Note that we (workshop/seminar leaders) have backgrounds in psychology/cognitive science and are primarily answering from that perspective. These questions and answers may not apply to scholars from different fields and areas of research.
How do I convert my CV to a resume?
First, don't think of it as converting: a resume serves a different purpose than a CV, and it will be easier to start from scratch for a resume.
Second, tailor your resume to the kind of job you are targeting. If you are considering multiple potential career paths, develop a different resume for each one, as the skills and applications you want to highlight will differ. Some jobs want a CV in addition to a resume, but may ask for an abbreviated one instead of your full history. In all cases, remember that the metrics of success in academia are not what non-academic employers are looking for: only mention your accomplishments as they help you demonstrate the skills you will bring to the new job.
Here are some examples of how the same work history can be presented in different formats: one-page resume (created using a free template from canva.com), five-page CV, ten-page CV, full CV. Many sources recommend a one-page resume, but a two-page resume is reasonable for PhD-level positions.
Find some guidelines, advice, and suggestions here: https://grad.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Resumes-and-Cover-Letters-IME-Jan-2017_0.pdf ; https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2019/03/27/three-ways-phds-can-rebrand-themselves-alt-ac-career-opinion#.Xhd5iR7kqeQ.link
Is it possible to come back to academia after working elsewhere?
When people talk about being in or out of academia, they often mean faculty positions in particular. In Psychology, the faculty job market is extremely competitive, and it can be difficult to keep up with the metrics of success from academia (publishing, presenting, winning grants) while working in other sectors. However, if you have a strong record on these dimensions, simply having worked outside academia should not put you at a disadvantage. If you are interested in non-faculty academic positions (research staff, administration, development, etc.), these typically have less emphasis on the metrics used for faculty positions and might be more accessible to those with non-academic work histories.
In fields other than psychology, there can be more expectation that people will work outside of academia, and the non-academic work is more transparently related to scholarship that is valued in faculty applicants (e.g., business, computer science). In those fields, it is much more common to move in and out of academia, including faculty positions, during one's career.
What skills will make me competitive in the non-academic job market?
The most marketable skills will depend on the kind of career you decide to pursue, but in many jobs the basic (non-technical) skills we take for granted in academia - critical reading, synthesizing research, strong written and verbal communication, managing teams or projects - will set you apart. These are skills you can use your typical academic training to showcase.
Data science or data-driven decision-making are particularly "hot" areas right now, so if you enjoy using those types of skills, consider developing and marketing your quantitative and technical skills in this way.
If you're looking to move into an area that requires skills you don't yet have, look for targeted training and online courses, some of which may be available free through your current university if you're a student or post-doc. Many online courses have free versions that do not include graded homework and exams, but if you pay you will get a certificate of completion at the end. Even without certificates showing completion, you can showcase specific technical skills by creating a portfolio of projects (hosted somewhere like GitHub) and refer to these projects in your application materials and interview. You may be able to find relevant data sets to work with through granting agencies and professional societies, which can provide a specific context for you to develop and illustrate the skills you need for a particular job.
For some jobs, domain knowledge can be important, but skills will typically be valued more, as new knowledge can be acquired more easily than new skills. Self-directed learning is a skill too!
What is research like outside of academia?
A common difference between research in academia versus industry or government is the end goal: non-academic research projects will be designed to address a specific question in support of a particular product or program. There is typically less opportunity for exploratory or discovery research outside of academia, although this may still be found in 'innovation' or 'research and development' positions or departments.
Are there teaching opportunities outside of academia?
Teaching can be part of many jobs, but it may look different than your experience in college classrooms. K-12 or international baccalaureate teaching can be similar to post-secondary teaching but with greater mobility and no academic research and service expectations. Other options include instructional design (within or outside of higher education), informal teaching through mentoring other employees, or corporate consulting, coaching, and training.
How can I know if a job is a good fit for me?
There are multiple ways to learn about jobs in industry or government.
Use your network and talk to people who have experience in or adjacent to the job of interest. This could be a casual chat or an informational interview.
Hiring managers (typical for larger companies) are often available to talk to prospective employees about what a job entails. Many larger companies also have internships for PhD students, which give first-hand experience.
Sites like Glassdoor.com have reviews by employees, which can give a sense of the broader company culture in addition to specific job profiles.
You can also set up informational interviews with people working in areas you are interested in. It can be beneficial to find people through your existing network, as this can give you a nice entry point into requesting such an interview.
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