preparation you do, you need to know what areas to target. Here is a list…

Academia is designed to keep PhDs in academia. Professional development for industry is seen as irrelevant and a waste of time because you’re just supposed to fall in line with the system and stay where you are. For PhDs who want more out of their careers, the lack of professional development can feel crippling. The reality is that the majority of PhDs leave academia because there’s no future there. Not any fulfilling future that does justice to the hard work you’ve done, at least. Industry-relevant professional development is your responsibility. But it’s not as hard as it seems. Here are…

Your value as a PhD stands on its own, and all you want is a chance to prove it by getting in front of the right person. The reality is that you can take the perfect, handcrafted resume to follow up on your diligent networking and personal job referral, and finally land your industry interview with a job you really want… and still blow it. It won’t matter how impressive you look on paper if you show up to your interview dressed inappropriately and looking unprofessional. The impression you give hiring managers when you walk through that door determines how…

In the middle of your industry interview, you may be asked to disclose your current salary. Not only is it an uncomfortable question, it’s an inappropriate one — and if you answer, you may reduce your value and your salary offer before you even get a chance to negotiate for what you deserve. The bottom line is, you don’t have to, and shouldn’t, disclose your current salary. Doing so will only work against you. Managing the question should revolve around focusing on the value you can provide the company. This will increase your odds of a fair salary negotiation for…

Non-STEM PhDs have highly sought after transferable skills for industry jobs that many are not aware of. It is important to recognize and develop the skills you have gained during your PhD and highlight them in your industry job search. Set yourself apart from other job candidates by demonstrating these five transferable skills and you will become even more valuable to recruiters and hiring managers.

No one said your PhD would be easy. But no one said it could pose such a significant risk to your emotional and mental health, either. With growing rates of depression globally, PhDs are not immune to the impacts of academic stress. If academic stress has started a downward spiral into depression, you need to be able to recognize the symptoms early and ask for help. The right treatment plan can build the resilience you need for your successful PhD completion and industry transition.