If you’re near the end of your doctoral journey, you’re likely exploring job opportunities after PhD. You’re probably wondering about how to chart your career and thinking about whether you should stay in academia or shift to an industry job after PhD. This is where PhD job fairs play a critical role for post-PhD job seekers. Career and job fairs allow PhD students and even postdocs to uncover new jobs for PhD holders, meet potential funders and peers, and build a researcher network. With a string of PhD job fairs around the corner, we share practical strategies that can help you maximize your time at these academic events and ensure you land some great job opportunities after PhD.
Finding a job after PhD: Strategies to maximize your time at a PhD job fair
1. Be prepared: Pre-register for the event and look up the list of attending companies that is normally made available before the event. Define your objective in terms of job opportunities after PhD and focus on companies that could offer you a job after PhD instead of wasting time on those that do not interest you. Once you’ve got a shortlist, be sure to research potential employers to assess if they’re a good fit for you. Knowing what a company does, its mission and values, available job opportunities after PhD and what if you meet the required qualifications, and perhaps even the name of recruiters attending the event will help you connect better and make a good impression.
Pro tip: Don’t simply eliminate good companies because they aren’t a perfect fit or require candidates outside your field; meet the recruiter and see if there are any job opportunities after PhD in your particular career field.
2. Develop a strong elevator pitch: Such events often allow for only short interactions so if you want to make the most of job opportunities after PhD you must have a well-prepared pitch that will stay on in a recruiter’s mind well after you have left. So if you’re keen on finding a job after PhD, work on a solid 60-second speech that covers your education, top work experience, career goals, and what you can bring to the company. Keep it informative and persuasive; it’s best to practice your pitch in advance so you avoid rambling and are able to speak about yourself confidently on the day.
Pro tip: Recruiters often ask, “Why do you want to work for our company?” so be ready to talk in depth about your work, unique skills, and chosen field of research in a way that makes you stand out among others vying for the same job opportunities after PhD.
3. Carry copies of an updated resume. While most companies ask you to share your resumes online, there will be instances where a recruiter may request you for a hard copy of your resume, so be sure to have this handy. When crafting professional resumes for various job opportunities after PhD, include a broad objective and focus on your experience, skills, and achievements. Ensure your resume is not wordy or peppered with too much unnecessary personal information.
Pro tip: If you’re looking for a good job opportunities after PhD, don’t just leave your resume on a recruiter’s table and walk off without any interaction or it’s likely to never be seriously considered.
4. Maximize impact by being organized. You’ll likely spend a lot of time at these PhD job fairs, so make sure you start by arriving early; this will give you enough time to make the rounds of all potential employers and connect with future collaborators, adding to your researcher network. Make notes about meetings, conversations with recruiters and peers, top to-dos and takeaways that could help you understand how to find a job after PhD. This will help you keep track of who you met and craft more meaning post-event communication for jobs that require a PhD.
Pro tip: Avoid carrying large bags that weigh you down; keep it simple with just a notebook, pens, water and 1-2 snacks to keep your energy up as you browse relevant job opportunities after PhD. Also, rest when you can so you don’t look tired or uninterested when you meet a potential employer.
5. Be proactive and network effectively. Such events are not only meant to showcase job opportunities for PhDs, but also to allow for networking so don’t hesitate to approach people and introduce yourself. Avoid meandering across the event with a group of friends but have an agenda in mind. Walk with purpose, start conversations with a smile, show interest in the other person and ask relevant questions on jobs for PhDs when interacting with employers. Being able to network and socialize helps recruiters see how enthusiastic, professional and motivated you are in finding a job after PhD. Another chance to network is to sign up for a seminar or workshop during the event, which helps you learn about job opportunities after PhD and lets you meet like-minded people. Finally, don’t forget to exchange contact details so you can connect after the event.
Pro tip: To avoid any awkwardness, prepare some conversation starters that will give you a better chance at networking effectively and possibly securing one of top job opportunities after PhD. Keep a watch on your body language and the non-verbal signs you may be sending to ensure you make a good impression.
6. Have the right look and attitude.How you look and act can determine how seriously you are taken. View your short interactions with recruiters as mini-interviews for post-PhD jobs. So dress to impress; opt for smart, professional clothes and comfortable shoes, avoiding flashy colors, heavy make-up, and big jewellery. When seeking job opportunities after PhD, remember to be patient, pleasant and polite, don’t barge into conversations or overstay your welcome. Also be careful not to express negativity about your institution, mentors, or jobs, but keep the focus on learning more about the hiring process of the company you are vying for.
Pro tip: Depending on the number of attendees, you may be able to secure time for an actual interview during the event but it’s not the norm. Don’t expect to be hired on the spot as well-sought companies often get a lot of applications for limited jobs that require a PhD.
7. Follow-up on opportunities. Last but not the least, remember to ask potential recruiters for their business cards. This allows you to follow-up on jobs for PhD holders, ideally within a week of the event (don’t act too soon or wait too long). The recommended protocol is to send a brief thank you note to the recruiter you spoke to, mentioning something from your talk that they’re likely to remember, and reiterating your interest in open job opportunities after PhD.
Pro tip:Don’t underestimate the value of social media channels such as LinkedIn when it comes to creating long-term contacts. Connecting with prospective employers online will also give you visibility on future job opportunities after PhD.
Attending a career or PhD job fair is not as nerve-wracking as you may think. Keep in mind these seven tips as you prepare and you’re likely to rack up some good job opportunities after PhD. Don’t let anxiety or the fear of messing up impact your performance; if you do misstep, just breathe, smile, and carry on. Good luck with your job search!
