Physician Job Search: Tips and Advice

The uncertainty of the coronavirus has forced many businesses, cities, and states in the United States to limit public gatherings. This leaves some time to do indoor activities for those who are now in self-isolation or social distancing situations.

Searching for physician opportunities can become overwhelming for residents and fellows when they receive hundreds of job matches from their search. The key to effective job searching is to search strategically.

In the past two months, I have been asked by multiple female resident physicians, "How do I handle being asked about pregnancy or family plans during an interview?"

There comes a time in every medical student's life when they make the critical decision of which Medical Residency program they will pursue. While this decision is paramount to you, it is also weighing heavily on the minds of thousands of other students desperate to get into their program and specialty of choice.

If you are a Physician seeking a new employment opportunity, it's important to keep up to date regarding compensation trends. One trend that continues to expand for Physicians in a positive direction is signing bonuses.

Physicians are in-demand professionals that frequently encounter multiple job offers when seeking new employment opportunities. If you are a job hunting Physician that's fortunate enough to have more than one job offer on the table, there are important factors to consider before making your final decision.

Are you a student interested in both medicine and research? If so, you may want to consider pursuing a dual MD/PhD degree. By combining your medical degree with an additional doctoral degree focused on research, you can take your career to the next level …

Medical school is a challenging educational pursuit that requires students to be resilient while flourishing in a stressful environment.This stress can be overwhelming if you don't have strategies in place to help you cope, so consider some of these stress-reducing tips to help you survive your medical training.

America's healthcare market is continually evolving and changing the way Physicians practice medicine. If you are a Physician that's seeking a new employment opportunity, it is vital to know what current trends are happening and how they may affect your options.

Physician cover letters, are they necessary? I've been asked this question by multiple residents throughout the past few years...

The new year is finally here, which means many residents, fellows, and practicing physicians will start their job search for employment later this year. One important aspect of any physician job search is creating or updating their Physician CV.

Physician retirement is a hot topic as nearly a third of Physicians in America will be retiring in the near future. If you are a Physician with retirement on the horizon, it's important to think about where you want to line up your final job!

One of the biggest decisions a medical student can make is choosing their specialty of practice. This decision can affect your training duration, future pay, locality, and lifestyle.

Clinical clerkships are a vital part of your medical education that provides you with critical, on-the-job experience you will use for the rest of your career.

In today's wired world, online patient reviews can greatly affect a Physician's practice as patients turn to the internet to seek advice regarding their healthcare.

The physician job search can be an overwhelming process for new physician job seekers. As a physician, you have more than likely been told the basics of search for an opportunity, apply, and then interview for the opportunity.

As a physician job seeker, there is a good chance that you will come across the name of a hospital or organization that you are not familiar with. You do not want to just blindly apply to a position at a hospital you have no knowledge of, so run a quick internet search to learn more.

As the new year is approaching, it's a good time to start cleaning up your social media accounts. Especially for young medical students, resident physicians, and fellows who have most likely had social media since a young age.

Physician stress in inevitable. Between busy schedules, endless emails, difficult patients or their family, and your personal life, your days are not structured to be a breeze. It is important that you can recognize your stressor(s) throughout your day to develop healthy and effective coping mechanisms…

Make sure that you start your search early. Not only do you have the regular obstacles that other physicians have when finding opportunities, but now you are looking for a visa sponsorship as well. This can limit the pool of opportunities that are available to you since hospitals and healthcare organizations have a limit on the number of visas that they can sponsor.

During residency and fellowship, physicians are critiqued by their attending physician. For some, hearing criticism, whether it be constructive or not, can be hard. This can cause extra stress for residents or fellows who are striving for perfection, self-doubt in those who are struggling in training, or even defensiveness in those who feel it's unjust criticism.

As a physician you hold many responsibilities, but that also includes the responsibility of creating professional relationships with physician recruiters or the organization. More than likely you do not have a representative that can help cultivate a relationship on your behalf.

Family Medicine is a great specialty choice for Physicians wanting a challenging and rewarding career.

Searching for a new job can be exhaustive and leave you feeling drained. This is especially true when there is lack of feedback and no end in sight to your search.

Physician job searching can be a daunting task for some. As a physician, you want to find the right opportunity for your future, so you do not have to look for another position in a short amount of time. As you are searching for opportunities you may run into an issue and then feel stuck.

Physician recruiters are an unknown group to many physicians. You've heard of recruiters, headhunters, search firms, and other terms used to describe those who try to recruit physicians. The problem with this is that many physicians lump all these recruiter types into one group.

As a resident physician, you will eventually have the task of finding the right opportunity post training. During your search, you will be recruited by different organizations and hospitals that are looking for physicians like you.

Physician job searching can be a daunting task for some. As a physician, you want to find the right opportunity for your future, so you do not have to look for another position in a short amount of time. As you are searching for opportunities you may run into an issue and then feel stuck.

Traveling can be a necessary evil for many physicians each year for job interviews. One common travel method is by airplane. If you are not a frequent flyer, this can add additional stress to you prior to the interview. So, what do you need to know before flying?

Over the past few years I have traveled to multiple physician specialty shows where I meet with residents at different stages of training. One question I always ask residents is, "Have you started looking at opportunities yet?"

Physicians, like other job seekers, must go through the process of interviewing for opportunities. As you are applying to opportunities that is when your recruitment process with the organization(s) begins.

As a medical student, your next step after school is residency. Unfortunately, you do not just get to join any residency program you choose, but instead you need to interview and match to the residency program you want to join.

Residency stipends are beginning to gain more popularity for specialties that organizations have difficulty recruiting. What exactly is a resident stipend?

At the PracticeMatch Career Fairs you are essentially in charge of your own destiny because there are no set chat times or mandated chats with potential employers. You have the autonomy to chat with the organizations that interest you.

Applying to opportunities as a physician is an exciting and nerve-wracking experience for many young doctors. One issue with job applying is physicians wanting to appear eager, but not desperate.

There is a long-standing rivalry amongst Medical Residents over who is "top dog". While every specialty is comprised of a diverse mix of talented Resident Physicians, some specialties outperform others regarding tests scores, publications, and research work.

There are many factors that can chip away from a Physician's bottom line. While some of these issues are unavoidable, others may be addressed to help boost potential income.

Physician recruiters are focused on finding not only the best physician for the opportunity, but also the best physician for the hospital, organization, and team. From the moment that you have your first conversation with the organization you are being recruited.

Your CV should list at least two forms of contact information on it to ensure a potential organization can reach out to you. Why two forms of contact info?

Medical Residents often face considerable financial and professional challenges during training. Student loan burdens and lower training salaries combine to create hardships for many struggling Medical Residents. To alleviate some of this financial strife while also adding an element of clinical variety, many Residents are picking up a side hustle

Are you a Physician Supervisor looking to take your management game to the next level? If so, there are a few tips you can easily add to your repertoire to make you a top-notch supervisor that everyone wants to work with.

Career Fairs have been around for ages, but now there's a new way to attend the fairs. Virtual Career Fairs allow you to chat with potential employers across the country without having to travel.

Physician recruitment has changed over the years, from advertisements placed in newspapers to recruiters texting potential candidates. Recruiters have added texting to their arsenal to help accommodate busy physician schedules.

Many fulfilling careers in medicine share a common factor, that is job satisfaction… While 70% of Physicians report feeling satisfied with their medical career, there are some specialties that rate higher in job satisfaction than others

Are you frustrated at work and feeling like there are more bad days than good? Is it just a phase or is it time to look at whether or not your current job is still the best option for you. To help evaluate, here are some signs that it may be time to start looking for a new job.

As a physician, you may have multiple accounts for the same social media site to allow you to switch between your personal account and professional account: your personal account, where you can interact with family and friends, and share your personal opinions and views.

Job hunting can be a cumbersome task if not done efficiently. One item to make your search a little easier is to decide on your ideal geographic location. You may already have your preferred geographic location already in mind, or you may be completely open to anywhere.

As you begin to apply for opportunities, you know that the next big step will be the interview process. This may seem like an overwhelming task, especially if you feel unprepared for the interview."

The term "ghosting" has been popularized by the rise in dating apps, but it is now being used in the corporate world as well. According to Dictionary.com, ghosting is "the practice of suddenly ending all contact with a person without explanation."

As a physician, you are more than likely engaging in social media to some extent. Whether this be your personal or professional accounts you must remember that HIPAA also applies to social media.

Medical Residency can exact both a mental and physical toll on those who pursue the training. While many positive experiences, knowledge, and confidence can be gained, there can also be negative effects.

Every year more patients seek mental health treatment and increase the demand for Psychiatric care. These demands are causing changes in practice and compensation patterns for the field that can be financially beneficial for Psychiatrists who are open to relocating for new employment opportunities.

In recent years, a number of states have legalized marijuana for medical and/or personal use. While the patchwork of state laws seems to be ever evolving, under US federal law, marijuana still is considered a Schedule I controlled substance. What happens when a non-US citizen physician in a state with legalized marijuana prescribes or dispenses marijuana to patients?

Work-life balance. One of the most lauded concepts in current medicine and medical education, yet something that people regularly have difficulty describing.(...) Throughout my progression in medicine from medical school to residency I have seen the concept of work-life balance evolve.

As the end of the academic year approaches graduates at all levels look onward to their next adventures. Whether this be a middle-schooler about to transition to high school or a college graduate starting medical school the unknown often looms.

Relocating yourself and your family can be very stressful. This is especially true when you are a Medical Resident relocating to start training. While some stress is inevitable, here are a few tips you can try to decrease the effects of a move.

Rural care Physicians have always been the backbone of the American healthcare system. Their care is critical in supporting medically-underserved regions with high patient demand. While the days of the "old country doctor" are over, the benefits associated with rural Physician practice persist.

Medical Residency is a critical time in training where clinical skills and knowledge are honed in preparation for independent practice. Getting into the right program can enhance your career prospects, so it is important to know what programs are looking for when they screen applicants.

The initial stage of the candidate screening process is where most candidates get hung up. During this phase, your CV is reviewed and assessed for specific criteria to ensure a good organizational fit.

As the demands of the medical profession allow little time for house hunting, physicians may find themselves tempted more than most to lean on technology come moving time. Who can blame them?

Social media is a newer tool that many professionals are utilizing to network with colleagues and clients, as well as stay up to date on the news in their field.

Physicians have the monumental task of creating their CV before applying to opportunities. Your CV will be read and judged before any hiring institution has the good fortune to meet you and learn who you are as a person.

Stress is a part of everyone's life, but as a resident or fellow in training, you face extra stress. Not only do you have to focus on learning the key aspects of your specialty, you also have the responsibility of taking care of patients.

As a member of the PracticeMatch team, I travel to multiple physician conferences and career fairs throughout the year. One common trend I've noticed is that many residents I speak with feel very unsure of when they should start looking for opportunities after training.

During your job search, you will read through countless physician opportunity postings describing the position and giving you information about the organization.

As a physician, you will go through the process of applying and interviewing for opportunities. During this time, organizations and recruiters will be looking at you as a whole …

After training or a current contract, the important task of finding an opportunity comes next. There are many different options for physicians to think about while choosing what type of opportunity to practice. One important part of an opportunity is to take into account what type of practice you are looking to join.

The job search process can be a stressful time for any physician, but getting correspondence from multiple recruiters can add to this stress. You may have initially had great interest in an opportunity, but since applying that has changed and the recruiter continues to reach out.

Creating a CV is an important part of the opportunity search process because almost every opportunity will require you to submit your CV before submitting the application. Having a CV that stands out is great, as long as it is not for the wrong reasons. Just like snowflakes, no two CVs will look exactly alike, but there are still 6 items that all CVs want to avoid.

Phone interviews are an easy way to screen candidates before bringing them on campus to do a site visit. When applying for opportunities you should keep in mind that there is a great chance that they will schedule a phone interview with you first prior to a site visit.

Maybe you've heard a colleague ask that question, or you've even asked it yourself. I've found that many times physicians are unsure of attending because they're afraid it will be a waste of time. Let's look at the top 4 reasons to attend career fairs.

The United States' immigration system long has needed reform on a variety of fronts. From the challenges facing those in the country without documentation to the need for fairer asylum laws to often inefficient processing of employment-based immigration benefits.

I hear this question multiple times a day while at physician conferences. This question often comes from those in their last year of training who will be completing in June.

Medical Malpractice Insurance is essential for any Physician wanting to protect themselves from the devastating expenses associated with liability litigation. Every year over 7% of your Physician colleagues are named in a malpractice claim

Physicians are a daily witness to the devastating effects that disabilities can have on one's family and career. Disability Insurance is a critical way to protect yourself and your family in the eventuality that you may one day become disabled.

As I was visiting my beautiful undergraduate alma mater now 10 years after graduation, I had a flashback to spending hours of my time in the library sitting by the window jealously overlooking the carefree non pre-med students, as I was busy cramming for my organic chemistry exam. Now that I have completed medical school …

Living on a Resident Physician salary can be tough. While you may be working full time, Residency pay doesn't always cover necessary living expenses and bills. That's why more and more Residents are pursuing alternative ways to make ends meet.

Video interviews, particularly through Skype, are becoming a mainstay in the recruitment process for many organizations. Due to differences in format from face-to-face interviews, Skype interviews require a modified approach to make a great impression.

Career fairs provide one of the most effective methods for physician job seekers to explore healthcare practice opportunities with multiple employers at a single event

Competition for Medical Residency positions is tougher than ever. That's why it is important to take advantage of every opportunity available to impress your program of choice.

A bad flu season can wreak havoc in an otherwise orderly clinic. While you can't control how bad it may get this flu season, you can take a few steps to prepare for it.

Site Qualification visits are an essential component of the clinical trials site selection process. This visit allows both you and the trial's Sponsor to learn more about each other and ascertain if the study is a good fit.

Site Qualification visits are an essential component of the clinical trials site selection process. This visit allows both you and the trial's Sponsor to learn more about each other and ascertain if the study is a good fit.

You're done interviewing and have an offer on the table for a new physician job. Congratulations, but, your work isn't over. Physician contract negotiations can get very complex and set the table for your future.

If you're a doctor or studying to be one, you probably have student loans. For most medical school students, student loans are a necessary–and stressful–part of taking on four or more additional years of schooling.

In this age of instant access technology, aging populations and Physician shortages, telehealth is a top solution to counteract America's physician shortages.

The importance of having a good rapport with your patients can not be understated. Patients that endorse a good rapport with their Physician report higher satisfaction levels with their care…

Are you feeling discouraged in your physician job search and not achieving the results you had hoped for? If so, it may be time to reboot your search and try some of these tips to help land your dream job.

Medical Residency training is an intensive, time-consuming job that leaves you little time to study. To help you effectively use the little time you have available to study during your Residency, try using some of these study tips:

It is essential to make a great first impression when attending a physician job interview. Employers frequently base their impressions on your appearance during the first few seconds of an interview.

The US physician shortage has become an increasing challenge during the last several years. This shortage is driven by a steadily aging population and an increase in the number of Physicians entering retirement. These shortages are keenly felt in America's rural areas where patients are most in need of Primary Care Providers.

If you're in residency or fellowship you know how important it is to always be on the lookout for potential career opportunities. That's why it's also important not to dismiss possible opportunities simply because you may have heard a myth or two at one point in time.

Working a long shift in any field can be exhausting but medical professionals face a unique set of challenges that can be both physically and mentally taxing. While you may not be able to change your work schedule...

Patient charting has always been a less than desirable reality for medical providers. All the time spent on your computer charting and meeting EMR management requirements can wear you down and cause fatigue.

With an estimated 50% or more of physicians leaving their first jobs within two years, it's clear that there's a disconnect between the job doctors think they're accepting and the reality of what the job entails.

Smartphones are quickly becoming an integral part of everyday living. Their ease of use, accessibility and functionality make them a great tool for patients wanting to track their health conditions. Pain tracking apps can be especially helpful for patients suffering with pain management issues.

Female Physicians now account for over a third of the Physician workforce in America. This growing number of practicing female physicians are changing the workplace and choosing to establish their practices in a variety of settings.

Physicians working as Hospitalists are enjoying a record high demand for their services. While this demand is high, it is important to know if you are being appropriately compensated for your services.

Planning on hanging up your stethoscope in the next few years? If so, maybe it's time to think about where to retire and take that last clinical job. Some states are better than others when it comes to retirement. This makes planning ahead of time essential if you are looking to make the best decision for you and your family.

Internal Medicine is a challenging and rewarding medical specialty practiced by an ever-increasing number of Physicians each year. There are over 285,000 currently certified General Internal Medicine (IM) Physicians that are part of an even larger community of IM specialists.

Despite being on the medical scene for 20 years now, Hospitalists are still considered by many as new kids on the block. The hospitalist role is specialized and increasingly relied upon in today's medical environment and that is changing attitudes about the profession and how medical colleagues view their contributions.

Communication between doctors and patients is absolutely vital, as poor communication can be not only frustrating but potentially deadly in Medicine.

Hospitalists have become an essential member of America's Healthcare community over the last 20 years. Their work helps fill the gaps in hospital-based care coverage while also providing relief to overextended Primary Care Physicians.

Increasing physician debt levels and available federal and state repayment and forgiveness options have dramatically changed the economics of becoming a physician, and these factors are beginning to impact career decisions.

Here are a few things you may want to check out around the web this month to help you navigate your job search and career path.

The most consequential aspect of entering the United States on a J-1 visa for graduate medical training is the two-year home residence requirement. The purpose of the J-1 visa is for participants to return to their home countries with specific skills and a better understanding of the U.S.

Are you a Physician burdened with student loan debt, tired of the same old clinical routine or done with the day to day administrative tasks involved with your practice? If you answered yes to any of these, it may be time to try Locum Tenens work.

Negotiating a higher salary is always challenging. Many people dislike the awkward negotiation process with its back and forth bargaining between opposing parties.

Networking is an essential component of any successful job hunt. The ability to connect with the right people and sell yourself is crucial when you are looking for new opportunities.

No one likes to be the bearer of bad tidings. For Physicians, delivering patients bad news is part of the job description. Despite being most practitioners least favorite part of the job, there are strategies you can employ to make this process a little less challenging.

Career happiness is an important factor to evaluate when exploring your career options. Moods and attitudes from work frequently spill over into your personal life and can affect your health and relationships.

Whether you are awaiting your Match Day results or are already a practicing Resident, the popularity of Resident medical specialties can affect your career path. Competition for Residency program slots and the availability of job opportunities after completing training are directly affected by a specialty's popularity.

Physician employment contracts can be a complicated and sometimes controversial topic. These contracts outline what both parties are expecting from each other in regards to behavior, compensation and future performance.

Who doesn't like a little extra money? Whether you are a starving Resident looking to pick up a couple of extra shifts or a seasoned Physician funding your child's college tuition, physician moonlighting jobs can be an attractive option to make some extra money. Before you venture into a clinical side job it is important to evaluate the pros and cons associated with Moonlighting.

Patient satisfaction is an important component of any enduring Physician-Patient relationship. Assuring that a patient is satisfied with their care is beneficial to not only the patient but the Physician. A good relationship can lead to better treatment outcomes and less liability claims.

America has a shortage of healthcare providers that is projected to increase over the coming years as more Baby Boomers seek care and Physicians retire. Although Physicians as a whole are highly sought after by recruiters, some specialties will be in higher demand over the coming years.

Since finishing medical school do you find yourself avoiding the mailbox or inbox because your dreaded student loan statement might be there? Fear not, for you are not alone. According to the AAMC, the average medical student has a median loan debt of $190,000 when they graduate.

Telemedicine is changing the healthcare landscape. Each year the number of clinicians and hospitals adopting this technology is growing. By 2020, there are expected to be 158 million Telemedicine visits occurring annually

As with most healthcare legislation, MACRA is complex and has many regulations. Since most of us do not have the luxury of expansive free time we will review the highlights of this Act so you can be ready for the 2017 start date.

With so many apps available, and new ones popping up each day, it's impossible to keep up with which of are the best mobile tools in the market. Regardless of whether you're an Apple or Android user, we've separated the wheat from the chaff to present five must-have apps for physicians.

Are you ready for the "new overtime" rule? If you're a practice owner, a physician partner, or a practice manager, you know that the Department of Labor (DOL) is increasing the minimum salary level for employees who can be exempt from overtime pay.

Where's the best place for physicians to practice in the United States? Is it New York, San Francisco, or Boston? Perhaps North Carolina's Research Triangle or Minneapolis/St. Paul? Those areas have a lot to offer, but they're also relatively expensive places to live, the pay isn't the best, and the competition is tough. So you might want to look elsewhere.

If you're a resident, a fellow, or even an experienced physician looking for a fresh start, you have to decide where to work. Sure, you've already given some thought to the type of setting in which you might like to practice–but there are so many options in so many places, how can you be sure which is right for you?

In this article would like to dig a little deeper and give you 3 more ways to help you stand out among your peers.

Now that you won them over with your CV and interview, (for more help, take a look at Top 3 Ways to Create an Effective CV and Purpose and Basics of an Interview) next comes the negotiation.

You need to convince the prospective employer of three things: "I can do the job". "Here is why I can do the job". "I want the job".

Who doesn't want to find their perfect practice opportunity? As Gesensway writes in her Today's Hospitalist article Leaving so soon?, "as many as 70% of physicians across all specialties change jobs within their first two years".

Here you will fint the basic guidelines and recommendations for physicians to help turn an interview into an offer