How to Figure Out the Next Step in Your Job SearchTake this quiz to find out the 3 steps you should take next in your job search... even if you're not sure what job you want or what your career options are!You're in the DISCOVERY stage!Based on your answers you appear to be ready to explore new career opportunities beyond the professoriate.Congratulations!This is a great place to be because there are SO MANY exciting career options for someone with your skill set.But maybe you're a little overwhelmed, a little lost, or a little uncertain about the whole non-academic job search thing. You're probably even wondering, "What CAN I do with a Phd?"Here are 3 steps that will help you, even if you haven't started your job search yet:Identify what you DO. (Your skills!)Identify what it is you LOVE. (What work do you find meaningful?)Identify what the world will pay you to do. (What will pay you a livable wage?)Starting a non-academic job search really begins with these 3 steps. When grad students and PhDs come to me stuck because they aren't sure what to do with their degree, or where to begin looking for non-academic jobs, it's usually because they've skipped one of these steps.So to get the MOST out of your job search, you'll want to think carefully through each of these points. You'll also feel more clarity and less stress around job searching if you're able to answer these 3 questions.By doing the work to understand your skills, your motivators, and how these intersect with different careers, you'll come out with a better understanding of the many job opportunities open to you. Want to see a real-life example of how a PhD used these 3 steps to build an exciting new career they love? Check your email to see an example -- our elves are working hard for you, so give it 15 minutes for them to get it safely to your inbox 🙂You're in the DISCOVERY stage!Based on your answers you appear to be ready to explore new career opportunities beyond the professoriate.Congratulations!This is a great place to be because there are SO MANY exciting career options for someone with your skill set.But maybe you're a little overwhelmed, a little lost, or a little uncertain about the whole non-academic job search thing. You're probably even wondering, "What CAN I do with a Phd?"Here are 3 steps that will help you, even if you haven't started your job search yet:Identify what you DO. (Your skills!)Identify what it is you LOVE. (What work do you find meaningful?)Identify what the world will pay you to do. (What will pay you a livable wage?)Starting a non-academic job search really begins with these 3 steps. When grad students and PhDs come to me stuck because they aren't sure what to do with their degree, or where to begin looking for non-academic jobs, it's usually because they've skipped one of these steps.So to get the MOST out of your job search, you'll want to think carefully through each of these points. You'll also feel more clarity and less stress around job searching if you're able to answer these 3 questions.By doing the work to understand your skills, your motivators, and how these intersect with different careers, you'll come out with a better understanding of the many job opportunities open to you. Want to see a real-life example of how a PhD used these 3 steps to build an exciting new career they love? Check your email to see an example -- our elves are working hard for you, so give it 15 minutes for them to get it safely to your inbox 🙂You're in the RESEARCH stage!Based on your answers you appear to be ready to gather the tools you’ll need to launch a nonacademic career.Congratulations!This is a great place to be because this is the CORE of a nonacademic job search.In this stage you're ready to hone in on your optimal career pathway, learn effective job search strategies, and launch your search. It's time to start thinking about that resume, LinkedIn profile, and researching career fields of interest.Here are 3 steps that will help you effectively prepare for a job search:Get active on LinkedIn: this is an important research tool for your job search.Frame your job search like a research project: start gathering data about career fields of interests and speak to subject matter experts.Develop a professional resume that will serve as the starting point for your career transition.Each of these steps is critical to your job search. When grad students and PhDs come to me worried because they have no idea what jobs they’re qualified for, or they feel stuck in their job search, it’s usually because they’ve skipped one of these steps.RESEARCH is what you want to focus on in this stage of your job search. It’s critical that you spend this time researching and learning fundamentals of the job search: the documents you’ll need, your transferable skills, and the career options open to you.There's no mystery to the job search process, and as a PhD you're already an expert in the first step.It starts with research -- and you're a pro at that! Want to see an example of how a PhD translated their academic work experience into a resume? Check your email to see an example of how a PhD can create a professional resume that leverages their skills, talents, and interests.You're in the RESEARCH stage!Based on your answers you appear to be ready to gather the tools you’ll need to launch a nonacademic career.Congratulations!This is a great place to be because this is the CORE of a nonacademic job search.In this stage you're ready to hone in on your optimal career pathway, learn effective job search strategies, and launch your search. It's time to start thinking about that resume, LinkedIn profile, and researching career fields of interest.Here are 3 steps that will help you effectively prepare for a job search:Get active on LinkedIn: this is an important research tool for your job search.Frame your job search like a research project: start gathering data about career fields of interests and speak to subject matter experts.Develop a professional resume that will serve as the starting point for your career transition.Each of these steps is critical to your job search. When grad students and PhDs come to me worried because they have no idea what jobs they’re qualified for, or they feel stuck in their job search, it’s usually because they’ve skipped one of these steps.RESEARCH is what you want to focus on in this stage of your job search. It’s critical that you spend this time researching and learning fundamentals of the job search: the documents you’ll need, your transferable skills, and the career options open to you.There's no mystery to the job search process, and as a PhD you're already an expert in the first step.It starts with research -- and you're a pro at that! Want to see an example of how a PhD translated their academic work experience into a resume? Check your email to see an example of how a PhD can create a professional resume that leverages their skills, talents, and interests. You're in the IMPLEMENTATION stageBased on your answers you've been pounding the pavement, putting in the work to apply for nonacademic jobs.Congratulations -- you're a rockstar!This is a great place to be because you are READY to find that right opportunity and build an amazing new career beyond the professoriate.In this stage you've likely set yourself up for job search success. You've worked hard to think about your skills, values, and how you can solve employers' problems. You've been doing informational interviews and learning the language of employers.Maybe you’ve even been applying for a number of jobs, but nothing has transpired yet. And you’re starting to get a little frustrated, a little worried.Oh friend, we've been right where you are and we understand how hard this part of the job search process can be.The good news is that you are almost there.Here are 3 steps that will help you maintain momentum in your job search:Get laser focused. It’s time to get specific — what career field are you focusing on in your search? Triple-check your job documents and LinkedIn to make sure that your experience and skills are tailored to this field. Make sure your job documents use the language of the employer and that they’re carefully tailored for each and every job application.Don't just build your network, maintain it. This is key! Getting to know new people is great... but maintaining relationships means you'll come to mind when job opportunities arise, you'll have ongoing mentorship and support, and you'll build quality relationships that can span the duration of your career.Find ways to continue to build your skills while job searching. This is a lot of work. We know.It's tiring. It's frustrating. It requires support.And we’re here to encourage you to hang in there and keep moving forward. There’s a whole community of PhDs in nonacademic jobs who have got your back and are cheering you on too.Leaving is harder than it looks.You're doing an amazing job.Want to hear how other PhDs maintained momentum in their job search (and landed in careers they love)?Check your email to get access to a special webinar with me and other PhDs who hustled in all sorts of interesting ways to maintain momentum in their job search.You're in the IMPLEMENTATION stageBased on your answers you've been pounding the pavement, putting in the work to apply for nonacademic jobs.Congratulations -- you're a rockstar!This is a great place to be because you are READY to find that right opportunity and build an amazing new career beyond the professoriate.In this stage you've likely set yourself up for job search success. You've worked hard to think about your skills, values, and how you can solve employers' problems. You've been doing informational interviews and learning the language of employers.Maybe you’ve even been applying for a number of jobs, but nothing has transpired yet. And you’re starting to get a little frustrated, a little worried.Oh friend, we've been right where you are and we understand how hard this part of the job search process can be.The good news is that you are almost there.Here are 3 steps that will help you maintain momentum in your job search:Get laser focused. It’s time to get specific — what career field are you focusing on in your search? Triple-check your job documents and LinkedIn to make sure that your experience and skills are tailored to this field. Make sure your job documents use the language of the employer and that they’re carefully tailored for each and every job application.Don't just build your network, maintain it. This is key! Getting to know new people is great... but maintaining relationships means you'll come to mind when job opportunities arise, you'll have ongoing mentorship and support, and you'll build quality relationships that can span the duration of your career.Find ways to continue to build your skills while job searching. This is a lot of work. We know.It's tiring. It's frustrating. It requires support.And we’re here to encourage you to hang in there and keep moving forward. There’s a whole community of PhDs in nonacademic jobs who have got your back and are cheering you on too.Leaving is harder than it looks.You're doing an amazing job.Want to hear how other PhDs maintained momentum in their job search (and landed in careers they love)?Check your email to get access to a special webinar with me and other PhDs who hustled in all sorts of interesting ways to maintain momentum in their job search.You're in the BUILDING stageBased on your answers you've got experience doing this nonacademic job search thing already.Congratulations -- you've gone through the hardest part!This is a great place to be because landing that first nonacademic job can be the hardest part of a career transition. And you've already done it!So... what's next?Maybe you're not loving your current path... or maybe you've discovered you actually really enjoy a different part of the job than you expected... and you're now ready to find a job that more closely aligns with your skills and values.Wonderful!This is where career magic happens and where you'll really start to have fun building your nonacademic career.Here are 3 steps that will help you in this new stage:Build your network based on your new interests and work hard to maintain it. Join professional associations in your field and begin talking to people about what the growth path in your field looks like.Build your skills for the next job you want.Think about sponsors. Sponsors are people who believe in your talent and skills. They are more than mentors -- they're champions who will propel your career forward by helping you advance in your company. Have you built relationships that are capable of moving to a sponsorship phase?Our research shows that PhDs may begin entry-level in their first jobs -- but they can advance quickly and change careers or jobs within 1-3 years.That's super exciting because it means that you have a new journey to look forward to.So if you're feeling stuck, or you're ready for the next challenge, it's just around the corner.The question is... are YOU ready?! 🙂 You're in the BUILDING stageBased on your answers you've got experience doing this nonacademic job search thing already.Congratulations -- you've gone through the hardest part!This is a great place to be because landing that first nonacademic job can be the hardest part of a career transition. And you've already done it!So... what's next?Maybe you're not loving your current path... or maybe you've discovered you actually really enjoy a different part of the job than you expected... and you're now ready to find a job that more closely aligns with your skills and values.Wonderful!This is where career magic happens and where you'll really start to have fun building your nonacademic career.Here are 3 steps that will help you in this new stage:Build your network based on your new interests and work hard to maintain it. Join professional associations in your field and begin talking to people about what the growth path in your field looks like.Build your skills for the next job you want.Think about sponsors. Sponsors are people who believe in your talent and skills. They are more than mentors -- they're champions who will propel your career forward by helping you advance in your company. Have you built relationships that are capable of moving to a sponsorship phase?Our research shows that PhDs may begin entry-level in their first jobs -- but they can advance quickly and change careers or jobs within 1-3 years.That's super exciting because it means that you have a new journey to look forward to.So if you're feeling stuck, or you're ready for the next challenge, it's just around the corner.The question is... are YOU ready?! 🙂 Are you currently working full time in a non-faculty role?Are you excited to start a career outside of academia?Where are you in your job search?What energizes you about the work you're doing now?What is the most effective kind of networking?What are you most proud of?What best describes your current type of application document?My biggest concern about writing a resume is:I can identify my:I need the most help with:What type of networking have you engaged in?What I value most about my research is:What I value most about my teaching is:When I am networking, I am:Do you use LinkedIn?What's the most important element of your degree?I'm looking for a job:When you consider leaving academia, what excites you the most?When you consider leaving academia, what do you worry about the most?Do you have access to Aurora, e-learning by Beyond the Professoriate? 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