PhD Transition Report On-Demand

Join Isaiah as he explores the finer points of Google’s hiring process, and explains how to get PhDs hired at Google as Data Scientists Here is a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah covers Google’s distinct hiring criteria Next, he examines Google’s hiring process in detail, including the how and why of it all, as well as their technical screening process and what to expect And finally, Isaiah walks Data Scientists through what to do for their in-person interview From This Week’s Show… The Ultimate Google Interview Guide for Data Scientists If you’re an aspiring data scientist, chances are you’ve dreamt of working at Google – or have at least entertained the idea. But what does a data scientist do at Google and what does the interview process look like?  First, Google makes a distinction between data science and their machine learning and product analyst roles. A Data Scientist position is primarily an analytics role focused on metrics and experimentation. Machine learning and product analyst roles are focused more on the engineering and the product side of things. While a PhD isn’t required for data scientist positions, they do reserve their top positions for PhD in the sciences.…

Join Isaiah as he explores why a PhD gives you an edge on the competition as well as a hurdle to scale in your industry job search. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah confirms what you’ve already realized – a PhD candidate can and does face certain stigmas in the industry job market Next, he shares three effective ways you can buck this stereotype in your job search strategy Finally, Isaiah reminds you that you must translate your technical skills and accomplishments in the lab into industry language if you want to impress hiring managers From This Week’s Show… A PhD Does Not Automatically Guarantee You’ll Land a Great Job After Graduation I really thought a PhD was my golden ticket to the good life.  That everything would fall into place –  people would be lining up to offer me a job, I would immediately start making serious bank, and my life would be on the fast track to success.  Boy, was I wrong.  I had no idea I was up against a stereotype that made me simultaneously underqualified and overqualified – or as some say, overspecialized.  While this stereotype isn’t as prevalent now as it…

Join Isaiah as he walks PhDs through the 5 common mistakes they make on LinkedIn that leave their messages on read Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains that there’s a right and a wrong way to connect with networking contacts Next, he walks us through five common mistakes that PhDs make in their messages to networking contacts Finally, Isaiah wraps up the finer points of finessing your messages to ensure you’re making a productive connection with your network contacts From This Week’s Show… There Are Five Common Mistakes PhDs Make In Their Messages On LinkedIn Are you sending messages on LinkedIn yet getting zero responses?  You see the little check mark indicating they’ve read it, yet nothing happens.  I know the pain of this experience. “Maybe they’re just busy,”  you think. “Eventually they will get around to replying.”  Don’t assume this.  Chances are, there’s something wrong with your approach.  There are five common mistakes PhDs make when messaging people on LinkedIn. First, they don’t know anyone.  Sure, connecting with people will increase the size of your network, but a bloated network full of strangers isn’t effective – and it’s certainly not going to help you…

Join Isaiah as he discusses five things you can do to make the most of your starting package and score awesome employee benefits Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah breaks down the real value of benefits for PhDs, explaining that they can make up 30% of your total compensation package Next, he breaks down five things PhDs need to keep in mind as they negotiate their benefits with a new employer Finally, Isaiah reminds PhDs to get their final offer in writing, and not to sign a job offer without being sure all of their benefits are expressed in an official offer letter From This Week’s Show… Negotiating Your Benefits Is Just As Important As Your Base Salary You’ve gone through the interview process, and you’ve been offered an industry position. That’s great news! Now it’s time to negotiate your compensation package.  At this stage, many PhDs remain narrowly focused on the one and only thing they think matters: their base salary.  But to get the best possible compensation, you must look beyond the basics. Your compensation package consists of much more than just your take-home pay.  In fact, your benefits account for more than 30%…

Join Isaiah as he shares less common job search strategies that are sure to cut your unemployment time in half Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah touches on the frustration of feeling like you’re running around in circles with your current job search strategy Next, he breaks down four habits that PhDs can adopt to reinvigorate their job search Finally, Isaiah reminds PhDs that you want to work smarter, not harder, in your job search From This Week’s Show… Finding Time To Really Focus On Your Job Search Makes A Big Difference When searching for a job, it can seem like you’re always running behind. You’re trying to update your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and follow up with old contacts – all at the same time. And all the time you’re wondering when, if ever, the calls and emails will start coming in. The truth is, if you don’t know where you’re going and you don’t have a plan of attack, you’re going to spend a lot of energy going nowhere fast. You can, however, cut your job search time in half if you follow the right strategies. Try These Four Job Search Strategies For…

Join Isaiah as he covers network etiquette for PhDs and breaks down the simplest scripts that make it easy to reconnect with dormant connections. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah points out that most PhDs know what a professional network is, but the details of how to maintain one are hazy Next, Isaiah breaks downs three reasons PhDs may want to keep in touch with a connection Finally, Isaiah shares several simple networking scripts that make it easy to reactivate your connections on LinkedIn From This Week’s Show… There’s A Right Way And A Wrong Way To Network Most PhDs recognize the important role networking plays in their industry job search. But what many fail to understand is that there’s a right way and a wrong way to network. And sadly, the wrong way is what we’re taught in academia. I’m not saying that academic tactics don’t work – I’m just saying they don’t work in industry. For one, academia teaches us that to get hired you must impress employers with your experience and accomplishments. And sure, having the right skills is certainly important. The problem is that this approach focuses on the wrong person. To…

Join Isaiah as he explores some career options for PhDs who are interested in working as a Data Scientist but don’t have a coding background Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah confirms that PhDs have the skills to become Data Scientists, even if they’re new to coding Next, he breaks down five rewarding Data Scientist careers perfect for PhDs of any discipline Finally, Isaiah reaffirms that Data Scientists are in high demand and that you already have the skills you need to thrive in one of these roles From This Week’s Show… Data Scientists Are In High Demand – With Or Without A Background In Coding Data Science is a vast field that can offer PhDs a variety of challenging and fulfilling careers.  If you love working with large datasets, analyzing results, or communicating complex results to people from diverse backgrounds, then there’s definitely room for you in Data Science.  Many PhDs assume you need coding experience to even consider a Data Science position. That’s not true.  Four Careers For A Data Scientist PhD The first is a Data Science Strategy Consultant. Many non-tech companies find navigating the data-driven world a challenge. Most don’t even understand…

Join Isaiah as he discusses why job offers can be fleeting and explores five reasons companies can rescind them Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains that job offers are rescinded more often than PhDs may think Next, he explores five of the most common reasons job offers are revoked Finally, Isaiah reminds PhDs that intention and commitment are what’s going to get you hired, not catering to your fear or indulging in overwhelm From This Week’s Show… Job Offers Are Just That – Offers. Even If You Accept One, Nothing Is Set In Stone Job rescissions occur more often than you think.  And sadly, in today’s volatile economy, this practice has become even more commonplace.  Companies are tightening their budgets – a response to rising inflation and talk of an impending recession – and sometimes these pullbacks happen overnight.  Many of the recent layoffs and recissions occurred at fast-growing tech companies.  If you’re a PhD looking to transition into tech, biotech, or biopharma, be aware of this bad company habit.  The reasons behind a recission may have nothing to do with you – but also realize that your actions during the interview process may also…

Join Isaiah as he reviews four habits that PhDs can apply to their job search that will guarantee callbacks and interviews Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah takes a look at principle-centered problem-solving and explains the place it has in your job search habits Next, he shares four different strategies that PhDs can use to make their job search feel more manageable Finally, Isaiah reminds PhDs that sticking to their new routine is just as important as starting it From This Week’s Show… Good Habits Are What Lands PhDs A Job In Industry – Not Short Bursts Of Energy Ever hear of the book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”? In case you haven’t, it lays out a principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems. It was a bestseller when it was first published in 1990, and to this day, continues to be a go-to guide for business professionals. That’s because principle-centered approaches work. Not only for businesses but also for individuals, such as yourself. And when it comes to your industry career, an effective job search is the place to start. If you’re struggling in your industry job search – not getting callbacks,…

Join Isaiah as he explains what career-oriented PhDs do so well and the role that inaction plays in sabotaging your job search Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah asks PhDs to consider some of their attitudes and habits – and how those affect their job search Next, he examines four ways that career-oriented PhDs can create career-directed habits Finally, Isaiah reminds PhDs that intention and commitment are what’s going to get you hired, not catering to your fear or indulging in overwhelm From This Week’s Show… Career-Oriented PhDs Are Successful Because They’ve Developed Superior Habits To Reach Their Goals What adjectives come to mind when you hear the term career-oriented?  Driven? Determined? Ambitious? Even cut-throat?  Sure, these can be attributes of a career-oriented person.  But how about intentional, focused, and dedicated?  A career-oriented person is someone who has a definitive goal for their career, and they have a plan for achieving that goal.  Being career-oriented doesn’t just mean you’re willing to do whatever it takes to make it to the top.  It doesn’t mean you are aggressive or domineering.  It means that you work with intention.  Career-oriented PhDs are those that set out to advance their…

Join Isaiah as he breaks down three characteristics PhDs should consider about the companies they’re targeting in their job search. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah takes a look at the importance of company fit in the job search and hiring process Next, he shares three elements of a company that impact what it’s like to work there – and what that means for job seekers like you Finally, Isaiah closes by explaining why it’s so important to consider your compatibility with the companies you’re targeting in your job search From This Week’s Show… Company Fit Is An Important Part Of The Job Search Process – One That’s Frequently Overlooked If you’re searching for your first industry job, chances are, you’re focused on crafting the perfect resume, nailing your interviews, and getting paid. But have you stopped to consider company fit? Many PhDs overlook this very important factor. That’s because many PhDs wait too long to start their job search and end up searching for one in desperation mode as a result. The problem is that, when you’re desperate, it’s hard to assess critical factors in your job search like company fit, because you’re in an…

Join Isaiah as he shares four rejection coping mechanisms that will keep your PhD job search moving forward – despite disappointment. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah addresses the frustration of rejection and explains why it can be particularly hard for PhDs Next, he breaks down the four coping mechanisms that successful PhDs use to mitigate the fallout of a missed opportunity Finally, Isaiah closes by explaining that video interview etiquette can outweigh a candidate’s qualifications From This Week’s Show… Every PhD Deals With Rejection In Their Job Search Searching for a job is stressful. There’s no way around it. It’s time-consuming, it’s grueling, and it often comes with rejection. Failure is woven into the fabric of even the best-executed job search. And while failure is hard on anyone, it’s particularly demoralizing to PhDs. Sure, you’ve spent years doing nothing more than mastering the art of failure –failed research methods, dead-end projects, rejected papers. But for many PhDs, being rejected for a job feels different. It feels way more personal. For many, their self-worth lies solely in the hands of the success (or failure) of an employer saying “yes” to them. If you feel this on…

Join Isaiah as he explores 3 clinical research positions for PhDs that don’t require any clinical experience or previous industry experience Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains why clinical careers are booming – and why that growth is expected to continue Next, he looks at 3 clinical careers that don’t require any previous industry or a clinical setting Finally, Isaiah explains why these clinical pathways are a great entry point for a high-paying and rewarding career trajectory From This Week’s Show… PhDs Are In High Demand For Clinical Careers Clinical research is booming, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to stop growing anytime soon. Much of this is thanks to recent scientific advancements and changes in the FDA approval process.  We now have more drugs than ever entering the market. For PhDs wanting a career in clinical research, this is really good news. Why? With increased drug production comes more clinical trials, which means more jobs.  As clinical trials become more complex, there will be even more demand for highly educated and highly trained individuals such as yourself.  The key is, contrary to popular belief in the halls of academia, you do not need…

Join Isaiah as he discusses the challenges of pre-recorded video interviews and explains how you can ace your next one Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah introduces PhDs to pre-recorded interviews, an emerging trend in recruiting process Next, he covers what kind of questions you can expect to be asked in a pre-recorded interview Finally, Isaiah breaks down some of the major hurdles PhDs face when it comes to making a good impression on a pre-recorded interview From This Week’s Show… PhDs Are Seeing An Uptick In The Number Of Pre-Recorded Video Interviews Employers Are Asking For If you haven’t already encountered a pre-recorded video interview in your industry job search, just wait – you will.  Pre-recorded video interviews are gaining in popularity, so chances are, you’re going to have to do one.  So, start preparing now.  If you go into this kind of video interview unprepared, even though it’s pre-recorded, it’s going to be painfully obvious.  There Are Things You Need To Be Aware Of Before Your Next Pre-Recorded Video Interview The most important thing to realize is that you can’t just stop and start over if you mess up.  You only get one chance…

Join Isaiah as he covers what it takes to execute a successful video interview and shares tips for impressing potential employers virtually Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah takes a look at the growing prevalence of video interviews in the post-pandemic job market Next, he gives 3 tips to avoid the biggest mistakes PhDs make during their virtual interview Finally, Isaiah closes by explaining that video interview etiquette can outweigh a candidate’s qualifications From This Week’s Show… Many PhDs Go Into Their Video Interview Completely Unprepared The last few years have forced companies to change how they conduct interviews.  Video interviews are now standard. In fact, a recent report showed that 60% of HR managers report having used or are currently using video interviews in their hiring process.  That’s because they’re faster, more efficient, and can often be more telling than a paper resume or audio-only phone call.  From a company’s standpoint, video interviews strike the perfect balance between utility and efficiency.  The problem is, for many PhDs, video interviews are more nerve-wracking than interviewing in person.  It’s weird seeing your own gestures and expressions while you talk; its uncomfortable hearing your own voice; it’s challenging…

Join Isaiah as he breaks down negotiation tactics that PhDs can use to get the salary they deserve. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains that PhDs need to advocate for the salary they’ve earned Next, he shares 3 interview tactics from expert FBI negotiator and author Chris Voss Finally, Isaiah gives several examples that PhDs can use in their next salary negotiation From This Week’s Show… As A PhD, You’re Not Going To Inherently Get Paid What They’re Worth. You Need To Advocate For Yourself Studies show that over 50% of the general public take the first salary they’re offered.  PhDs are no exception.  In fact, PhDs are some of the least likely people to negotiate their starting salary.  That’s because, as a PhD, you’re never taught to express your value and you’re used to taking whatever you can get from academia.  So today, I’m here to remind you: As a PhD, you have an incredible set of skills, and you should be compensated appropriately.  Failing to understand your worth not only hurts your starting salary, but it can also damage your earning potential for years to come.  So, how does even the most reluctant…

Join Isaiah as he explains how to get to know your professional brand as a PhD – and how to sell it to employers. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah takes a look at professional brands and explains why they can be hard for PhDs to embrace Next, he shines a light on things you’re doing right now that other people already recognize as your professional brand Finally, Isaiah shares ways to mold your brand into something that reflects both your strengths and your goals From This Week’s Show… A Professional Brand Helps You Differentiate Yourself From Other Candidates Every day, we’re inundated with brands.  Social media shows us targeted ads for brand-name clothing, electronics, appliances, study materials – the list is endless. Whether you like it or not, brand name ads are here to stay – because they work.  The good news is that you can use these same tactics to sell your own professional brand to employers.  Many PhDs hate the idea of selling themselves.  They think selling themselves – their brand – means they’re selling out.  Academia teaches you that thinking outside of the collective “we” to focus on the “I” – what…

Join Isaiah as he explores a common networking issue PhDs face, and then breaks down how to troubleshoot it. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah takes a look at why networking slumps are common among PhDs Next, he explains why 99 out of 100 networking problems can be traced back to having this kind of connection Finally, Isaiah shares the best way to untangle your networking web and start seeing results from your professional network From This Week’s Show… Networking Can Feel Like A Full-Time Job, And Having Nothing To Show For Your Efforts Can Be Hard Does the time and energy you spend on networking seem pointless?  You’re connecting with people in your field, even turning your basic connections into meaningful professional relationships, but still, there you sit – jobless and hopeless?  If so, you’re in a networking slump.  Networking slumps are common among PhDs.  To figure out why your network isn’t paying off, start with a basic diagnostic.  Take a high-level look at your network structure. What shape do you see? Do you see an array of nodes closely linked by a redundant web of interconnecting lines – one that resembles a ball of…

Join Isaiah as he breaks down economic concepts PhDs need to be familiar with in industry and how to communicate this knowledge to employers. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains why an understanding of finance and economic principles is important in industry – and why many PhDs don’t have a strong grasp on these principles Next, he breaks down four economic concepts that industry employers expect applicants to have knowledge of Finally, Isaiah discusses ways that you can translate your academic experience with budgets and managing money into industry experience From This Week’s Show… As A PhD, You’re At A Disadvantage In Your Industry Job Search If You Can’t Demonstrate That You Understand Economic Principles Studies show that most people are never taught to manage money. They have no formal training on how to save or budget – in school or otherwise.  And sadly, for many, this knowledge gap persists into adulthood.  But understanding economics is invaluable when it comes to succeeding in industry.  You need to understand the role that economics play in the day-to-day of a company to get hired into industry.  Whether you’re applying to an R&D role, MSL role, Technical Sales…

Join Isaiah as he explains the STAR Method and how you can learn to use it to impress employers during an interview. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah breaks down why knowing how to answer questions, not memorizing specific answers or situations, is the key to impressing employers during an interview Next, he discusses the specifics of the STAR Method, a technique designed to ace behavioral interview questions Finally, Isaiah shares a few concrete examples that highlight the methodology in action From This Week’s Show… The STAR Methodology Can Guide You Through The Answer To Tough Interview Questions As a PhD, you have a diverse portfolio of skills and experience – things that look great on a resume. The question is, are you able to speak to these skills and experiences – out loud, and in an engaging way? Like anything, the key to interviewing well is to understand the right methodology behind it. When it comes to the right methodology for interviewing, use the STAR method. It stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Let’s start with S – situation. This is where you provide context. Say you’re asked, “What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced,…