Employment Seeker

[Slides]

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What is the best way to look for pathology jobs? Are recruiters helpful for Pathology? Many say that good jobs are by word of mouth, but what if you are in a training facility that does not have a good network.
There does not seem to be much out there and it is becoming discouraging. I am trying to get info on private practice jobs for US grad/citizens. Also, how much time should you give yourself if you are planing on having a job by 1/2012? Any advice for a successful job search would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[deleted314957]

word of mouth, connections and networking ARE the keys and you may well be screwed without them. You need to take the initiative. No one will call you to offer you a job.

 

[Sulfinator]

Many say that good jobs are by word of mouth, but what if you are in a training facility that does not have a good network.

This is a very good reason to do everything you can (with all the knowledge you can acquire beforehand) to make sure you are in a training program that can help you make connections to get to where ever or whatever you're on to next. 'Begin with the end in mind . . .'

 

[2121115]

word of mouth, connections and networking ARE the keys and you may well be screwed without them. You need to take the initiative. No one will call you to offer you a job.

^^^^ This ^^^^^

Also, people will tell you not to cold call. But if you are jobless on 01/2012, are you going to wish you had cold called? If so, then do it. Jobs will not come to you and they are not posted on any website. You have to go get them.

 

[Parts Unknown]

What is the best way to look for pathology jobs? Are recruiters helpful for Pathology? Many say that good jobs are by word of mouth, but what if you are in a training facility that does not have a good network.
There does not seem to be much out there and it is becoming discouraging. I am trying to get info on private practice jobs for US grad/citizens. Also, how much time should you give yourself if you are planing on having a job by 1/2012? Any advice for a successful job search would be appreciated. Thanks.

Even if your training program does not have an apparent network, track down every grad you can find and talk to them. Don't just call them up and say "Hey are you hiring?", but find out where they are, what they are doing, how the got into their jobs, and who they know. You may get lucky and find someone who knows someone who needs someone.

Talk to your department chairman. He/she has to have some connections.

Send a CV to every online job listing that you qualify for. You never know.

Recruiters can and do get people jobs. If they didn't they would be out of business. If you post your CV to one or more of the online physician job websites they will actually find you.

If all else fails, start looking for unexpected fellowship openings in programs that do have networks.

 

[twentyone]

City/County/State pathology societies.- You should be participating in these and networking like crazy.

Specialty societies- some maintain open job listings (usually just the academic posts, but this was my main place for finding open positions. In my small subspecialty, there is a list serve where people sometimes write when they are moving.

Your own faculty. They should be helping you with contacts- where did they train, who did they train with, do they know of any patholgist movement (retirement, moving, etc.) Have any faculty left your institution? Where did they go? Keep in touch!

Alumni- keep in touch- this is a great way for private practice placement.

I seriously communicated with about half a dozen groups for my job search. One was a cold call to the department for "graduating fellows." One was word of mouth from a faculty member. Three were from the various subspecialty listings. But there were at least three alumni that I kept in touch with that were looking for at least part time help (all in private practice), but they didn't want my specialty. I know two of those positions were taken by people from our residency program.

 

[oldfatman]

City/County/State pathology societies.- You should be participating in these and networking like crazy.

Specialty societies- some maintain open job listings (usually just the academic posts, but this was my main place for finding open positions. In my small subspecialty, there is a list serve where people sometimes write when they are moving.

Your own faculty. They should be helping you with contacts- where did they train, who did they train with, do they know of any patholgist movement (retirement, moving, etc.) Have any faculty left your institution? Where did they go? Keep in touch!

Alumni- keep in touch- this is a great way for private practice placement.

I seriously communicated with about half a dozen groups for my job search. One was a cold call to the department for "graduating fellows." One was word of mouth from a faculty member. Three were from the various subspecialty listings. But there were at least three alumni that I kept in touch with that were looking for at least part time help (all in private practice), but they didn't want my specialty. I know two of those positions were taken by people from our residency program.

There's a serious problem with our field of medicine when residents can't get a job. How many federal dollars are being used to subsidize academic pathology programs? Sounds like a case of turn 'em and burn 'em.

 

[Torsed]

I got my private practice job through word of mouth. I applied to a lot of online jobs (mostly through CAP website) or the pathologyoutlines.com website, but most of those I still have not heard from or got some generic e-mail saying "thanks for your application."

I went on several interviews and frankly there are some absolute odd ball, weirdo pathologists out there. I think if you keep looking you will find something that matches your interests.

I would talk to people who you know that went before you, they have a lot of tricks that I won't divulge to the masses here. Amazing how every resident/fellow attempts to re-invent the wheel everytime the job search comes up, quite useless.

 

[Euchromatin]

City/County/State pathology societies.- You should be participating in these and networking like crazy.

Everyone is going to think I'm some socially inept weirdo for posting this, but does the whole idea of "networking" at local pathology meetings intimidate anyone else? The thought of just walking up to random groups of pathologists I don't know, most of whom appear to have at least 20 years on me and are deep in conversation with their own colleagues/acquaintances, and going "Hi, I'm Euchromatin, a first year resident at Awesome Midwest residency program. So..." just scares the crap out of me.

Maybe I'm going to the wrong meetings, but, as far as I can tell, none of the other residents I see at local conferences are "networking" either. We just walk around in little clusters with residents from our own program. The only other people we talk to are vendors selling textbooks and occasionally residents from other programs (and then only if someone already knows them from med school, a rotation, etc.).

 

[KCShaw]

Gotta start somewhere. And no, not very many people are uber gregarious. I'm still hesitant to break into someone else's herd, but even the most timid people out there will find that if they go to enough meetings, talks, etc. they will eventually meet people who introduce them to people and you end up with a network you didn't know you had. Ideally, of course, you'll have an attending or three from your own institution who helps this along, providing you an "in" to at least one of those other herds milling around together.

I've probably met as many people waiting in line for a drink as being networked by other pathologists I already knew. Everyone's staring at the wall or the bar or their woefully empty glass, and you give a nod and briefly introduce yourself. Everyone's bored so an introduction breaks the monotony, but there's no particular expectation you have to continue the chat. Still, you've started.

You might also be surprised at how many elders find the newbies at least briefly interesting. I've been approached many times by pathologists who were interested to see the new young face, and/or wanted to know what the young'ns are being taught these days, and maybe compare that to the good ol' days.

The point is to get out there. You'll find a way to be better off than you were before, in terms of networking. (I make no claim that every meeting or talk is or is not otherwise inherently fulfilling.)

 

[BU Pathology]

Everyone is going to think I'm some socially inept weirdo for posting this, but does the whole idea of "networking" at local pathology meetings intimidate anyone else? The thought of just walking up to random groups of pathologists I don't know, most of whom appear to have at least 20 years on me and are deep in conversation with their own colleagues/acquaintances, and going "Hi, I'm Euchromatin, a first year resident at Awesome Midwest residency program. So..." just scares the crap out of me.

Maybe I'm going to the wrong meetings, but, as far as I can tell, none of the other residents I see at local conferences are "networking" either. We just walk around in little clusters with residents from our own program. The only other people we talk to are vendors selling textbooks and occasionally residents from other programs (and then only if someone already knows them from med school, a rotation, etc.).

It is difficult to start these conversations, and does move most people out of their comfort zones. I have told many med students, residents and fellows that there are times in your career when you need to "market" yourself. Medicine does not do a good job of preparing people for this aspect, presenting yourself to others in an appealing manner. First, it is scary and uncomfortable. Second, you do not know what to say or how to start. Third, most lack experience. The need to market yourself will continue at various points throughout your career. If you want to change groups, advance academically, grow your business, or just communicate more effectively with your clinical colleagues.

It does become easier to go up and start the conversation with people as you do it more frequently. It also makes for a more enjoyable evening if you are actually talking to people, as opposed to staring at the wall our your empty glass. Unless you are very socially inept, you will usually be better off making the initial effort.

 

[KCShaw]

I may ask you to forgive the comparison, but I also initially found it difficult to start a conversation with a patient when I first started medicine. There comes a time when you just have to bite the bullet and get to it. Eventually you find a new comfort level with it and stop waiting so much for the other person to do all the work.

 

[Slides]

Thank you, everybody, for all your help. I really appreciate all the advice and suggestions!!

 

[yaah]

I always look at it like "what's the worst that can happen?"

If you go up to paths at regional meetings and start talking to them, unless you are a complete whackjob the worst that can happen is that it will be a short awkward conversation and they will simply not remember you afterwards. Just having random conversations can open doors. Maybe they aren't hiring but they know someone else who is. Or maybe they have advice.

 

[zao275]

It is difficult to start these conversations, and does move most people out of their comfort zones. I have told many med students, residents and fellows that there are times in your career when you need to "market" yourself. Medicine does not do a good job of preparing people for this aspect, presenting yourself to others in an appealing manner. First, it is scary and uncomfortable. Second, you do not know what to say or how to start. Third, most lack experience. The need to market yourself will continue at various points throughout your career. If you want to change groups, advance academically, grow your business, or just communicate more effectively with your clinical colleagues.

It does become easier to go up and start the conversation with people as you do it more frequently. It also makes for a more enjoyable evening if you are actually talking to people, as opposed to staring at the wall our your empty glass. Unless you are very socially inept, you will usually be better off making the initial effort.

Dr. Remick makes some great points. I am one of those very gregarious people who loves to meet and talk to everyone. I enjoy getting new people plugged in with people I already know. But even so, I still sometimes feel uncomfortable introducing myself to total strangers (only sometimes, mind you). Networking is the art of making yourself comfortable with going beyond your comfort zone. It is worth it completely. And yaah is right...how bad can it be?

-Jerad

 

[pathstudent]

It is just a numbers game, like getting a pretty girl to dance or go on a date or renting a room in a crowded city like ny or Boston. Perservence pays off. Ask 20 pretty girls to dance and one is bound to say yes. Talk to twenty pathologists and one is bound to know of a job.

 

[SaltySqueegee]

I thought I would post a quick comment/idea. Was sitting at the nurses station during one of my clerkships (what else do med students do?), and saw the physician referral book for the 'Greater area of X Metro.' This had me thinking, as I recall someone posted a question some time back regarding where to get contact information for a given area's pathologists.

These books seem to have a reasonable number of pathologists in the index listed. Just a thought for a source for people to cold call from and get leads.

Here's to growing some thick skin from all the hangups you'll get 👍 . Best,

-Salty

 

[trudyfae]

Slides, could you please read my post on the thread "do not go into pathology... "
I think it is like post #65