Articles Written By Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Join Isaiah as he examines how to nurture professional networks and create a mutually beneficial relationship with your LinkedIn connections In this week’s episode: First, Isaiah explains that your LinkedIn connections are more than just a number on your profile – they’re people who can help you find the perfect position Next, he breaks down talking points that will keep a conversation with your Linkedin connections from going stale Finally, Isaiah shows PhDs how to steer their professional relationships toward useful informational interviews and even referrals From This Week’s Show… Your LinkedIn Connections Aren’t Just For Show, But These Relationships…

What does your job search strategy look like?  If you had to describe it in 2 or 3 sentences, what would you say?  I ask because, if you’re reading this, you’re in the market for a job. Working with PhDs for more than 10 years, I’ve learned one thing is true above all others: The right job strategy is what’s going to get you hired. That’s right: I’m saying that a concrete job search methodology is more important than anything else in your job search.  It’s more important than your skills, your degree, your personality – more important than you,…

Join Isaiah as he breaks down the one thing PhDs are not comfortable doing: selling themselves In this week’s episode: First, Isaiah covers why as a PhD, you’re so averse to the one thing you need to be doing: selling yourself Next, he delves into what selling yourself in an interview really looks like and it’s not what you think Finally, Isaiah wraps up with some tips and takeaways to make selling yourself during an interview a natural process From This Week’s Show… If You’re Not Enthusiastic On Day 1 What Do You Think Employers Expect From You On Day…

Join Isaiah as he shares the right way to turn down a job offer, keeping the door open for future opportunities Here’s a quick rundown on this week’s episode: First, Isaiah encourages PhDs to treat employers with the utmost courtesy right up to the end – even if they wind up accepting a different job offer Next, he explains the protocol for turning down a job, step by step Finally, Isaiah covers what PhDs can do to turn down a job offer and still reap the benefits of the experience From This Week’s Show… There’s A Right Way To Turn…

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 a close-up look at how to communicate your professional brand and value to industry hiring managers Here’s a quick rundown on this week’s episode: First, Isaiah explains the importance of having a clear professional brand in your industry job search Next, he reveals that you already have a professional brand, whether you realize it or not Finally, Isaiah reveals how to create the brand that you want – and how to present that brand consistently across all parts of the job search From This Week’s Show… Your Professional Brand Helps Employers Determine If You’re A Good Company…

From the time I started graduate school, there was only one point in the future that I could focus on: the finish line. I was swept up in my own expectations and also caught up in what I thought was expected of me. But something I hadn’t given much thought to was what I actually wanted to do. I was about six months away from defending my thesis. That’s when I started to give some serious thought to what would happen after I added the “Dr.” to my name. It’s when I began to admit to myself that academia was…

Join Isaiah as he breaks down the steps that stand between you and a referral to your dream job in industry Here’s a quick rundown on this week’s episode: First, Isaiah points out that referrals are, statistically speaking, one of the surest ways to land a job in industry Next, he identifies five steps you can take on LinkedIn that will earn you the referrals your job search is missing Finally, Isaiah reminds listeners that a whopping 70% of new hires come from referrals, so this is a step PhDs can’t afford to skip in their job search From This…

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 a look at beyond-the-bench careers that are perfect for PhDs who love research but can’t take one more experiment Here’s a quick rundown on this week’s episode: First, Isaiah assures PhDs that, if you love research but are over pushing the pipettes, there are careers in industry that offer a happy medium Next, he identifies 3 intellectually stimulating careers for curious PhDs that don’t involve running tedious experiments in the lab Finally, Isaiah reminds PhDs to let their strengths and interests inform them in their job search, and not to make assumptions about what a role is…

Join Isaiah as he reviews the importance of networking in today’s competitive job market and checks in about pitfalls you should avoid Here’s a quick rundown on this week’s episode: First, Isaiah shares powerful statistics about the importance of networking for your PhD job search Next, he breaks down 4 major mistakes he sees PhDs make as they build and nurture their professional network Finally, Isaiah reminds PhDs that networking is a habit, and that habit must be in service of a larger goal — otherwise, it’s just a waste of time From This Week’s Show… If You’re Questioning Why…

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…