From PhD to industry: how to crack multistage interviews and stand out

Nature’s career feature explains why multistage interviews are common in science‑driven companies, outlines the typical rounds (recruiter screen, hiring manager, technical panel, and senior manager) and stresses thorough preparation: research the company, tailor your stories for each stage, prepare insightful questions, and practice concise, clear communication that demonstrates collaboration and adaptability. It also emphasizes treating interviews as two‑way conversations and leveraging recruiters’ insight to bridge academia and industry, offering a practical path for postdocs aiming to break into industry.