Why Simply Asking for a Job Won’t Work – The Right Way to Network for PhDs

Have you graduated with a PhD, filled with knowledge and expertise, yet feeling lost in the job market outside academia. It's a scenario many PhD graduates face. You feel like you don’t have any employable skills and have no experience searching for a job. Those around you also don’t know how to conduct an effective job search.

?For many graduates their job search strategy is limited to applying to as many job postings as possible whether or not they are even remotely qualified. But did you know that about 85% of jobs are found through networking? This statistic alone highlights the critical role that building connections plays in career success. If you are not networking, then you are missing out on many great job opportunities.

?Getting that first job in industry is a significant leap for PhD graduates. While your academic training has equipped you with valuable skills and knowledge, the professional world outside academia often demands a different set of tools. One of the most powerful job search tools that you probably are not using is networking. Building a robust professional network can reveal critical job search information, insights into what companies need now, open doors, provide support, and pave the way for a successful career transition.

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The Value of Networking

Networking is not just about finding a job; it's about building relationships that can lead to career opportunities, mentorship, and professional growth. Research shows that 85% of jobs are filled through networking, and many of those jobs are never advertised. For PhD graduates, networking can bridge the gap between academic learning experience and industry needs, helping you learn to translate your skills into valuable assets for potential employers.?

Networking is a research tool and research is a PhD super skill although we tend not to apply it to ourselves and our career. ?Networking is about gathering information and insights into the fields and roles you are interested in.

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Networking is NOT About Asking for a Job

Approaching networking with the sole intention of job hunting can backfire and make you seem untrustworthy. Instead, focus on research to gather an understanding of the industry, learning from others' experiences, and identifying where your skills can best be applied.

?An early networking experience brought this home for me. Near the end of a meeting, a hiring manager shared he had lots of time to help, but he would had tossed me out of the office in the first 5 minutes if I had tried to ask him for a job.

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Common Networking Challenges for PhD Graduates

PhD graduates often face unique challenges when it comes to networking. Many PhDs experience imposter syndrome, feeling unqualified or undeserving of success in non-academic environments. The shift from academia to industry can also trigger an identity crisis, as graduates struggle to redefine their professional identity. Additionally, the lack of industry-relevant experience and unfamiliarity with non-academic job markets can make networking seem intimidating.?

Many PhD graduates have privately shared with me that not being able to get a job in academia made them feel like a failure. Trust me, that feeling could not be further from the truth. There are currently so few tenure track jobs available in academia that pursuing them is impractical for the majority (>80%) of PhD graduates.

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Strategies for Effective Networking

Here are 4 ways to get started in networking without having to cold call people you don’t know:?

1. Attend Industry Conferences and Seminars: These events are excellent opportunities to meet professionals in your field, learn about industry trends, and make valuable connections.

2. Join Professional Associations and Online Communities: Becoming a member of professional groups relevant to your field can help you connect with like-minded individuals and access resources and opportunities.

3. Leverage Social Media Platforms like LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a powerful tool for networking. Create a compelling profile, join relevant groups, and actively engage with content to build your network.

4. Participate in Networking Events and Meetups: Local networking events and meetups provide a more informal setting to connect with professionals and potential mentors.

?When networking, always focus on gathering insights and learning about different career paths and industry dynamics. Ask questions about others' experiences, the challenges they face, and the skills that are most valued in their field. Find out their problems and what they need that you can uniquely provide. This approach not only builds trust but also provides you with valuable information that can guide your career search.

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Building and Maintaining Professional Relationships

Networking is not a one-time effort but a continuous process. It is all about building and maintaining relationships with people. Here are some tips to maintain and nurture your professional relationships:?

• Follow Up: After meeting someone new, send a follow-up message to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in staying connected.
• Track Connections: Keep a record of who, when, what you spoke about, and any follow up commitments so that they aren’t forgotten. A spreadsheet (Google Sheets or Excel) is a good start. At some point you will want to step up to a CRM. Less Annoying CRM is an easy to use solution.
• Regular Communication: Keep in touch with your network by sharing relevant information, congratulating them on their achievements, or simply checking in periodically.
• Provide Value: Networking is a two-way street. Offer help, share knowledge, and provide support to your connections whenever possible.
• Practical Empathy: Networking is all about the people you meet and network with, it is not about you. Find out their problems and what they need that your knowledge, skills and experiences can uniquely solve or provide. You are not selling; you are learning.

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Leveraging Academic Connections in Industry

Your academic network can be a valuable resource as you transition to industry roles. Professors, mentors, and fellow alumni can provide introductions, references, and sometimes industry insights. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them for advice and support.

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Conclusion

Networking is a critical activity and component not only for a successful career transition from academia to industry but also for your entire career. By building and nurturing professional relationships, you can identify opportunities before they are advertised, gain valuable insights about what industry really needs, and build relationships that can support your future career growth. Start building your network today and take the first step towards a fulfilling career outside academia.

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What’s Your Experience Been with Networking?

What is the one thing you most want to know about how to network effectively?

Share your tips and stories on networking in the comments below.

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Please connect with me on LinkedIn to continue the conversation and expand your professional network.