Kristian G. AndersenGeverifieerd account

Re: #2. How?

No question it's hard - and takes a lot of time/effort (~10 in-person interviews >1yr before I had my first postdoc hires). #1, 3, 4, and 5 will help - and so will a website (I get >90% of applicants coming through website + Twitter).

Also, I focus almost exclusively on proven productivity when hiring - via letter(s), preprints, articles. Don't be lured by fancy-sounding school names - they mean nothing.

I agree that proven productivity is really key. However, it also seems that some people who apparently do well (but not spectacular) in grad school fail miserably during postdoc.

There are just as many who do the opposite and flourish as a postdoc after a mediocre output in PhD. There is no magic formula, and "fit" with your lab is very important. The most scientifically productive person will harm your progress overall if they are disruptive to your lab.