Job seekers transitioning from academia to industry often struggle with multistage interview processes, frequently failing to progress beyond initial screenings despite possessing strong technical qualifications. According to a 2024 global survey by Nature, which polled over 1,100 hiring managers across 77 nations, ‘soft skills’—such as communication and interpersonal skills, collaboration and how well people fit in with the team—were high up on the list of priorities for people looking to hire.
Understanding the Multistage Hiring Funnel
Industry hiring typically follows a structured, multi-step progression designed to assess different dimensions of a candidate’s professional profile. Alona Bärtschi, head of the career centre at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland, describes recruiters as the “gatekeeper” of this process. These initial 30-minute screenings are designed to decide whether a candidate gets through to the next round of interviews.
Following the recruiter, the hiring manager usually conducts the next stage. This phase centers on behavioral questions, such as how a candidate handles negative feedback. Subsequent rounds often include a technical interview with potential peers or direct reports, focusing on practical problem-solving and how the candidate interacts with others, and a final conversation with senior leadership to gauge strategic alignment and organizational representation.
Pro Tip: Treat the first interview with a recruiter as a fact-finding mission. Ask specifically about the organization’s selection process, the number of stages, the format of each round, and who you will be speaking to at each stage.
Strategic Preparation vs. “Winging It”
Benjamin Weber, vice-president of translational and data science at CSL, warns that a major mistake candidates make is failing to prepare adequately for the specific demands of each stage. “A major mistake people make, especially for senior roles, is being unprepared and thinking they can wing it,” Weber says. Effective preparation involves researching the company’s products and services, and even finding out why the job is open.
Elena Hoffer, co-founder and chief executive of the online career-development platform Alma.Me, emphasizes that candidates must tailor their stories to the audience. While an academic may be accustomed to defending their research in a lecture-style format, industry interviewers prioritize concise communication. Sophia Parks, a project manager at Health Catalyst, notes that the transition is easier when candidates stop “lecturing” and start engaging in conversations.
Essential Questions for Candidates
Interviews are two-way conversations. To ensure a role is a suitable fit, career and communications consultant Susan DiClemente recommends asking targeted questions to shift the dynamic from a test to a professional discussion:
- Addressing Gaps: “Are there gaps in my CV for this position?” (Best for the recruiter stage).
- Salary Expectations: “What is the salary range for this position?”
- Success Metrics: “What would I need to achieve in the first six months to make you feel that I was a good person to hire?”
- Culture and Support: “How does your leadership team recognize the value of people’s work and their accomplishments?”
Did you know? Biologist Sophia Parks notes that in academia, a question is often an attack on your knowledge, whereas an industry interview is not like that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do companies require so many interview stages?
Multistage interviews are used to assess different competencies at each level, from initial recruiter screenings to technical peer reviews and strategic assessments by senior management.
How can I address a lack of industry experience?
Focus on your transferable “soft skills,” such as communication, interpersonal skills, and collaboration, which were identified as high priorities for hiring managers in the 2024 Nature survey.
Should I ask about salary during the first round?
Yes. Susan DiClemente suggests asking about the salary range in the first interview to ensure the role aligns with your expectations and to save time for both parties.
Are you currently navigating a career transition from academia to industry? Share your experiences or ask a question in the comments below to join the discussion.
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