Cheeky Logo
Ready To Get Hired?
Apply To Book A Free Call With Our Transition Specialist Team

5 Cheesy Networking Gimmicks To Avoid

During my PhD, I knew that networking was the key to getting a job in industry. And so, I did what every other PhD I knew was doing…

I went to conferences equipped with a copy of my resume and a handful of business cards. Then, during breaks, I would follow the crowd out onto the vendor floor.

I would wander around aimlessly looking for a vendor that wasn’t busy. The problem was, so was every other PhD that was looking for a job.

At the end of a conference, if I handed out all my business cards and shook hands with a few industry professionals, I felt accomplished.

I was really doing it…I was networking!

At least that’s what I thought.

But then afterwards, nothing happened. No one reached out to me. No one begged me to work for them.

What was I doing wrong?

The problem was, I was connecting with people, but I wasn’t truly networking.

Worse – I was networking like a cheeseball.

I was implementing gimmicky techniques that I learned somewhere – I think – but never really studied carefully.

It wasn’t until years later that I learned how to network like a true professional.

True networking is what gets your foot in the industry door. It’s what gets you a referral, and it’s what gets your resume directly into hands of the hiring manager.

One Cheeky Scientist member shares how networking landed them their ideal job:

At the beginning of my job search, I fell into the trap of uploading resume after resume. I must have uploaded over 100 resumes and ended up with exactly zero interviews.

I knew then, I had to change my strategy. I knew I had to start networking.

So, I reached out to an ex-colleague of mine who was working for a small CRO. I saw that his company wasn’t hiring but I still asked to meet over coffee.

When we met, he confirmed they weren’t hiring but we spoke at length about my situation. He said he would keep me in mind if something came up. Soon after, the company underwent a restructuring and, as a result, needed experienced technicians.

I didn’t interview for the job – I didn’t even send my resume. My former colleague showed my LinkedIn profile to the other managers, and I received a call asking whether I would be interested in the job!

Fast forward to now, I’ve been at the company for 6 weeks and I love what I am doing. I’m so happy to be part of a great team and be in a place where my skills and my input are valued and appreciated.”

Stop Looking For Networking Shortcuts

If you don’t think networking is important in your job search, consider these statistics.

According to HubSpot, networking is responsible for 85% of the jobs filled, and over half of all hires at top firms come from referrals.

Yet only 7% of job candidates have a referral when they apply for a job. That means that with a referral, you are ahead of 93% of all other job candidates.

A referral not only gets you ahead, but it can also give you access to jobs that aren’t publicly advertised.  

Close to 70% of jobs aren’t publicly advertised. And even for those that are posted, most have already been filled internally.

So, if you want to transition into industry, you must have a strategy – one that lands you the highly coveted job referral.

Today, I’ll discuss 5 steps to successful networking along with the many misconceptions that PhDs have about networking.

5 Networking Gimmicks PhDs Should Avoid

1. Stop trying to be everything to everyone. Instead, build your personal brand.

Your personal brand is your persona; how you come across to others.

To build a professional brand, you must think about how you portray yourself both in person and online. Especially online. That is most likely the first impression employers receive of you.

To ensure you’re portraying yourself in the best way possible, really think about what job you want. For instance, if you want to be a data scientist, is that being communicated through your online persona?

The important thing is that you don’t want to portray yourself as a student. If you want to be an industry professional, you must demonstrate that.

On your LinkedIn profile, include a photo of you looking like an industry professional. Participate in online discussions relevant to your area of expertise. Create a personal website that includes your resume. Upload articles you’ve written pertaining to the field you want to go into.

Really make sure you’re proving that you’re a professional and an expert.  

Also ensure that you’re not involving yourself in confrontational conversations on any online forum or platform. That means you should avoid discussing highly volatile subjects – for example, politics. You may think these conversations are private, but anything online is searchable.  

In person, really engage with people in a sincere manner.

If someone you’re speaking to is showing enthusiasm for a particular subject, match their enthusiasm. This is called mirroring. When you mirror a person, you’re showing them that you understand them.

Also ensure that you remain focused on them – no one likes to interact with someone that only talks about themselves. Really listen and stay genuinely interested in them. This will create a lasting impression.

2. Quit meeting people and never talking to them again. Instead, nurture your professional relationships.

Let’s talk about connecting versus networking. Many PhDs mistake one for the other but there is a major difference between the two.

Connecting is when you meet someone or click the “connect” button whereas networking is what happens afterwards; it’s the act of building a professional relationship.

To properly network, you must really focus on your individual connections. That means, instead of blindly clicking “connect” over and over, really think about the connections you want and nurture them.

So, after connecting with someone, follow up with them. And make sure you’re adding value. This is how you can ultimately land an informational interview, and eventually, a referral.

To add value, elevate their credibility by asking for their advice or their opinion. Make sure that you’re asking a question in your initial message – people are more likely to respond to questions over blunt statements.

Once you start connecting with people, make sure you keep track of your progress. Create a spreadsheet of every contact you’ve made and note where you are with the connection.

For instance, say you met someone at a networking event, and you’ve sent a follow up message to them on LinkedIn. Document that in your spreadsheet and make sure to note the date. That way, you can make sure to follow up with them in a week or so if you don’t hear from them right away.

In addition to keeping a spreadsheet, you should create a plan.

Many PhDs make the mistake of only contacting people one at a time. But this tactic is a huge detriment to your progress. You should be contacting enough people to justify having a spreadsheet.

So, every day, plan to reach out to at least two people. These can either be people that you’ve met in person, cold contacts that work for companies you’re interested in, or contacts of people that are already in your network.

It doesn’t matter how you connect with people; what matters is that you keep up the momentum.

3. Get over outdated, in-person only networking strategies. Join online groups instead.

If you’re not sure where to start with networking, online and in person groups are a great source for networking opportunities.

These can be groups solely dedicated to career growth or job searching, but they can also be ones focused on a particular area of expertise.

It’s best to join a variety of groups that focus on different aspects of your career. Say you have a PhD in microbiology. You could join a group with a focus on microbiology, one that revolves around networking and careers, and one that speaks to an area of technical expertise.

You need a close-knit group of connections to get you hired – a group that will help you do mock interviews and provide you with advice.

You may consider people vying for the same job as you as competition, but you can leverage these connections to find out about job opportunities.

4. Stop being afraid of strangers. Prepare for in-person networking events instead.

In general, you should be spending the least amount of time and energy at large conferences and networking events.

If you do go to such an event, go with a strategy.

First and foremost, make sure that before you arrive, your LinkedIn profile is complete. The plan is to meet people and follow up online. That means they’ll likely be viewing your profile after the event.

If the event is three hours, only go for 15 to 30 minutes. Set a goal to connect with three people.

It’s also best to go early. You can even contact the host of the event beforehand and ask them if they would be able to introduce you to a couple of people.

Also make sure you have perfected your elevator pitch and go equipped with business cards. If you only have a few minutes with someone, you need to make a lasting impression. One that conveys your professionalism.

Then, after the event, make sure you follow up. You can start by reminding them who you are and thanking them for their time. If you connected based on a similar interest – say, gourmet coffee – mention that in your message. It will trigger their memory.

You can also peruse their LinkedIn profile for context clues. You can see if they recently published a paper, received a job promotion, or are a member of a particular association. Include something pertaining to their achievements or interests in the message.

The key here is to maintain this professional relationship. It’s the only way you’ll get an informational interview or a referral.

5. Quit networking without a clear goal. Instead, start generating referrals

At last, we can talk about the referral!

After you’ve established a professional relationship with one of your contacts, it’s now time to move the relationship from a simple chat to actual results.

Many PhDs tend to stall out at this point. They connect with someone, follow up with them a few times, and but can’t seem to move the relationship to the point of an informational interview or a referral.

You can leverage online platforms to build up your professional relationships, but you must ensure that the relationship moves quickly towards a phone call or an in-person meeting.

As I mentioned above, lean into the person’s interests when reaching out to them online. It’s one of the simplest ways to establish a rapport with someone.

Once you’ve exchanged a few messages, you can bring up the idea of an informational interview. Again, approach it as a way to gain their advice. You don’t want to immediately jump to “I need a job – help me get one!”.

Then, in the informational interview focus on them. Ask them how they ended up in their current position, how they like the job, or how they like their current company.

Once you feel like you’ve built a good foundation during the interview, then you can ask for a referral. You must make sure you ask at the right time.

Towards the end of the interview is best. You can ask for a referral, but you can also ask if there is another contact they have that could provide additional information.

The key is to ask a question that is easy to say “Yes” to. Don’t make them guess what your intentions are.

Also ensure that you have a resume in hand. That way, if they’re willing to share it with a hiring manager at their company, you’ve already made their job simple.

Concluding Remarks

Getting a job is challenging. This is especially true if you don’t have any contacts within the company. If you are uploading resume after resume online and receiving no responses in return, then it’s time to switch your strategy. To get in the industry door, you must network with the people that are going to help you professionally. To do this, it’s crucial that you don’t just make connections. You must establish and maintain a strong professional relationships. And the way to do this is to provide value. Make the connection about the other person. Congratulate them on their successes. Ask for their advice. All in all, make sure that you are sustaining the conversation and moving it to the next level. Once you become well practiced in the art of building a network, you’ll be amazed at what it can do for your career.

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 ISAIAH HANKEL, PHD

CEO, CHEEKY SCIENTIST & SUCCESS MENTOR TO PHDS

Dr. Isaiah Hankel is the Founder and CEO of Cheeky Scientist. His articles, podcasts and trainings are consumed annually by millions of PhDs and other professionals in hundreds of different countries. He has helped PhDs transition into top companies like Amazon, Google, Apple, Intel, Dow Chemical, BASF, Merck, Genentech, Home Depot, Nestle, Hilton, SpaceX, Tesla, Syngenta, the CDC, UN and Ford Foundation.

Dr. Hankel has published 3X bestselling books and his latest book, The Power of a PhD, debuted on the Barnes & Noble bestseller list. His methods for getting PhDs hired have been featured in the Harvard Business Review, Nature, Forbes, The Guardian, Fast Company, Entrepreneur Magazine and Success Magazine.

Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Here's What Others Are Saying

"Extra thrilled...I now have a full-time job lined up before I even graduate. Yay! Cheeky Scientist helped me get my internship, 3 offers, and the offer I wanted at a competitive salary because I had other offers to leverage. All before I even graduated."

Srishti Dasarathy, PhD

Srishti Dasarathy, PhD

AI Research Engineer

at Lockheed Martin

"I am happy to share I am starting a new position!"

Tharcisse Guedegbe

Tharcisse Guedegbe

Policy Researcher

at African Bank Development Group

"Hi Isaiah - I just want to inform you that I've accepted a job offer from Sandoz, Inc. I want to say a special thank you to you and your dedicated staff for all your help and support throughout the job search stage."

Odeniel Sertil

Odeniel Sertil

Manager, Regulatory Affairs Biosimilars

at Sandoz, Inc.

"Good news...I've secured a job! Thank you for your support during the job search process and for giving me the courage to transition from academia to industry."

Marlyn Brookins

Marlyn Brookins

Regulatory Submissions Coordinator

"Thanks to Cheeky Scientist, I now have an offer letter in my hand and a new career in the industry, which makes me incredibly happy and excited for the future. The training Cheeky Scientist provided was successful since it helped me to carefully consider my skills and improve how I approached my job search. I gained more confidence talking to recruiters and engaging in on-site interviews thanks to the many training modules and live sessions Cheeky Scientist offered. I had a lot of back-and-forth interactions with prospective employers as offers came in, and Cheeky Scientist helped me be a good negotiator. Through Cheeky Scientist, I could ultimately search for, negotiate, and select my best career route."

Vishnu Modur

Vishnu Modur

Clinical Trial Associate/Manager

at Medspace

"The decision is final - it is Cormetech!"

Carlos Vargas Garcia

Carlos Vargas Garcia

at Cormetech

"I am delighted to announce that I have accepted the role of Research Scientist with a base salary of 90k. The cheeky scientist resources have helped me immensely and I am really grateful."

Amninder Singh Sekhon

Amninder Singh Sekhon

Research Scientist

"I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as Senior Manager, Project Management -Medical Affairs at Horizon!"

Geeta Peverada

Geeta Peverada

Senior Manager, Project Management - Medical Affairs

at Horizon

"I'm happy to share that I am starting a new position as Senior Scientist at Eikon Therapeutics!"

Hank Cheng

Hank Cheng

Senior Scientist

at Eikon Therapeutics

"Thank you for the assistance from the CSA these last couple of months. I was offered the position with a life science investment firm this week and I happily accepted the offer. Growth with the company is guaranteed and I hope that this will be the last time I have to interview in NYC (lol)."

Ilke Roelofse

Ilke Roelofse

"I am happy to share that I have started a new position!....I look forward to learning from experience colleagues and apply the"

Augustina Kwesie Osabutey

Augustina Kwesie Osabutey

Water/Wastewater Engineer

at Barr Engineering Group

"Thank you for your advice, Isaiah! I’m super excited and grateful! I would never negotiate the salary and the other details of the offer if it weren’t for Cheeky Scientist. Thank you again"

Marta Silva

Marta Silva

Policy Analyst

at Health Canada

"New offer - went ahead and signed contract today - - excited and thank you for the confidence booster - grateful for investing in Cheeky Scientist."

Wael Bahnan

Wael Bahnan

Senior Scientist

at Minervx ApS

"I just wanted to say that I officially accepted a job! I want to thank everyone at Cheeky Scientist for all the help and support. Overall, my job search went pretty smoothly and I have CS to thank for that. I am now convinced that making connections and networking is how you find jobs, and once I began implementing what CS teaches, I started to see more results. I hope this helps others who are in the job search process!"

Jack Schultz

Jack Schultz

Research Computer Scientist

at Southwest Research Institute

"I proceeded with the offer we were discussing and i signed the contract a few days ago. I would like to thank you so much for your support throughout this process. it was really helpful and beneficial!"

Samir Tohme

Samir Tohme

Project Engineer, Optical Development & Simulation Expert

at EDL Rethschulte GmbH (FEV Group)

Similar Articles

Why PhDs Are Mentally Tough (& How They Use It To Get Hired)

Why PhDs Are Mentally Tough (& How They Use It To Get Hired)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“Isaiah, I’m at my wit’s end.  I’ve applied to countless jobs, networked extensively, and still, nothing.  It feels like I’m just spinning my wheels.”  This is a sentiment I hear often from PhDs who are navigating the challenging waters of the job market.  The frustration and mental fatigue are real, especially when you’re used to achieving high levels of success in academia.  But let’s get one thing straight – you are not alone, and this is not the end.  It’s just a bump in the road.  Yes, the job search is grueling.  There’s no sugar-coating it.  But here’s the thing…

6 People to Ignore During Your PhD Job Search

6 People to Ignore During Your PhD Job Search

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

When I first began my industry job search, I didn’t know where to begin. Most of the people I asked for advice had none to offer.  Instead, they were adamant I was making a mistake by leaving academia.  I’d spent the last six years siloed in academia – I didn’t really know that many people who weren’t doing a postdoc or staying on to TA.  But I had heard some encouraging things from a few PhDs that had transitioned to industry.  I was really motivated to try and make the same move, even though I wasn’t sure how to start.…

Your Professional Brand Is Academia. 5 Questions To Change It

Your Professional Brand Is Academia. 5 Questions To Change It

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

What’s your professional brand?  As a researcher, my conclusions are based on proven facts and quantifiable results. The concept of something as subjective as brand or image had never felt particularly relevant to me.  I’d heard the question, of course. When you’ve been looking for a job for over a year, you’re bound to come across the idea.  But now, face to face with a recruiter who had turned me down for a job, I was really trying to come up with an intelligent answer.  “What’s my brand?” I asked. I guess feigning ignorance was one way to go.  “Yes,…

Don’t Ignore These 6 Powerful PhD Job Search Trends

Don’t Ignore These 6 Powerful PhD Job Search Trends

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

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,…

A No-Excuses Look at Virtual Networking

A No-Excuses Look at Virtual Networking

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

A lot of PhDs ignore a crucial part of their job search – virtual networking. You may think that because you’re spending a lot of time going to conferences, attending lectures, setting up face-to-face meetings, and checking in with one or two connections when you need a reference or referral that you’ve established your professional network.  Virtual Networking Casts A Wider Net, Even After The Pandemic Nope, you’re networking by halves if you’re only networking in-person. I kept seeing a former colleague of mine at conferences really making the most out of his time networking in person. Everybody knew this…

A Pitch-Perfect Elevator Script For PhDs In Industry

A Pitch-Perfect Elevator Script For PhDs In Industry

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

I had heard of the term “elevator script” before my first industry interview.  Was I sure what it meant? No. But I got the gist of it: introduce yourself in a compelling way during an interview or networking session. Don’t annoy someone in an elevator. I dismissed the idea of learning more about it than that If I remember correctly, I told myself that it was nothing more than a remedial gimmick. One of those unnecessary “life hacks” that clueless people gobble up to calm their nerves before an interview.  Definitely not something a PhD graduate with a background in…

How To Get A Referral Without The Messy Emotions

How To Get A Referral Without The Messy Emotions

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Towards the end of my PhD, I felt like I was racing time. And time was winning. I was frantically trying to wrap up loose ends in my research, finish writing my thesis, all the while trying to find a job. I knew I wanted a job in industry. In fact, I knew exactly the job I wanted. I just didn’t know how to get there. I was sending my resume off into the abyss of the internet, but I wasn’t getting any replies. I couldn’t fathom what I was doing wrong. The whole thing felt pointless. Now, looking back…

5 Insider Rapport Building Tips (or, How To Make In Person Networking Non-Dreadful)

5 Insider Rapport Building Tips (or, How To Make In Person Networking Non-Dreadful)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Like many PhDs, I’m an introvert. That means my tendency is to avoid face-to-face interactions at all costs. But when it came time to search for a job in industry, my introverted tactics weren’t working. I was reaching out to people online, even getting a few responses, but in the end, all my efforts fell flat. After months of this, I was right where I started – unemployed. Then, I started noticing what my colleagues were doing; the ones that were getting job referrals and interviews at least. They weren’t just reaching out to people online, they were also attending…

6 Credible Networking Scripts That Make Employers Pay Attention

6 Credible Networking Scripts That Make Employers Pay Attention

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Just as “location, location, location” is the mantra of real estate, “networking, networking, networking” should be your mantra during your industry job search. During the final year of my PhD, I finally conceded – the only way I was going to get a job in industry was through networking. So, like many PhDs, I fired up my computer, hopped on LinkedIn, and clicked the blue “connect” button until my fingers ached. I sent out the same message to each new contact telling them about all my wonderful accomplishments before I asked them for a job. You know what happened after…

Our Members Get Hired At Top Industry Companies

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.

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.

AI & ATS Resume Filters

AI & ATS Resume Filters

Isaiah Hankel

In today's competitive job market, understanding the impact of AI is crucial for career success. This involves ensuring your resume stands out in the digital realm, mastering your online presence, and being aware of how AI assigns reputation scores. Discovering how to leverage AI to your advantage is essential, as it plays a pivotal role in shaping professional opportunities.

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.