Did you ever get asked why you came back to the academic world in the interviews? I'm curious how PhDs who've been in the industry are viewed from academia.
Oh yes. But given that I am in a software engineering department, they really value industry experience. I actually published way more in industry than I did in academia!
Little bit late to this reply... but how are self-funded candidates who have intent on going back to private sector (research, but still private sector) viewed by CS/SWE departments?