What does the 2026 job market actually look like for PhDs — and what do you need to do differently to stand out, with Angla Priest

In this episode of PostPhDirections, I'm joined by my co-founder Angela Priest, who brings over 20 years of hiring experience across startups and big cooperates. We get into everything you need to know about the current job market — the honest, behind-the-scenes version.

We cover:

• Why uncertainty has become the new normal for employers — and what that means for your job search
• The AI shift: what "AI native" means in job descriptions and why it matters for you
• Why your data fluency is one of the most in-demand skills right now (and why most PhDs don't even realize they have it)
• The hottest roles for STEM PhDs in 2026: AI/ML, health tech, biotech & clinical research
• The #1 skill listed in 85% of job descriptions — and why PhDs often struggle with it
• How to make interviewers actually want to hire you (the unspoken criteria nobody talks about)
• Why communication in industry means something completely different than it does in academia

If you're a PhD or postdoc thinking about making the leap, this episode is full of raw, practical insight from someone who's spent decades in the hiring room.

Connect with Angela Priest on LinkedInLearn more about Alma.me and our Job Accelerator Program: Follow Elena on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

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