Articles Written By Isaiah Hankel, PhD

In this episode of Cheeky Scientist News, we talk about how to answer these 2 questions that every employer asks themselves when considering you: Why should we hire you over someone else? Why do you want to work here over anywhere else? If you're not getting responses from employers, it's because you don't have a good sales pitch for these two questions. Isaiah digs into the job search literature on how to create your unique selling proposition to get hired.

People carefully protect the money in their bank account and the time in their calendar, but they do little to protect their attention.

While a resume gap can pose challenges in a job search, it doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker.

The academic system is stuck in its ways, and it resists change. Industry, on the other hand, must keep up with the latest innovations and market trends, so it can’t afford to move at this snail-like pace.

A complex resume filled with every detail of a long and successful career can sometimes overwhelm hiring managers or reinforce stereotypes about overqualification.

By effectively marketing these PhD-specific qualities, you can open doors to a plethora of opportunities in a job market that is starving for hard working candidates who can produce high quality results.

In this inspiring episode of Career Leadership, Donna Serdula and Isaiah Hankel reflect on the life and teachings of John Rulon, author of Giftology, who revolutionized the concept of gifting with his focus on authenticity and thoughtfulness. They discuss the art of giving quality gifts, building meaningful connections, and why authentic effort is more important than quantity in networking. Learn how to enhance your professional relationships by focusing on personalized gestures, LinkedIn recommendations, and even the impact of sending a handwritten note. Donna and Isaiah also share tips on creating your “Dream 100” list to strategically advance your career.

In this episode of Cheeky Scientist News, we explore the hidden job market that PhDs should be tapping into during their job search. We'll also discuss the power of referrals in a PhD-level job search and how you can leverage them with new or existing network connections.

77% of recruiters say they give preference to job candidates that submit a cover letter and over three quarters of decision-makers say they read the cover letter even when it’s optional. In other words, “optional” isn’t an option.

These inactive job listings will only become more and more of a problem and you should be prepared to reach out to companies in person to ensure the jobs you’re interested in actually exist.

Academia and the skills you gained in academia are not enough to get you hired anymore. You will need to develop business-oriented skills and develop your business acumen.

While it’s okay to take a brief respite to recharge, it's crucial to maintain momentum and not let a temporary pause become a permanent halt.