How To Transition From Academia To Industry: Your Step-by-Step Strategy

I’ve dug into countless articles, tested what works and what doesn’t, and lived through the uncertainties of transitioning from academia to industry myself.

Here, I’ve summarized the essential information into a step-by-step guide so you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. It’s based on what has worked for me, including some tips I wish I knew earlier.

I know it can feel overwhelming, especially because there are so many unknowns. Not to worry. I’ll walk you through each part of the process, so you have a clear game-plan to go from feeling overwhelmed to landing your first industry job. 

And whenever you need a hand or a refresher, just come back to this article. It’ll be your trusty companion during your transition from academia to industry. 🙂

Now, let’s get you started on your journey!

1. Research roles to transition into from academia to industry

This is the part you’re already an expert in! You may know that you want to leave academia for industry. However, industry is very broad, and there are many roles available for PhDs who are considering transitioning from academia to industry.

Before you can choose a role, you need to know what they are first. One of the easiest ways to start doing this is by searching job titles in job boards. For example, if you’re interested in the role of “field application scientist,” you can enter those keywords into the job board. Read some job descriptions that pop up and see if it is aligned with what you’re interested in.

Alternatively, you can reach out to alumni or friends who are working in industry. Ask about their roles and what their work days are like. It can be as simple as setting up a quick coffee or a video chat to catch up and ask questions. Talking with people who are already working in your field can provide some insider info.

The most important thing to do is to just start this research process and see what’s out there. It may feel daunting, but start by setting aside 15 minutes a day to learn about industry roles or reconnect with friends or alumni. It’s hard to make decisions without information, so start collecting your intel sooner rather than later!

2. Identify what you want to do after transitioning from academia to industry

As a chronically-indecisive person myself – I know this is sometimes easier said than done, especially as it relates to your career after transitioning from academia to industry.

Start by taking what you’ve learned from your searches in Step 1 and filtering it. During your search, you may have already noticed some things that stood out to you. Were there aspects of roles or environments that resonated with you? Make a note of what those are.

For example, one thing to consider is whether or not you want to continue bench work in industry or try a role outside of the lab. Other questions to think about may be where you want to live, or if there are specific causes you want to be involved in.

Identifying what you want will be an iterative process (which is why it’s important to start early!). If you come across more questions as you’re thinking – that’s normal. Don’t hesitate to go back to the research step or reach out to people you know who are working in the field.

Before you spiral – take the pressure off of trying to map out your entire career right now. Our careers will evolve and change over time. That is normal. The point is just to pick a direction that resonates with you right now. There’s always opportunities to pivot later on if you want to.

3. Prepare your resume 

You have an idea of which roles interest you. Now, you will need a resume that’s tailored to industry so that you can transition out of academia. 

Start by crafting a template resume. Think of this as the “original” version of your resume. When you start applying to jobs, you’ll develop different “flavors” of this resume by honing in on specific skills or work experiences that line up best with the job listing.

If you already have a CV, that is a great starting point! You’ll already have an organized list of your research experiences, skills, and accomplishments. If you don’t have a CV or you realize you haven’t updated yours since undergrad (…🙋‍♀️) – not to worry! 

Begin instead with a quick brainstorm. List out your research projects, and jot down the skill sets you used within those projects. List both the technical protocols you’ve mastered and also non-technical skills – like mentoring undergraduate students or collaborating with researchers in other labs. 

When you’re putting your resume together, you’ll find there’s no shortage of resume tips. After sifting through a ton of resumes – both my own and others’ resumes (as an interviewer) – I’ve narrowed down a list of essential resume features specifically for PhDs who want to transition from academia to industry: 

• Limit your resume to 1-2 pages
• Focus on your recent work as a graduate researcher
• List the tangible outcomes from your research/work experience (Did you optimize a protocol that resulted in a significantly shorter turn-around time? Did your data get included in a paper, patent, award, or presentation? These are tangible results!)
• Have a dedicated section that highlights your skills in bullet points. This makes it easy for interviewers to quickly scan your skillsets
• Skip listing each paper you’ve authored; instead summarize by reporting how many you’ve authored in a bullet point (I know this one can feel painful because we love our papers; but trust me – it’s not necessary and will not be a deal-breaker for you.)
• Include the URL to your LinkedIn page in your contact information

Remember: this is your template resume. It’s most effective to tailor your resume for each job application. The best way to do this is to note the key skills required or keywords from the job listing you’re applying for. Then, make sure that your resume emphasizes those most-relevant experiences for that specific job application.

4. Set up your LinkedIn profile

In addition to having a resume, you should make LinkedIn a part of your strategy for transitioning from academia to industry. For your LinkedIn profile, you can borrow bullet points that you’ve crafted for your resume. But here, you can also delve into more details. 

LinkedIn is also structured in a way where you can add different sections to your profile. For instance, LinkedIn profiles have a “Publications” section. Here, you can list your papers individually with links to them. 

One of the benefits of LinkedIn is that you can also incorporate visuals. This is great for showcasing an eye-catching graph or figure from your paper.

For more detailed information on how to set up a strong LinkedIn  presence, check out this article on optimizing your LinkedIn profile.

5. Start your job search early

You already have an idea of what roles you’re interested in. Now, it’s time to look for job openings. The key (again) is to start your job search early. In fact, the job search process can be ongoing even as you’re putting your resume together. 

The reason for starting early is that new jobs do not appear daily. Just because you’re ready to transition from academia to industry next month does not mean there will be a job ready and waiting. It can take time for relevant jobs to pop up. 

As early as you can, start by searching for the specific job titles you’re interested in. You can also add some keywords that are related to your skill set or what you’re interested in. For instance, my background is in diagnostics, so I included “diagnostics” as a keyword to refine my search for scientist roles. 

Remember, new jobs don’t pop up every day. Browsing also doesn’t mean you have to apply right away. But it’s helpful to see what roles are open and start identifying ones that look interesting and that you’d want to apply for.

You can also reach out to alumni and friends during your job search. If you have contacts that are working in industry, let them know you’re looking for opportunities to transition from academia into industry. That way, they can keep an eye out for relevant roles in their networks. 

6. Apply for jobs and network 

There are two main pathways when it comes time to apply for jobs. You can apply directly through the job boards you’ve been searching. As you do your job search, select job listings that are interesting and relevant to you, and send in a copy of your (tailored) resume and cover letter.

Alternatively, if you have a contact in the company you’re applying for, you can ask for an internal referral. If you’re able to get one, this can increase your chances of getting your resume in the hands of a hiring manager for an interview. 

If you know someone at a company you’re applying for, don’t hesitate to ask for a referral. Many companies offer referral bonuses, so it’s a win-win situation. Even though you might feel like you’re bothering them, remember that they have an incentive to refer you.

If you can’t secure an internal referral – don’t panic. Realistically, most grad students will have very limited industry connections. Understandably, it can be challenging to get a referral. 

When I was transitioning from academia to industry, I did not have the benefit of internal referrals either. And I was still able to get my first job without one. But, if you come across the opportunity to start connecting with industry professionals, it’s still worth doing whenever possible. Don’t underestimate the power of your network.

There’s lots more to be said about the application process, but I’ll end with my top two mindset tips I always come back to when I’m thinking about my job applications:

1. Stay open-minded – even if a job description doesn’t exactly match what you envisioned. Sometimes, job descriptions are very vague (and unhelpful). If the role is interesting to you – apply anyway. If you’re a good fit, they’ll likely schedule a call where you can learn more about the role. 

2. Be brave. If the job description interests you, apply for it even if you don’t think you meet 100% of the qualifications. I say this because you don’t know what the hiring manager is looking for, and you don’t know who’s in the candidate pool.  Don’t prematurely reject your own application by not applying. 

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, so don’t take yourself out of the running. 

7. Prepare for the phone interview

Interviews can be stressful, especially when your  transition from academia to industry is on the line. The best thing you can do for yourself is prepare for the commonly asked questions and practice your answers.

If you’re selected as a job candidate, one of the first interviews you’ll get is a phone screen. These phone screens are often conducted by a recruiter at the company. 

At this point, you’ve already impressed them with your resume. The recruiter’s job here is to quickly assess whether it’s worthwhile to bring you in for a full interview. Here, it’s important to nail your response to questions like “tell me about yourself” by tailoring it to the specifics of the position. 

The recruiter will likely not be asking technical questions, but will likely be asking broader questions about you and why you’re specifically interested in their role. Familiarize yourself with the company and be able to articulate why you’re interested in working there.

Sometimes, you may do a phone screen with a technical manager instead. In this case, anticipate some general technical questions relevant to the role. Look back at the job description to get a sense of what technical expertise they’ll be looking for and prepare for questions around that.

Lastly, remember, while you’re being interviewed, this is also an opportunity for you to evaluate the company. 

Prepare questions to ask the interviewers as well. It not only gives the impression that you’re interested in this company and the role, but it is also your chance to find out more about the role itself. Then you can also decide whether it’s a good fit or worth going through additional interviews if offered.

(Stay tuned for a future article that is dedicated to the art of answering and asking interview questions!)

8. Assemble your interview presentation

For PhD-level roles, you will likely be asked to give a presentation during the interview process. This typically happens if you’re invited to the full, in-person interview. You’ll have a 30-45 minute slot to showcase your expertise. This is your chance to talk about your research and why your experience makes you a great fit for the role.

It takes time to put a good presentation together, so – start early. Don’t wait until the last minute. You can even start working on this while waiting to hear back from your job applications. That way, you’re not frantically trying to make slides during the short period of time between your phone interview and the full interview.

For your presentation – begin with an introductory slide about yourself. That way, your interviewers get to know you as a person. This doesn’t need to be your whole life story. For instance, you could give an overview of your academic career so far, or maybe share what you like to do for fun.

For the meat of your presentation, focus on highlighting parts of your research that are technically relevant for the role. Use your thesis presentation if you already have one (or other research presentations) as a starting point.

There’s no need to fit your entire thesis presentation. Just select the portions of your thesis to demonstrate that you have the skillset and background for the role. Focus on key skills and keywords from the job description. 

Remember, this isn’t about inundating your interviewers with data. It’s about telling a compelling story. You want to focus on how you – with your background and existing skills – can be a practical asset to the team.

And, like every good PhD student – anticipate and prepare for technical questions, just like you would for a presentation at a conference.

9. Nail the in-person interview 

If you reach this stage – congratulations!! You’re one of the few final candidates for the role. This in itself is a huge accomplishment and exciting milestone of your journey transitioning from academia to industry.

Because the in-person interview is the final step, you’ll want to prepare thoroughly and make a positive lasting impression. Be prepared to answer both technical and behavioral questions. Just like the phone interview, you’ll want to draft some answers beforehand and practice them.

At this stage, you’ll be interviewing with your potential managers and team members. Don’t hesitate to request your list of interviewers if it’s not given to you. 

Do some detective work on LinkedIn to get insight into your interviewers’ technical backgrounds and their role in the company. This allows you to get a sense of their expertise and anticipate some of the questions they might ask you.

Like I mentioned in the previous section –  the in-person interview is also likely where you’ll be asked to give a presentation. This is the time to showcase why you and your experiences would be a great addition to their team.

As much as I know you’re hoping this is THE role to transition you from academia to industry – don’t forget to evaluate the fit. Remember, this interview isn’t just about whether you’re a good fit for the job: You’re also evaluating whether this job is a good fit for you. 

This is your chance to ask for clarifications about the role and learn more about your potential employer and coworkers. Having some thoughtful questions prepared for your interviewers will give them the opportunity to tell you more of what you want to know so that you can make informed decisions.

10. Waiting well

One of the first tasks you should do after the interview is send thank-you emails to your interviewers. It’s considered good etiquette and is best done on the same day of your interview (or the day after). 

This is a way for you to show appreciation for your interviewers’ time. For instance, you can highlight a memorable piece of the conversation that was unique to each interviewer. This is a great final opportunity to connect with your interviewer and helps to wrap your interview on a positive note as they start writing their evaluations.

And now – take a break. You need it.

The job application and interview process is a marathon. Your in-person interviews are typically multi-hour events. It can be draining even for the most outgoing and social people. 

If you’re like me, you might be tempted to rehash the interview in your head and ruminate over parts that could have gone better. But, remind yourself that you did what you could in the moment, and you’ve given it your all. 

Fretting over it now won’t alter the outcome. So, give your mind a well-deserved break – chill. 🙂  

11. Negotiate your job offer

Nothing quite beats the moment you get the phone call from the hiring manager offering you the job. You’re on the brink of making your transition from academia into industry a reality! This is definitely a celebration-worthy moment – and maybe also one of relief! 

But, before you accept the offer though, let’s talk one last thing: negotiation.

Any compensation package is going to look amazing compared to your grad school stipend. But that doesn’t mean you need to accept it right away.

Instead, do some homework and evaluate your financial situation. First, estimate your expenses (rent in your area, utilities, recurring payments, etc.) and get a sense of your monthly personal financial needs. 

Secondly, find out the average salary for your role or position based on your location. This will help you see where their initial offer sits relative to the average, and how much room you reasonably have to negotiate with.

Now – even if the compensation package is within the expected range for similar roles in your area, you should still ask for more.

A word to my fellow women scientists – I see your mental push-back. Maybe you’re on the fence about asking for more, especially if this offer is already waaay more than what you currently earn.

But, here’s 4 compelling reasons why I remind myself to negotiate, and why you should too (even though it might feel easier not to negotiate): 

1. Companies usually start with the lower end of what they are willing to pay. They are expecting you to negotiate. 
2. It doesn’t hurt to ask. The worst they can do is say no. It’s very unlikely that they will rescind the offer just because you negotiate. They already invested time and resources into selecting you as the final candidate. They’ll want this to work out too.
3. By not negotiating, you risk starting off at a lower salary compared to your colleagues who did negotiate. 
4. Your starting salary sets the stage for future earnings. Annual raises within the company typically hover around 2-3%, so negotiating upfront presents the BEST opportunity to significantly boost your earnings in the long run.

In short: it never hurts to put in the effort up front and set yourself up for future success.

Now that you’ve done your homework, WAIT to get the offer in writing before diving into salary discussions. Whether you’re negotiating via phone or email, approach the conversation confidently and express gratitude for the opportunity extended to you. 

While many say that you can negotiate other parts of compensation apart from salary, I find it best to focus on the base salary. After all, the regular paycheck is what makes the most impact in our day-to-day lives. 

There may be some room to negotiate sign-on bonuses, but keep in mind that they’re one-time payments subject to taxation. Meanwhile, benefits like insurance, 401K match, and paid time-off are often standardized, leaving little room for negotiation.  

That’s why it makes the most sense to channel your efforts into securing the highest starting salary possible to set yourself up for financial success.

If you want to learn more about navigating the negotiation, you can find more detailed negotiation tips here. Good luck!

12. Get ready for a new chapter of your career!

Now that you have an industry job lined up, you’re about to begin a whole new adventure! I’m SO excited for you!!

So – what DOES life look like after you sign the offer letter? 

Honestly, that’s the question I didn’t even know I needed to ask.

One common misconception about transitioning from academia to industry is that this transition is complete after you get the job. In fact, a lot of existing PhD advice focuses solely on landing the job – and then they leave you to figure out the rest on your own. 

The truth is that the transition doesn’t happen overnight. Working in industry is very different from working in academia. And unfortunately, nobody teaches you how to navigate it. It’s why my early years in industry were some of the most isolating and challenging.

I want to change that for you. Your transition is so much more than just getting the job, so support for PhDs shouldn’t end there. My hope is that Elevate PhD will bridge this gap and hold space for the transformation that happens after you start your job. 

And remember, you’re not alone. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own! If you want to get the inside scoop on navigating industry as a PhD, I hope you’ll continue to follow along and join the conversation. I’ll be in your corner every step of the way. 🙂

Figuring out how to transition from academia to industry can be daunting. I’ve been there, so I know how overwhelming and isolating it can feel. That’s why I wrote this step-by-step guide. My hope is that the tips and tricks I’ve gathered here can make the whole process clearer and smoother for you.

By following this guide, you’ll have a game-plan for how to transition from academia to industry. And whenever you need guidance or support along the way, you can always refer back to this article as your trusted companion. So, let’s embark on this journey together and take the first step towards your exciting new career in industry!