PhD Transition Report On Demand

Over the past year, we’ve dug into the data of thousands of PhDs that we’ve helped get hired and have created a list of the top 32 sectors.

Many PhDs fall into the trap of emphasizing the length of time they spent on a project to highlight their dedication. While perseverance is admirable, it’s the results that matter most to employers.

By making these adjustments, you can create a more streamlined, focused, and effective resume that stands out into today’s AI driven, TikTok-like rapidly evolving job market

The job market is tough, even for us highly qualified PhDs. And when you couple that with the endless cycle of applications, rejections, and radio silence in your inbox, it's no wonder burnout is rampant

Having a walkaway number ensures you don’t settle for less than you deserve and keeps you grounded during negotiations.

Emphasize these skills on your resume and during interviews to demonstrate your ability to learn quickly and adapt to new technology.

Using reverse AI recruitment software might seem like a time-saving solution. However, it can –and often does – backfire.

In today's episode of Cheeky Scientist News, we discuss an article from the New York Times that breaks down the sluggish job market and why it feels even worse because of how hot the job market used to be. We also talk about how this job market is different from those of the past and how you can use your skills and degrees to get hired anyway.

PhDs know how to ask the right questions, gather relevant data, and interpret findings to inform business strategies.

The first thing that you need to remember when it comes to bullet points is that each one should communicate a clear, concise message: that you are the best fit for the job.

Getting the job is the goal, but most of us don’t think about the hard work of starting a new routine, learning new skills, feeling out of our element.

Hiring managers have a job to do: find the best candidate for their company. Their advice will naturally be biased towards what benefits their organization, not necessarily what benefits you.

In today's Cheeky Scientist News Show, we discuss the not-so-secret push by some major tech companies to make resumes obsolete. We also discuss the AI systems that are helping this happen by making it impossible for employers to tell a "good fit" resume from a "bad fit" resume. But, what's replacing them? We discuss it here.

Your decision to transition to industry is based on your unique skills, aspirations, and the current job market. Trust in your choices and the steps you’re taking.

This kind of interaction, where you ask for something right away with your new connections on LinkedIn can burn bridges fast.

Making a strong, magnetic first impression in the first 90 seconds of an in-person interview is crucial in today’s job market.

In today's Cheeky Scientist News show, Isaiah reviews the recent job search literature including studies in the Harvard Business Review and more on how to show employers that you are the best fit for you the job. Watch today's show to learn how to make the strongest argument possible for the value you can add to an organization.

In academia, everyone is your competition. Whether someone outwardly expresses it or just keeps a silent tally, this kind of environment breeds distrust.

Employers value PhDs because they can independently undertake comprehensive research to overcome learning curves, allowing them to grasp new concepts and systems at a pace that outstrips other candidates.

It’s not what you add to your resume as much as it’s what you subtract from it that will help you get through today’s AI.

Focus on your adaptability, problem-solving skills, communication, collaboration, and of course, perseverance.

In today's Cheeky Scientist News Show, we discuss the not-so-secret push by some major tech companies to make resumes obsolete. We also discuss the AI systems that are helping this happen by making it impossible for employers to tell a "good fit" resume from a "bad fit" resume. But, what's replacing them? We discuss it here.

The most effective path for screening out ghost job listings is to directly reach out to the hiring manager to inquire about the status of the listing.

A professional brand is the way others perceive you in your professional field, and branding is the way you influence how other people see you.

You can use tools like Jobscan to compare your resume with job descriptions and identify missing keywords.

It’s useful to understand the lifecycle of industry hiring – it can help you fine-tune your strategy and be aware of the optimal times to be applying.

Recruiters have maybe three seconds to spend glancing at your profile before they move on to the next one. If they don't see what they’re looking for right away, they won’t see it at all.

In this episode of Cheeky Scientist News, we talk about advancements in ATS resume filters and how they have created a very tight job market. New AI and machine learning powered ATS tools are preventing many job seekers from getting interviews. They have also led to an abundance of ghost job listings.

While it might seem like a good way to signal your availability, the "open to work" banner on LinkedIn can backfire, especially in a down job market like we’re in now.

If you’re getting ghosted after industry interviews, the problem isn't your qualifications, but your interview strategy.

If an employer doesn’t get back to you fairly soon, then it means the interview did not go very well.

Resist the urge to use and reuse the same resume, even if you’re applying for positions that are identical at different companies.

PhDs often struggle to translate their specialized academic experience into general skills applicable in the industry. It's essential to reframe academic achievements into broader skills and knowledge​​.

In this episode of Cheeky Scientist News, Isaiah provides an update on the current contraction in the job market for skilled jobs and why so many PhDs and others with doctorates are struggling to get hired. We review hiring trends, layoffs and specific strategies to apply if you're being seen as overqualified, underqualified, or both.

By employing smart productivity hacks, you can streamline your search and make the most of the time you have.

PhDs have a higher earning potential. A PhD can significantly increase earnings, often by two to three times across various sectors of industry.

You can evade reality, or you can accept this fact and adapt. This means doing the hard work of getting your resume and your LinkedIn profile done correctly.

Whether or not your resume is blacklisted, and whether or not your resume being blacklisted can be shared between employers is a controversial issue.

The best way to avoid learned helplessness is to start seeing seemingly negative feedback as a sign you’re headed in the right direction. You have to rise above your fear, uncertainty, and discomfort.

In this episode of Career Leadership, Donna Serdula and Isaiah Hankel discuss the intersection of age and achievement, emphasizing that life between the ages of 40 and 60 can be a period of peak success and influence. Donna celebrates her recent 50th birthday, sparking a conversation about societal views on aging and the importance of embracing milestones. Together, they explore the significance of showing up, taking calculated risks, and setting high standards for yourself at any age. They share powerful lessons learned from life experiences, such as naming your emotions, embracing failure as a part of growth, and ensuring that what you accept is aligned with what you truly deserve. This episode offers inspiration to continue pushing toward your dreams, regardless of age, and to use life's milestones as opportunities for growth and transformation.

In this episode of Cheeky Scientist News, we talk about how to answer these 2 questions that every employer asks themselves when considering you: Why should we hire you over someone else? Why do you want to work here over anywhere else? If you're not getting responses from employers, it's because you don't have a good sales pitch for these two questions. Isaiah digs into the job search literature on how to create your unique selling proposition to get hired.

People carefully protect the money in their bank account and the time in their calendar, but they do little to protect their attention.

While a resume gap can pose challenges in a job search, it doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker.

The academic system is stuck in its ways, and it resists change. Industry, on the other hand, must keep up with the latest innovations and market trends, so it can’t afford to move at this snail-like pace.

A complex resume filled with every detail of a long and successful career can sometimes overwhelm hiring managers or reinforce stereotypes about overqualification.

By effectively marketing these PhD-specific qualities, you can open doors to a plethora of opportunities in a job market that is starving for hard working candidates who can produce high quality results.

In this inspiring episode of Career Leadership, Donna Serdula and Isaiah Hankel reflect on the life and teachings of John Rulon, author of Giftology, who revolutionized the concept of gifting with his focus on authenticity and thoughtfulness. They discuss the art of giving quality gifts, building meaningful connections, and why authentic effort is more important than quantity in networking. Learn how to enhance your professional relationships by focusing on personalized gestures, LinkedIn recommendations, and even the impact of sending a handwritten note. Donna and Isaiah also share tips on creating your “Dream 100” list to strategically advance your career.

In this episode of Cheeky Scientist News, we explore the hidden job market that PhDs should be tapping into during their job search. We'll also discuss the power of referrals in a PhD-level job search and how you can leverage them with new or existing network connections .

77% of recruiters say they give preference to job candidates that submit a cover letter and over three quarters of decision-makers say they read the cover letter even when it’s optional. In other words, “optional” isn’t an option.

These inactive job listings will only become more and more of a problem and you should be prepared to reach out to companies in person to ensure the jobs you’re interested in actually exist.