Your Residency-to-First-Job Survival Kit

Let Your CV Do the Talking

When you’re gearing up for your first attending role after medical residency, your curriculum vitae (CV) is your calling card – and it needs to do more than just list your credentials. In our blog, Refreshing Your Physician CV: Dos and Don’ts, we break down what makes a CV stand out, especially for early-career physicians. This blog contains a downloadable sample CV to make it easy.

There are four essentials every CV should include: board certification, current and previous practice experience, state licensure and medical training. For residents, highlighting specific experiences from your training that align with your desired specialty can give you an edge. For instance, if you had extensive exposure to a particular procedure during residency, make sure to spotlight that.

The article also offers practical dos and don’ts. Whether you’re drafting your first CV or updating an existing one, these insights can help you present your qualifications in the most effective ways.

The 6 References You Want in Your Corner

Your references aren’t just names on a form – they’re the real deal, people who can vouch for your awesome clinical skills and that hard-earned resident hustle. Think medical directors, attending physicians who know your stuff, and even your clinic manager who’s seen you handle patient care and teamwork like a pro.

That’s why it’s so critical to select and nurture connections with the right references. Our blog, Identifying References That Help You Shine, will help you choose the six people you need on the list and how to approach and ask them in a simple, stress-free way.

What Do You Really Want in Your First Practice?

In our blog, Assess Your Career Preferences, we provide a tool that will help you answer that question. This self-guided resource encourages you to think critically about your ideal practice setting, helping you feel more confident as you complete your medical residency and enter the job market. Your “career vision” based on your preferences is essential to assessing employment offers and long-term career satisfaction.

At PS&D, we offer personalized guidance based on this self-assessment, along with other complimentary resources, including one-on-one career guidance, toolkits and a CV review. From residency to practice, we are here for you.

The Value of a Good Recruiter

As you navigate finding a job after residency, collaborating with a recruiter can be a gamechanger. Recruiters can help you clarify your career vision, provide valuable information about potential employers and guide you through the application and interview processes.

Our blog, How to Work With Recruiters as a Resident, offers insights into the different types of recruiters – in-house, agency and locum tenens – and how each can assist you in finding opportunities that align with your career goals.

Learn what you can expect from a physician recruiter, how to build a good relationship with them, and how recruiters can cut through the noise and help you focus on roles that will be the best long-term fit.

Network Like a Pro

Networking might sound like a buzzword tossed around at conferences, but when you’re a resident eyeing that first attending role, it’s your secret weapon. In our blog, How to Leverage Your Network in Your Job Search, we explain how you can turn casual connections into career-launching opportunities.

For example, career fairs aren’t just about collecting pens and brochures – they’re a prime opportunity to make a lasting impression. Arrive with a clear idea of what you’re seeking, engage with every booth and use your CV as a conversation starter. And don’t underestimate the power of a well-crafted elevator pitch; it’s your chance to shine.

But networking isn’t confined to events. Learn why your inner circle is so valuable, how to maximize your online presence and more.

3 Tools to Prep You for Interviews

As a resident about to jump into your first real gig, physician interviews can feel like a whole new world. Our blog Prepare for Physician Interviews With Expert Tools walks you through tackling interviews with confidence.

It includes 3 downloadable checklists filled with:

• Interview tips
• Questions to ask prospective employers
• Sample interview questions to practice

Want to really level up? PS&D offers mock virtual interviews so you can practice your answers and get comfortable with the format. (Book your mock interview now.)

Interview Advice From Someone Who’s Been There

Want advice from a physician who has been through the process? In our blog, Post-Residency Interview Questions: Tips and Examples to Help You, Dr. Jeffrey Sun, a former chief resident, shares candid insights around physician interview questions from his own transition into practice.

Dr. Sun emphasizes that post-residency interviews differ from those in medical school. They’re more conversational and focused on mutual fit rather than just assessing your qualifications. Learn how to approach more complex questions like, “Tell me about a time in your residency program when you had an interesting patient,” and “I see you have experience with x and y procedures. Here we do a lot of z. Are you open to bridging the gap on these procedures?”

Beyond answering questions, it’s crucial to ask your own. Dr. Sun offers a detailed list to help you ensure the position aligns with your career goals and work-life balance expectations.

You Got the Job Offer. Now What?

After years of training during your medical residency, receiving a job offer is a significant milestone. Take time to celebrate! It’s also essential to evaluate the offer (or offers) thoroughly. In our blog, How to Compare Your Physician Job Offers, we provide a structured approach to help you assess multiple offers side-by-side.

This downloadable resource provides you with a comparison chart so you can examine various aspects of each offer, including compensation structure, call schedule, patients per day and more. By laying out these details, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your personal and professional goals.

A Credentialing & Onboarding Primer

You’ve finally landed that first attending job, but before you can don your white coat and start seeing patients, there’s a crucial step ahead: credentialing and onboarding. It might not be the most glamorous part of your transition, but it’s essential. Our blog, Physician Credentialing & Onboarding Checklist – Download Your Own Guide, spells out this process in a way that’s easy to digest.

Credentialing is all about verifying your qualifications – think education, employment history, board certifications and malpractice insurance. It’s a thorough process that can take anywhere from 90 to 150 days, so starting early is key.

If the idea of credentialing and onboarding feels like navigating a maze, the downloadable checklist in this blog is your trusty map, helping you stay on track and avoid last-minute surprises.

Contract Advice From a Labor and Employment Lawyer

Receiving your first offer is exciting stuff, but you’ve got to know exactly what you’re agreeing to before signing the dotted line. Our blog, Physician Contracts: The Fine Print, details the contract essentials you might not have thought about, from the perspective of a labor and employment lawyer.

From pay structures to behavioral standards to malpractice coverage (yes, tail coverage is important!), these details matter way more than they might seem. And if you’re not sure what to look out for – or how to negotiate for what you really want – this resource can help.

It’s a short read, but it’s packed with insights that’ll save you from surprises down the road and make sure you’re set up for success from day one.

Demystifying wRVU: Production-Based Pay, Explained

You hear your compensation is based on something called a “wRVU,” and suddenly, it feels like you’re back in med school trying to decode a new acronym. Never fear! Our blog, Production-Based Pay: A wRVU Primer, can help.

In simple terms, a wRVU (work Relative Value Unit) is a standardized way to measure the value of the services you provide. Learn how it’s calculated and how it factors into your paycheck from Providence Manager of Physician Compensation Erik Steen.

As you evaluate job offers, it’s crucial to understand how evolving compensation structures might impact your earnings and work-life balance.

How PS&D Can Help

As you wrap up your medical residency and take your first steps into independent practice, you deserve a partner who gets it. PS&D’s Outreach team offers career guidance with a proven track record of helping new physicians find roles that match their goals, lifestyle and values, both on and off the job.

Founded and owned by Providence, we recruit for hundreds of positions within its seven-state footprint, plus dozens of other health systems nationwide. Our recruiters don’t have quotas and never work on commission. Their goal? To help you find the perfect fit as you launch your career – and the right role for your lifestyle.

If you’re ready to explore physician roles and start the next chapter of your career, let’s connect! Reach out to a PS&D recruiter today.

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