Transition Report On-Demand

Join Isaiah as he covers 5 phrases you should never utter during an industry interview Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah narrows down the reasons you’re getting ghosted in the later stages of the interview process Next, Isaiah explains how using interview answers that reveal your lack of confidence can sabotage you job searchFinally, Isaiah shows you how to turn negative answers into positive ones that leave a lasting impression on employers From This Week’s Show… You Interview Answers Might Be The Reason Why You’re Not Hired Yet If you feel like you’ve done everything right – from building a strong network to writing an effective resume – but you just can’t seem to get past the interview stage, you need to figure out why. Each interview process is unique. However, what’s not unique are the interview answers that guarantee a rejection. Why You Should Avoid Interview Answers That Reveal Your Lack Of Confidence Never say, “I’m nervous” during an interview. You may think this makes you seem more human but you’re only creating a negative vibe. It’s normal to feel nervous during an interview, but you should never show it. Companies want to hire someone…

Join Isaiah as he discusses how you can avoid total burnout by improving your industry job search strategy Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah speaks to the source of PhD burnout and how to avoid it in your industry job searchNext, Isaiah explains how having a clear vision of next steps saves you time and effort in the long-run.Finally, Isaiah shows you how to apply the 30-60-90 day plan and create an effective yet manageable job search strategy From This Week’s Show…  Burnout Is Common But There Are Simple Ways To Avoid It Many academics are burned out. They work so many long hours, are constantly under the pressure of deadlines, and are so drained of energy that they can’t even think about their job search. In fact, recent studies show that 3 in 5 employees have experienced burnout at some point in their careers – this is especially true of academics. If you can empathize, don’t despair. There are a few simple things you can do to make your job search more manageable. Create A Clear Vision Of Your Next Career Move There are hundreds – if not thousands – of industry job postings. No…

Join Isaiah as he discusses the strategy you should set up before going to a conference if you want to get an industry job Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains why you should skip the talks and spend time at the vendor’s floor if you want to increase your chances of transitioning into industryNext, Isaiah reviews the information you need to research before going to the conferenceFinally, Isaiah gives you pointers on the best way to network with vendors From This Week’s Show…  The Best Way To Find And industry Job At A Conference Is To Spend Quality Time At The Vendor Floor If you want to find industry job prospects at a conference, you have to stop acting like an academic. We get it – you love research. But if your conferences strategy is to hit as many research-based talks as possible, then you’re not making the most of your time (or your money for that matter – conferences are expensive). So, skip the talks and spend your time perusing the vendor floor. Why? Because while all your colleagues are sitting in a dark room listening to a presentation, you’ll be conversing and making…

Join Isaiah as he explains why you need to build rapport with your interviewer if you want employers to remember you and offer you a job Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah talks about why you’re failing to move past the initial interview stages, even if you’re a perfect fit for the roleNext, Isaiah reviews the best strategy to use if you want to build rapport with your interviewerFinally, Isaiah discusses the importance of non-verbal cues when it comes to building rapport From This Week’s Show…  Why You’re Failing To Get Your Dream Job Have you ever felt like you were the perfect candidate for a job, only to be ghosted by the company after your first interview? At that point, you’re probably wondering what on earth happened. Chances are, you didn’t establish a rapport with the interviewer. Many PhDs leave academia thinking the only thing employers are going to care about is what they can do – emphasis on the doing, especially the skills, because that’s what’s important in academia. But in industry, you’re not only expected to do a job; you’re also expected to integrate into a team. This means that the interviewer is…

Join Isaiah as he explains what a dead-end career is and shows you what you have to do to get out of it in you’re in one Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah discusses how you can recognize whether you’re in a dead-end careerNext, Isaiah discloses the solution to get out of a dead-end career: knowing how to market yourselfFinally, Isaiah shows you some simples ways in which you can market yourself From This Week’s Show…  What’s A Dead-End Career If you’ve been in a position for years – whether it be an academic postdoc, adjunct teaching position, professorship that’s going nowhere or even an entry-level industry role – and have yet to acquire any new skills, move up the proverbial ladder, or take on new challenges, you’re in a dead-end career. And while this situation is frustrating for anyone, job stagnation is particularly hard on PhDs. After all, you spent years acquiring knowledge, fine-tuning your skills, and keeping up with the latest innovations. For what? To have no impact? To stay where you are? Unappreciated. Underpaid. Stagnant. If you find yourself in this situation, you’re not alone. In fact, a recent Joblist survey found that…

Join Isaiah as he explains why you’re probably wasting your time with your current job search strategy and what you need to do instead Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah tells you the blunt true: you’re probably wasting your time by using an obsolete academic job search strategyNext, Isaiah shows you the first steps you need to take to stop wasting your time and start seeing results Finally, Isaiah discusses what is a mock interview and why you should include it in your strategy to avoid rejections at the later stages of your job search From This Week’s Show…  Why You Probably Need To Revamp Your Job Search Strategy If you’re not getting anywhere in your industry job search, chances are you’re using an antiquated process taught to you by academics. The truth is, when it comes to industry, academic job search strategies are completely upside down. So, ditch the long-winded CV and start setting up a strategy that works for industry. To do this, you need to stop wasting time on things that aren’t producing results. PhDs fall into the same mental trap they fell into in grad school – they spend so much time…

Join Isaiah as he discusses why the professional summary is so important and how you need to craft yours to ensure it stands out Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah reveals why you need to let go of your academic mentality before you start writing your professional summaryNext, Isaiah discloses the information that you should add at the beginning of your summary if you want to catch the hiring manager’s attentionFinally, Isaiah lists the components of a riveting professional summary and what you should add in each of them From This Week’s Show…  Why You Need To Let Go Of Academic Values When Writing Your Professional Summary Your professional summary is one of the most critical components of your industry resume. It’s what hiring managers read first and it’s what helps them decide whether your resume is worth a read. Think of yourself as a product you have to sell – how can you convince someone to “buy” in just a matter of seconds? Academia has told you that claiming accomplishments as your own is distasteful or down-right untruthful, but to catch the eye of an industry employer, your summary has to sell YOU – not…

Join Isaiah as he talks about the importance of positioning yourself for a remote role if you want to get hired in today’s job market Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah presents some interesting data you need to consider if you want to target a remote roleNext, Isaiah discloses the skills you need to develop and showcase if you want to position yourself for a remote role Finally, Isaiah discusses some extra actions you can take to ensure you’re seriously considered for a remote role From This Week’s Show…  What You Need To Know About Remote Working Interest in remote and hybrid work is up by a whopping 556% – and with prominent companies deciding to continue remote work, these numbers are not going down anytime soon. Although this is great news for anyone who’s looking for more flexibility in their job, this shift comes with its own set of challenges. For one, now that geographic location is no longer a barrier, companies recruiting top talent from anywhere in the world. This means that they have infinitely more options, which also means, your competition just got fiercer. The Skills You Need To Position Yourself For A…

Join Isaiah as he discloses the strategies that introverted PhDs should follow to increase their network and stop being invisible to industry employers Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains why introverted PhDs are valuable to industry employersNext, Isaiah discusses why it’s not a good strategy to act extrovert if you’re an introverted PhD Finally, Isaiah gives you some strategies you can use to expand your network while avoiding burnout and protecting your mental space From This Week’s Show…  Why Being An Introverted PhD Isn’t A Bad Thing If You Have The Right Tools If nothing makes you sweat more than the idea of networking at a big conference, you’re not alone. Many PhDs are introverted by nature. And this isn’t a bad thing. Introverts are genuine and passionate…and they’re often some of the most productive people in the workforce. Because of this, many innovative companies in industry seek out thoughtful, introspecting introverts to fill their top positions. The problem is many introverts, especially introverted PhDs, are invisible to the companies that want to hire them. But, don’t despair – because given the right tools, introverts can get attention from employers, build a strong and long-lasting network,…

Join Isaiah as he discusses the importance of noticing red flags during the interview process and presents 6 red flags you should look for when interviewing Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains why you should never forget that the interview process is a two-way street or take a job you know is not a good fit. Next, Isaiah presents the three first red flags you should look forFinally, Isaiah presents the remaining red flags From This Week’s Show…  The Interview Process Is A Two-Way Street If you left an interview feeling like the company wasn’t a good fit, don’t ignore it. Many desperate PhDs make the mistake of accepting a job despite the fact that it’s not a good fit simply because they’re desperate. In fact, a recent study found that nearly two-thirds of job applicants reported taking a job despite knowing it’s not a good fit. Don’t make this mistake – it’s not only a waste of your time, but it’s a waste of the company’s time and could hurt your reputation. Stay sensitive to the red flags without being too sensitive or judgmental. Mistakes happen and no company is perfect, so give them…

Join Isaiah as he explains why you shouldn’t worry as much about your resume gap and gives you strategies to focus on your value instead Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah discloses why a resume gap doesn’t automatically eliminates good candidates from the job poolNext, Isaiah presents the functional resume, a great tool to draw attention to your value instead of your resume gap Finally, Isaiah discusses why you should always be transparent about your resume gaps, as well as the strategy you should follow to avoid framing them in a negative way From This Week’s Show…  Why Your Resume Gaps Doesn’t Matter As Much As You Think Many PhDs think that having a gap in their work experience immediately eliminates them from the job pool. This may have been true once, but the “job hopping” mentality of today’s workforce paired with the great resignation of this post-pandemic era has employers more concerned about employee retention than a gap in your work experience, especially if you have a PhD. Maybe you defended your thesis during the pandemic and had difficulties finding a job afterwards… or perhaps you decided to take time off to focus on your…

Join Isaiah as he discusses the importance of the LinkedIn headline and what you need to add to it if you want to appear in searches Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains why you need to have an industry-oriented LinkedIn headline instead and how adding academic terms to your LinkedIn profile might hinder you chances of getting hiredNext, Isaiah discloses the terms that industry gatekeepers use when they search for job candidates to interviewFinally, Isaiah presents the questions your headline needs to answer so you appear on the right searches From This Week’s Show…  Why You Need To Have An Industry-Oriented LinkedIn Headline A lot of PhDs make the mistake of listing “postdoc” or “PhD student” in their headline. Don’t make this mistake. The headline is the first text that appears in your LinkedIn profile, and the keywords in this section factor heavily into LinkedIn’s search algorithm. Don’t waste that valuable space on academic words that will never appear in an employer’s search. Your headline needs to include the information that employers are actually searching on LinkedIn Recruiter, or LinkedIn Talent Insights, or the same LinkedIn that you’re using. What Industry Gatekeepers Are Looking For…

Join Isaiah as he discloses the strategies that you should follow right now to revamp your resume so you can transition into industry and save your career from the academic recession Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah discusses why now is the perfect time to update and work on your resumeNext, Isaiah shows you how to get started writing your resume and what you should highlight when doing so Finally, Isaiah presents the structure that your resume should follow if you want to gain the attention of industry gate keepers From This Week’s Show…  Why You Need To Revamp Your Resume Right Now Keeping your resume current is essential to remaining relevant in the job market. This may seem obvious, but many PhDs think that creating a resume is a “one and done” process. You continuously update your status on social media, or you continually refresh your email inbox expecting for employers to contact you, so why do you neglect updating your resume? Staying relevant has always been important but it has become even more crucial in an uncertain economy. The job market has seen some pretty significant shifts. People are resigning from their jobs, and…

Join Isaiah as he explains what is reverse recruiting and how you can take advantage of it to get hired in no time Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah discusses the importance of reactivating your network if you want to gain the attention of recruiters and other gate-keepers. Next, Isaiah presents the reverse recruiting process and why you need to use it to your advantageFinally, Isaiah gives you some advice on how to show recruiters you’re a sought after candidate and convince them to hire you faster From This Week’s Show…  Why You Need To Reactivate Your Network If You Want To Get Noticed By Recruiters Today, I want to give you some tips on how you can skip the hiring funnel and improve your chances of getting hired fast – this includes learning how to reverse recruit recruiters. First though, you need to reactivate your network. If you’re not actively networking on LinkedIn, recruiters and all employers will know it as they get to see your activity score on LinkedIn Recruiter. Employers want to see you’re active and they want to know you’re reaching out to people at their company to get referrals. Why? Because…

Join Isaiah as he explains what the hiring funnel is and how not understanding this concept is causing you to make mistakes that show you’re an amateur Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah gives an example of a hiring funnel, something you need to understand if you want to be successful in industryNext, Isaiah presents the most common mistake PhDs make by not understanding the hiring funnel: spending too much time on their resumes Finally, Isaiah discusses two additional mistakes that show your lack of understanding of industry workings and how you can fix them From This Week’s Show…  How The Hiring Funnel Works Many PhDs fail to get hired because they don’t understand the inner workings of the industry hiring funnel – and as a result, they end up prioritizing the wrong things during their job search. The term hiring funnel refers to the process that companies use to narrow their job candidacy pool. In each phase, candidates are faced with more stringent criterion, resulting in most candidates getting funneled out. Let’s say a company receives 250 resumes for an open position. Of those, 20 to 30 will make it to the phone screen. Of…

Join Isaiah as he presents the components of your professional profile and gives you pointers on how to create each of them Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah talks about each of the components of a professional profile and the positions that require unique elementsNext, Isaiah dives deep into the first two components: the industry resume and LinkedIn profileFinally, Isaiah discusses the importance of your industry networking persona and why you always need to present yourself as an industry professional From This Week’s Show…  What Are The Components Of A Professional Profile The moment you start planning your transition into industry, you should take great care to portray yourself as a professional. The three main components of any profile are your industry resume, your LinkedIn profile, and your networking persona. A fourth component – a portfolio – may exist and will vary depending on the type of role you’re applying for. For instance, if you’re applying for medical writing positions, then part of your profile will be a writing portfolio. If you’re applying for data scientist positions, then you’ll probably need a GitHub profile. Industry Resume And LinkedIn Profile An effective resume is one that convinces…

Join Isaiah as he explains how to add quantified results to your industry resume and why this matters if you want to get hired Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah discusses the importance of quantified results for industry employersNext, Isaiah discloses why PhDs have so much trouble coming up with and claiming the results they achieved. Finally, Isaiah presents the best way to add technical skills to your resume bullet points From This Week’s Show…  The Importance Of Quantified Results Every single bullet point on your resume needs to end in a qualified result. You can easily transition to this part of your bullet point using language like “resulting in…” “as demonstrated by…” or “as evidence by…”. It’s challenging to sit down and figure out your past results and then to quantify them? Yes. It’s certainly more challenging than just listing skills, duties and experiences in your resume, but is the only way to move past the resume stage to the phone screen stage. Studies have shown that employers’ eyes pause at length on numbers. But there’s a catch. The numbers have to be written numerically, as in the number “10”, not “ten”. Examples of qualified…

Join Isaiah as he discusses why PhDs should consider pursuing a career in user experience (UX) and what the role of a UX researcher entails Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains why PhDs should consider different career paths instead of limiting themselves to what they knowNext, Isaiah presents the user experience researcher position and what it takes to succeed in itFinally, Isaiah gives you 4 reasons why you should consider pursuing a career in user experience From This Week’s Show…  Don’t Jeopardize Your Career By Limiting Your Options Industry jobs are limitless, yet most PhDs make the mistake of narrowing their search to only a few types of job titles. Don’t make this mistake- if you do, you’ll miss out on a lot of exciting opportunities. One such field is user experience, or UX for short. With an expected year-over-year growth of 11%, UX is considered one of the fastest growing jobs on the market. And opportunities are not just limited to STEM PhDs. We often think that user experience is something that only app developers and video game designers are concerned with, but in fact, user experience is part of just about everything we…

Join Isaiah as he talks about the importance of company culture in your career progression and how you can find out a company’s culture before getting hired Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah reminds you why company culture is such an important aspect to consider throughout your careerNext, Isaiah discusses how you can take advantage of your knowledge of company culture to climb the ladder Finally, Isaiah explains how you can find out a company’s culture before getting hired From This Week’s Show…  Never Underestimate The Importance Of Company Culture You could be the most productive person on your team, but if no one wants to interact with you (or vice versa), then eventually, you’ll get squeezed out of an organization. After all, even Steve Jobs was fired for not being able to work within his own company’s culture. Another reason to care about culture is that your ability to climb the corporate ladder is highly dependent on how well your work style aligns with that of the company. How To Skyrocket Your Career By Knowing The Company’s Unspoken Rules It should be no surprise that people well-integrated into a company’s culture are more likely to…

Join Isaiah as he discusses what company culture is, why you should care, and how it fits into your overall job search strategy Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains why you need to set up a job search strategy before you actually need a jobNext, Isaiah reviews why you should aim for companies that are a good fit for youFinally, Isaiah discloses what company culture is and why every PhD should care about it From This Week’s Show…  Why You Need To Set Up A Job Search Strategy Before Reaching Desperation Mode To get hired in industry, you can’t start your job search in a state of desperation. Whether you’re a PhD candidate, a postdoc, or a TA, you should be planning your job search strategy well in advance of your transition into industry. When desperation drives your decision-making, it puts you at risk of accepting the first job offer you get – whether it’s the right fit or not. If, however, you have a well-thought-out plan in place, you’re more likely to land a position that isn’t just a temporary job, but a long and fulfilling career. How To Determine If A Company Is…