PhD Transition Report On-Demand

Join Isaiah as he describes the surprising ways industry poses challenges for PhDs first entering industry Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains why you should walk into your first industry position prepared to spend time adjusting to a new environment Next, Isaiah discusses why onboarding is a challenge for many PhDs coming from academia Finally, Isaiah reveals how your academic mindset will hold you back in industry and what to do about it From This Week’s Show…  Why Entering Industry Is Like Traveling To a Foreign Country Like you, a lot of PhDs dream of the greener pastures offered by the industry career. You’ve likely heard colleagues rant about how happy they are in their industry roles – and if we’re honest, the pay raise speaks for itself. But what many don’t recognize is that the transition into industry can be a major shock to the system. It’s like traveling to a foreign country where the language, culture, and food are entirely different from what you’re accustomed to. And so, like traveling to a foreign country, entering the land of industry often requires an adjustment. So today, I want to walk you through some of…

Join Isaiah as he discusses the many ways PhDs can pursue a career that bridges the gap between academia and industry Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah reveals 4 exciting career paths that place you on the bridge between academia and industry Next, Isaiah discusses one particular PhD-level career that facilitates the collaboration between universities and biopharmaFinally, Isaiah explains how the rise in R&D partnerships provide PhDs with many career options From This Week’s Show…  Exciting Career Paths That Bridge The Gap Between Industry And Academia As a PhD, do you feel like you’re at a crossroad, trying to decide whether to continue in academia or pursue a career in industry? Many PhDs find themselves in this position at least once in their career. If you’re hesitant to totally jump the academic ship, you might want to consider a career that bridges the gap between academia and industry. There are 4 types of industry-academic collaborations that PhDs can leverage to find a fulfilling career. One Career That Helps Facilitate Academia-Industry Collaborations The first one involves the licensing of university technologies. In 1980, the Bayh-Dole act was passed which enabled universities to commercialize their research. This opened…

Join Isaiah as he describes the many flavors of visas PhDs can choose from when applying to their first industry job Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah reveals the key to landing an industry job as an international studentNext, Isaiah discusses the many visa options that international PhDs can choose from when applying for jobs in the U.S. Finally, Isaiah explains why sponsorship and visas are not seen as a barrier for employers when they really want to hire you From This Week’s Show…  How International PhDs Can Land An Industry Job Without Sacrificing Their Goals If you’re an international PhD working in the US, getting a job in industry can seem like an impossible feat. Companies often go for the so-called “easy hire” – the hire that doesn’t require navigating immigration law – which leaves many international PhDs at a competitive disadvantage. Getting hired in industry is hard enough without having to worry about hiring biases and visa processes. The paperwork alone can stop even the most determined PhD in their tracks. But as a PhD, you’ve already overcome so many barriers and obstacles – don’t let this final challenge defeat you. For many international…

Join Isaiah as he describes the power of saying ‘no’ to asks that don’t help you reach your career objectives Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains how to reassess your priorities and determine time sinks that don’t help you reach your career objectives Next, Isaiah discusses how establishing accountability can help you learn the art of saying ‘no’Finally, Isaiah reveals the difference between big and small ‘no’s’ – and why you should prioritize the former From This Week’s Show…  To Get Out Of The Academic Grind, Start By Assessing Your Priorities Many PhDs wanting to transition into industry struggle to make time for their industry job search. This results in many PhDs placing their job search on the backburner – for months, if not years – all the while remaining in an academic position that makes them miserable. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a student, TA, seasoned postdoc, faculty member or part of the administration, prioritizing your job search is the only way to get out of the academic grind. At this point you may be thinking, “I already work well into the night, go to the lab or office on weekends, and completely ignore…

Join Isaiah as he explains the way to get hired into industry, even when the job market is in contraction Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains what whispers of a recession mean for your industry job search Next, Isaiah reveals the key to remaining a competitive even when jobs become more scarce: a quality industry resumeFinally, Isaiah discusses the skills that speak volumes to hiring managers and should be included on your resume From This Week’s Show…  Recession Proof Your Job Search, Starting With Your Resume If you’re a PhD and you’re dreaming of a job an industry, but haven’t made the move, you better do it soon – and fast. The job market is shifting, and the whispers about a recession are becoming louder. Getting hired is hard work – during a recession, it’s even harder. So, today, I want to show you how to recession proof your job search, starting with your resume. Why Networking Is Extra Important During A Job Market Contraction Before you start sending your resume out en masse, you have to connect with those that will help you in your job search. And in today’s remote world, everyone is…

Join Isaiah as he covers 4 job search tactics proven to get PhDs hired into industry even during a recession Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains why a fluctuating job market means you need to get hired into industry now Next, Isaiah reveals two key attributes that will impress employers during uncertain timesFinally, Isaiah discusses why you should broaden your industry job search and consider positions that are known to be recession-proof From This Week’s Show…  The Worrisome Impact Of A Fickle Economy On Your Industry Job Search A year ago, the job market was bursting at the seams. In the wake of the Great Resignation, employers were eager to bolster their emaciated post-pandemic workforce and evergreen entrepreneurs were looking for new talent. But now, the job market is shifting once again. Companies are feeling the weight of the fickle economy, and in response, they’re shutting down their hiring efforts. They have a game plan in place and it’s certainly not one that benefits you, the job seeker. That’s why, the time to get hired into industry is now. The key is to shield yourself from the changes that will negatively affect you while also…

Join Isaiah as he describes the top management styles you can expect to encounter in industry (and which ones are successful) Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains why PhDs should know common management styles before walking into an industry interview Next, Isaiah describes three management styles that work in a variety of company environments Finally, Isaiah further reveals two management styles that you can expect to encounter in industry From This Week’s Show…  Why PhDs Should Be Thinking About Their Management Style Before An Interview “What is your management style?” This interview question floors a lot of PhDs because most don’t even know what management styles exist. Yet, management experience is always desirable, no matter the industry job. That’s because, in most industry positions, you’ll be managing projects, people, timelines, and budgets. The problem is, many PhDs don’t put management experience on their resume, or they don’t mention it in interviews, because they don’t think they have any. But this isn’t true. In academia, you likely managed multiple projects, mentored students, balanced research with classwork, and organized meetings. Despite not having the “manager” title, you were doing just that throughout your PhD and beyond. So,…

Join Isaiah as he describes 4 rewarding remote careers that PhDs can pursue all while working from their home office Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah reveals why remote work is here to stay and what benefits PhDs can enjoy while working remotely Next, Isaiah describes two careers in writing/editing and consulting that provides PhDs with challenging and rewarding careers Finally, Isaiah explains that PhDs can also pursue project management and clinical work, all while working in their home office From This Week’s Show…  Why Remote Work Is The New Norm (And Here To Stay) The last few years have changed how we work. For many industry employees, long gone are the days of long commutes, long hours away from home, and on-site distractions. Remote work has become the new norm, and people like it. In fact, 9 out of 10 employees that are currently working remotely at least part of the time say they want to continue with remote work. The numbers also show that remote and hybrid workers are happier and more likely to remain in their jobs longer. So, what kind of happiness-inducing remote careers can PhDs pursue? From Writing To Consulting -…

Join Isaiah as he covers 3 common hard-hitting R&D interview questions PhDs can expect to encounter and how you should answer Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah discusses the reason many employers ask hard-hitting R&D interview questions Next, Isaiah provides 3 questions that PhDs can expect to encounter during their R&D interviews Finally, Isaiah explains what employers are looking for in your answers to these tough questions From This Week’s Show…  The Sly Ways Employers Trip Up PhDs During An R&D Interview Employers know which interview questions trip up PhDs and they want to see how you respond. This is especially true when interviewing for a role in research & development. Today, I’m going to review 3 hard-hitting questions that PhDs are likely to encounter during an R&D interview. Demonstrate That You Know Common Industry Adages The first is “How is your research impacted when you’re put under pressure?” When they ask this, they’re not looking for “pretty good” or “not so great”. They want to know that you don’t see yourself as a student or trainee anymore; that you can handle high stakes pressure. In response, you could say “I deal with pressure by assessing…

Join Isaiah as he covers 3 dynamic and fulfilling career paths that need the skills of an interdisciplinary PhD Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains that interdisciplinary PhDs have more options than they thinkNext, Isaiah describes what interdisciplinary skills companies look for in a quality job candidateFinally, Isaiah covers three career paths that provide exciting and fulfilling positions for interdisciplinary PhDs From This Week’s Show…  Industry Provides Ample Career Options For Interdisciplinary PhDs There’s a widespread belief that job prospects for interdisciplinary PhDs are extremely limited. You can either get a low-paying non-tenure track position as a TA, lecturer, or adjunct position. The idea that no one in industry hires interdisciplinary PhDs is a huge fallacy – they have numerous options in industry, especially today. Companies Aren’t Hiring You For Your Expertise Studies show that nearly 50% of interdisciplinary PhDs believe they have no job prospects after graduation. The problem is, these PhDs don’t consider industry as an option. They also don’t think they can get hired into fields outside of their PhD specialty. But companies want to hire you for your processing and problem solving abilities, not your expertise in Medieval Literature, Business Psychology,…

Join Isaiah as he dissects the three major components of a well-written resume bullet point and how to use this format to highlight your skills Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains how to fill out the work experience section of your resume the right way Next, Isaiah describes the three major components of an impactful resume bullet point Finally, Isaiah emphasizes that you, as a PhD, have the skills and the experience that industry needs From This Week’s Show…  Effective Bullet Points Are A Critical Feature Of A Well-Written Resume To get your resume noticed, it has to be clear, concise, and have a singular message: that you’re the best fit for that job. And the key to this is creating bullet points that pack a punch. First, when writing an industry resume, each work experience section should include 3 to 5 bullet points that demonstrate your skills, experience, and accomplishments. You should craft these statements with intention – again, keeping them clear and concise. All bullet points in your resume must abide by the same structure, each having three critical components. The Essential Components Of An Impactful Resume Bullet Point Each point should start…

Join Isaiah as he explains how the LinkedIn search ranking algorithm works and how you can conquer it to improve your rankings Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah discusses how the algorithm behind the LinkedIn search ranking worksNext, Isaiah explains the key to improving your search ranking is a complete LinkedIn profile and the proper use of keywords Finally, Isaiah demonstrates how long-tail keywords enhance your LinkedIn Profile From This Week’s Show…  The Magic Behind the LinkedIn Search Ranking Algorithm Increasing your search ranking on LinkedIn fast takes more than just sprinkling a few keywords into your LinkedIn profile. You need to have a strategy. And developing an effective strategy starts with understanding how the search algorithm works. Let’s walk through an example. Say an employer has an open position for a data scientist. Like most employers, they will turn to LinkedIn Recruiter (or other social media platforms) to see if they can find a qualified candidate. They do this by sending out search engine crawlers that identify profiles that match their selected keywords: words like “analytics”, “big data”, “modeling”, for example. Although companies may also search based on other parameters such as salary or employment…

Join Isaiah as he discusses how PhDs can enjoy a challenging and rewarding career in management consulting Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah describes what a management consultant does Next, Isaiah explains why management consulting firms seek out PhDs for their top positions Finally, Isaiah reveals how your PhD-level skills align perfectly with what is needed to succeed as a consultant From This Week’s Show…  What Is Management Consulting? If you want to transition into industry, there are many career tracks to choose from: Research and development, clinical science, project management, and sales and marketing. But what many PhDs don’t realize is that their skills and experience also fit into the world of management consulting. Management Consultant sits at number 11 on CNN Money’s Best Jobs in America, and is projected to have a 10-year job growth rate of almost 22%. Why Management Consulting Firms Seek Out PhDs For Their Top Positions Management consultants help businesses improve their performance or assist them in achieving their organizational objectives. Companies come to consultants with a business problem that they need to solve, including a need to reduce annual costs, identify competitors in the marketplace, or improve production efficacy.…

Join Isaiah as he covers job market trends and one key hiring trend that you should know to succeed in your industry job search Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains how applicant tracking systems work and what it means for your job search Next, Isaiah discusses the social media platforms that employers use to spy on job candidates Finally, Isaiah describes the recent hiring trends that you should leverage to stand out among job candidates From This Week’s Show… How Applicant Tracking Systems Work And What This Trend Means For You Today, I’ll discuss 4 trends that we are seeing in the job market – all of them are for the employer’s benefit. The first trend is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven assessments in recruitment tools. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are frequently used by companies and recruiters to perform the initial filtering of job applicants. These systems are limited to basic search principles that rely on keywords. However, ATS systems are now adapting more “intelligent” features such as AI to help them identify qualified candidates. This means that companies are now screening applicants based on a greater number of variables – and…

Join Isaiah as he explores the negotiation tactics that result in a higher starting salary now and more pay for years to come Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains how not negotiating your starting salary can hurt you for years to come Next, Isaiah discusses how to best demonstrate the worth of your skills and experience Finally, Isaiah describes the tactics that get around the so-called industry salary cap From This Week’s Show…  How To Overcome The Discomfort Of Salary Negotiations If you asked any PhD in industry what the most uncomfortable part of their interview process was, I guarantee you most would say the salary negotiation. It makes sense – money is uncomfortable to talk about, no matter the situation. And it’s especially uncomfortable for PhDs. It’s alien territory. You’ve never had to advocate your worth – at least not in terms of monetary compensation. So, when preparing for your interviews, you need to get prepared. Walking into an interview with a negotiation plan will not only calm your nerves, it will also result in a better quality of life for years to come. Why A Failure To Negotiate Your Starting Salary Will Hurt…

Join Isaiah as he explains which academic skills are relevant in industry and how to use industry speak to communicate these skills Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah discusses the many blind spots PhDs have when it comes to their skills Next, Isaiah explains how your experience in academic research – from grant writing, to analysis, to communication – can translate into industry relevant skills Finally, Isaiah emphasizes the importance of communicating these transferable skills in your industry job search From This Week’s Show…  What Is Industry Speak And Why Should You Care About It? In your industry job search, you’ll notice that most job descriptions place a particular emphasis on transferable skills. Things such as communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. These are the skills that transfer to almost any job in industry, hence the term transferable. The key is to communicate these skills using the language of industry, or industry-speak. The Transferable Skills Industry Cares Most About Let’s start with grant writing. While you likely won’t be writing grants in industry, what grant writing demonstrates is your ability to come up with a fundable idea. In industry, this is called a pitch or a…

Join Isaiah as he explains how to get your resume past pesky ATS software filters and into the hands of the hiring manager Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) operate and why so many resumes don’t make it past this first filterNext, Isaiah discusses how simple changes in formatting can help your resume bypass ATS software Finally, Isaiah gives specific examples of keywords all ATS software looks for in a resume From This Week’s Show…  The Reason Why Your Resume Is Getting Rejected Picture this: You find your ideal industry job, and everything lines up. You have all the required skills; their values align with yours; and you even have a company referral. After hitting send, you’re sure it’s only a matter of time before the hiring manager reaches out to schedule an interview. But days later, instead of getting a personalized call, you get an automated rejection email. You think, “How is this possible? I was the perfect match!” Unfortunately, your resume was rejected before anyone looked at it. According to Forbes magazine, 75% of resumes submitted for a job never see human eyes. That’s because most resumes are…

Join Isaiah as he walks through resume-cover letter combinations guaranteed to win over even the pickiest hiring managers Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah discusses how the right resume-cover letter combination can make you an A-list job candidateNext, Isaiah explains the different resume and cover letter formats that effectively communicate your skills and abilities Finally, Isaiah presents different resume-cover letter combinations that are both complimentary and impactful From This Week’s Show…  Well-Tailored Resumes And Cover Letters Make All The Difference As a PhD in the industry job market, your competition is stiff. Nearly 50% of resumes are automatically weeded out by applicant tracking systems software, and for those that remain, only 20% will get an interview. So how do you stand out in the crowd? The answer is a well-tailored resume and cover letter. The Many Forms That Cover Letters And Resumes Take On An effective cover letter demonstrates how your experience translates into the transferable and technical skills relevant for the position. There are two formats you can use: either the standard 3 paragraph business format or the T-format. The business format describes skills in standard paragraph form whereas the T format lists skills in…

Join Isaiah as he reviews key strategies that get PhDs hired into industry, despite not meeting all the job requirements Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah examines how imposter syndrome hurts PhDs in their industry job search Next, Isaiah explains how job descriptions are nothing more than a wish-list – it shouldn’t dissuade you from applying Finally, Isaiah discusses the most effective ways to show employers you’re the perfect candidate for the job, despite lacking certain skills From This Week’s Show…  How Imposter Syndrome Is Sabotaging Your Industry Job Search In your industry job search, what keeps you from applying for a job? For most PhDs, the answer is they lack the skills needed for the job. That’s because PhDs often suffer from imposter syndrome which leaves many feeling that they’ll never live up to industry expectations. In academia, you’re taught to be overly critical of yourself and your abilities. But this type of thinking is not only harmful to your job search, it’s also mentally detrimental. You could bypass the perfect job for you just because you didn’t meet all the job requirements up front. So, today, I’ll walk you through several strategies that will…

Join Isaiah as he explores why industry postdocs are not as great as you may think Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains the reason industry postdocs were developed (and it’s not what you think)Next, Isaiah reveals the shockingly low proportion of industry postdocs that are hired into permanent positionsFinally, Isaiah list the reasons why the industry postdoc actually sabotages your industry career in the long-term From This Week’s Show…  The Unexpected Motives Behind The Industry Postdoc Many PhDs think the only way to get their foot into the industry door is through an industry postdoc. But this just isn’t true. In fact, industry postdocs are a complete scam created only to benefit big companies. They were created to breath new life into Research & Development Departments, not to bolster company recruiting efforts. That means PhDs shouldn’t expect their industry postdoc to end with a job offer. What Proportion Of Industry Postdocs Are Offered Fulltime Positions You’d be surprised at how few postdocs are hired into permanent positions. In fact, studies show that 40% of industry postdocs don’t end up working in industry at all. You heard that right. Four in 10 industry postdocs don’t end…