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PhD Transition Report On-Demand

Hosted By

Isaiah Hankel
Isaiah Hankel
Chief Executive Officer Cheeky Scientist

The premier podcast by industry PhDs. With thousands of monthly listeners, the Cheeky Scientist Radio podcast is dedicated to helping PhDs transition into their first or next industry position. Every episode provides leading edge insights on how PhDs can avoid career failure and job search rejections, and instead attract hiring managers and recruiters to get hired into top industry jobs. Recent shows cover industry resumes, LinkedIn profiles, creating a job search strategy, identifying surging career tracks and avoiding dead end career tracks, successfully preparing for and passing phone screens, video interviews and site visits, and much more. This show features top industry PhDs in 50+ different industry positions. Subscribe now and listen.

Episodes

Body Language Best Practices

Friday September 29, 2023

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…

Interview Coming Up - You Better Do Your Research

Wednesday September 27, 2023

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…

Should You Leave Your Ph.D. off your Resume?

Monday September 25, 2023

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…

ChatGPT Prompts & Skills Are Giving Job Seekers An Advantage

Sunday September 24, 2023

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.

Why Today's ATS Software Hates Your Resume

Friday September 22, 2023

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…

Leverage An Employee's Fears About Retention In Your Job Search

Wednesday September 20, 2023

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…

5 Game-Changing Resume Strategies

Monday September 18, 2023

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.

Don’t Be That PhD At Networking Events

Friday September 15, 2023

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.

3 Attention-Grabbing Resume-Cover Letter Combinations

Wednesday September 13, 2023

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.

Try These 5 Networking Strategies Like Yesterday

Monday September 11, 2023

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.

3 Toxic Academic Habits That Hold You Back In Industry

Friday September 8, 2023

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.

Make an unforgettable impression at your new job

Wednesday September 6, 2023

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.

3 careers for PhDs who love to travel

Monday September 4, 2023

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.

Reframe Your Academic Skills As Industry Accomplishments

Thursday August 31, 2023

Slay The Applicant Tracking System With These Killer Tech Tips

Slay The Applicant Tracking System With These Killer Tech Tips

Wednesday August 30, 2023

Slay The Applicant Tracking System With These Killer Tech Tips

3 Resume Trends You Can’t Ignore This Year

Friday August 25, 2023

Join Isaiah as he reviews three of the most important resume trends that have emerged in this year’s job market In this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains that every year has its own unique trends, and this year is in a definite cycle of contraction Next, he breaks down three of the top resume trends that PhDs are leveraging to land industry roles Finally, Isaiah gives a few examples PhDs can use to demonstrate their understanding of these trends Resume Trends Can’t Be Ignored In A Job Market As Unpredictable As This One The job market this year is in a definite cycle of contraction.  You can see evidence that this is true every time you flip on the news or scroll past headlines online.  Companies are responding to the Great Resignation and bracing against a recession by investing more in finding the perfect candidates. Namely, ones who are going to stick around and who actually want to work for their specific company.  There are three trends that I want to talk to you about today. You truly cannot ignore these if you want to attract employers.  A Market-Driven Resume Demonstrates An Understanding Of Global Business Concerns The first is…

Add These 5 Irresistible Transferable Skills To Your Resume Right Now

Friday August 4, 2023

Join Isaiah for a look at five sought-after skills that every PhD should add to their resume ASAP In this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains that it’s transferable skills, not technical ones, that employers are giving priority in today’s job market Next, he takes a look at five important skills that employers report are in high demand Finally, Isaiah points out examples from academia that PhDs can use to demonstrate their mastery of these important skills Transferable Skills Are An Excellent Predictor Of Company Fit And Long-Term Success You might think that the skills you’ve been developing in graduate school are the ones that employers care about most.  But you might be surprised to learn that it’s your transferable skills that employers are going to ask you to speak to during your interview.  Transferable skills are sometimes referred to as soft skills or adaptable skills.  They encompass all the things you’ve learned in graduate school and behind the bench that aren’t situation-specific.  These are all the abilities that you can use from industry to industry and company to company. They are an asset no matter what career path you choose.  Many PhDs make the mistake of filling their resume with…

Stuck On An Interview Question? The STAR Method Is Your Salvation

Wednesday August 2, 2023

Join Isaiah as he introduces PhDs to the STAR Method, a foolproof formula that helps answer the toughest interview questions In this week’s episode… First, Isaiah introduces PhDs to the STAR Method, an acronym that stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result Next, he breaks down what employers want to hear in each part of your STAR Method-guided answer Finally, Isaiah reminds PhDs that interviewing is a skill that should be practiced and perfected The STAR Method Provides Guidelines For Answering Open-Ended Interview Questions There are too many moving parts in your job search to trust that, when the time comes, you’ll just innately know what to say.  And yet I talk to PhDs every day who tell me that their plan is to have no plan. To just wing it. Some things just do not come naturally to people.  When it comes to PhDs especially, finding a way to take credit for your accomplishments and to do it succinctly, in a way others can digest, is a challenge.  That’s why I recommend that, long before you even have an interview on the books, you start practicing how to answer behavioral questions using the STAR method.  Start Every Answer By…

Here Are 5 Examples Of A Post That Adds Value On LinkedIn

Monday July 31, 2023

Join Isaiah as he breaks down five different types of posts PhDs can create on LinkedIn that add value to their network In this week’s episode… First, Isaiah reminds PhDs that LinkedIn is designed to facilitate professional communication and connection Next, he shares five kinds of posts that drive engagement and add value on LinkedIn Finally, Isaiah breaks down the specific benefits of each kind of engagement Start Splashing In The LinkedIn Pool By Posting Strategically There are more than 900 million users on LinkedIn, and each and every one of them – including you – get on the site for two reasons:  One: to improve themselves or their career. They go looking for content, resources, or professional support.  Two: to create, curate and share content in order to be more visible and relevant to companies, clients, and potential business partners.  The platform was designed to drive engagement between users.  Sharing and posting content on LinkedIn shows your connections and potential employers your aspirations, interests, and unique value.  Today we’ll talk about five engagement-driving posts you can create and discuss what value they offer.  Text-Only Posts Are A Quick, Easy Way To Gain Visibility The first is simple: text-only posts. …

Employers Are Testing You If They Ask About These Four Business Terms

Friday July 28, 2023

Join Isaiah for a crash course on business terms that industry employers expect PhDs to know In this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains that it’s important to have a basic understanding of business terms if you’re transitioning from academia to industry Next, he explores four common business terms that PhDs will be expected to know and understand Finally, Isaiah suggests a few practical ways PhDs can demonstrate their knowledge of business concepts in their industry interview process PhDs Need To Demonstrate An Understanding Of Foundational Business Concepts As a PhD, you need to have some knowledge of business concepts in order to be successful in industry.  You need to understand how your work at the bench translates to a company’s bottom line. Research – even academic research – is done in a market setting.  It has to achieve results and be profitable.  The reason many academic labs struggle is that they are badly managed businesses.  If you want to get hired in a PhD-level position in industry, you need to understand how businesses work and how your knowledge brings value to the companies you’re targeting.  That means that it’s important to have, at the very least, a basic understanding of…