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There are 3 mistakes that I regularly see PhDs make on their resumes: 1. Overdesigning the look Resumes don't need a lot of flash to be effective. The design should be clear and make it easy to skim through with a visual hierarchy, but it doesn't need lots of color, and graphics definitely aren't necessary. 2. Being too descriptive Employers don't just want to know what you did - they want to know the impact or value you created. Go beyond just stating your skills and your work activities. State why your work mattered. Quantify, if possible. 3. Using a short-form of their academic CV This often comes across as a list of things you did. But it doesn't give a hiring manager a lot to evaluate. We want to know that your expertise isn't just theoretical and that you'll be able to apply your skills on day 1, if we hire you. ?? Repost to help a friend :) ___________________________ Are you a PhD struggling to get job interviews? I've been a hiring manager for 20 years. Check out my Resume Writing Masterclass on my website: www.alma.me/store

I’m going to be honest here….. I had no idea what I was doing. I was a small-town CA farm girl who rode the ?? to school, had a high school graduating class of maybe 100 people, and was the first to go to college in my family. Once I got involved with research as a junior in college, all I wanted was to get into a master's program, then a PhD program - I became obsessed with the learning process and being involved in research. I might as well shoot for the stars! I never thought about what would happen after I graduated with my masters besides getting into a PhD program and doing it - start to finish, 100% in. And same goes for finishing my PhD - what’s next? For years, I imagined what it would be like to dive deep into a subject I was passionate about, to contribute something new to the world, and to push the boundaries of knowledge. But what I didn’t fully realize was that a PhD isn’t just about research or presenting at conferences —it’s about becoming someone new in the process. Of course I had no idea what I was doing - but I was doing it and figuring it out as I went ?? My PhD taught me: ? Resilience – Pushing forward despite setbacks, failed experiments, and endless revisions. ? Adaptability – Learning to navigate uncertainty and pivot when things don’t go as planned. ? Confidence – Owning my expertise with humility and investing my growth mindset over and over again. A PhD starts as a dream, but it quickly becomes a test of who you are and what you’re capable of. And in the end, it’s not just about earning a title—it’s about the transformation that happens along the way ???? For those who have finished, those still in it, or those dreaming of starting—what has the PhD journey meant to you? ——————————————- If you are a PhD, post-doc, or mid-career academic and need some support in your transition, check out our website and see how Alma.Me can help ?? #phd #academia #phdjourney #industry

For the longest time, I thought my PhD meant one thing: a career in the lab. When I realized academia wasn’t the path for me, I assumed my only other option was research-maybe in pharma or biotech. But there was just one problem… I didn’t want to work in a lab at all. That left me with a big question: What else can I do? So, I started exploring. I attended career sessions, connected with people in different fields, and did some deep introspection. What I discovered changed my direction. I realized I wanted to work with people, solve real-world problems, and make an impact beyond the bench. Stepping outside the traditional path was scary, but it was also the best decision I ever made. To anyone feeling stuck: There are more paths than you think. Be curious, explore, and don’t be afraid to pivot ?? P.S. I have a PhD in Medical Sciences, and now I run Alma.Me, a company dedicated to helping early-career researchers find fulfilling careers beyond academia. #phd #academia

Are you struggling to transform your academic CV into a non-academic CV? Many PhDs and Postdocs face challenges in crafting a CV that lands them interviews. As a result, they apply for months without receiving a single callback. They often assume it's because they lack the necessary skills or that their skills aren’t good enough. That’s not true. The key is to reframe your experience and use language that resonates with recruiters and hiring managers. This is your chance to learn how to: ? Transform your multi-page academic CV into a concise, industry-friendly version ? Speak the language of recruiters and hiring managers ? Adapt your CV into a clear and structured format that stands out ? Avoid being screened out due to common, easily avoidable mistakes We’re here to help! Sign up for this FREE CV workshop with me in collaboration with Proteintech Group and Alma.Me, and learn how to create a CV that makes you stand out. #phd #academia

PhDs - Are you a "yes" or a "no"? At one point in my career, I wasn't that great at hiring. I wanted to say "yes" to everyone. I had to learn to start from "no" if I wanted high performers on my team. The candidate has to convince me they're a "yes." If I'm interviewing you, I already have a reasonable belief that you have the technical skills - one tick toward "yes." So, what gets you closer to "yes"? - Displaying strong interpersonal skills - Communicating clearly and succinctly about your skills and experiences without over-relying on keywords or jargon - Showing poise under pressure - Being egoless about successes AND matter-of-fact about failures - Showing a willingness and excitement about growth and learning I can train skills, but these things take a lot of time and effort to train. So, if these are areas you struggle with, take some time, network, practice. ?? Repost to help a friend :) _________________ Are you a PhD trying to get a non-academic job? I've been a hiring manager for 20 years. Check out my website - I can help :)

Having a PhD hurts your salary prospects ? Or does it? Let me explain. PhDs often face mixed messages in the job market: ?? Employers who see your PhD skillset as a valuable asset, offering competitive salaries for specialized expertise ?? ?? Others may perceive it as “overqualification” and offer salaries that don’t reflect years of training and research ?? ?? And some simply aren’t convinced on how a PhD’s skills can translate outside academia ??♀? How you can take control of this narrative ?? Positioning your PhD as a strength ?? Transferable skills like data analysis, project management, and problem-solving are highly sought after—especially in industries outside academia. ?? Know your market value - market your value. ?? Highlight your research – turn expertise into impact. ?? Leverage transferable skills – position yourself beyond academia. How has your PhD impacted your job search and salary negotiations? ?? ——————————————- If you are a PhD, post-doc, or mid-career academic and need some support in your transition, check out our website and see how we can help ?? #PhD #PhDjourney #jobhunting #academia

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Don't start job hunting until your PhD is over. You'll land a job quickly. Sounds nice, but is it true? ??No. Here’s why I didn't wait to job hunt post-PhD: ??HIRING TAKES TIME?– Just as long as it takes for you to apply to x job (20 minutes - hours), many academic and industry jobs have even longer hiring processes, often stretching?months?beyond your initial application submission. So be patient. Be prepared to wait. And wait. ??I NETWORK AUTHENTICIALLY – Building relationships?organically before?you need a job gives you a major advantage; less pressure is conveyed in conversation, which may naturally lead to a more relaxed professional chat. Build that rapport and stay in touch. ? EXPAND YOUR OPTIONS EVEN FURTHER?– Waiting until after your PhD might unknowingly limit your job choices. Starting early gives you time to explore different career paths, gain additional skills, and apply to a wider range of opportunities. You'd be surprised what you unknowingly are limiting yourself to. ???What I recommend: Start job hunting?6-12 months before wrapping up your PhD. Research roles, continue to develop your skillset, build connections, and get your materials organized (i.e., CV, resume, and cover letter templates). Did you job hunt before or after your PhD? ——————————————- If you are a PhD, post-doc, or mid-career academic and need some support in your transition, check out our website and see how we can help ?? #PhD #postPhD #academia #jobhunting #industry

Harsh truths I wish I knew about job-hunting after my PhD ?? 1. Employers won't be knocking at your door, begging you to work for them ? 2. Quality > Quantity when it comes to applying for jobs ?? 3. Nothing's personal - don’t take it as such ??? 4. Ghosting is unfortunately normal ?? 5. Work on how you market yourself over and over again to different audiences - on paper, on video, online, in person ?? 6. Don’t expect a shiny carrot salary right after your PhD ?? What did you wish you knew when you were first job-hunting post-PhD? ——————————————- If you are a PhD, post-doc, or mid-career academic and need some support in your transition, check out our website and see how we can help ?? #PhD #academia #industry

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