To PhD or not to PhD

I have had a few emails about including a PhD on a resume.
Canvassing employers, recruiters and even those with a PhD working outside their field of study, it appears the advice is unanimous: Do not include a PhD on your resume unless it relates directly to the job for which you are applying.

Candidates need to ask themselves: Did you do the doctorate to get ahead in your career or for yourself? If the answer is for yourself, then the chances are that is how employers will view things too.

A potential employer might see you as over qualified for the job or they might wonder if their job is a poor second choice to a role as a researcher or lecturer.
I asked a business development manager I know for his take on this subject.
He has a science-related PhD but does not include it on his resume.

When I asked him why, he said: “Someone who does a PhD just has to know the answer to a question. That is not how most businesses operate today. It’s fast with a lot of decision-making on the run — not always a good thing but that’s how it works.”

It’s worth discussing the issue with an executive recruiter or a professional association.

For example, reader “Dave” said he spent four years doing an engineering-related PhD and was gutted to be told to “hide it”. It also left him with a four-year gap in his resume.

In Dave’s case, I’d recommend a chat with Engineers Australia.

HERE is some feedback from readers of this column.

* Just a short email to let you know that I was not successful in securing the medical records officer role. I will put it in the “opportunity to learn” basket and keep trying, including undertaking further training when possible. I will be meeting with a friend on Thursday who is in an executive role in the public service. Hopefully she might be able to help me get the “foot in the door” in the public service. Thanks again Kate, you have inspired me to keep positive and motivated in the midst of job seeking challenges. — Robin

* Thank you so much for your help. It’s much more help than I have been able to get out of anyone, including university. Once again, thanks a lot. I really appreciate your help. — Lara

* I would just like to say how informative and motivational your column/advice and stories are. I read them weekly and regularly file the job tips in my diary for easy reference. — Brisbane.

By Kate Southam, Editor of careerone.com.au, March 14 2006.