letters of recommendation for job post residency

[Scorcher31]

This may be a bit of an odd question, but I've heard no talk at my program about this. Should we be getting multiple letters of rec. while in our residency program for a future job? Is it enough that the program director probably makes a call/sums up all the high points and your evaluations over the years? I remember a lot of stress in college and medical school finding multiple letter writers, but I'm hoping that no one seems to be talking about this is a good sign. Heck, there seems to be info about letters of recommendation all over the premed and med forums, but I can't seem to find any in any for the residency forums.

Also, would a job actually see all your individual evals, specialty board scores and CSVs (I'm assuming not) or pretty much just your degree, that you passed the three CSVs/oral board equivalent, that you are board certified and what your program director said about you. Thanks for the input guys.

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[OldPsychDoc]

Also, would a job actually see all your individual evals, specialty board scores and CSVs (I'm assuming not) or pretty much just your degree, that you passed the three CSVs/oral board equivalent, that you are board certified and what your program director said about you. Thanks for the input guys.

Usually they just see that you're Board Eligible*, and have the program letter affirming your completion. They will typically also ask for 2-3 additional letters, which you can request from whomever. By the time you finish residency, you know who will give you a glowing rec or not, so I had no problem asking the right folks... 😀

*this is referring to "first jobs" basically.

 

[Manicsleep]

Asking for letters before you leave is not a bad idea. It would save you time. That would actually be a good idea for a program to do for all graduating residents, probably at the end of PGY3/beginning of PGY4 to accommodate interviews and update at the end of PGY4 to put in the infamous "Permanent File."

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Asking for letters before you leave is not a bad idea. It would save you time. That would actually be a good idea for a program to do for all graduating residents, probably at the end of PGY3/beginning of PGY4 to accommodate interviews and update at the end of PGY4 to put in the infamous "Permanent File."

You know though, in a residency program it's not like a clerkship--"Who was that student again?" when you've had 60 a year rotating through your program. Even in a HUGE department, the attendings you'll be asking for letters will know you much better, and will likely have worked with you more substantially within the past 2-3 years. Further out than that, and you'll be relying more on letters from more recent positions.

I agree though, in principle, it would be nice if more programs were more supportive and proactive in supporting their residents' job searches as you suggest. But in practicality, I had no problem coming up with several willing letter writers. (Maybe they just wanted to get me out of there...fast. 😉)

 

[Technotronic]

🙂

 

[Sneezing]

So I'm planning on opening my own practice post residency (maybe post fellowship). Most likely it'll be just me unless some other residents get serious and join me.

What do you do if you have been in solo private practice for years and want to transition into something else?

 

[OldPsychDoc]

So I'm planning on opening my own practice post residency (maybe post fellowship). Most likely it'll be just me unless some other residents get serious and join me.

What do you do if you have been in solo private practice for years and want to transition into something else?

Develop really good relationships with fellow providers in your community, network in your state psychiatric association, etc...

 

[Doc Samson]

I call references for applicants to any job I'm offering. Letters all tend to say the same thing. Having 3 people willing to vouch for you over the phone is much more telling.