#1 | Resume vs CV:  Understand the differences

The first essential thing to know is that an industry resume is not an academic CV.

The major differences between an industry resume and an academic CV?

Length: industry resume are concise (usually one; max two pages); academic CVs are extensive and longer.

Level of detail: industry resume focus on relevant experience and skills for the specific job; academic CVs detail every publication, presentation, and academic achievements.

Content: industry resumes emphasize skills, applied experience, and specific accomplishments using measurable outcomes; academic CVs highlight research, teaching experience, and academic service (peer-review, committees, etc.).

This is the moment when you might think, “But just one page? I can’t do just one page, I have so much to show! So many papers and presentations/posters to list!” I understand! Keep reading, because another crucial aspect is to select the most relevant information.

#2 | Tailor the resume for each application

An industry resume has to be personalized, i.e., tailored for each position your apply for.

For each application, your resume should clearly emphasize how your skills and experiences align with the job description.

Academic CVs, on the other hand, are often a static document that doesn’t change much between applications.

#3 | Convert academic skills to industry skills

The way you sell skills to an industrial recruiter is different from the way you sell them to a university professor.

Industry is interested in your transferable skills.

You don’t know exactly what this term means? Have a look at this newsletter’s edition!

For your resume, identify skills developed during your PhD that are highly valued in industry, such as project management, data analysis, problem-solving, and technical expertise. For instance, managing a research project from design through to publication demonstrates project management, teamwork, and leadership skills. To show your scientific skills, highlight proficiency with any technical tools, software, or methodologies that are relevant to the industry (and the position you apply for), such as statistical software, programming languages, or engineering tools.

#4 | Show and quantify achievements

For an academic CV, the most logical way to present and quantify your research achievements is to list the scientific articles you’ve published, accompanied by some metrics (H-index, impact factor, etc.).

But a hiring manager is not interested in your list of publications.

I know this is hard to swallow, given the amount of work that goes into these papers.

What an industry recruiter wants to see are your achievements, which are a testament to your skills.

Where possible, quantify your accomplishments. For example, instead of saying “Led a research project,” say “Directed a team of 5 in a project that resulted in 3 peer-reviewed publications and reduced experimental costs by 20%.”

(Think of all the students you have supervised: yes, you can definitely say that you have led a team!)

Try to focus on the outcomes: frame your academic achievements in terms of business-oriented outcomes. For example, translate “Presented at international conferences” to “Enhanced the organization’s visibility and prestige through presentations to global audiences of 200+ industry leaders.” 

#5 | Simplify academic jargon

Some words or acronyms are very familiar to you because you’ve been around them for years. But this is no longer the case when you move out of your niche.

Therefore, try to convert academic language to industry-appropriate language. Avoid heavy jargon and simplify complex ideas into understandable concepts that relate to industry and business needs.

#6 | Highlight soft skills

Soft skills are basically non-technical skills that describe how you work and interact with others on the working floor. Examples include adaptability, problem solving, time management, teamwork, active listening, communication, critical thinking, conflict resolution, leadership, patience, empathy, flexibility, negotiation, etc.

Industries of all sizes tend to value teamwork and communication. Highlight experiences that demonstrate these skills, such as collaborating with cross-functional teams, teaching or mentoring students, or organizing seminars.

Another example is the adaptability that many people have developed during their PhD. Emphasize your ability to learn quickly and adapt to new environments or technologies, a common scenario in many PhD projects.

#7 | Mention courses, certifications and awards relevant to industry roles

I sometimes see PhD students wanting to list the relevant courses they took during their Master’s or Bachelor’s degree. This is not relevant to an industry recruiter and takes space away from other more relevant sections.

Instead, list any additional courses or certifications that are relevant to the industry. For example, industry likes project management certifications, coding bootcamps, ISO certifications trainings, or business strategy courses.

#8 | Demonstrate leadership and management experience

The industry roles you’ll be targeting after your PhD are likely to involve leading a team. Therefore, highlight any leadership roles you’ve had, such as supervising student projects or coordinating research projects. Describe the scope of your leadership, the number of people you managed and any significant results.

If applicable, mention experience of managing budgets, securing funding (e.g. your own scholarship) or allocating resources within projects. This demonstrates an understanding of financial aspects that are critical to many business activities.

#9 | Customize the layout and design

Make sure the layout is attractive. Don’t make it look like you’ve tried to cram all the information into one page.

Industry resumes benefit from a clean, professional layout that makes information easy to read and visually appealing. Use bullet points, bold headings, and adequate spacing to enhance readability.

There are three sections that recruiters will focus on and read at first glance:

🔸 Summary,

🔸 Skills, and

🔸 Professional experience.

Make sure that the content, wording and formatting of these sections are impeccable.

#10 | Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software tools used by industries to streamline the recruitment process and filter applications. They are used to collect and store applications. 

Carefully read job postings and include keywords and phrases from the job description in your resume. 

Use industry-standard job titles and skills rather than academic-specific terms where possible. For instance, if the job advertisement seeks a “Research Scientist,” use that title instead of “Postdoctoral Researcher” if it accurately reflects your experience.

Simplify the formatting of your resume. Avoid headers, footers, tables, and other complex formatting elements that can confuse ATS software. Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri, and save your resume as a Word document or a PDF to ensure compatibility.