Career Planning
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Finding the Right Practice
Leverage Your Network
Your network should be able to provide you with information, guidance, and in some cases, actual opportunities for you to consider or pursue.
There are several ways to leverage your network to support your job search.
Be sure to factor in networking activities and attending conferences in your 1st and 2nd year of training to start building your network early.
This will ensure you take full advantage of what and how you can learn from your connections throughout training.
Your network should be able to provide you with information, guidance, and in some cases, actual opportunities for you to consider or pursue.
There are several ways to leverage your network to support your job search.
Be sure to factor in networking activities and attending conferences in your 1st and 2nd year of training to start building your network early.
This will ensure you take full advantage of what and how you can learn from your connections throughout training.
#1 - Explore the Variety of Practices and Programs
Early in your training and before you may actually know what your ideal position is, your network can teach you about the various practice types, program styles, and different group structures or practice operations.
Talk to others about what their program is like, how they are structured, and what their practice environment is like.
In training, you’ll have little exposure to practices outside academics, so using your network to gain a better understanding of the various practice types available is invaluable education.
Be sure to ask general and exploratory questions to multiple contacts in your network to begin to understand your options.
Use the following questions to learn from others as you start to define your own ideal position:
- What is your schedule like and how is it managed?
- How do is call structured with in your group? In house?
- How does the group make decisions?
- What are the challenges you face? Any areas you wish you could change?
- What about your practice do you really like? Don’t like?
- What is your physician leadership structure? Does it work well?
- Who makes up the clinical team you work with daily? What are the limitations?
- What are the administrative duties expected of you?
- What do you enjoy most about the group dynamics? Least?
- What is your comp structure like? Are there incentives or bonuses?
#2 - Learn About Practices You Might Want to Consider
Use your network to support your job search by finding programs that align with what you are looking for.
For example, if you know you are interested in an academic program in the northeast, query people in your network who are in your target area or who can help you to connect to programs in the region.
This is less about looking at jobs posted, but rather learning about what programs actually exist. Many desirable programs never have to post their positions, so you need to reach out to them proactively, and your network is your foot in the door.
Be ready to ask very specific questions tailored to your definition of an ideal position. If you have deal breakers, ask your network contact whether these apply to the practice you are considering.
If you have specific practice preferences or personal needs, inquire about how these programs would align.
The goal is to start to target specific programs and NICUs of interest and learn more about them long before you send your CV or actually apply for a position.
You’ll need to narrow your focus and begin to develop a short list of programs of interest.
#3 - Build Your Network Strategically
Once you have narrowed to a short list of programs you are interested in, start to grow your network strategically and aim to get connected with those programs directly.
Attending conferences and leaning on your mentors can help achieve this.
You’re busy in training, but if at all possible, try to attend local and regional conferences grow your network directly. You may not even realize how many opportunities exist nearby where you can connect with someone directly who might be helpful for your programs of interest.
Check out upcoming conferences HERE.
#4 - Get Connected to Programs of Interest
When you consider who to reach out to for a connection, do not underestimate anyone in your network to support your job search.
In addition to the usual suspects, your mentors and attendings, don’t forget about the others you have relationships with – OBs, MFMs, unit clerks, hospital administrators, subspecialists, and nursing staff.
Once you know where you want to go, cast a wide net to see who can get you connected. It’s a small world and it’s likely that you actually know someone who knows someone.
A warm introduction is a great way to get connected, but don’t forget that a cold call is also a very viable option.
Additional Resources
Provides several tips and ideas on where and how to network to support your job search.
Explains why networking is crucial for physicians and offers several tips for how to network effectively.
