| Career Resources articles posted on NEJM CareerCenter are produced by freelance health care writers as an advertising service of the publishing division of the Massachusetts Medical Society and should not be construed as coming from the New England Journal of Medicine, nor do they represent the views of the New England Journal of Medicine or the Massachusetts Medical Society. |
Networking Know-how Can Boost Physician Job-search Success
September 2002
By Bonnie Darves, a Seattle-based freelance health care writer.
Career Resources Editor’s Note: While it’s not taught in medical school or in residency programs, informal networking is a time- and cost-effective way to let prospective employers know about your accomplishments and that you’ve entered the job market. Who knows about you can be as important as what you know, especially when positive comments come from individuals who have mentored your professional development.
— John A. Fromson, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at MetroWest Medical Center
Word-of-mouth networking is an effective way to learn about different practice environments and unpublicized job opportunities.
It’s been said that roughly two-thirds of all positions — regardless of the field — are filled as a result of word-of-mouth connections, conversations ranging from informal chats to quasi-structured networking gatherings.
“It’s not really any different in medicine than in other fields,” says Mark Bair, M.D., past chair of the American Medical Association's Young Physicians Section. “Most of the physicians I know ended up choosing their positions as a result of networking to some degree.” Dr. Bair, an emergency medicine physician who practices in Orem City, Utah, encourages residents to use networking not only to explore actual job opportunities, but also to gain an insider’s view of different practice settings.
Sounds simple enough, but some physicians — especially the less gregarious sort — find the prospect of “working a room” or making an unsolicited phone call a bit daunting. But networking is a valuable job-search tool for anyone who engages in conversation with colleagues.
Just ask Caren Chen, M.D., a family practice physician who found her current position by walking into her residency advisor’s office a few years ago. Dr. Chen, a UCLA medical school graduate, had gone to the office of Tuyen Le, M.D., seeking a letter of recommendation. She ended up with an opportunity to spend a one-month elective in a small Southern California primary care practice, First Choice Medical Associates, where she eventually was hired full time.
“It so happened that my advisor was the best friend of Dr. (Pamela) Kushner and knew Dr. Kushner was looking for someone to join her practice,” recalls Dr. Chen. “I spent a month there, and I liked it so much I ended up joining the practice.” She encourages residents to seek opportunities for electives, many of which aren’t publicized, and to ask their program directors to help them make connections with colleagues locally or in areas where they might want to practice.
A faculty member and mentor to medical students and residents at the University of California, Irvine, medical school, Dr. Kushner urges young physicians to take time to network and thereby explore as many options as possible. “Networking is all about educating yourself regarding the different types of practice and talking with other physicians about their experiences,” she says.
Both Dr. Bair and Dr. Kushner say local and national professional-association meetings are ideal starting points for networking. Regardless of what is on the meeting’s official agenda, there is bound to be ample opportunity to talk with colleagues — those new to practice as well as those who are well established. “It’s really a great way to find out what’s going on and to hear about opportunities,” Dr. Bair concludes.
Making the Most of Networking
Talk to your residency program director, program chairs, and attending physicians. Tell the supervising physicians and faculty members about the type(s) of practice settings you’re interested in and where you’d like to practice. Ask for names of recent alumni who might be willing to share their connections and their experiences.
Tap your professional association. Most specialty societies have formal or informal programs designed to connect residents and young physicians with established physicians. Every physician was once “just starting out,” so most are willing to help others get started. You can also use association directories to find physicians practicing in geographical areas you’re considering, and then ask those physicians to spend a few minutes on the phone with you discussing the local environment.
Attend medical meetings. Even if you're not the “meeting type,” there is no more efficient way to network than to make your way around a room with 50 of your current or future colleagues. And don’t overlook county medical association meetings and hospital gatherings, both of which can provide a wealth of new contacts.
Be courteous. When asking for other people’s help, minimize the effort they’ll need to make on your behalf. Write up a brief description of your background and general career wishes or plans, and then send your cover note and CV electronically so that it can be easily forwarded to others. And don’t forget to formally thank anyone who helps you with a note or letter.
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