One of the biggest challenges PhDs face when moving into industry is a lack of professional connections outside academia. In graduate school and postdoc life, your network might consist mostly of professors, lab mates, and conference acquaintances – great for academic pursuits, but not so helpful when you need referrals in biotech or a contact at a tech startup. It can feel like you’re starting from scratch, entering a whole new world where you don’t know anyone.

Don’t panic: even if you have zero industry contacts right now, you can build a network from the ground up. Plenty of STEM PhDs have successfully transitioned to corporate, R&D, or engineering roles by proactively expanding their connections. In fact, networking is often the deciding factor in landing a job – according to some statistics, 85% of jobs are filled through networking, and around 70% of openings never get publicly advertised at all apollotechnical.com. In other words, the hidden jobs are found via who you know. Let’s talk about how you, as a PhD, can start knowing the right people.

Why Networking Matters (Especially for PhDs)

Networking isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a practical strategy for career building. As a PhD entering industry, you’ll find that:

• Referrals Get You Noticed: A job application submitted through an employee referral is far more likely to get a response than one submitted cold. Companies trust recommendations from their staff. If you lack industry contacts, you’re missing out on that advantage – but it’s an advantage you can cultivate over time.
• Insight and Advice: Conversations with industry professionals can give you insight into roles, company cultures, and hiring practices that you’d never get from a job posting. For example, an alumnus from your university now in pharma might clue you in that “publications don’t matter here, we care about patents and product results” – allowing you to reframe how you present your experience.
• Confidence and Identity Shift: Building an industry network helps you start identifying as an industry professional, not “just a student/postdoc”. The more you talk to people in your target sector, the more you’ll pick up the lingo, understand their pain points, and see yourself as one of them. This mindset shift is crucial in interviews where you need to convince employers you’re committed to leaving academia.

Simply put, networking opens doors that online applications alone often cannot. So how can you build an industry network from scratch?

Networking Strategies for PhD Job Seekers

Even if you feel like an outsider now, use these strategies to grow your connections:

1. Activate Your Existing Network: You might have more industry connections than you think. Start with alumni from your department or university who have moved to industry – many schools have alumni databases or LinkedIn groups. Reach out for informal chats. Also consider colleagues from conferences or collaborations who may now be in companies. Let them know you’re exploring roles in their area. Even a handful of distant contacts can lead to referrals or new introductions.
2. Leverage LinkedIn to the Max: As a technically skilled PhD, you need a strong LinkedIn presence. Make sure your profile is up to date, highlighting your transferable skills and industry-oriented summary. Then, use LinkedIn proactively: connect with people at companies of interest (a polite note goes a long way), join professional groups (e.g. “Data Science & AI for PhDs” or discipline-specific groups), and engage by commenting on posts or sharing content related to your field. Consistent activity makes you more visible. Over time, recruiters or hiring managers might even start reaching out to you.
3. Informational Interviews: This is one of the most powerful networking tools for career changers. Identify roles or companies you’re interested in and request 15-20 minute informational interviews with someone in that area – perhaps a scientist at a biotech company, or a PhD who now works in consulting. In these chats, you’re not asking for a job, just learning about their work and seeking advice. Many people remember what it was like to be an early-career researcher and are surprisingly willing to help. Come prepared with a few good questions, respect their time, and send a thank-you note after. These conversations can organically turn into referrals or mentorship over time.
4. Attend Industry Events (Virtually or In-Person): Look for conferences, meetups, seminars, or webinars where industry professionals gather – especially those welcoming to career changers. For instance, if you’re a biomedical PhD, attend a local biotech networking night; if you’re in physics or engineering, maybe an IEEE chapter event. Have a concise self-introduction ready (your “elevator pitch” about your background and what roles you’re targeting). Collect contact info or LinkedIn connections with a few folks you meet. Don’t be shy about mentioning you’re transitioning – many professionals have done the same and might offer help or encouragement.
5. Use Your Professors and Academic Mentors Wisely: Faculty often have industry connections through consulting, former students, or research partnerships. Don’t hesitate to tell your PhD advisor or committee members that you’re pursuing industry jobs and would appreciate any introductions. The key is to be specific: for example, “Do you know anyone at Company X or working in [field]?” Even if your advisor is deeply academic, they might know someone from a grant project or an alumnus to connect you with. Any warm intro beats a cold one.

Building Relationships (Not Just Contacts)

Networking isn’t about collecting business cards or LinkedIn connections; it’s about building genuine professional relationships. As you engage with new contacts, follow up periodically. Share updates on your job search progress, or send along an interesting article related to a conversation you had (“Saw this and thought of your advice on Y…”). This keeps the relationship alive and shows you value their input.

Importantly, approach networking with a mindset of learning and giving, not just taking. Ask about others’ work and listen attentively. Offer your help or insights where you can – maybe you can help solve a problem or share a relevant paper. When people see that you’re not just out to get a job from them, they’ll be more inclined to help you.

Lastly, be patient and persistent. Networking payoff can take time. You might not see immediate results, but each connection and conversation is planting a seed. Over 70% of professionals hired say they had a connection at the company apollotechnical.com – someday soon, one of your connections will be that crucial “in.”

Call to Action: You don’t have to build your network entirely alone. HirePilot can give you a boost here as well. Our platform is designed to help PhDs reach decision-makers: it uses AI to assist with outreach, helping you craft messages to hiring managers or future colleagues and expand your connections. If you’re struggling with who to talk to, HirePilot will even suggest contacts at your target companies. Join the HirePilot beta and let it empower your networking efforts – so you can tap into the hidden job market and land that industry role faster.