From recent graduates to project management wizards: profiling is everything

Jun 9, 2022

Moving from a university context to the world of business is like entering a new world. But that does not make it any less interesting. A successful switch stands or falls with understanding and responding to the needs of companies. That is what Jurre Verdoodt, Expert Engineering at CTRL-F, told PhD students at the past PhD day at KU Leuven.

Freely translated for PhD students who are considering a switch: the better you can translate your knowledge and experience into this new context, the more concrete companies can assess your added value. How you profile yourself therefore determines how employers see you and this is largely in your own hands. How then?

4 concrete tips:

1. Frame your study as a project

You have long ceased to be a freshman who has just graduated. And you'd better show that in your CV and application process. Companies talk in terms of projects and that is exactly what your research experience is too.

2. Speak the language of business

Emphasise how How did you set up the research, how did you keep to the planning and how did you meet the deadlines? Explain how you involved people and organisations in your project and what the results were. Give an insight into the network you have built up in recent years. Tackle the perception of a solitary researcher. Think about how you can use your network to advance the target organisation.

3. Dose the research details

Your research is what you have spent your life for in recent years. It is logical that this is what you can elaborate on for hours. However, that often exceeds the capacity of the person you are talking to. So keep it interesting, concise and relevant to your conversation partner. If you succeed, you will also have demonstrated one of the most distinguishing qualities for professionals: strong communication skills.  

4. Prepare your story

Important. Think beforehand about how you want to shape your story. Write down how your research went, what the successes and stumbling blocks were and which approach made the difference. What have you learned, what will you take away with you and how will you strengthen companies with this? By thinking about your story in advance and writing it out, you will quickly land on your feet during an interview.

Want to know more?

On 28 March Jurre will share his insights and tips at the Interuniversity Job Market for Young Researchers

English