Three Strategies to Secure Attractive Job Offers in Industry

Dora Farkas PhD, Thesis and Career Coach

Founder, Finish Your Thesis

www.finishyourthesis.com

• Are actively looking for a job in industry?• You will start to look for a job soon?• Have heard that the market is “more

competitive than ever”?•Want to learn how to set yourself

apart from other candidates?

Are you here because you…

• Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering (MIT)

• PhD in Biological Engineering (MIT)

• Postdoc at Tufts Medical School

• Senior Scientist Pharmaceutical Industry

• Trained Life Coacho Thesis and Career Coaching

A Little Bit About Me…

• Articles on graduate school success and career development• I coached over 200 students and

postdocs• Held workshops at universities• Free e-book “Secrets to Success in

Graduate School”

I Launched My Coaching Practice in 2009 (www.FinishYourThesis.com)

• You cannot rest on you academic laurels to get a job

What I Learned as a Second Year Graduate Student

• Some purposefully don’t put PhD on CV’s• Apply for jobs that only require

Masters• Take their jobs that they are

overqualified for

Is it a Disadvantage to Have a PhD?

This is a mistake!

• You know how to find answers• You are not intimidated by uncertainty• You know how to think independently• You know how to learn from your

mistakes and grow from them• You like challenges, new innovative

projects

As a PhD you are in the top1% of the adult population!

Be Proud that You Have a PhD

• The PhD-level jobs are the best fit for you:o Leadership skillsoResourcefulnessoCreativityoConfidence to voice your own ideaso Independent researcher and thinker

If you have a PhD or are on a path to earning one…

• Not accustomed to the industry mindset• Not familiar with the environment • Not sure how to prepare for

interviews• Not sure what types of questions to

ask•What do employers value about job

candidates?

Challenges of Being an Academic

• You need to …o Familiarize yourself with the industry

mindsetoDevelop a valuable professional networko Structure your job searcho Prepare well for interviews

If You Are Transitioning from Academia to Industry…

• Prepare for your career when you are not looking for a job

• Structure your active job search

• Set yourself apart from other candidates at interviews (phone and in-person)

What you will learn today

• Preparing for your career when you are not looking for a job

• How to structure your active job search

• Setting yourself apart from other candidates at interview (phone and in-person)

What You Will Learn Today

• Everyone is always looking for new opportunities

• Always explore possible career paths

• Continuously expand professional network

• It is never too early to start networking

What is a Passive Job Search?

• Opportunity to learn about career paths

• Learn which skills are marketable

• Network without being desperate for job

• Large network to draw from when you do start your job search

Advantages of Passive Job Searching

• Employers are looking for very specific skill sets

• You need to find the right fit for your skills and personality

• Find out which companies are a good fit

• You do not have to have all qualifications in the job description (50%)

It is Not Enough to be Smart Anymore…

• A PhD-level job search takes 6-12 months• Hiring a PhD level-person takes 3-6

months• Expand your professional network

now• Follow up regularly with important

people

During Passive Job Searching You Are Sowing Seeds

• I don’t have time to network,• I am to shy to network• I don’t know whether I want to go

into academia or industry• I want to wait until I graduate/finish

my project and then network• I feel bad about wasting other

people’s (e.g. professionals) time by since I am just a student/postdoc.

Who Likes Networking?

• Employers are just as desperate to get the right person for an open position, as candidates are to get a job.

Did You Know?

• How to prepare for your career when you are not looking for a job

• Structuring your active job searchoOrganizing your job searchoNetworkingoOnline PresenceoRecruiters

• Preparing for your interview

What You Will Learn Today

• Professional Networking (Conferences)• Networking Events• Online Presence• Recruiters• Online Job ads• Personal Networking (Friends)

• Online tools to organize job search

Tools for a Successful Job Search

Job Searching Can Become a Full-time Job

• Networking events

• Checking online job ads

• Talking with recruiters

• Job searching requires a lot of follow-ups

• Need to keep a record of all companies and positions where you have applied

Job Searching Can Become a Full-time Job

• Excel Spreadsheet o Personal contacts, jobs you applied to, dates

• Jibber Jobber (free version or $10/month)o Find and track jobs oOrganize networking contactso Target specific companieso Library where users share their experiencesowww.jibberjobber.com

How to Structure Your Job Search

• Look through attendee list• Prepare questions in advance• Have a business cards ready

How To Prepare for Networking Events at Conferences

• Talk to presenters after each seminar

• Always show interest in other person

• Learn about their job/company

• Follow-up email within 24 hours

• Hand-written thank you notes

Tips for Successful Networking

How can you add value as a postdoc or student?

• Refer potential job candidates

• Answer technical questions

• Your contacts might reach out to you in the future when they need a job

Networking is a Two-Way Street:Focus on Giving

• Complete Linkedin profileo Publications and honorso Professional discussion groupsoReach out to recruiterso Follow companieso Find contacts at specific companies

• Online presence oHave your own professional website

Strategies to Increase Visibility

•What do you find if you Googled yourself?•What will Facebook show about you?

Have a Professional Online Presence

• Find out what skill sets employers are looking for• Understand what types of companies

would be a good fit for you• How to structure your resume• Recruiters cannot represent you if

you have applied to a company in the last 6-12 month (even if for a different job)

How Do you Work Effectively with Recruiters?

• Find out which skills/expertise are marketable

•What types of positions are available to PhDs

• Learn which companies are hiring

How do you use online job ads?

• Use your Linkedin network to make connections at companies througho Your existing professional contactsoAlumni from your departmentoAny other acquaintances from your

university

Apply to Jobs Through Connections Not Online

Your Professional Network is Your Most Valuable Job Searching Asset

• How to prepare for your career when you are not looking for a job

• Structuring your active job search

• Preparing for your interview

What You Will Learn Today

Your mindset

What is the most important element in your job search?

• You need to convince yourself first that you are qualified for a job

•Why would you want to hire yourself?

•What is the value that you provide to your potential employer?

Why is Your Mindset so Important

• Research companyo Productso ServicesoNews (mergers, expansions, down-

sizing)

• Prepare for typical interview questions• Collect questions that you will ask• Treat a phone interview as an in-

person interview

Preparing For Your Interview

• Some candidates still don’t follow basic rules(e.g. inappropriate jewelry/apparel, lack of enthusiasm)

Getting Ready For Your Interview

Treat every interview as you first choice

• You will get interviewing experience• Gain professional contacts• You might like it when you interview

Best Interviewing Tip I Received

• Do you perform well under pressure ?• Can you communicate

diplomatically?• Are enthusiastic about this position?• Are always looking for professional

growth opportunities?

What Are Employers Looking For When They Interview You?

• Always focus on the job/positiono Tell me about yourselfoWhat are your strengths/weaknesses?oGive me an example of a challenge you

had to overcome?

• Show interest in company/position• Demonstrate that you have

researched position

Preparing for Typical Interview Questions

• The purpose is not to admit your weaknesses • Show how you overcame a weakness• Use example that is not essential for

job

How Do You Answer “What is Your Biggest Weakness?”

• Weak answer: “My weakness is that I am not good at organizing efficient meetings…”

• Better answer: “I sometimes struggle to organize efficient meeting, but I have worked to improve on this by:o Drafting an agenda before every meetingo Sending it to all participantso Following up with a recap and clear action items

so everyone knows what to do moving forward.

Examples:

• Demonstrate that you have:o Visiono Ambitiono Would like to grow professionally

• Show that this position is a logical next step in your long-term career goals• Emphasize that you are looking to grow

and learn continuously in your profession• Ask them what a typical career path looks

like at their company

How Do You Answer: “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

The worst answer is: “I do not have any questions”

“Do You Have Any Questions For Us?”

What employers are looking for:

• Are you interested in this job/company?• Are you looking to add value? • Did you do your due diligence about

this company and their mission?• Do you have the right personality for

this job?

“Do You Have Any Questions For Us?”

• Demonstrate that you have the right personality

• Show that you have qualifications for job 

• It is not a time to relax and have a casual conversation

• Find out if it is right fit for you.

When it is Your Turn to Ask Questions:

• Primary responsibilities• Qualities of successful candidate•What are the prospects for

advancement?• Describe the company’s culture?•What is the company’s management

style?• Are there any additional questions I

can answer for you about my background or qualifications? 

Always Prepare Questions in Advance

Choose Your Questions Carefully

• Salary• Benefits • Telecommuting• Information you can find on the

Internet• Details not related to work (e.g.

where to eat lunch, gym)

Never Ask About…

• You demonstrate you are the perfect person for job

• Opportunity to find out if this is position is the best match for you

• Every interview is an opportunity to practice

When You Ask Questions

• Embrace your qualifications as a Ph.D.o Leadership skillso Technical skills

• Keep growing your professional network

• Find out what skills/personal qualities companies value

Summary

• Milena Lazova• Jasmine Morgan De Cock• Bob Dolan• Laura Anderson (Cheeky Scientist)• Betsey Walsh

Thank you to organizers

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