A Weekend Reflection for PhDs Applying Beyond Academia
Why diving deep into companies and job descriptions is the fastest way to separate yourself from the pack
If you’re a PhD looking for roles outside academia, here’s one uncomfortable truth:
Most applications fail long before a recruiter reads them.
Not because you’re not smart enough.
Not because you’re not accomplished enough.
But because you didn’t truly understand the job.
And hiring managers can tell.
Step 1: Read the job description like a reviewer
When you read a job post, don’t skim it. Dissect it like you would a paper.
Separate:
Must-haves → non-negotiable requirements
Nice-to-haves → differentiators
Language clues → what they repeat is what they care about
Ask yourself:
Do I clearly meet most of the must-haves?
Can I demonstrate this with evidence, not adjectives?
Can I translate my academic experience into their language?
If the job asks for “cross-functional leadership in clinical development,” and your CV says “independent postdoctoral researcher,” there’s a translation gap.
Your job is to close that gap.
Strategic applications beat volume every time.
Step 2: Be a nerd about the company
Here’s where most PhDs underperform.
We’re trained to go deep into a scientific niche, but when applying for jobs, we suddenly go shallow.
Generic cover letters.
Generic motivation statements.
Zero signal that we understand the business.
Let’s make this concrete.
If you’re applying for an oncology precision medicine role at AstraZeneca, don’t just write:
“I am passionate about cancer research and translational science.”
That tells them nothing.
Instead, study:
Their oncology pipeline and focus on biomarker-driven trials
Their strategy around combination therapies
Their investment in precision medicine and patient stratification
How diagnostics integrate into their development model
Look at who leads those programs.
Read recent publications from their teams.
Listen to conference talks from their clinical leaders.
Then reflect that understanding back.
For example:
“My experience designing biomarker strategies for early-phase trials aligns closely with AstraZeneca’s precision medicine approach in oncology, particularly in supporting patient stratification for combination therapies.”
Now you’re not just another applicant.
You’re someone who understands their challenges!
Step 3: Your CV is not a biography; it’s a positioning document
Your CV is not meant to describe everything you’ve ever done.
It’s meant to answer one question:
Why are you the right person for this specific role?
That means:
Reordering bullet points
Reframing academic achievements in business terms
Highlighting cross-functional collaboration
Quantifying impact wherever possible
If they care about regulatory interaction, show regulatory exposure.
If they care about translational strategy, show decision-making impact.
If they care about stakeholder management, don’t hide it in a minor bullet point.
Signal alignment.
Step 4: Quality > Quantity
Many PhDs apply to 150–200 jobs.
It feels productive.
It isn’t.
What actually works:
20–30 highly targeted applications
Each one tailored
Each one was deeply researched
Each one is clearly aligned
It takes more effort, I know!
But it respects your time, your energy, and your expertise.
PhDs are trained to go deep.
To understand systems.
To identify gaps.
To solve complex problems.
Use that training in your job search.
Don’t apply like a desperate candidate.
Apply like a scientist who understands the system.
—
If you’re navigating the transition beyond academia, what’s been the hardest part for you: positioning, confidence, or clarity?
— Matteo