Ok, I'll bite, I'll share my experience, YMMV, yada yada yada.
I did ap/cp residency in a top-to-just-below-top tier institution followed by a surg-path fellowship in a just-below-top-to-mid tier institution. I presented a couple of posters and had no publications while in residency (did have a couple of papers cooking, though, not exactly great CV padding). I started looking for a position around sept of my fellowship year (2010-2011), intensified my search by Nov/Dec. I had 2 interview offers by mid-Jan, and by the time I had my 2nd interview, I had an offer from the 1st place I interviewed at, which was pretty much my 1st choice. Took the offer. Have been 110% satisfied since. In the weeks that followed I had 2 additional interview invites, a couple of additional requests to have my references contacted prior to setting up potential interviews, and a few e-mails over the subsequent months asking if I were still looking for a position, all of which I had obviously declined.
Caveats:
I had my AP/CP boards.
I got **** done in residency and in fellowship. I can't say that my knowledge was spectacular compared to my peers, but I knew enough to know what I needed to ask for help with, or to look up, or to just say "I don't know". I was't a whiner. I wasn't a b*tch/do*che.
I had great references that were very supportive of me (one even with what some of you might refer to as "brand-name recognition").
I was not restricted geographically (but somewhat selective, see below), althoug my spouse did have some demands.
I did apply broadly, but not all that broadly. Basically I applied to a number of job ads posted on pathologyoutlines, ascp, healthcareers, allhealthjobs, va.gov, etc. that sounded good and where in a somewhat desirable location. I also cold-called (well, cold e-mailed) a number of academic depts to inquire about any positions they may have, or have heard of, and to keep me in mind, yada yada yada. I wasn't going to waste my time applying to a place I knew I wasn't going to be happy at.
I'm pretty normal, i.e. I don't come off as an a-hole, an introvert, a show-off, a know-it-all, etc. (at least not on a first date). I don't bs. I tell it like it is, yes, even at an interview.
I guess I don't know what the "true" job-market is out there. I found a job I love. All the other fellows, including subspecialty fellows, I graduated with got exactly the jobs they wanted and most were quite restricted geographically in a rather "tight" market.
I don't know what advice to give folks like mario. I don't know him/her from Adam. However, over my few brief years in pathology, I have seen many residents/fellows/staff come and go, and there are certain individuals that either
1. overestiamte their abilities, which others can spot right away
2. underestimate their abilities, are withdraw, too shy, to quiet, etc. that others would not feel comfortable working with
3. are do*chebags/b*tches, that no-one wants to work with
4. just want to put in their 9-5
5. have burned a few too many bridges (pathology is a small world, trust me)
6. have no clue what they want, other that a couche job, with great perks, and lots of $$$, a company car also helps (truest me, there are folks like that)
All you other newly minted, gainfully employed pathologists, please feel free to chime in...