PhD Transition Report On-Demand

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 will what the challenges are from transitioning from Academia to Industry You will learn that if a PhD is leveraged correctly it can be a gateway to personal and professional advancement Finally you learn that having a PhD gives opportunities for innovation, making contributions to knowledge, meaningful collaborations, and professional relationships. If PhDs struggle to get hired in industry, then why should they get a PhD in the first place? I had a PhD send me this question recently and wanted to share it because I get asked it a lot. The problem is not that a PhD is not worthwhile, it’s that the academic-publishing complex doesn’t train PhDs on how to leverage their PhDs to get hired into a meaningful career that rewards them for their investment. And to be fair, why would academia or academic publishers want to help PhDs get out of academia? All of higher education and academic publishing is held up on the backs of underpaid PhD labor. Think about it. Have you ever been given a royalty for a paper you published? Nope. You were indoctrinated on the publish or perish culture keeping…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You will uncover the importance of highlighting soft skills, such as work ethic, resilience, and passion for the company’s mission, in addition to technical qualifications You will explore the influence of effectively communicating skills during the job search, focusing on showcasing rigorous training in research and analysis, analytical abilities, time management, and organizational skills Finally you will recognize the importance of a deadline driven work ethic and perseverance gained through the challenges of earning a PhD “I just can’t seem to get hired Isaiah, even for jobs where I have all the skills.” This is something I hear often. But I also hear, “Isaiah, I don’t have all the skills and I don’t have experience, so I’ll never get hired.” Yet, these 2 classes of PhDs continue to get hired in industry every single day, regardless of how their skills match. How is that possible? Well, eventually these PhDs stop obsessing over their skills and start focusing on mastering the job search process and mastering how to communicate other key skills. In particular, when PhDs lean into communicating how productive they are, how strong their work ethic is, how quickly…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You will learn the importance of giving to receive during a job interview You will learn the influence of showcasing endorsements and approvals from previous employers or colleagues Finally you will learn the concept that once someone commits to something small, they are more likely to agree to something bigger. As PhDs, we really hate the idea of selling ourselves. Even watering down the word “selling” to “marketing” ourselves or “persuading” others hurts. But to get hired, that’s exactly what you have to do. This is especially true during the interview process. When it comes to sitting across from another person, by video or in person, the art of persuasion can significantly boost your chances of success. So today I wanted to talk about 5 psychological tricks (they’re not really tricks, more like nuances, but the word trick spices things up a bit). First is the law of reciprocity: you have to give to get. The concept here is simple, people feel obliged to return favors. So how do you apply this? Offer something valuable during your interview, like unique insights or solutions to potential problems the company faces. This…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You will learn that how important transferrable skills and communication are You will learn the importance of optimizing your resume content Finally you will that you must manage your online presence “I have an interview coming up in 3 days Isaiah. It’s by video.” Congratulations, I said. “What are some of the big things I should pay attention to?” They asked. So, I told them how to research the position, how to approach the panel by making each person feel heard and paid attention too, not just the most vocal person, and we talked about some more practical tips like blurring his background or using a different virtual background (his current background showed a very messy bookcase and desk). “My background is good, I’ve used it before. It will be fine.” Okay, sure, I said. Why fight with him? You’re either coachable, or you’re not. Too many PhDs fail to get hired because they’re not coachable. They insist, without any openness or humility, that they’re not getting hired because they lack the skills, not because they’re coming across as unlikable, or naive to the social norms of industry. I see…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You will learn that that employers are looking for PhDs that can adapt quickly and learn autonomously. You will learn 5 reasons why PhDs learn faster then anyone Finally you will that having these skills make PhDs valuable candidates in the professional world I often get asked what is the number one skill that I think PhDs have and every time I’m quickly able to respond with “learning how to learn”. PhDs learn faster and more autonomously than any group of people in the world. In fact, they’re doctors of learning because they’re doctors of philosophy and philosophy is knowledge and the ability to ascertain knowledge. In today’s rapidly changing job market, employers are constantly on the lookout for candidates who can adapt quickly and learn autonomously. PhDs are at the top of this desired pool, and it’s not just because of their specialized knowledge or research skills. Here are five reasons why PhDs learn faster and better, making them prime candidates for employers who prioritize quick and independent learning. 1. Advanced Research Skills. PhDs are trained to dive deep into complex subjects, dissect large volumes of information, and distill…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You will learn that you will need to move fast when transitioning into an industry position You will learn why speed is a factor in your job search Finally you will learn some action steps you should implement now Every week I talk to dozens of PhDs personally, at least, and one of the most common things I hear from them is that they want to take their time to consider all their options in industry. This is understandable but “taking your time” in academia is far different than taking your time in industry. In industry, things move much faster. And your career and other people’s perception of it, from an industry standpoint, can change rapidly. In short, time matters and most often, you need to push yourself to get hired faster. There are many compelling reasons to expedite the job search process. The first is to maintain relevance. In industry, sectors evolve rapidly, and skills can become rusty or outdated if you’re not in a role that allows you to use them regularly. A quick job search and reentry into the workforce help ensure that your skills and knowledge…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You will discover the crucial role of technical preparedness You will uncover the link between professionalism and presentation Finally you will recognize the key role of nonverbal communication I was at a networking event several months ago and this PhD who didn’t know me came up and introduced themselves and then asked me where I worked. I told them and then they told me they never heard of it. Fair. But then they said, “can you get me a job at your company?”. Wait, what? I politely told them to share their resume and then asked what they wanted to do. “I’m pretty desperate at this point, I’ll do anything.” Oh my God. Then they went on to tell me that no one is responding to their resumes or giving them a chance. I hate being in situations like this because what do I say – hey, I mentor PhDs on job searching, let me tell you everything you’re doing wrong. Nope. That is surely worse. So I gently guide the conversation constructively and help in any way I can. Don’t worry though, the story has a happy ending. I…

Join us as we talk about… In this week’s episode… You’ll learn that technical preparedness is crucial Next you’ll learn why professionalism extends to presentation Finally, you’ll learn that nonverbal communication is key 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 your technical setup. Technical issues can be a major…

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.