I started looking in 1993 when I was
a researcher in artificial intelligence
at IBM's Watson lab. Before that I'd
been an MBA prof; before that, in grad
school getting my MS and Ph.D.; before
that Director of Operations Research at
FedEx.
In 1993-4-5, sent 1000+ resume copies,
just simple, perfectly formatted, factually
written, perfect writing and spelling, heard
back only a very few times, got only a few
interviews and no offers. I did nothing, but
Nothing wrong. Nothing. I sent resumes to
tech headhunters -- nothing.
All I wanted was a job, just a job, only
a job. I would have swept floors. I just
wanted a job. Did I mention that all I
wanted was just a job? I didn't want to
be unemployed. I did want to be able to
pay for food, clothing, shelter, etc. I
didn't want to dig into my savings and
inheritance. I just, just, just wanted
a job. But, I was 100%, absolutely,
positively, totally, permanently unemployable
at anything above minimum wage. That
was 20 years ago. Now I am doing a startup.
I've been a serious burden to my brother's
family. All I wanted was a job. I could
never get one.
My conclusion: Even in a STEM field, a Ph.D.
is resume poison, worse than a felony
conviction. You are just not wanted. It's
as if you are hated.
Again, the problem was nothing about my
personality, etc. E.g., before my Ph.D.
in a two week period I sent a few resume
copies, went on 7 interviews, and got 5
offers. No problem. After my Ph.D.?
Stuck in academics or something very close
and otherwise hated.
In 1993-4-5, sent 1000+ resume copies, just simple, perfectly formatted, factually written, perfect writing and spelling, heard back only a very few times, got only a few interviews and no offers. I did nothing, but Nothing wrong. Nothing. I sent resumes to tech headhunters -- nothing.
All I wanted was a job, just a job, only a job. I would have swept floors. I just wanted a job. Did I mention that all I wanted was just a job? I didn't want to be unemployed. I did want to be able to pay for food, clothing, shelter, etc. I didn't want to dig into my savings and inheritance. I just, just, just wanted a job. But, I was 100%, absolutely, positively, totally, permanently unemployable at anything above minimum wage. That was 20 years ago. Now I am doing a startup. I've been a serious burden to my brother's family. All I wanted was a job. I could never get one.
My conclusion: Even in a STEM field, a Ph.D. is resume poison, worse than a felony conviction. You are just not wanted. It's as if you are hated.
Again, the problem was nothing about my personality, etc. E.g., before my Ph.D. in a two week period I sent a few resume copies, went on 7 interviews, and got 5 offers. No problem. After my Ph.D.? Stuck in academics or something very close and otherwise hated.