Job Search Preparation

One is never too early to start the job search. From day one in residency (or even before), you should start to think about what your professional goals and priorities are and write them down. This may be based on where you want to practice, what kind of practice you want to be a part of (or own), what is best for your family, etc. This information will act as the basis of your search, once you have a clear, defined goal in mind to reach.

A few items to start to prepare include your Cover Letter (Letter of Intent) and Curriculum Vitae, which, depending on when you start these, will go through many changes over the next few years with additions/subtractions as you go through podiatric medical school, residency/fellowship, and any jobs along the way.

It is important to establish these items in conjunction with your job search as you never know when the opportunity will come about to present these items to someone.
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A MUST READ article is ​"Are Residencies Really Preparing Doctors for Practice?" Lowell Weil JR - Podiatry Today, May 4, 2016​​
JOB SEARCH & APPLICATION DISCLAIMER!!! 
For those currently employed, looking to change jobs...
       Changing jobs can be an awkward and personally stressful situation, especially if it takes some time to find the right job to transition to. You want to keep your cards close and not tip your current employer off until you need to, being respectful of their situation and need to hire a replacement and giving "appropriate/ample" time to find the replacement. If you are applying for a new job while currently employed, remember to take these few steps prior to your personal search. 
 
  • Remove from your Cover Letter/CV any contact info to your current practice. This would include a phone number contact and work-email, often listed in your header (across all documents)
  • Note in any initial contact whether a brief email that may include your CL/CV, the CL itself, and/or during any phone contact with the prospective employer something to the effect of...
    • "My current employer does not know I am looking for new employment. I would like to keep all contact directly between your practice and myself. When the time is appropriate, I will notify my current employer of my plans and intentions, respecting their time and need to find a replacement. I appreciate you respecting this ask."

Job Search - How/Where to Find a Job?

There are various ways to find a job as a graduating podiatrist or those looking to change things up after being in practice. Sometimes it requires thinking outside of the box or putting in some investigative work. Options include:
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  • Online job listing websites:
    • This list (here) has been compiled from any/all online job listings that have been found over the years.
      • Know of another? Let me know so that I can add it!
  • Colleagues:
    • Use your attendings, co-residents, or anyone else you have met in the field who may be able to direct you to a possible job contact
      • Attendings - They are often well connected and may know someone local or afar who is hiring. They also may be getting blast-emails from various practices hiring that they can forward along.
      • Co-residents - Similar to above. Further, they may heard of or applied to a job they realized was not a fit for them, but may be for you.
  • Medical Device Reps: 
    • Speak to your reps openly. They work with a lot of local attendings that they know may be looking to hire, and also give you some insight to that practice as well based of their interaction(s) with the attending(s). Further, they can connect you with another rep in a different geographic location for the same above mention purpose.
  • Conferences:
    • APMA, ACFAS (Career Fair),  PPMA/Goldfarb, etc.
    • They will often have a career fair compoent whether an actual session or a job posting "board" on-site
    • Great opportunity to network, set-up some form of an interview (cuts down on initial travel), etc.
  • Google-Maps / Cold Call (A two-part approach):
    • (A). Practice Discovery
      • Go onto google maps (example) of the area you want to potentially move to. Search terms related to a job in podiatry such as "podiatry", "podiatrist", "foot and ankle", "orthopedic", "wound care center", "multi-specialty group", "hospital", etc. 
      •  Make a Excel Spreadsheet (example)
        • Create a list of what results including address, phone number, fax number, email.
        • Note how many doctors/DPMs (or F&A orthos), practice lacking skills you can provide, etc. 
    • (B.) The Cold-Call
      • The personal approach I took here was dependent upon what information was available to me (fax, email, neither), and how much I was interested in a particular job in wanting to make a connection. Make sure to keep track of contacts/replies in your Excel sheet.
        • (1) If there was a fax number or email present, I would email my cover letter / CV. I would try to follow-up 7-10d later to see if it was received/reviewed.
        • (2) If no fax/email (or want to be more direct), I would call the office directly and ask to "speak with the office or hiring manager." More often than not, the secretary will put you through to them. At that point, explain to the manager who you are (soon-to-be graduate, wanting to practice in the area), interested in applying for a possible opening, and if they have a direct email/contact you can send a cover letter/CV to.
  • Physician Recruiters:
    • "Physician recruiter types" (via PracticeMatch.com)
      • Sometimes you can find a recruiter agency to assist in finding jobs, some may reach out to you if your resume is "public" on the internet (ie. DocCafe.com or MDJobSite.com), or some may be contracted by the Employer to act as an 'in-house' or 'on-retainer' recruiter.
    • Each has their positives and negatives. Due your research into who you are using, why you are using them, what their benefit is, and how they are being compensated for their "work." They are incentivized to fill the position as priority #1.
    • Resources -