Ask a Career Consultant

What questions should *I* ask in an interview?

March 27, 2025
A second-year postdoc asks - At an interview, what are the best questions to bring when they ask “do you have any questions for us?” I never know what to say, and I just end up asking about the hiring process logistics or asking them what they like about the company.

Is it too soon to start applying for jobs?

March 21, 2025
A PhD student asks - I’m planning to be done next December. I know I’ll need to apply for jobs, but I don’t want to apply too soon. When is a good time to start?  

How do I get people to contact me on LinkedIn?

March 14, 2025
An early-stage postdoc asks- I’ve been on LinkedIn for 6 months, but no one is contacting me (except for a bot that wants me to upgrade to premium). What should I add to my profile so more people will reach out to me?  

How important is having a one-page resume?

March 07, 2025
A postdoc asks- I’ve read that a resume always has to be exactly one page. But it is really hard to capture everything I’ve done. How important is the one-page resume rule? 

Is networking really necessary?

February 28, 2025
A late-stage postdoc asks-  Is networking really necessary? I don’t like the idea that ‘who you know’ is more important than ‘what you know.’ I’ve done a lot of great research, and when I get a job, I want it to be because of my work, not my schmoozing. It feels like cheating. But, I’m also just...

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