PhD Transition Report On-Demand

Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode:

Many PhDs also fail their phone screens because they think it’s their time to show off. It’s not.

Phone screens are typically done by HR – they don’t care about your expertise in X-ray crystallography or nuclear magnetic resonance.

First, do your research on the company. What market are they in? Who are their competitors? How big is the company?

You also need to understand the company’s mission and values. This information can be found on their company website.

HR does not have the technical background that you do which means you won’t be asked to prove your technical know-how during this stage. All they’re concerned with is whether you’re a good fit for the company.

When preparing answers, always keep the job description in mind. You need to demonstrate that your skills and experience align with those included in the job posting.

There’s nothing more disruptive than a barrage of uninvited noise.

Also, make sure you have adequate reception. The flow of a conversation can be easily derailed by a bad connection.

Make sure you speak clearly and listen carefully.

This may seem obvious, but you wouldn’t believe how many PhDs mumble, talk too fast, talk over interviewers, or are just plain rude and inattentive.

When answering questions, keep your responses succinct. You don’t want to ramble on or repeat yourself.

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** for the full podcast, check out the audio player above.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

The post 6 Ingenious Tactics For Dominating Your Next Phone Screen appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode…

I want to take you back to 2014. 

I know – that was forever ago. But I want to take you back there because that’s the year Cheeky Scientist was born. 

And after 9 years, I thought it’d be a fun to look back and see how the job market has changed for PhDs.

Back in 2014, Cheeky Scientist had less than 30 members. Now, we’re 10,000 strong and counting. 

This growth is partly due to organic expansion, but it’s also a reflection of what’s happening in academia. 

To start, there are way more PhDs now. According to the National Science Foundation, in 2008, a little over 45,000 PhDs were awarded in the US. 

In 2020, that number rose to almost 60,000. 

The second major difference between 2008 and now is that people are leaving academia in droves.

Some of this mass exodus is forced while a lot of it is voluntary. 

Undergrad enrollment is down 20% which means that universities’ revenue is also down 20%. 

When that happens, guess who gets the axe? The highly paid tenured professors, of course.

So, professors are getting pushed out en masse. Meanwhile, PhD students and recent grads are seeing the writing on the wall – there’s zero future for them in academia. 

Now, why should any of this matter to you? I’ll give you 2 reasons. 

First, the bad news. Compared with 2008, you have way more competition. 

An increase of 15,000 more PhDs awarded per year over 8 years doesn’t seem like a lot, but that’s still 15,000 more people with the same level of education as you that are also looking for a job, just like you. 

If you’re in a STEM field, this competition is even more palpable. 

Now, for the good news. 

PhDs aren’t so obscure in industry as they were before. 

Back in 2008, PhDs were unicorns. There may have been one here or there, but for the most part, PhDs stayed in the confines of their ivory tour. 

And for those in industry, most were in R&D positions. Because that’s all industry thought PhDs were capable of – research. 

But now, with so many more PhDs jumping the academic ship, PhDs are not the special unicorns they once were.

 And how is this good, you ask? 

It’s good for you because industry employers are now beginning to see the value that PhDs bring to the table. 

Before, PhDs were seen as overspecialized nerds that knew way too much about esoteric topics that no one cares about. 

…

** for the full podcast, check out the audio player above.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

The post Employers Aren’t Expert Researchers. They Can’t Find You. appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

Here is a quick rundown of this week’s episode…

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.

Ultimately, what they’re looking for is someone that has good problem-solving skills and a solid background in statistics.

Also, when researching the company, really dig deep. Sure, everyone knows about Google, but do you really know Google?

What they stand for, what products they offer, which ones are in the pipeline, what the company’s vision is. Many of the interview questions are situational and involve their products.

They want to hear from you about how you would personally improve or test them.  Interviewing at Google is no different than anywhere else – be personable, be professional, and be prepared.

This takes us to the end of today’s Transition Report. As always, remember your value as a PhD and start thinking and acting like a successful industry professional.   

** for the full podcast, check out the audio player above.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

The post The Ultimate Interview Guide For Data Scientists appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode…

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 was back then, it still persists in certain corners of industry. 

So, during your industry job search, expect to come across a few skeptics and haters.

To prove you have the skills and experience they need, ditch the academic speak. 

For one, industry doesn’t understand publications. 

If your bullet points consist of something like “published 10 papers, presented 8 posters, or presented 6 times” – guess what? No one cares. 

What they do care about are the skills that you obtained from said experience. One trick I like to use is to ask, “which means.” 

You’ve published a lot of papers… which means what? 

It means that you’re an experienced writer and communicator… which means what? 

Which means that you’ve honed your skills in technical writing… which means what? 

Which means that you’ve been able to publish 10 papers. 

The end result is: “A strong communicator with expertise in technical writing resulting in 10 publications.”

Now you’re speaking their language. 

You also want to make sure that you incorporate the keywords included in the job description. 

These are the words that automated resume filtering systems use to parse resumes and the words that hiring managers want to see. 

Second, build skills outside of your PhD. 

I’m not saying to put in hours and hours into learning a skill that you think will impress employers. 

Find something that you’re passionate about – then it won’t feel like work. 

Say you like writing – start a blog or contribute to an already existing blog that covers topics you enjoy. 

Even writing thoughtful posts on LinkedIn counts. 

When you seek out opportunities outside of your PhD, you not only show potential employers that you’re eager to learn, but you also develop skills that industry appreciates and comprehends. 

Everyone knows what a blog is – writing blogs puts your writing abilities in a relatable context.

…

** for the full podcast, check out the audio player above.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

The post Does PhD Stand for Problematic Hiring Detriment? appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode…

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 in your job search. 

People won’t help those they don’t know or care about. And why should they? 

To make connections that’ll help you in your job search, find the people they do care about. 

Look to see if you have any shared connections. If you don’t have shared connections, create them. 

It may sound tedious, but consider the phrase “six degrees of separation.” 

This is the theory that any person in the world is connected to any other person by no more than five intermediary connections. 

Think about it – if you’re only five people away from every other person on this planet, how many intermediary connections exist between you and someone in a related field? 

Once a mutual connection is established, ask for an introduction. 

At the very least, ask your shared connection for permission to use their name when reaching out. 

Second, they don’t say why they’re connecting. Many PhDs think they need to start slow. 

They send off a, “Hi! We both know so-and-so. I’d love to connect!” 

Why should they respond to this? Why should they bother with a dead-end conversation?

On the other end, many PhDs will immediately ask for help. 

They write something like, “I like your job and your company. Can you help me get a job?” 

Again, why should they bother? They barely know you and you’re already way too needy. 

The third common mistake is not showing you care about them. 

To get people to respond, your message should answer the question, “What’s in it for them?” 

If your message doesn’t immediately provide value, it’s going to be ignored. This doesn’t mean you have to provide anything tangible, like money or help. 

Value can be something as simple as appreciating their time, complimenting them on a recent accomplishment, or asking for their advice. 

Look at their profile. Have they recently published a paper? Received special recognition at work? Recently got a promotion? 

This small and seemingly meaningless action elevates their credibility. 

And that’s exactly what you need to do to show you care. 

The fourth mistake is writing too much. 

A LinkedIn message isn’t your thesis. Keep it short – no more than 50 words. 

Don’t make them wade through a word salad to find the point of your message.

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This takes us to the end of today’s Transition Report. As always, remember your value as a PhD and start thinking and acting like a successful industry professional.  

** for the full podcast, check out the audio player above.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

The post LinkedIn Messages Being Ignored? Stop Doing These 5 Things  appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode…

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% of your overall compensation. To get a top-notch starting package, follow these 5 guidelines. 

First, don’t be afraid to ask. Many PhDs hate the negotiation process so much they skip it altogether. But agreeing to the first numbers laid out is doing a huge disservice to yourself and your career. Studies show that people are afraid to ask for more because they fear being rejected. 

Negotiating forces us to associate a number with our self-worth – something that’s particularly painful for PhDs. But as a PhD, you deserve more than the basics. Remind yourself that companies expect you to negotiate.

 It’s all part of the process. 

Second, think outside the paycheck box. Just as you can negotiate for a higher starting salary, you can also negotiate for better benefits. Benefits aren’t written in stone. To know what’s worth negotiating for, think about what’s important to you. 

Do you have a family and need comprehensive health insurance? Flexible hours? Hybrid and/or remote options?

 Will you be moving and need your relocation expenses covered? Anything from vacation time, signing bonuses, and early reviews…to stock options, sick days, and parental leave…it’s all on the table. 

Third, negotiate for a better title. Titles may seem superficial to you, but for some people, titles matter.

Imagine five years from now you’re applying to another position. The hiring manager has two resumes in hand – one is yours and the other is of someone with comparable experience.

The only difference is that the other person has the word “senior” in front of their title and yours doesn’t.

 Who are they going to assume has more experience?

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This takes us to the end of today’s Transition Report. As always, remember your value as a PhD and start thinking and acting like a successful industry professional.  

** for the full podcast, check out the audio player above.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

The post Beyond Base Salary: Leverage Your Worth To Get Superb Benefits appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode…

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.

For one, make your job search your number one priority.

There are two major parts to an effective job search strategy – setting aside time and eliminating distractions.

Our mental energy is time-dependent and finite.

To create an effective job search strategy, you should set aside not just time, but the correct time.

Set aside time at the beginning of the day when you’re the most mentally sharp.

Find a quiet spot at home, go to the library – anywhere that doesn’t have distractions.

Second, focus on companies, not on job titles.

Many PhDs make the mistake of searching for jobs based on very narrow job title criteria.

They know, for instance, they want to be a research scientist and that is literally the only keyword they use to find jobs online.

Don’t do this.

It constrains your options, and you may end up overlooking some really interesting and rewarding positions.

Instead, focus on what companies you want to work for.

You may be thinking, “Well how the heck am I supposed to know who I want to work for?!”

The same way you discover what job title you want: research.

There’s a lot of company information floating around the internet.

Use this to your advantage. Once you’ve narrowed down your list of companies – let’s say down to four or six – then you can start looking for open positions at those companies – or even just the types of positions that are offered at the company.

This strategy will not only allow you to focus more on what’s important, but it will also save you a lot of time.

Third, readjust your thresholds.

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This takes us to the end of today’s Transition Report. As always, remember your value as a PhD and start thinking and acting like a successful industry professional.  

** for the full podcast, check out the audio player above.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

The post 4 Lesser-Known Industry Job Search Hacks appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode…

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 get people to connect with you and to willingly have a conversation with you, you must establish and continue to foster a professional relationship with them.

Now, what if there’s someone in your network you want to reach out to, but it’s been forever since you’ve spoken? I’ll give you a script you can use to reawaken that connection. 

Say you met someone at an in-person networking event. How would you continue that conversation online weeks later, or even months later?

Simply start by being personable. You never want to greet them formally. Abandon the Dear so-and-so and the formal titles. You want them to see you as a colleague, not as an inferior. And you definitely don’t want them to see you as a student.

In the first sentence, thank them for their time. If you connected on a particular topic, mention it in the first part of your message. This will trigger their memory – it will also spark their interest.

For example, you could say “Thank you for taking the time to speak with me during the event last week (or month). I really enjoyed hearing about XYZ. Your thoughts on ABC were also very thought-provoking and I would love to discuss them further with you.”

Connecting with them on a personal level keeps the rapport going and provides you with an opportunity to ask about meeting in the future.

Bottom line is, you should always be working towards an informational interview. It’s the only way to learn about their company, their job, and ultimately, get a referral.

To get there, elevate their credibility. The best way to elevate someone’s credibility is to ask for their advice. For example, you could say “I’m interested in learning more about your experience in position A and value your advice. Would you be available for a brief chat to talk about your experience?”

See how I casually asked if they had time for a low-pressure meetup or phone call? You can also offer a few specific dates and timeframes to make the choice even easier. In the end, you want to make saying “yes” as easy as possible.

…

This takes us to the end of today’s Transition Report. As always, remember your value as a PhD and start thinking and acting like a successful industry professional.   

** for the full podcast, check out the audio player above.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

The post Reawaken Your Current Network With This One Simple Script appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode…

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. 

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 why they need Data Science or what benefits a data-driven business can offer. 

Data Science Strategy Consultants are uniquely positioned to help companies answer their data-related questions and set up their long-term data strategy. 

Implementing a data science strategy is more than just building up business capabilities – it’s also about shifting the company culture. 

How can you get people on board with changes in operation? How can you train people on new technologies and practices? 

Strategy Consultants are there to offer support throughout the whole transition. 

A successful strategist knows the ins and outs of various data science solutions and has good business acumen. 

Next, we have the Technical Writer.

At some point, everyone has looked to a manual for guidance on a tech tool or platform. These are written by Technical Writers. 

Tech Writers take complex information regarding proprietary software and create comprehensive user manuals. 

Tech Writers work closely with developers, users, and marketing. They must understand the software from end to end – from the science behind the software to its practical application to the psychology and behavior of the end user.

 In this position, you must think and act like a data scientist, but you don’t need to know how to code.

…

** for the full podcast, check out the audio player above.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

The post Data Scientist Positions That Don’t Need A Coding Wizard appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode…

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 cause a recission – even after you’ve signed the dotted line. 

So, what are some reasons a company would rescind a job offer? 

I’ll give you five reasons. 

The most obvious is that you failed the background check. 

Background checks come with a hefty price tag, and companies often wait until after they’ve made an offer to perform them. 

If you don’t make it past this first step, chances are slim that the company will move forward with your candidacy. 

Another reason for a rescinded job offer is you fail to respond by their deadline. 

Say a company wants an answer in three days, but you know that three days isn’t enough time. Don’t just ignore their request! All you need to do is simply ask for more time. 

Hiring managers understand that this is a big decision. They’re also not naïve to the fact that candidates are interviewing elsewhere. 

If you need more time, just be upfront about it. One effective way to frame your situation is to say, “I appreciate your offer! As you know, I’m currently in late-stage interviews with a few more companies. I can see myself working here but I would like to weigh all my options. I want to make the best decision – both for me and the company. Would it be okay if I gave you my answer next week?” 

Most hiring managers will understand – so long as you continue to be professional and show your enthusiasm for the position. Do, however, be respectful of their time. 

Stalling on a decision is not only disrespectful but it also signals that you’re not interested. 

A third reason you could have a job rescinded is you make a major blunder during your interview.

The most common mistake that would-be employees make is mistaking company social interactions for casual hangouts.

Remember, you’re being interviewed throughout the entire hiring process.

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** for the full podcast, check out the audio player above.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

The post 5 Surprising Reasons Companies Rescind Job Offers appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.