and one more thing.... the jobs and offers were pretty much at a standstill until the spring, and things suddenly started opening up. It was right after one of the big meetings (STS I think) and we saw things start to move.
By spring every other stinking resident in the hospital had a contract. It totally sucked going to work and being asked where we were moving. I mean, what resident doesn't have a job 3 months before finishing. (The interventional cards guys signed a year ahead, some with absurd signing bonuses.)
We saw our first offer in March and signed the one we wanted in April- complete with 25k signing bonus, so it was worth the wait. Up until then I was preparing to move back in with my parents and do radiology to support our family
We did encounter some real winners out there who were trying to get a new grad to come to work for the 125K (or so) range. One of our friends actually took a job like that for a year, but bagged 6 months in when he got a better offer.
The only applicants (2 jobs) who were chosen over us had 1-3 years experience.
1-3 years exp + good endovascular experience+ thoracic + strong rep of training program + recs is probably the formula that is most desirable
I think the moral is be patient. Also if the 1st job is not the dream job, keep building the CV and it will happen.
ps and I have to brag that his work schedule is ***AWESOME*** compared to fellowship!!!