Articles Written By Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Growing up, my parents had an adage for everything. And there was one I heard more than any other by far: Nothing worth having ever came easy. These words of wisdom were a lousy rebuttal for the injustices of childhood, but they became the mantra that got me through graduate school.  Maybe that’s why I regarded anything “easy” as weak, lazy, and average – all dirty words in my book. And, without knowing what LinkedIn was really about, I wrote it off as just that: an easy way for lazy people to try and find a job. It was, I…

Join Isaiah as he breaks down five different types of posts PhDs can create on LinkedIn that add value to their network In this week’s episode… First, Isaiah reminds PhDs that LinkedIn is designed to facilitate professional communication and connection Next, he shares five kinds of posts that drive engagement and add value on LinkedIn Finally, Isaiah breaks down the specific benefits of each kind of engagement Start Splashing In The LinkedIn Pool By Posting Strategically There are more than 900 million users on LinkedIn, and each and every one of them – including you – get on the site…

Join Isaiah for a crash course on business terms that industry employers expect PhDs to know In this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains that it’s important to have a basic understanding of business terms if you’re transitioning from academia to industry Next, he explores four common business terms that PhDs will be expected to know and understand Finally, Isaiah suggests a few practical ways PhDs can demonstrate their knowledge of business concepts in their industry interview process PhDs Need To Demonstrate An Understanding Of Foundational Business Concepts As a PhD, you need to have some knowledge of business concepts in…

Every week, we at Cheeky Scientist scour the Internet for the best articles on topics that help in the search for the Best of Transition: PhD Job Search in the industry. Our two consultants independently search for the most informative articles in the categories of networking, CVs/resumes, interviews, transferable skills, academic blues, industry positions, and business acumen. Our consultants vote on a top article for each category and a top overall article for the week – if it’s a recent article that can help readers find and acquire PhD jobs, then we want to include it in this weekly digest.…

Join Isaiah for five tips that PhDs can use to make the most out of networking at their next in-person conference In this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains that, especially in a competitive job market, the right kind of experience is key Next, he explores compelling reasons that a postdoc benefits academics and research institutions far more than it does PhDs Finally, Isaiah encourages PhDs to consider applying to industry positions instead of postdocs to maximize the lifetime value of their degree Networking At Maximum Efficiency Requires PhDs To Plan Ahead You know that networking is a crucial part of…

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?”…

Join Isaiah for a look at why completing postdoc positions end up costing smart PhDs both time and money In this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains that, especially in a competitive job market, the right kind of experience is key Next, he explores compelling reasons that a postdoc benefits academics and research institutions far more than it does PhDs Finally, Isaiah encourages PhDs to consider applying to industry positions instead of postdocs to maximize the lifetime value of their degree Postdoc Positions Provide PhDs With Experience… But At What Cost? You don’t need me to tell you that this is…

Join Isaiah as he takes a look at five ways Facebook can help PhDs build their brand and make meaningful professional connections In this week’s episode… First, Isaiah introduces the idea that Facebook is for more than just social sharing Next, he explores fives ways that smart PhDs can leverage Facebook to build and manage their personal brand Finally, Isaiah encourages PhDs to leverage Facebook as a way to meet new connections and even learn about job opportunities Facebook Can Be Every Bit The Tool That LinkedIn Is For PhDs When it comes to building your professional network, LinkedIn is…

Every week, we at Cheeky Scientist scour the Internet for the best articles on topics that help in the search for the Best of Transition: PhD Job Search in the industry. Our two consultants independently search for the most informative articles in the categories of networking, CVs/resumes, interviews, transferable skills, academic blues, industry positions, and business acumen. Our consultants vote on a top article for each category and a top overall article for the week – if it’s a recent article that can help readers find and acquire PhD jobs, then we want to include it in this weekly digest.…

Join Isaiah as he explores five career options for PhDs interested in working with green tech and sustainability In this week’s episode… First, Isaiah points out that climate change has created a fast-growing industry: sustainability Next, he explores fives careers perfect for PhDs who are interested in leveraging their skills to lead change in sustainability Finally, Isaiah shares a few skills that PhDs can focus on developing if they want the competitive edge in their green job search Sustainability And Responsible Manufacturing Are Top Priorities For Industry Businesses Sustainability is a rapidly growing field – one that’s becoming increasingly important…

When it comes to artificial intelligence, there seem to be two types of people: those who are curious about new tech and want to learn how to use it, and those with a healthy skepticism about how much power we give to machines.  I was in the second camp.  It’s not that I don’t appreciate progress.  I’m a PhD, after all.  But sometimes I feel like the tech that makes it to the mass market is dumbing down things that shouldn’t necessarily be easy. That’s why, in silent protest, I tried to do everything in my job search the old-fashioned…

Join Isaiah as he discusses three careers for PhDs who are interested in a rewarding role in the gaming industry In this week’s episode… First, Isaiah reminds PhDs that in industry, there are many markets that need talent – and gaming is definitely one of them Next, he explores three careers perfect for PhDs in the gaming sector Finally, Isaiah shares a few skills that PhDs can focus on developing if they want the competitive edge among entertainment tech job candidates Gaming And Entertainment Markets Are Leaders In Industry Innovation. That Means These Industries Need PhDs PhDs are often blown…