PhD Transition Report Podcast

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn to focus on targeted applications rather than casting a wide net. Next you’ll learn that you need to pay attention to your digital footprint. Finally, you’ll learn to embrace networking as a crucial part of your job search strategy I was working with a PhD last week who needed to get hired fast. And they did everything on their resume right. 2 pages. Right font. Right margins. A one to one ratio of transferable and niche skills and quantified results in every bullet point. They were targeting their resume too. But, as I found out, that was it. They barely updated their LinkedIn profile. They weren’t networking at all. And the one interview they had they bombed even though they said it felt like it “went really well”. All of those missteps were keeping them from getting hired quickly.  Avoiding certain missteps can dramatically improve your chances of making a positive impression and landing a job. Here’s a rundown of key mistakes to steer clear of during your job search: One common mistake job seekers make is casting too wide a net. While it might seem counterintuitive, applying…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn what the most important transferrable skill you have is Next you’ll learn 5 skills that PhDs have to offer Finally, you’ll learn that PhDs represent a reservoir of untapped potential for any employer looking to innovate “What’s the most important transferable skill I have as a PhD, Isaiah?” I had a PhD ask me this last week while I was helping them understand what they were doing wrong in their mindset. Most of what they were doing wrong was simply a perspective issue. They were still trying to impress other academics with their resume, LinkedIn profile and overall in the way they communicated their skills. “You do realize the first person to read your resume is a bot and the second person is a hiring manager, likely with an associates or bachelors degree and likely without your niche skills.” “Okay” they said.” “Okay, this means that you need to ask yourself what these gatekeepers care about most. The answer is transferable skills, but which ones. Employers want to hire the safest candidates first, those that will stay for 2 years or more. This is why being a cross-functional…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn how to handle not hearing back from a potential employer Next you’ll learn 5 tips that will help during the period of silence Finally, you’ll learn how to use this as a learning opportunity and how to refine your job search strategies moving forward. When you’re in the middle of a job search as a PhD, few things are as disheartening as the sudden radio silence from a potential employer. You were talking on LinkedIn or by email, or maybe they reached out to you for a conversation, or perhaps you even went through multiple rounds of interviews and sent your thank-you emails—only to be met with an unexpected and unsettling quiet. If you find yourself staring at your inbox with growing anxiety, here’s how you can navigate this challenging scenario with professionalism and poise. The follow-up is your first course of action. Wait for a period of at least one to two weeks after your last point of contact or the timeframe they mentioned for a decision. Then, send a polite email to your point of contact. Keep it concise: reiterate your interest in the position, say…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn that your PhD is valuable, it’s your job search strategy that needs upgrading Next you’ll learn 5 tips that will help you during your job search Finally, you’ll learn that rejection is part of the job search process and beating yourself will only make it worse. Stuck. Ignored. No one wants to read your resume. You almost got hired but then didn’t. Rejected. This is the experience of every PhD searching for a job at one point or another. The key is to not turn failure in your job search into thinking you’re a failure or you’re somehow not valuable. You and your PhD are very valuable, it’s your job search strategy and network that needs upgrading. So today I want to tell you about 5 things we’re training our members on that are working really well for getting unstuck and, in many cases, are resulting in getting hired in a matter of weeks or months. First, you need to try adding 3-8 word headlines to the top of your resume. AI resume filters love these headlines right now. Keep the headline focused on your key skills and…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn that how valuable your PhD really is in the job market Next you’ll learn 9 advantages having a PhD has given you Finally, you’ll learn that by effectively marketing your PhD you can open doors to many opportunities. “Why isn’t your PhD on your resume?” I asked. “That’s crazy!” “Oh, well my friend told me that I should leave off my PhD and list my Masters degree to get hired faster.” “Let me get this straight, I responded, you worked how long and how hard to get your PhD, only to hide it from employers?” “Did you know that multiple reports including those by MassBio show that PhDs get hired more and paid more than those with Masters degrees?” I’ve had this conversation so many times. If your job search requires you to hide your PhD, you have bigger problems than an employer being biased against you because of your degree. Sure, you may have been called overqualified at some point, but that’s just one of 3-4 reasons employers can give you legally for not hiring you. Why would an employer not want someone better than they thought…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn that PhDs are complex problem solvers Next you’ll learn that PhDs thrive in data driven analysis Finally, the meticulous nature of PhD training makes these candidates ideal for a marketplace that is increasingly reliant on the pillars of research and analysis “Why don’t any of these PhDs tell me about how great they are at research and analysis? They all just want to tell me about their publications or some super specific technique I don’t know or really care about, and that a robot is probably doing anyway.” A recruiter for PPD, Pfizer and some other big name companies told me this recently and it immediately made it onto my top 10 list of favorite recruiter quotes. He went on to say “most PhDs don’t know how valuable they are in this area” and then he asked me “why do PhDs limit their research and analysis skills to just their tiny fields?” Great question. I explained it’s because in academia we’re taught to split hairs in terms of our niche specific fields, so much so we lose sight of how powerful and transferable our overall research skills are.…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… Don’t give glib responses like “I work too hard” Tell a story using the STAR method Talk about a weakness you had in the past and how you collaborated with someone and engaged in continuous learning to overcome it I hate candidates who give me b.s. answers when I ask PhDs what their biggest weakness is. I reject them immediately.” I was talking to a talent acquisition specialist friend at a very large biotech company and this is what she responded with. I had started asking her about what questions seem to make the job candidates she interviews the most nervous. “The biggest weakness question by far” she said. I said “really, still?”. I mean, I was surprised. After decades of this question being asked, people still get nervous? “Absolutely, she said, they freeze right up, stumble along.” Most still give lame answers like “working too hard?” and so on. What do you want to hear from these candidates I asked? Something real. Tell me about a weakness you had and how you fixed it or a weakness that you currently have that doesn’t affect your work. Answering the “biggest…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn to try and deflect or vaguely accept a salary offer if the employer becomes pushy Next you’ll use the standard “any reasonable offer will be considered” when first asked for your salary expectations Finally, always bring the conversation back to the value you will add to the company If you tell an employer your salary, stipend or fellowship as a PhD, you’re screwed. I sure was. My second job in industry started with a referral and then a phone screen where the hiring manager immediately asked me “what are your salary expectations?”. I thought I was smart and said “anything reasonable” which is a good first answer but I wasn’t prepared for what came next. Next, the employer said okay, what are you making now? I couldn’t lie because this information was easily searchable, plus the person referring to me knew the ranges at my current company too, so I told them I was making $100,000. “Oh my God!” the manager exclaimed. Really? I felt awkward and almost apologized. Seriously. That’s how I felt. Later I realized this was all a negotiation tactic. Long story short, I sheepishly…

Ready to start your transition into industry? Apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder, Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists here.

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn that AI can find jobs that are the right fit for you Next you’ll learn that AI chatbots and VAs can answer employer questions for you Finally, LinkedIn’s AI allows you to hack your profile to show up higher in the search results on LinkedIn Recruiter Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a powerful tool to enhance your job search and increase your chances of getting hired. But most people I talked to are being dominated by AI. They’re resumes are getting screened out by increasingly stringent AI, their digital footprints are being investigated by AI, and their personality test results and video interview submissions are being rejected within minutes. So today I wanted to talk about how you can start using AI to your advantage. It’s time for you to fight back against AI instead. The first way to do this is by optimizing your resume. Use AI-powered resume builders and optimization tools to create a well-structured, keyword-rich resume that aligns with the job descriptions you’re targeting. These tools can analyze job postings and suggest changes to make your resume more ATS-friendly (Applicant Tracking System) and appealing to…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn that a personal greeting to the interviewer demonstrates your attention to detail Next, show that you’ve done your homework on the company by mentioning something specific about the company culture or values Finally, display authentic enthusiasm for the role and the company We interviewed them and they came across as someone who had the personality of a wet mop. Oof – this is what a hiring manager friend told me after interviewing someone with a doctorate that I knew but never worked with. Tough remarks but the point is valid. If you’re too nervous in the interview to be yourself, or if you’re too self-conscious, or think it’s cool to act like you don’t care, it’s going to hurt you big time. This is especially true in the first 90 seconds of the interview when most employers report making their first impression decision on whether or not to hire a job candidate. Making a strong, magnetic first impression in the first 90 seconds of an in-person interview is crucial in today’s job market. To stand out and leave a memorable impact, start by greeting each interviewer by name…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn the most important aspect of facing rejection is resiliency Next, make sure you’re being your own biggest advocate Finally, organization can provide mental peace My job search broke me Isaiah, I need a break. I made it to the site visit and I just got a rejection. This job was perfect for me. What should I do? I hear this all the time from highly intelligent people with very valuable degrees and it’s heartbreaking every time. Searching for a job can be a challenging and emotionally taxing process, particularly when you face multiple rejections along the way. Maintaining mental strength is crucial for persevering and ultimately landing the right job. Here, I want to explore effective strategies to help you stay mentally strong during your job search, even when faced with rejection. The most important aspect of facing rejection is resiliency. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, and it’s a key trait to cultivate during a job search. Of course, you can only gain resiliency by being rejected. So see every set back as a set up to be stronger moving forward. Understand that rejection…

Ready to start your transition into industry? Apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder, Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists here.

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn you can’t hit a target you don’t set so make sure you start by defining your career goals and the type of job you’re seeking Next, set a goal to apply for a certain number of positions each day or week. 2-3 applications per day is key Finally, follow up – because following up is not stalking; it’s a key transferable skill Are you a recent graduate or someone with a degree actively seeking employment? Landing a job in 30 days or less is a realistic goal with the right strategy and determination. My goal today is to guide you through effective steps to maximize your chances of securing a job quickly. First, get your resume and cover letter done because when you start networking you’ll be asked for them. Your resume and cover letter are your first impressions on potential employers. Tailor them to the specific job you’re applying for, highlighting relevant skills and experiences. Use action verbs and quantify your achievements to grab attention. Proofread carefully to eliminate errors. Second, leverage your alumni network. You have a degree, which means you went to a university. Many…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn how to avoid technical issues by over-preparing Next, you’ll learn that lighting your face is the key to building trust Finally, don’t underestimate the destructive power of a bad background If you can’t manage your internet connection, why should we put you in charge of managing anything else. This was actually said to someone I know when they’re wifi kept dropping and buffering during a video interview. They were at one of the later stage rounds with a very busy executive. Needless to say, they didn’t get the job. Was the executive a jerk about this wifi issue – absolutely? Does it matter in terms of my friend getting hired? Absolutely not. In reality, the message the executive was conveying was right. The way they presented it was not. In today’s job market, video interviews have become the norm, allowing candidates to showcase their skills and personality from the comfort of their own homes. While this format offers convenience, it also presents unique challenges. To help you make a great impression during your next video interview, let’s explore some common video interview mistakes to avoid. First, don’t neglect…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn the difference between a resume headline and resume professional summary Next, you’ll learn tips on writing a resume headline Finally, you’ll learn why having a proper resume headline will help capture the attention of recruiters I had someone write in recently asking me what’s the difference between a resume headline and a resumes’ professional summary. A resume headline, also known as a resume title, is a brief statement – typically 3-8 words that appears at the top of your resume and serves as a concise introduction to your qualifications and career goals. This is different from your professional summary which is more robust and should include 3 bullet points of your biggest career highlights that are relevant to the job you’re applying to. It’s increasingly popular today and can serve as an essential element of your resume because it’s the first thing recruiters and hiring managers see, and it can help grab their attention and make a strong first impression. Even more importantly, if done right, these headlines can help you get through AI resume screeners which are increasingly stringent and want to see a clear match in…

Ready to start your transition into industry? Apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder, Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists here.

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn why you need to remove all dates from your resume Next, you’ll hear multiple examples of interview scenarios where the most qualified person didn’t get the job Finally, you’ll learn that candidates who excel at likability, persuasion, adaptability, relatability, and passion often secure job offers I was having a conversation with someone trying to get their first corporate job. They’ve had 3 different interviews with 3 different employers and every time the employers rejected them. In one case, they had gone to 4 different interviews. I asked what they thought the reason for the rejections were and the person said it was because they didn’t have enough skills. “How do you know?” I asked. Simple, they all gave me this feedback. I see, I said. Do you think they would tell you if they didn’t like you? I’m not sure they responded. If you were off putting or didn’t answer correctly, or came across as too technical or even too arrogant, do you think you would pick up on it? I think so, they said. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Hiring managers can do ten or more interviews…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn why you need to remove all dates from your resume Next, you’ll learn 4 tips on how to simplify your resume to pass AI Finally, you’ll learn that its not what you add to your resume to help you through AI, it’s what you remove I have academics gape at me when I tell them to deprioritize their academic job titles or irrelevant business job titles on their resumes and to remove all dates. They can’t believe it. Look, I tell them, this is called the functional resume and it’s been around for decades. You need a simpler resume than ever before to get through today’s overly stringent Artificial Intelligence (AI) resume screening tools. Remember, these are screening tools meant to screen out as much as possible even if good resumes are screened out. They’re not “selecting” tools looking for the best resumes. So what should you do to get past today’s AI. First, use clear and consistent formatting. Simplify your resume by using a clean, easy-to-read font and maintaining consistent headers, bullet points, and spacing throughout. Avoid complex formatting, such as tables, columns, or excessive use of…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn why people hate during the job search Next, you’ll learn 8 ways to navigate through the hate Finally, you’ll understand how even the small wins will help you reach your goals. I recently had a group of people come out very negatively against me and my methods for helping academics get hired. It was brutal and I was completely unprepared for it. I found out later that they had been planning their takedown for a while and that some people who offered competing services had initiated it all. Still, knowing what happened and why didn’t make it any easier. This is something we’ve all faced before, either while getting our degree and dealing with a troublesome advisor who worked against us, or perhaps a mentor that doubted us and subtly downplayed our ability, or perhaps someone even closer to you like a family or friend who actively worked against you in your career or life. Most often, these challenging times occur during times of change. Haters are attracted to change. It’s the change that they hate. This is particularly true when you’re trying to make a change in…