PhD Transition Report Podcast

Hosted By

Chief Executive Officer Cheeky Scientist
The premier podcast by industry PhDs. With thousands of monthly listeners, the Cheeky Scientist PhD Job Search Report podcast is dedicated to helping PhDs transition into their first or next industry position. Every episode provides leading edge insights on how PhDs can avoid career failure and job search rejections, and instead attract hiring managers and recruiters to get hired into top industry jobs. Recent shows cover industry resumes, LinkedIn profiles, creating a job search strategy, identifying surging career tracks and avoiding dead end career tracks, successfully preparing for and passing phone screens, video interviews and site visits, and much more. This show features top industry PhDs in 50+ different industry positions. Subscribe now and listen.
#785 Merit-Based Hiring Is Roaring Back (Be Ready)
Wednesday June 11, 2025
Your PhD represents years of specialized skill development, rigorous research, and the ability to solve complex problems. These are assets that many employers need but don’t know how to evaluate.
#784 Stoic Lessons For Overcoming Job Search Sadness And Burnout
Monday June 9, 2025
Rejection will happen. Feeling sad and unwanted will happen. But those emotions do not define you or your worth—they are simply part of the process.
#783 Staying Motivated During A Guarantee-Free Job Search
Friday June 6, 2025
Just as your PhD research took years of work before yielding results, your job search is an investment in your future. It’s not about immediate gratification but about positioning yourself for the right opportunity.
#782 Are You Too Overqualified For This Job Market?
Wednesday June 4, 2025
Employers care about who makes their lives easier. Prove that’s you, and you’ll win the role—even against the odds.
#781 What Hiring Managers (Secretly) Care About Most
Monday June 2, 2025
Here’s the hard truth: a job candidate with no skills who relentlessly sells themselves as a perfect cultural fit will get hired over someone with all the skills in the world but no mention of culture.
#780 Get Your Resume In The Hands Of Hiring Managers
Friday May 30, 2025
A well-written professional summary is the key to grabbing an employer's attention and getting invited to a phone screen, so make sure you take it very seriously.
#779 Is Your Cover Letter Too Old?
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Traditional openers, cliches, and niceties are mind-numbing to read through again and again, but a well-written note from a qualified candidate is enticing.
#778 Make Yourself More Competitive
Monday May 26, 2025
The only way for you to get hired today is to keep your skills relevant. This means focusing on skills that can't be done by tech, at least yet.
#777 Target Your Resume In 15 Minutes
Friday May 23, 2025
Would you rather apply to 50 jobs and get two interviews or apply to 10 jobs and get three? Tailoring your resume is the trick to getting better results in your job search.
#776 Can’t Find A Career? Fix.
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Many people struggle to figure out what they want to do professionally. And not just once either. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that people in the US change careers between three and seven times in their lives.
#775 4 Most Common Networking Mistakes
Monday May 19, 2025
If you let your connections wither they won't feel comfortable giving you a referral down the road, so keep the conversation going.
#774 Outwit AI Resume Filters With These AI Tools
Friday May 16, 2025
Recent statistics show that the average job gets over 500 applications. Larger companies can get up to 2000 for each open position. Of those, 75% are weeded out automatically using applicant tracking system software.
#773 Opening Versus Closing Interview Questions For PhDs
Wednesday May 14, 2025
In a market where every detail counts, opening and closing questions provide an opportunity to set the tone, establish rapport, and reinforce why you’re the ideal candidate.
#772 LinkedIn Pro-Tips For PhDs Who Hate The Phrase “Pro-Tips”
Monday May 12, 2025
By focusing on authenticity and sharing valuable insights, you can build a presence that’s true to who you are without any need for over-the-top “pro-tips.”
#771 A Relentless PhD Mindset Will Get You Hired
Friday May 9, 2025
If you want to win the job you deserve, you need to throw away the comfort zone, the excuses, and the idea that it’s going to be easy.
#770 Bring The Pain To Make Employers Hire You
Wednesday May 7, 2025
The key to standing out is to understand and address the specific pain points an employer is experiencing.
#769 The Slow, Cement-Like “Great Stay” Job Market
Monday May 5, 2025
In times of uncertainty, companies look for candidates who can wear multiple hats and who are committed for the long haul. In this “Big Stay” market, remember that employers need urgency, versatility, and resilience.
#768 P-Hacking Your Job Search
Friday May 2, 2025
Hacking your job search isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things with minimal friction and maximum impact.
#767 Creativity, Discovery & Innovation - PhD Secret Weapons
Wednesday April 30, 2025
Across sectors—from technology to healthcare to education—markets are evolving rapidly, and companies need people who can think ahead, solve complex problems, and lead change.
#766 Networking For PhDs Who Hate Networking
Monday April 28, 2025
By moving from casual connections to meaningful networking, you not only increase your chances of landing a role but also build a network that will continue to support you throughout your career.