CA-3 Job Search

[Impromptu]

I would like to get some advice from your collective wisdom concerning the job search. This could be about your experience in academic or private practice jobs, local or cross country searches.

When did you start looking for a job?
When did you send out your CVs and Cover Letters?
When did you interview?
Networking successes and failures?
Cold calling successes and failures?
Did you leave your first job? Why? What could you have done differently?

Is there anything else you feel is important for a CA-3 to know when seeking a job?

 

[leaverus]

i wish i'd asked these questions when i was a ca-2. i kept putting it off thinking i'd have time and then ended up with only crappy options. if you are just starting ca-3 year, then to any questions that start with "when," i'd say "NOW." as for cold-calling it's really hit-or-miss; may be better to just cold-email your CV then at least they'll have it on file. i think the networking thing is really important. if you can get attendings or program director to put in a direct word for you where you want to go it'll be the best thing.

 

[B-Bone]

I starting looking for jobs at the end of my CA-1, beginning of CA-2 year. I networked through former residents from my program. I got contact info from my PD for people who had gone to the area I wanted to be in. Then I sent out a few emails. Interviewed for my current job in december of my CA-2 year (no actual positions available at that time) and really liked the job. A few months later, a position opened up, and I interviewed a second time. I was offered a job in early june and signed that week. During the intervening months, I had applied for fellowship positions as a backup, but ended up cancelling all my interviews as I had taken a job. So really, I only interviewed at one place. I did no cold calling at all. I have been at my current job for just over 2 years, and plan on staying long term.

One of the nice things about networking through former residents (especially if you know them personally and worked with them as a resident) is that they are usually pretty trustworthy and won't sugarcoat things for you. They have vetted these jobs, usually at least for a year or two, and can tell you the good and the bad. This goes both ways, as well. In my current job, 75% of the anesthesiologists come from my training program, and we currently don't really consider applicants from other programs unless there's nobody available from my program. We do this because we still have many, many good contacts at the program and can vet the applicants thoroughly before contacting them or meeting them. If we need to hire, we make a few phone calls, find out who's good and who wants to come to our area, and send out a few selective emails. My group has gotten burned with a few folks (even those from reputable programs) who we didn't have any "personal intel" on, other than letters of rec. It's a lot easier to know what you're getting when you get info from someone you know and trust.

So, long story short, use those connections! Get some alumni emails, get in touch with your former senior residents, and if possible do this during your CA-2 year. Also talk to your attendings. They often have a "buddy from residency who's making a killing in PP" who might know of a job or two.

 

[Green912]

Started looking for a PP job around Sept/October of my CA-3 year. I went on four interviews. I knew which area I wanted to be in so I just started cold calling groups. Of my four interviews three were from cold calls and one from Gasworks. When I cold called groups I usually spoke to the office manager. I let them know that I was in my last year of residency and was looking to move to the area when I was done. Some groups simply said that they weren't hiring and others had me send a CV. I think you'd be surprised how effective cold calling is. And one more thing, most groups that I talked to had no interest in dealing with recruiters.

 

[amyl]

I would like to get some advice from your collective wisdom concerning the job search. This could be about your experience in academic or private practice jobs, local or cross country searches.

When did you start looking for a job?
When did you send out your CVs and Cover Letters?
When did you interview?
Networking successes and failures?
Cold calling successes and failures?
Did you leave your first job? Why? What could you have done differently?

Is there anything else you feel is important for a CA-3 to know when seeking a job?

if you want a specific location you cant start too early. otherwise decide academics or private practice and supervision or doing your own cases. next decide what your priorities are -- no one makes 500k in NYC not taking call.... so location, $ and workload... decide which is you priority. Avoid AMCs at all costs and beware groups with hospital subsidies, those that are not open-booked and those that offer a very low intial salary with promises of high partner salaries. being a hospital employee is likely a safe route to take if the hospital is financially sound.
i was offered a few interviews but the first job i interviewed for made me a very good offer if i would cancel the rest of my interviews so i negotiated a little and signed. when you get to the contract stage read it with a fine tooth comb and make sure you understand all the implications. it doesn't matter what they say, it matters what you sign. several of my new grad friends have figured this one out the hard way and looking for a new gig asap :-(
there is more than just what they will pay you... like tail coverage, disability insurance, financial reimbursment if they make you take more call than you are supposed to if you cover for vacation or a lost anesthesiologist, the wording of relocation packages, etc. read the fine print. they have likely invested a decent amount of money with a lawyer to word the fine print to their advantage -- its their job to get you to do yours for as little money as possible -- understand what you are signing.

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