FINDING A NEW CAREER
your reading list
When it comes to starting a job search outside of academia, it can be easy for you to get overwhelmed and struggle to know where to begin.
To help you get started and stay on track, I’ve created a 5-step framework to guide and support your efforts.
For each of these steps, I’ve written detailed articles exploring the activities you need to undertake, and the outputs you need to create. I’ve also written about the whole process of getting started with your job search, for instance, learning about the non-academic job market and adopting the right mindset for changing careers. There are also guest articles by other career experts.
You can work through this reading list according to which step of your job search you’re at, or dip in and out, depending upon where you feel you need support.
My 5-step job search framework:
Getting started (things you need to know first)
Step 1: Identify your transferable skills – knowing what you can do
Step 2: Choose your profession – focusing your job search
Step 3: Get the right experience – proving that you can do it
Step 4: Create your professional brand – communicating your value
Step 5: Tell a great story – shining in interviews
filter articles:
How to tell a great story about your transition out of academia
When you submit your dissertation, a major chapter in your life comes to a close. What an awesome achievement – probably the hardest thing you’ll ever do, and definitely a cause for celebration!
How to introduce yourself to employers outside academia, after your PhD
Question: When an employer asks me why I’m leaving higher education after my PhD, what do I say?
Answer: Introduce yourself as a professional who’s decided to change employment sectors.
How to recognise and overcome the failure story after your PhD
Do you have a PhD, but sometimes feel like a failure? It’s really important that you find the right story to frame your transition out of academia.
Feeling like a failure? 4 strategies for beating the post-PhD blues
You can’t allow feelings of failure to hold you back in your search for jobs outside of academia post-PhD.
A PhD is an achievement, not an activity
‘What do you do?’ is a question we’re often asked when we meet someone new. How do you answer? I’m doing a PhD? I’m a researcher? I’m in academia?