PhD Transition Report Podcast

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

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn what a ghost job listing is Next, you’ll learn the 5 main reasons why companies use ghost job listings Finally, you’ll learn that ghost job listings aren’t going anywhere and why it’s important to be even more prepared. “I’ve applied to hundreds of job postings” a PhD recently told me. “Using the same resume?” I asked. “No” they replied. “I targeted every resume. I’ve heard nothing back. In some cases I was sent a rejection email within the hour. What’s happening?!” “Ghost job listings.” I replied. They asked me what a ghost job listing is and I explained that ghost job listings are jobs posted by real companies but they’re jobs that these companies have no intention of actually filling. Of course, this PhD wanted to know why and I told them that the answer is painful for job seekers but useful for employers. The practice of posting ghost job listings can serve a variety of strategic and practical purposes for companies, helping them streamline their hiring processes and make informed decisions about their workforce. There are 5 main reasons why companies do this. The first is for…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn about the use of AI in recruitment to help filter out applicants Next, you’ll learn how AI can be discriminatory while filtering out applicants Finally, you’ll learn how why it is important to craft strong resumes in order to get through the applicant tracking systems. “Isaiah, I’ve uploaded hundreds of resumes and have not had a single interview. In some cases, I’ve been rejected immediately – as in the same day. How is this possible? How did they determine I was a bad fit already.” Unfortunately, I hear this all the time now. I also hear this – “Isaiah, I applied to this job last week but they just reposted the same job. What should I do? Apply again?” Welcome to the world of predatory AI. Let’s back up so you can understand the scale of AI use first. The use of AI in recruitment has become extremely commonplace, with 99% of Fortune 500 companies in the U.S. relying on applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter through a large number of applications. Did you catch that? 99%. The only companies who don’t do this are those with very…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn about today’s job market favoring blue collar workers. Next, you’ll learn why it is important to develop business oriented skills. Finally, you’ll learn how to use your degree to stay ahead in the job market. Robert has had 7 final stage interviews for R&D positions and been rejected every time. He has a doctorate and the exact skills these employers were looking for. What’s happening? The skilled, or white collar job market is contracting sharply and shows no signs of expanding again over the next decade. A recent report in Forbes discussed news that UPS drivers can earn up to $170,000 annually and this has sparked controversy and raised concerns among skilled, white-collar professionals. This development has highlighted a shift in the labor market that seems to favor blue-collar workers while causing anxiety among their white-collar counterparts. Traditionally, challenging economic climates have had a more significant impact on the working class and blue-collar workers. However, this time, the situation is different. Wealthy and high-paid white-collar professionals are experiencing what experts are calling a “richcession.” Companies, in response to a potential recession, have become more cautious in their hiring…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn about warning signs indicating its time for a change Next, you’ll learn when it is time to reevaluate your current role Finally, you’ll learn why it is important to begin your job search with defined goals. Watch For These Warning Signs I’ve seen too many PhDs get complacent once they begin their career in industry. Pew Research Center data shows that 63% of people who leave their jobs resign because they feel undervalued, bored, or overworked. Today we’re going to talk about some signs it might be time to evaluate your current position. The first sign is that you’re feeling unmotivated. Getting out of academia and landing your first job in industry was just part of the process, eventually, you’ll move on from that job. Don’t get complacent. Most professionals don’t stay in one position for more than five years, after that, you should be looking into ways to move on and further your career if you’ve reached the end of your potential in your current role. If you’re feeling unmotivated but want to stay in the company or industry you’re in, network internally and see if there’s…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn why how to combat academic stereotypes Next, you’ll learn about the different stereotypes Finally, you’ll learn highlight your transferrable skills during the interview Don’t Be One Of These 5 PhD Stereotypes Indeed recently looked at unconscious bias in hiring practices, and while data is still being compiled for this study, it’s clear that education factors into a hiring manager’s preconceived notions of a candidate. Today we’re going to talk about how you can combat academic stereotypes during your job search. When most people think of PhDs they think of the typical nerd stereotype you see on sitcoms wearing superhero shirts and angrily writing equations on whiteboards. Obviously, the first stereotype PhDs are up against is the “brainiac nerd.” Hiring managers assume potential job applicants with PhDs are introverted, awkward, and have bad communication skills. We all know that guy, so show them you’re not that guy. Highlight sections of your work history that show a lot of collaboration and cooperation between other academic entities or departments. You can also showcase your communication skills by having a concise and clear cover letter and resume. Our next trope is the…

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 how important nonverbal communication is Next, you’ll learn about 3 body language best practices. Finally, you’ll learn why a firm handshake is so important Are You Making These Body Language Mistakes? Something as simple as body language can be easy to dismiss when thinking about preparing for an interview. You may be thinking “I know how to be professional, I get it.” But statistics show that only 35% of communication happens verbally. And, according to a recent BioSpace article, too many applicants are forgetting to focus on their nonverbal communication in important interviews. You put in the hard work to get the interview, now it’s time to focus on how to present yourself. Today I’m going to talk about the three best practices for interview body language. First, pay attention to your posture in relation to the interviewer. Sit with your shoulders straight and relaxed, facing the person you’re speaking with. This position makes you seem open and confident and projects your professional demeanor while putting your interviewer at ease. Slouching or hunching your shoulders and sitting angled away from your interviewer can make you come off…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn why you never want to focus on your weaknesses during an interview Next, you’ll learn why it is important to research a company before the interview. Finally, you’ll learn about the “push” and the “pull” Coming Into An Industry Interview With The Wrong Mindset Can Ruin Your Chances Of Getting Hired. You’ve done everything right – you got the PhD, you may have even worked in academia after, and now you’re ready to leave academia for a job in industry. You started your job search, worked hard, and finally landed the interview… but you’re not done yet. In industry, you will interview with people who don’t know you, don’t know your work, and who don’t know how higher education works. Instead, you’ll be talking to someone who wants to know whether or not you can solve a problem they have while getting along with their current team members in their current culture. As a result, you need to show them your value in a different way than you would in an academic interview. Here, your academic accolades aren’t going to translate into strong reasons why industry employers should…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn why listing your PhD on your resume is not actually holding you back. Next, you’ll learn the key to having your resume break past the ATS. Finally, you’ll learn how to tailor your resume to the specific needs of a company. Should You Leave Your Ph.D. Off Your Resume? As PhDs we’ve all heard the colorful ways people outside of academia ask about our doctorates: “Oh, does PhD stand for ‘pile it higher and deeper’?” “Haha, don’t you know PhD stands for professional hiring deterrent?” Don’t let others devalue your PhD. The truth is the skills you gained during your PhD are very valuable in industry. Unfortunately, many PhDs today think that industry employers don’t want to hire PhDs. They think that their PhD is a red flag on their resume. You’ve probably heard through someone that they got hired by leaving their PhD off their resume and instead, putting their Master’s degree. This is nonsense. Reports from MassBio and others show you’re twice as likely to get hired with a PhD on your resume than a Master’s degree. It’s not your PhD on your resume that’s preventing…

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 employers are using Applicant Tracking System Software Next, you’ll learn 2 things to keep in mind regarding ATS systems Finally, you’ll learn how to tailor your resume to speak to the hiring managers What you should know about the ATS Software. 98 percent. That’s the number of Fortune 500 companies that are now using applicant tracking systems, according to a survey by Jobscan. A Kelly OCG survey estimates that 66% of large companies rely on ATS software, too, and 35% of small organizations also rely on recruitment software. As a job seeker, you know what an applicant tracking system is. Maybe you even know how to get your resume past one, or are actively learning about what that entails. But have you ever wondered why their prevalence is rising? I ask because you must understand how and why employers are using these systems if you want to get hired. Today I’m going to address the 2 things you need to keep in mind about an employer’s perspective as you work to build your resume. First: Does the candidate’s experience match the job title they’re applying to? This…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn why employee retention is top priority for every employer. Next, you’ll learn 3 ways to put an employer’s mind at ease during the interview process. Finally, you’ll learn how to anticipate the employer’s concerns during the interview. Leverage An Employee’s Fears About Retention. If you ask any manager what their number one priority is, they’ll tell you without hesitation: it’s retention. Employee engagement and retention are at the top of every employer’s priority list. Why do employers care so much? Because high turnover is costly. Quantifying exactly how much businesses spend to replace every employee who leaves is a challenge, and estimates can only measure dollars. Experts estimate that anywhere from six to nine months of an existing employee’s salary is lost between productivity, retraining, initial hiring costs, and the expense of hiring and retraining a new employee. There’s also a more abstract cost when talent leaves – they take their institutional knowledge with them. This puts a ceiling on the speed and quality of the work that can be done. Every company wants to attract and keep the best talent. If you can send the message to…

In this week’s episode you'll learn about careers for PhDs who are sick of being stuck in the same place for years. Next, you'll discover specific job titles like Medical Science Liaison and Consultant where travel is common. Finally, you'll learn other aspects of these roles so you can decide if they're right for you.

In this week’s episode you'll learn about careers for PhDs who are sick of being stuck in the same place for years. Next, you'll discover specific job titles like Medical Science Liaison and Consultant where travel is common. Finally, you'll learn other aspects of these roles so you can decide if they're right for you.

In this week’s episode you'll learn about careers for PhDs who are sick of being stuck in the same place for years. Next, you'll discover specific job titles like Medical Science Liaison and Consultant where travel is common. Finally, you'll learn other aspects of these roles so you can decide if they're right for you.

In this week’s episode you'll learn about careers for PhDs who are sick of being stuck in the same place for years. Next, you'll discover specific job titles like Medical Science Liaison and Consultant where travel is common. Finally, you'll learn other aspects of these roles so you can decide if they're right for you.

In this week’s episode you'll learn about careers for PhDs who are sick of being stuck in the same place for years. Next, you'll discover specific job titles like Medical Science Liaison and Consultant where travel is common. Finally, you'll learn other aspects of these roles so you can decide if they're right for you.

In this week’s episode you'll learn about careers for PhDs who are sick of being stuck in the same place for years. Next, you'll discover specific job titles like Medical Science Liaison and Consultant where travel is common. Finally, you'll learn other aspects of these roles so you can decide if they're right for you.

In this week’s episode you'll learn about careers for PhDs who are sick of being stuck in the same place for years. Next, you'll discover specific job titles like Medical Science Liaison and Consultant where travel is common. Finally, you'll learn other aspects of these roles so you can decide if they're right for you.