Although my observations are empirical, many find comfort in the words of those who have gone through this process themselves. Experiential knowledge is sought after; for that reason, I've compiled advice from several candidates I’ve worked closely with.
Timing
As I touched on in a previous post, many of my clients have attested to the importance of temporal coordination. They’ve reiterated the importance of the organization methods outlined in Timing Is Everything, as well as considerations such as starting your interview chain with slower-moving companies. Other advice is as follows:
Several clients emphasized the value of lining up “practice” interviews with companies other than those you’d prefer to work at. However, because the job market and the status of individual teams are volatile, try not to defer interviews with your dream jobs for too long. “Headcount may not be open for long,” one such person says.
In the same vein, one researcher recommends trying to secure high-paying offers from companies before receiving an offer from your preferred employer. This provides leverage in the negotiation process.
Another common refrain is to move at a leisurely pace. The amount and use of your preparation time is critical. Many have advised carving out generous chunks of time for interview preparation. Moderate intervals of rest can be restorative; you’ll return to peak performance for your next interview. Also, when it comes to deadlines, don’t rush! Hurried actions often lead to oversight; this is the last thing you want when such a momentous decision is on the line.
Other candidates have noted that interview processes are rather unpredictable. Coordinate your series of interviews so they line up in congruence, and you have sufficient time. That said, don’t defer your start date because you’re fixated on organizing a flawless schedule; it’s inherently mercurial and can be difficult to plan.
One researcher suggests identifying companies where you know of an individual with a similar academic background who recently received an offer. Applying to this place presents a good opportunity for practice and could result in an offer that serves as a bargaining chip later on.
Networking
The hardest part of any STEM job search is getting an interview. Nothing aids in this issue more than networking, but not everyone is fortunate to have an extensive web of connections in their respective field. I cover this in detail in Tortoise or Hare? How to Play the Long Game, but a few of my clients have shared their individual take on the subject:
Several clients have emphasized the efficacy of using avenues beyond application portals. They note that the most successful approach is through direct contact with hiring managers; referrals can be profoundly influential. “Every interview I got came from a recruiter reaching out, a referral, or emailing hiring managers,” says one such researcher.
Many have also advised capitalizing on the benefits of the World Wide Web. They suggest SEO; polish your LinkedIn profile and/or website. Capitalize on the function of LinkedIn to search for postings; you can even apply for a job directly through the platform.
One researcher proposes contacting recruiters and/or hiring managers after you send your CV. This can compel them to keep an eye out for your application.
Another individual recommends advertising your work at conferences. This is especially relevant for research roles; it can boost your industry visibility.
A common refrain is to be brazen in reaching out to people; this kind of initiative is essential in networking. Even if you’re not yet at the application stage, these interactions can open doors for the future.
Interview Preparation
This is the area where I find most people feel in the dark. I will cover this in detail in a later post; check back soon. For now, trust in the words of these veterans:
A number of my clients have stressed the importance of having ample preparation time. They collectively figure at least a three-month stretch to become acquainted with materials like LeetCode or Stanford’s CS336. “System Design and ML Breadth/Depth may need less total time but matter as much or more,” one such client states.
Several others recommend practicing the technical staples that you can bank on coming up: LeetCode, ML and DL coding, transformers, dataloaders, parallelism. For frontier labs, it’s largely transformer architecture, backprop, ML theory, and connections to older algorithms. “Be able to construct backprop for any arbitrary function, not just known algorithms,” one researcher adds.
One client shared a more comprehensive list of considerations and strategies: take AI-design interviews seriously for GenAI roles; master LeetCode under time pressure (company-tagged, matrix/array-heavy); practice in real environments like CoderPad; use structured resources (LeetCode, Deep-ML, Pramp, IGotAnOffer) and log your solve times.
Another common refrain is to run a few burner interviews early. Your interview proficiency will escalate over time. This is especially true if your interviews are centered in the same field; you will receive the same questions on replay.
Startups v. Established Companies
With startup companies, one of the most challenging aspects is understanding exactly what the position you’re applying for entails. Things like the role’s requisite skills/experience or the team’s strategic vision are often obscured. These are tried-and-true strategies for uncovering this information:
Perhaps more obviously, many of my clients have noted that bridging this epistemological gap requires direct contact with the team. Discussing the job description with someone such as the hiring manager helps you tailor your resume and prepare accordingly.
Several others stress the importance of the “cultural alignment” aspect. Try to get to know a few people on the team before signing; you want to be confident that your personalities are compatible.
While some startups want competitive programmers, others don’t do coding interviews at all; this is seldom in the job description. A number of researchers have said that pay scale is typically an indication of the benchmark. If none is given, prepare for the possibility of either extreme.
One researcher observed that startup companies’ interview schedules are more fluid and erratic, especially compared to the structured, standardized processes of established companies. “But they’re good practice,” they say, “especially if you’re targeting more established places.”
Mindset & Resilience
A job search demands both self-assurance and persistence; these mentalities don’t come naturally to everyone. I’ve covered this topic in depth in [insert the mindset piece link], but a few of my clients have added some additional insights:
Several applicants say you’re worth more than you might suspect. Receiving rejections is to be expected; it's a universal experience and isn’t an indication of your value or capability.
One client says, “Be patient!” A job search can take months—be mentally prepared for this.
Another researcher directs their advice to new PhD graduates: “Unless you’re a star or have return offers,” they say, “expect a tough market and set your expectations accordingly.” Again, patience and perseverance are critical.
A few people recommend prioritizing quality over quantity. Interviewing excessively tends to deplete your enthusiasm and can cause you to underperform for the positions you most desire.
One common refrain is to watch for decision fatigue or general exhaustion. You might receive offers early on. Toward the end of your interview sequence, your drive may be depleted; you might be tempted to accept the existing offer. Don’t let exhaustion compel you to forgo potentially superior opportunities.
Communication & Self-Presentation
Even if you mastered each of the aforementioned facets, their impact could become null and void without strong self-presentation. Good communication abilities can be the distinguishing factor in receiving an offer. Here are some suggestions for refining this skill set:
To cultivate eloquence, a few of my clients have advised reading aloud. If you perfect the loose script, you are more likely to communicate articulately and remain composed under pressure; this increases your impact on interviewers.
Many have suggested customizing your research description to each individual role. You want to make your suitability effortlessly apparent to your interviewers.
One researcher reframes an interview as self-marketing: “Talk about what you’ve done,” they state, “not only what you find interesting or would like to work on.”
Another common empirical observation is to prioritize your health. Getting enough sleep and psychological respite is pivotal; your mental and physical health is reflected in your appearance and can affect your performance. Also, genuine contentment is discernible.
One of my clients even provides a more niche suggestion: “Make your interviewer laugh once.” Bringing humor to the often monotonous task of interviewing can brighten their workdays and set you apart from other candidates.
Knowing Your Worth
In the same vein as the section on “Mindset & Resilience,” your self-worth influences your willingness to wait it out for what you’re deserving of. Beyond increasing the stamina of your self-advocacy in compensation negotiations, high self-esteem provides an impactful, confident presence in the interview process. This is more instrumental than you may suspect; my clients hope to embolden you:
Many of my clients have stressed the importance of self-assurance and asking for what you deserve. Mind you, “what you deserve” is your market value: what a company will pay someone with your skills, not merely what you feel is a reasonable salary. The worst they’ll say is no; if you ask politely and phrase it well, you’ll be able to move on without a contentious undercurrent.
Still, one researcher notes that, as you wrap up grad school, it is difficult to know which positions and what kind of compensation it's realistic to expect. It’s worth pursuing that which seems beyond your pay grade. The outcome may surprise you.
Another individual advises applying only to roles where your target compensation falls within the authorized range. A company’s budget constraints will bar its ability to meet your monetary ask; in this case, negotiation is often futile.
A recurrent suggestion is to prepare for remuneration negotiations before you’ve even received an offer. Research compensation brackets, determine your target salary, and practice your proposition.
Several clients recommend maintaining frequent communication with recruiters and hiring managers. This way, you can monitor the market to make certain you’ll be paid fairly.
