PhD Transition Report Podcast

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.

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.

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.

Employers care about who makes their lives easier. Prove that’s you, and you’ll win the role—even against the odds.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you let your connections wither they won't feel comfortable giving you a referral down the road, so keep the conversation going.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

The key to standing out is to understand and address the specific pain points an employer is experiencing.

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.

Hacking your job search isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things with minimal friction and maximum impact.

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.

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.