In 20 years of supporting the career needs of America’s young physicians, residents and fellows, I have learned that the stigmas of residency and fellowship live on for many years post training. 

Countless numbers of newly minted physicians approach the job market as if they are still subservient figures doomed to forever comply with the nonstop demands of senior attendings or practicing physicians.  It is time to realize that at the competition of your training you are now equally trained officially peers and colleagues separated only by experience.  To many young physician waste countless time and financial resources mailing pretty cover letters and CVs that will never see more than the official round file of the practice administrator.  While you are sending out your sterile offerings your competition for the job is on the phone making live direct contact with the practice or program thus creating barriers to entry that your paper documents will never penetrate.  Yes, I realize it will seem foreign to pick up the phone, call your target practice and ask for doctor Smith to discuss your interests and their needs.  Get Over It, Practice Your Pitch In The Mirror, Make The Call.  They are!!!

About the Author:

Wesley D. Millican, MBA, CEO and Physician Talent Officer of CareerPhysician Advisors, LP, and CareerPhysician, LLC, provides comprehensive talent solutions for academic children’s hospitals, colleges of medicine and academic medical centers across the nation. He possesses a longstanding passion for career development of all young physicians and serves as a go to career resource for training program directors and their residents and fellows. In continuing his commitment to the “future of medicine”, Mr. Millican speaks nationally at residency and fellowship programs. His Launch Your Career® Series is a proven resource for today’s residents and fellows and has served as a go to resource for program directors over the last 15 years.