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This is where I share strategies, insights, and encouragement to help you navigate the many stages of academic & career life.
Practical Career Advice—Written with You in Mind
How to answer: “Tell me about yourself”
While it’s every job interviewer’s go-to first question and a seemingly simple one, “tell me about yourself” is not easy to answer. In fact, if you’re like most candidates, you’ve struggled with it at least once in your career. So why the difficulty? “Tell me about...
Standing at the Crossroads: When PhDs Abandon the Tenure Track Career Path
“Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.” - Mandy Hale Anna was well-published and in the third year of her postdoc when she walked into my office. Though progressing as expected, she had started...
How to Network with Intention and NOT Be a Schmoozer
If you are looking for a job or thinking about a career change, you’ve probably been told that networking is the answer. Why? Because according to the statistics, between 40% and 80% of all jobs are landed through networking (the numbers vary depending on the...
The Elephant in the Room: How to Really Answer the Weakness Question
It’s the question most candidates dread. However, with a little insight and the right approach, the question “What is your greatest weakness” can become one of your greatest allies among the list of commonly asked interview questions. Here is an approach to making...
Three Reasons to Send a Thank You Note After an Interview
I’m often surprised (and, quite honestly, a little concerned) when a candidate fails to follow-up after the interview with a simple note of gratitude. Writing a post-interview thank-you note is not an option; it’s a requirement. Here’s why: Reason #1: Basic...