Insight on job seeking?

[Redmen27]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am presently doing a pretty respectable spine fellowship and want to start looking for jobs after the boards, one hoop at a time, but am a bit confused on how to go about it. We are considering anywhere from 10-15 states and are pretty wide open geographically without too many ties. Seems like the AAPMR website doesn't have a whole lot, not sure if the job fair at their conference is worthwhile, and have heard mixed reviews about recruiters. Some of the websites I have perused often don't mention much about the type of practice or even what city the job is in. Anybody have any good advice, info, websites, reputable recruiters (linda farr? st john associates?) etc that will point me in a good direction when I start this process? Thanks.

 

[RUOkie]

I am presently doing a pretty respectable spine fellowship and want to start looking for jobs after the boards, one hoop at a time, but am a bit confused on how to go about it. We are considering anywhere from 10-15 states and are pretty wide open geographically without too many ties. Seems like the AAPMR website doesn't have a whole lot, not sure if the job fair at their conference is worthwhile, and have heard mixed reviews about recruiters. Some of the websites I have perused often don't mention much about the type of practice or even what city the job is in. Anybody have any good advice, info, websites, reputable recruiters (linda farr? st john associates?) etc that will point me in a good direction when I start this process? Thanks.

Linda Farr does a pretty good job. She tries to keep tabs on every physiatrist nationwide. I have worked with her on 2 occasions, never placed with her, but she called my office last week about a postion in OK, and remembered me from 7 years ago-the last time I spoke with her (I wasn't interested).
Merritt & Hawkins are nationwide as well, but sometimes less personable.

The job fair is worth going to if you will be at the meeting, but tends toward large groups/academics. I got my first job out of residency there. It sounds as if the job is more important than location for you, so you will certainly find something.

I would contact every recruiter you can find, give your needs/wants (figure that part out first, what do you need and what do you want) and cast a wide net.

Good luck!

 

[RUOkie]

oh, one more thing. Start early, and call often. Most practices are willing to wait a few months if they know they are getting the right person.

 

[Finally M3]

Cold-calling groups in areas of interest can work.

AAPMR job fair isn't worth much if you don't want to go into academia.

Asking attendings at your fellowship/residency if they heard of anyone looking.

I used Ross-Richter as my recruiter and found my current job post-fellowship through them.

Good luck!

 

[axm397]

word of mouth - ask your fellowship alum, faculty, and residency contacts in those states. the job fair is a starting point - a lot of potential employers and networking can be done at the meeting - you just need to keep your eyes open and talk to as many people as possible. I informally interviewed with 3-4 places not at the job fair. depends on what u bring to the table and what u want. your post is too vague to really get a good idea - are the states/locations competitive markets? r u looking to go private? multi-specialty or single?

and also remember that most people don't stay at their first jobs. in my market 4 new pain grads came and went this year. decide early what your priorities are - money? life style? autonomy? ethics? personality? family happiness? then decide what compromises you are willing to make. make sure what you think you are worth is realistic. with the healthcare reform and tight economy, a lot of groups are gun-shy.

 

[dc2md]

In addition to the above suggestions, check the job boards at any pain societies/associations you belong to.

 

[Karaoke]

Cold-calling groups in areas of interest can work.

AAPMR job fair isn't worth much if you don't want to go into academia.

Asking attendings at your fellowship/residency if they heard of anyone looking.

I used Ross-Richter as my recruiter and found my current job post-fellowship through them.

Good luck!

I second the cold-calling suggestion. I did this when I finally started looking for
a job in Philly, basically went down the list of all docs in the Philly area in the
AAPM&R member list and sent an email to anyone who gave an address. I got
a surprising number of leads from people who said they were looking but
hadn't bothered to post it anywhere, and also got a lot of friendly advice as
well as offers to "keep an ear to the ground" on my behalf. I actually got a
warm, fuzzy feeling to see that there were some helpful and supportive
people out there. Far less than 50%, but still more than I anticipated.

Ultimately, I got my job through word of mouth, but I was very impressed
with the yield via cold-calling. The yield probably would have been even
better if I had used the phone instead of email -- I got a lot of no-responses
that I attribute to doctors listing email addresses that they don't check, or
rarely check.

 

[Jitter Bug]

I found my first job out of residency by cold call-sending my resume to a group of interest. After 2 years, I found my second job the same way.

I agree with other posters most MD jobs are NOT advertised, you lose nothing by asking around and blanketing the region with your resume. Politely of course.