This Friday is Match Day, which means a new class of soon-to-be medical school graduates will find out where they will spend the next three to seven years as medical residents. If you are among this group of future physicians, this next stage of training will provide essential preparation. The fast-paced, all-consuming nature of residency can leave you with little time to think about where all your hard work is leading — or, more importantly, where you want it to take you. Therefore, residents must make the first physician job search an ongoing priority to ensure the light at the end of the residency tunnel is a destination of your own choosing.    

So, do new residents need to start the job search tomorrow? Most recruiters will advise residents to begin their search 12-24 months before completing training. However, starting early may improve the odds of finding a job in which you will want to stay. Studies show that half of all physicians leave their first jobs within five years, and half of that group leaves during the first two. If residents stick to the following timeline (based on a three-year residency), they will surely find themselves with more choices than they would have otherwise. It also means they will have ample time to learn what they ideally want from an employer and find a job that meets those needs. 

Resident Job Search Tasks in the First Year(s)

Pre-assess the Physician Job Market

For new residents, the first step in a physician job search is simply researching the market. Anyone with an eye on healthcare headlines knows that staffing shortages continue to plague the industry. While some regions struggle more than others, physicians and other healthcare providers are in high demand nationwide. 

This knowledge should give you confidence about your future physician job search (and future job security). However, this doesn’t mean the physician job search is easy or that circumstances are the same for every specialty and in every location. They are not. A recent report from Jackson Physician Search uses our 2022 placement data and observations from several recruitment leaders to identify physician hiring trends in the marketplace. According to the report, primary care physicians see the greatest demand, along with specialists who are willing to treat broad panels of patients. Rural healthcare organizations have more urgent needs than organizations in urban and suburban areas. 

Of course, we may see trends shift slightly or change altogether before you move on to the more active stages of your search, but now is the time to find credible sources on the subject and start paying attention.

Identify Your Priorities

Now is the time to consider what matters most in your first physician job. Compensation and location are obviously important, but where does work-life balance fit in? What about culture, the scope of practice, and growth opportunities? Of course, you want it all, but you need to consider where you are willing to compromise. Talk to attending physicians about their lifestyles and what they like and dislike about their jobs. What are the things they wish they had known when they were searching for their first physician jobs? 

Reach Out to a Recruiter

Introduce yourself to a respected physician recruiter and ask them what to expect in each stage of the search. He or she can provide details on a typical job search timeline for your specialty and answer questions about the physician interview process, physician compensation models, or physician employment contracts. 

If you have determined that location is a priority, ask the recruiter about the job market in your preferred city. If you have any special circumstances, such as a visa requirement or a physician spouse who will also be applying to jobs, share this with the recruiter and ask for advice. Physician recruiters are usually happy to connect with residents and answer questions about what lies ahead. Don’t hesitate to reach out — by phone, email, or LinkedIn — and ask for advice. 

Resident Job Search Tasks in the Second Year 

Browse Physician Job Boards

You may not be ready to apply to physician jobs just yet, but it’s a good time to start browsing physician job boards for jobs in your specialty in the locations of interest to you. This helps you to assess the market and set realistic expectations. Set up job alerts for jobs matching your specific search criteria. If a job or employer seems particularly perfect — and your specialty is in high demand — it may be worth sending the recruiter an email expressing interest. 

Gather Documents

Before you begin applying to physician jobs, you need a polished CV, a targeted cover letter (that will be tailored to specific jobs), and a list of professional references who have agreed to serve as your reference. Once you have these three things prepared and perfected, you are ready to start actively applying for physician jobs.

Resident Job Search Tasks in the Final Year

Reconnect with a Recruiter

Now is the time to reconnect with any recruiters you may have introduced yourself to over the years. Let him or her know that you will complete your training in 12 months and are actively searching for a job. Talk to them about what you are looking for, and be clear about what is a must-have versus a nice-to-have. Be open to his or her feedback. If they suggest a location or type of organization you had not previously considered, it is likely because it aligns with what you have said is important to you. Keep an open mind.  

Browse and Submit

Remember those job alerts you set up last year? It’s time to start paying attention. Tweak your search parameters if needed, and when a job arrives in your inbox, that seems to match 70% of what you want, go ahead and express your interest. By applying, you are not promising to attend an on-site interview; you simply agree to have a conversation in which you will learn more about the opportunity.

Attend On-Site Visits

Ideally, by the third or fourth month of your final year, you have scheduled or even attended several on-site visits with potential employers. You may have even found an organization that seems like a good fit. Make sure when you visit an organization, you have an opportunity to meet not only the administration but your potential colleagues as well. Look for red flags, and don’t be afraid to ask direct questions to reveal more about the organization’s culture. You’ll also want to explore the community, perhaps with a realtor, but also on your own. If dining and shopping are important to you, spend some time downtown. If you enjoy the outdoors, ask someone to direct you to the nearest park or popular hiking spots.  

Understand Your Contract

When an organization extends an offer, you’ll want to work with your physician recruiter to understand and perhaps negotiate the terms. Before signing any physician employment contract, you may want an attorney to review it. You will address any concerns through your recruiter.

Licensing and Credentialing

Signing the contract feels like it should be the last step, and yet, it can take several months to obtain a medical license with the state, and then, you still need credentials for the specific hospital. The process won’t be labor intensive for you, but it will take time — time you must allow for when setting your job search timeline. Ideally, you are signing a contract in March if you hope to start your job in July. 

A Resident’s Job Search Starts Today

Each resident will have a slightly different timeline than what is outlined here, but let this be a guide for the stages of your search, and if nothing else, take away this — it is never too early to begin your first physician job search. From the time you begin your residency, consider yourself in the research stage. Learn about the market, discover your own priorities, and ask questions of physicians in various stages of their careers. 

If you are conducting ongoing job search research, you will likely know when it is time to begin the other job search tasks, such as reaching out to a recruiter, preparing your CV and other materials, and setting up an online job search. Those who know what to expect and are prepared for the search will ultimately have more options available to them and have a greater chance of finding a first physician job that meets their needs. 

If you are in any stage of residency and have questions about what lies ahead, the recruiters at Jackson Physician Search would love to hear from you. Reach out today for insights about the market and what to expect in your search. We also recommend you download the Physician Job Search Playbook, and when you’re ready, start searching for physician jobs online.

With Match Day quickly approaching, soon-to-be medical residents around the country are looking forward to having the next stage of their lives settled. While some will have their hearts set on a specific residency program, many will be relieved to have a better idea of what the next few years of their lives will look like. However, depending on the length of residency (and possibly, fellowship), it likely won’t be long before they must begin the search process again — this time for their first physician jobs. 

The cycle of applications, interviews, and waiting for acceptances (or rejections) is a constant in the life of a med student. Since high school, they have worked hard to present impressive applications and references — first to a university, next to medical school, and then to residency programs. The bad news for residents is that this process is far from over. The good news is that the experience gained applying to med schools and residency programs have largely prepared them for the physician job search. 

Of course, new residents will want a break from the search and apply process, however, don’t wait too long before beginning to think about your next steps. It’s never too early to start the search for your first physician job. Ease into it by considering the following:

Visualize Your Physician Career and Establish Priorities

What is most important to you in a physician job? How do you want your physician career to develop over the next five or ten years? How involved do you hope to be in your home and family life? That is, how important is work-life balance? As you progress through your residency, pay attention to what parts of the job you enjoy and ask questions of your attendings about what they like and dislike about their jobs. 

Industry experts estimate that half of the physicians coming out of residency spend less than five years in their first job, and half of that group walks away within just two years. One could argue these physicians simply change their minds about what they want in a job, but many may never have considered what was most important to them personally and professionally. Instead, they applied to physician job ads featuring the qualities best known for attracting candidates — namely, above-average compensation and/or big signing bonuses. Money can certainly catch the eye, but it does not guarantee the physician job will be a good fit for every candidate.

Of course, if you don’t know what’s most important to you in your first physician job, it is very easy to be drawn to what is important to the masses — money — and studies show the happiest physicians are not always the ones earning the most money.  

Prepare Physician Job Search Materials 

Before you begin searching and applying to jobs, you need to spend some time preparing and polishing the following physician job search materials: a comprehensive physician CV, a thoughtful cover letter (that can be tailored for a specific job), and a list of people (and their contact details) who have committed to giving you an enthusiastic recommendation. 

Don’t wait to prepare these documents until you find the perfect physician job posting. Instead, spend some time perfecting your CV, crafting a cover letter, and reaching out to potential references so that you are ready to apply as soon as you find a physician job posting that seems like a good match. 

Establish a Relationship with a Physician Recruiter

Even if you are not quite ready to begin applying to physician jobs, reach out to a physician recruiter to discuss any questions you have about the physician job search process. A knowledgeable physician recruiter will share what he or she knows about the current market for your specialty and help set your expectations about compensation, timeline, and more.   

While physicians are in high demand, this doesn’t mean the first physician job search is easy. There is a lot to navigate, and residents should allow at least a year, if not more, in order to have time to adequately evaluate opportunities. 

If you are a resident with questions about what lies ahead, contact a Jackson Physician Search recruiter today. We also recommend you download the Physician Job Search Playbook, and when you’re ready, start searching for physician jobs online.

After a full year of searching for her first hospitalist job, Dr. M was thrilled to have an offer from a health system in a major California metro. It was everything she had hoped to find. The compensation was competitive, the culture was patient-centered, and the schedule was flexible. She had verbally accepted the offer at the end of her on-site visit, but a week later, contract in hand, her parents — and their attorney — were cautioning her not to sign it. She had reviewed the points of contention and understood the concerns. However, she also knew from her recruiter that the health system did not alter certain aspects of the physician employment contract under any circumstances. The attorney advised against signing the contract unless all the adjustments he advised were made, but she truly feels this is otherwise the job of her dreams. 

Dr. M is in an incredibly difficult situation. Her parents and attorney feel that some phrases included in the contract leave her vulnerable. However, the recruiter she’s working with has already told her that the organization has historically not been willing to change this language. Does she walk away from an otherwise perfect opportunity? 

The answer, of course, is highly personal, and Dr. M will have to make it for herself, just like any physician presented with a contract of employment. The terms acceptable to one physician may be out of the question for another, but every physician should consider the following when evaluating a physician employment contract.  

1. Do your research.

Whether you are a resident searching for your first physician job or a mid- to late-career physician looking for a new opportunity, it’s a good idea to do some research about physician contracts today.

The American Medical Association’s “Making the Rounds” podcast has a series of six episodes covering everything from letters of intent and compensation to termination clauses and liability insurance. The series features guidance from AMA Senior Attorney Wes Cleveland and touches on every aspect of the physician employment contract. A recent article summarizes the highlights.

2. Know what matters most.

Director of Recruiting Katie Moeller advises residents to get familiar with physician contracts even before they have an offer in hand.

“I tell new physicians to talk to their mentors and ask questions about how their contracts are structured,” she says. “Ask them about what aspects of their contracts have the greatest impact on how they work day-to-day, so they know what to expect and what matters most.”  

If this is not your first job search, ask yourself what, if any, part of your last contract led to dissatisfaction on the job. Talk to a recruiter about those issues, so he or she can advise on what type of employer may offer a contract that is a better fit. 

3. Understand what is in the contract. 

Once you have an offer in hand, read it! Know what your obligations are (number of hours worked, availability, call commitments, administrative duties, etc.) and what you can expect in return (base salary, bonus potential, PTO, benefits, etc.) If there are gray areas or you don’t understand some of the terms, ask your recruiter if they can help connect you with leadership at the hospital/practice for further discussion. 

4. Get input from a trusted advisor.

The contract may be fairly straightforward, but it is still a good idea to have someone you trust review it and offer feedback. This could be a mentor, a parent, a spouse, or even an attorney. Katie Moeller says it’s a good idea for candidates to seek the opinion of someone they trust; however, she encourages them to think for themselves. 

“A parent, spouse, or attorney may get hung up on something that is boilerplate/template language or is fairly standard in the industry,” Katie says. “So, I advise candidates to trust their instincts and consider the situation as a whole. If the hospital/practice you hope to sign with tells you they are unable to change certain contract language, the best first step is to ask for clarification about why that is the case — it may be for a completely understandable reason, such as being consistent with wording across all employee contracts.”

5. Discuss concerns with a recruiter.

It is not for the recruiter to advise on what a physician should or should not be comfortable with. However, a good physician recruiter can share insight on whether or not the contract is in line with industry standards. That is, in the opening story, if Dr. M’s recruiter informs her that the point of concern is going to be standard in any contract with a major health system, that’s critical information to have. If it’s not an issue that Dr. M can bend on, she may need to look at working for a smaller organization or a private practice that will be more open to making adjustments to the contract. 

Evaluating the Physician Employment Contract

Physicians are obviously in high demand, which in some ways, means they have the upper hand in contract negotiations. Certainly, things like physician compensation, recruitment bonuses, and time off are often up for negotiation; however, depending on the type, size, and resources of the organization, there is not always as much flexibility as the candidate may want.  

Do your research and know what the most important aspects of the contract are for you. Read the contract and seek advice to help you understand the implications of any area that seems unclear. Bring your concerns to the recruiter, and he or she will do everything in his or her power to bring the deal to a satisfactory close for all parties involved. 

“Any contract requires a level of trust,” Katie says. “Contract language can be intimidating, so talk to other physicians in the group to better understand how the terms play out on the job. If the physicians are happy and the situation seems favorable, you can confidently sign the contract and begin the next chapter of your career.”

Whether you are seeking your first physician job or feeling out new opportunities, a Jackson Physician Search recruiter would be happy to share some insight to help you reach your goals. Reach out today or start searching for physician jobs online now.

Physician jobs are rarely contained to the nine-to-five schedule enjoyed by many working professionals. Certainly, physicians in residency and the early stages of their physician careers expect to spend a fair number of nights and weekends at the hospital or at least on call. It’s just part of the physician’s job. What you may not have thought about, however, are the many holidays you might spend working — the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas to name a few. Patients still get sick, injured, or have other emergencies on national holidays, and someone must be there to help them. That someone might even be you this holiday season. 

Working the holidays doesn’t have to be a dreaded part of a physician’s job. In fact, some see it as a rite of passage that every physician must endure. But even beyond your admission to the physician club of shared woes, working the holidays can be an overall positive experience when you think about it in the following ways:

1. A Gift to Colleagues

It’s the season of giving, and what better gift to give your colleagues than the ability to spend the day with their families? Few if any want to work the holidays, so by stepping up to volunteer, you are taking that pressure and burden off others who will likely be very grateful. 

2. A Gift to Patients

You got into this profession to help patients, but it may not always feel like you’re making a difference. However, when you provide those same services on a holiday, patients may be especially appreciative of your time and are more likely to express their gratitude. Even if they don’t, you can take satisfaction in knowing that you are providing an essential service to the community.

3. Earn Points to Cash in Later

All that giving back feels good, of course, but let’s not overlook the longer-term benefit to yourself. If you “take one for the team” over the holidays, you are better positioned to ask off for the popular week of spring break. Or when you need a colleague to cover your call one weekend, he or she will be more inclined to say yes. 

4. A Unique Atmosphere 

So, it may not be the setting for a Hallmark movie, but a hospital or clinic does have a unique vibe on a holiday that is likely to lift the spirits. Families of patients will often go to great lengths to bring the holidays to the hospital, and staff of all types enjoys a sense of unity in the shared experience of missing the holiday with their families and friends. Perhaps more so than any other time, coworkers feel like family. 

In addition to reframing the way you view the holiday shift, it may be useful to consider the following tips for preserving the spirit of the holiday for yourself.

Celebrate on a different day — Why miss the holiday when you can reschedule instead? Take time off before or after the holiday and designate a day to celebrate as you would on an official day. 

Do something festive with staff — Wear a Santa hat to work, play holiday music, or bring in latkes to share. Encourage everyone working the holiday to wear, bring, or do something to make the day jolly. 

Working the holidays is rarely ideal, but it doesn’t have to be a depressing experience. In fact, it’s likely to earn you recognition from your supervisors, appreciation from your peers, help you form deeper connections with staff, and remind you of all the reasons you became a physician — to help others in their time of need. 

Whether you’re spending the holidays on the clock or enjoying time off with family, the team at Jackson Physician Search wishes you all the best during the holiday season. 

With physician turnover potentially on the rise and a concerning number of physicians reporting burnout, there is increasing attention on the impact of workplace culture on physician retention. The good news is, employers are aware of the importance of a positive organizational culture. However, as a candidate, it can be difficult to discern if the way your interviewer describes the culture is a true representation of how other physicians experience it. 

Workplace culture is often a reflection of the organization’s values, or at least how well those values are embodied by its staff. This is one of many reasons most recruiters stress the importance of finding an employer whose values align with yours. They know what happens when a physician who wants autonomy accepts an offer from an employer known for micromanaging. When values are misaligned, no one involved in the relationship will be happy. 

The physician interview is your best opportunity to investigate an employer’s values and culture. Keep reading to find out how to evaluate an employer’s culture during the physician interview. 

Conduct Pre-Interview Research

Before you agree to an on-site physician interview, research the employer online and try to determine if it is a place you would like to work. Review the mission statement and values professed on the website. Look for news stories about the organization to see how it is viewed in the community. Follow the employer’s social channels to learn more. What kind of stories are shared about patients, staff, and leadership? Do you see photos of team-building activities or employer-sponsored service projects? What charitable causes does the organization champion? 

Keep in mind, an online presence is carefully curated, so it may not tell the whole story. Look for clues about what the organization values. It will be up to you to discern if those values are acted out in the organization’s culture. Your chance to do this is during the on-site physician interview.

Ask Questions to Reveal Culture 

In preparation for the on-site interview, think about what questions you should ask each of your interviewers. You know you want to learn about culture, however, asking your interviewer to tell you about the organizational culture will likely get you a regurgitation of what is posted on the website. Instead, ask questions designed to reveal specific aspects of the culture that matter most to you. If physician autonomy is especially important, ask leaders to provide examples of ways physicians are included in decision-making. Ask potential physician peers if they are free to order tests and procedures as they see fit. Request they share other examples of their clinical autonomy.  

If work-life balance and mental health are a priority, ask leaders about programs in place to prevent physician burnout. Ask about the average physician tenure, and if it seems low, find out why. When talking with physicians, ask if they feel they have adequate support and share examples of such. Does the department or clinic have enough nurses on staff? Is there a scribe on staff? How is the call schedule determined? Is management approachable when additional support is needed? When provided with answers, listen not just to the speaker’s words, but also notice how comfortable he or she seems when talking about the topic. 

Observe Workplace Culture

Of course, words are one thing, but actions tell a more complete story. Use your time on site to observe as much as you can about the culture. Do people seem generally positive and at ease? How do physicians interact with leadership and each other? How do they treat support staff? When discussing the patient community, is everyone respectful? 

Spend as much time as you can with people working at all levels of the organization and trust your instincts. If you see any red flags, keep digging until you get to the truth. 

Trust Your Recruiter

No one knows more about an organization’s reputation than a recruiter. They know from the candidates they’ve placed whether or not the organization follows through on the promises they make during the interview process. While it’s true that your recruiter is paid by the healthcare organization, it is in everyone’s best interests to find a candidate who is both a clinical and cultural fit for the client as both are strong predictors of long-term physician retention.

Leverage Multiple Channels to Learn About Culture 

Evaluating a potential employer’s workplace culture is a critical part of the physician job search process. Be sure to use every channel available to you to learn as much as you can. Conduct online research prior to attending the interview. Prepare thoughtful questions designed to reveal the aspects of culture that are most important to you. Tailor each question to the specific person you are meeting with, depending on their position within the organization. Observe the behavior of those you meet, as well as the surrounding staff and even the patients. If you pick up on any tension, do your best to find out more. After you have seen and heard as much as possible, ask your recruiter to share what he or she knows about the culture of the organization. The recruiter will want to ensure alignment between you and the client, so he or she should be honest and transparent. Use this information, along with your observations and instincts, and you are sure to make the right decision.

If you are searching for a physician job, it is extremely helpful to work with a recruiter who can offer insight into the cultures of organizations that interest you. At Jackson Physician Search, we have offices in four different regions, and our regional recruitment teams would be more than happy to share what they know about the employers in the area. Contact us today or download the Physician Job Search Playbook for everything you need to know to get started.

 

As Dr. L enters his final year of training as a sports medicine fellow, he is excited to begin his physician job search in Chicago. He plans to move back to the neighborhood where he grew up, and he already has his eye on a physician-owned practice that works with a few of the area’s sports teams. Of course, he will consider other opportunities in Chicago, but he keeps reading about the physician shortage, so he assumes he will have multiple offers from which to choose. 

Are Dr. L’s physician job search expectations realistic? He is certainly right about the physician shortage. The latest data from AAMC projects the nation will experience a shortage of up to 48,000 primary care physicians and an additional 77,100 non-primary care specialists by the year 2034. So, in light of this news, physicians should feel confident in their ability to find a job…as long as they keep an open mind about how and where they practice. 

The demand for physicians varies greatly by specialty and location. For Dr. L, the need for physicians trained in sports medicine in Chicago will not be as high as the need for primary care physicians–and the need in Chicago may not be as great as the need in the upper Midwest. Does this mean he should give up on his dream of working with athletes and building a sports medicine practice in the Windy City? Not necessarily–but there are some worthwhile reasons he should remain open to other locations and types of physician jobs. 

If you are like Dr. L and have a very specific idea of how and where your physician career should progress, we propose the following three reasons to consider broadening your physician job search parameters.

1. Higher Physician Compensation 

With the cost of living generally higher in major metros, one might assume physician compensation would also be higher. However, healthcare organizations in urban areas have far more physician applicants than those in less populated regions. So, employers in bigger cities may not offer as many incentives to attract quality physicians. Even the salary guarantee may be on the lower end. In an article for the NEJM Career Center, JPS President Tony Stadjahar reports an average pay difference of 5%-10% more at rural organizations. However, considering the lower cost of living in rural areas, the impact may be far more than the percentage indicates.   

Okay, so physicians seeking jobs in urban areas may not see as many incentives as those searching in rural areas, but when building a practice, the earning potential is likely much bigger in a more populated area, right? Not necessarily. The higher population does not equate to a higher volume of patients due to the saturation of the market.

“For most physicians, location is the biggest driver of their job search,” says Tara Osseck, VIce President of Recruiting for Jackson Physician Search’s Midwest Division. “They are so focused on a specific city, but they’ll often find the market is saturated, so their earning potential is not what they hoped.”

Bigger cities have a higher volume of physicians of every specialty, so patients have more options. For this reason, it may actually be harder to build a solid patient base and earn a competitive income in an urban area.  

Takeaway: If compensation is a top priority, consider expanding your search outside of major metro areas.  

2. Less Competition 

The physician shortage is a well-documented threat to our nation’s healthcare infrastructure, and yet, it may not feel like there is a shortage when competing for jobs in a major metro area. Many physicians focus their job search on one city and find themselves competing with other physicians who have their minds made up about the same location. These physicians will find significantly less competition if they broaden their geographical search parameters. 

But location isn’t the only area to expand. Physicians who are set on a certain scope or type of practice will run into more competition than those who are flexible about the types of patients they see. For example, Dr. L is completing a fellowship in sports medicine, so of course he wants to limit his scope of practice to this field. But the demand for sports medicine physicians is far less than the need for physicians who are willing to see a wider variety of patients. 

“The biggest need right now is for physicians who can be flexible and provide a wide scope of practice,” says Director of Recruiting, Katie Moeller. “Of course it’s okay to share your preferences for the types of patients you hope to see, but a willingness to take cases outside of your sub-specialization will make you a more attractive candidate.” 

If Dr. L plans to only pursue sports medicine jobs, the opportunities will be few and the competition will be high. On the other hand, if he agrees to treat cases that were aligned with his residency training too, he will find more physician job openings and far less competition.

Takeaway: If your physician job search is stalling, it may be due to high competition for the jobs to which you are applying. Consider broadening your job search parameters to include more opportunities that may be less competitive. 

3. More Rewarding

While physician compensation is extremely important, most physicians also enjoy the personal rewards that come with improving the lives of patients. The feeling of goodwill that comes with acts of service may be compounded in physicians working in medically underserved areas. While these could be urban or rural, it’s worth considering the benefits of practicing rural medicine when you think about expanding your physician job search outside of urban areas. 

In a joint study from LocumTenens.com and Jackson Physician Search on Rural Physician Recruitment and Staffing, rural physicians reported the most common reason for choosing to practice in a rural area was improved work-life balance, followed closely by higher compensation, and a more affordable cost of living. So in addition to the satisfaction of treating the underserved, a healthy work-life balance and a reduced chance of burnout are rewards that few physicians in urban areas can claim. 

The Takeaway: Keep an open mind about the various directions your physician career could take. You may find greater happiness in unexpected places. 

While it’s normal to have a vision of the type of practice you want to build and where you want to live, it’s important to keep an open mind and investigate opportunities outside of your current vision. Work with a trusted physician recruiter who will take the time to get to know you and understand what it is you want most in a job. If this recruiter presents you with an opportunity they think will be a good fit, trust their instincts and give it the consideration it deserves.

If you are a physician preparing for a job search, talk to the healthcare industry professionals at Jackson Physician Search. Our recruiters have the experience and nationwide network to help you find the opportunity that best fits your personal and professional needs. Contact us today or download the Physician Job Search Playbook for everything you need to know to get started.

 

Whether you are working crazy resident hours or just scrambling to keep up with your current physician job, chances are you simply don’t have enough hours in your day to focus on your physician job search. Your perception isn’t wrong–you are likely busier than most people you know! And yet, somehow you must make time to search for your first (or next) physician job. 

When “job search” is on your to-do list, it can be hard to know where to begin. So, in an effort to make it more manageable, we’re assigning three tasks to get you started. Don’t waste any more time scrolling physician job boards until you have the following three things completed, polished, and ready to submit as needed. 

1. An Impressive Physician CV

The task of writing a CV may sound daunting, but again, if you break it into sections, it shouldn’t be difficult. Start with a blank page in Word or Google docs and beneath your name and contact information (address, phone, and email), list the following headings followed by the relevant details: 

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
Start with the most recent institution (provide the full name and location) and work backward. Include the years of study, degree earned, areas of focus, special qualifications, and distinctions. 

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Again, start with the most recent and work backward listing places of employment, locations, and dates. Use bullets to briefly describe your accomplishments in the role, noting procedure and patient volumes, administrative duties, leadership roles, or committee memberships. Offer a concise explanation for any gaps in employment.  

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURE
Note states where you are currently licensed and the status of any applications. Also include board certification or status.

HONORS & AFFILIATIONS
If applicable, list any awards, honors, or professional affiliations. 

PUBLICATIONS
If applicable, list publications and presentations.

Your CV is your first chance to impress a recruiter, so it should accurately (and concisely) reflect your professional accomplishments. It should also include personal details relevant to your job search, such as citizenship and/or visa requirements. Proofread your CV for typos, misspellings, and grammatical errors. Some recruiters may assume that sloppiness on the CV could mean sloppiness on the job. 

2. A Targeted Cover Letter

When applying for jobs online, a cover letter may not seem necessary, but avoid the temptation to skip this important step. The cover letter is your chance to provide context for your CV and show the recruiter who you are and why you are interested in the job. 

“Broaden your thinking about what a ‘cover letter’ should be,” says JPS Director of Recruiting Katie Moeller. “It could be an email, a few sentences at the top of your CV, or a short paragraph copied into an online ATS. Don’t worry about the format, but focus on its purpose–to introduce your CV, outline what you are looking for, or explain why you are a good fit for a particular job.”

A good cover letter is crafted in response to a specific job opening and notes the reasons for your interest in that particular job. However, in preparation for your physician job search, you should craft a cover letter template that can be adapted for the individual opportunities to which you are applying. 

While each cover letter must be specific to the opportunity, there are a few standards to apply in every scenario: 

• Express enthusiasm for the opportunity and note why it is appealing to you
• Highlight any skills or experiences that are especially relevant to the job for which you are applying
• If necessary, request confidentiality
• Be concise
• Follow business etiquette, but do not be overly formal
• Proofread for typos, misspellings, and grammatical errors

3. A List of Professional References 

Of course, you have people who can vouch for you, so you may think there is no need to spend time preparing a list of references. And while you don’t need it when first submitting an application, it is worth taking the time now to think through who should be on your list and contact them and ask if they are willing to take calls from prospective employers. If you compile this list before it is needed, you will keep the application process moving forward without delay–something that benefits both you and your potential employer.

Katie Moeller agrees. “Candidates shouldn’t include references on the CV,” she says, ‘However, it’s helpful when they have already prepared a list of references who are ready and willing to be contacted by potential employers. Those references should be prepared to take calls from unknown numbers and respond to email requests.”  

So first things first, who should you ask to be a reference? You want to provide a variety of sources. You will need to include a recent supervisor or manager as well as a physician peer or even an advanced practice provider who you have worked well with.  Other impressive references would be administrators or the chair or chief of medicine at your training program.

Reach out to each potential reference and ask their permission to share their contact information with potential employers who may reach out to them. Confirm that they are willing to respond to these inquiries. You may also want to tell them a little about your job search–why you are looking and the type of employment you are seeking. If you know you will be working to overcome objections–job hopping or gaps in employment–you may want to share your explanation for those issues so they can reinforce your messaging.

Once you have these three things polished and ready to submit, you are ready to set up job alerts, scroll physician job boards, and reach out to a physician recruiter. Of course, if you need further guidance with any of these steps, a recruiter at Jackson Physician Search would be happy to help. Contact us today or download the Physician Job Search Playbook for everything you need to know to get started.