For PhDs & academics
AVGS Coaching for PhDs: moving from academia into industry
You hold a doctorate or have an academic background – and now you want to move into industry, a new role or a new field. The challenge is rarely your qualification; it is translation: putting your academic achievements into a language that hiring managers immediately understand. That is exactly where this coaching starts – as an equal, because I hold a doctorate myself (Dr. phil.) and know this transition first-hand.
Why leaving academia is a specific challenge
- Your CV is not "read", it is categorised: recruiters without an academic background often don't recognise the value of a doctorate at first glance.
- "Overqualified"? The most common prejudice – and almost always a communication problem, not a real one.
- The hidden job market: many suitable roles are never advertised and are filled through networks and referrals.
Who this coaching is for
- PhDs (Dr., PhD) moving from university, research or a postdoc into industry
- Academics who want to change sector or function
- Researchers between fixed-term contracts who want planning security
- International PhDs who want to gain a foothold in the German job market (coaching also available in English, Spanish and French)
What we work on together
- Positioning: sharpening your profile so that "PhD" becomes a clear value proposition.
- CV translation: turning your academic CV into business language – results and impact instead of a list of methods.
- Application strategy: identifying the right roles, including the hidden job market and your LinkedIn profile.
- Interviews: confidently turning around typical objections ("too theoretical", "overqualified") using the STAR method.
- Salary & negotiation: assessing your market value realistically and negotiating with confidence.
Why coaching with a coach who holds a doctorate
Free for you: 100% funded via the AVGS voucher
This coaching can be fully funded through an Activation and Placement Voucher (AVGS) from the German Federal Employment Agency or the Jobcenter – which means it is free for you (legal basis: § 45 SGB III). Under certain conditions there is even a legal entitlement. Check anonymously in a few minutes whether an AVGS applies to you:
Frequently asked questions
Is career coaching really worth it for PhDs?
Yes – precisely because the bottleneck in the transition is rarely your qualification, but positioning and communication. Focused coaching shortens the search and prevents you from starting below your value.
Is the coaching really free?
If you are eligible for an AVGS, the Employment Agency or Jobcenter covers the cost in full. There are no fees for you. Check your eligibility in advance with the free AVGS check.
Does the coaching take place online?
Yes, fully online and location-independent via video. German law explicitly treats online coaching as equivalent to in-person sessions. So you choose your coach by fit – not by postcode.
I'm not a native German speaker – is English possible?
Yes. Coaching is available in English, German, Spanish and French – ideal for international PhDs who want to establish themselves in the German job market.
How quickly can we start?
After a short, free initial call we clarify your goal and the AVGS application. Once the voucher is issued, we start promptly.