Tips for PhDs seeking Jobs in Industy

Recently, I saw an interesting LinkedIn post from a woman who had achieved her PhD and decided to pursue a career in industry. However, it had taken her two years of serious job hunting to achieve her first position. A long trail of comments underneath recounted similar tales of woe.

Having worked in both higher education and the corporate world, I have experienced at first hand some of the barriers facing PhDs and postdocs pursuing positions outside of academia. Therefore, here I outline some of these and suggest some tips to mitigate the challenges and help smooth the process.

1. Experience beats qualifications every time. Having taken the time to study for a PhD, you are already behind your peers in years of work experience. Therefore, you need to find some wherever you can. That can be through internships, volunteering, or even working in the corner shop, but do seek out as much experience as you can, any way you can.

2. In many positions outside of academia, a PhD qualification in itself is not of much value. However, the qualities and skills that you develop by doing a PhD are. Most employers outside of academia do not understand that so you must show them how, in pursuing a PhD, you have demonstrated qualities such as perseverance, collaboration, the ability to respond to feedback and work under pressure, and meet deadlines. If your PhD knowledge is relevant, you need to show the problems that you can solve.These are your marketable attributes, rather than your knowledge of the mating rituals of the greater spotted owl.

3. PhDs have a reputation for being arrogant. Deserved or not, it is your job to show that you are not. You need to demonstrate humility and match the communication style of potential employers and work colleagues. In academia you may be used to interrogating questions and opinions and arguing with colleagues on an intellectual level. Outside of academia this is not the norm. You need to meet people at their level and mirror their style of interaction. You won’t get the job if you make the boss feel less intelligent or less knowledgeable.

4. On a similar note, academia can be perceived poorly in industry. The idea persists that academia is an easy life and academics are lazy and out of touch. Again, it is your job to show that that is not true in your case.

Ultimately, selection for a position is not about choosing the most talented person. It is about choosing the safest bet. You need to convince potential employers that you can do the job, that you can solve their problems. You also need to show that you will be an amenable colleague and fit in with the team. Finally, you need to reassure them that you will not be difficult to manage and will support them rather than outshine them.

If you are finding the transition to industry difficult and would like to talk it over with someone, I offer a free 20-minute diagnostic clarity call which you can book below. I am happy to discuss your situation and see what insights I can offer to help you to move forward.