In many careers, the education a student receives doesn’t prepare them for what’s out there in the real world. But as a med student, you’ve already been thrown into the hustle and bustle, stress and reward of your chosen profession.
Every day will be challenging. However, if you can survive med school, you’ve built enough stamina and backbone to handle your job!
That said, finding a job when you’re freshly graduated can be difficult. Use these career tips to land a position that you’ll be happy with, even without a detailed resume.
1. List Your Life Goals
Before you jump headfirst into a full-time, nonstop career in healthcare, take some time to get real with your short- and long-term goals. Keeping your focus on those goals will help you decide which career path to take.
For instance, if you’re aiming for a solid work/life balance, becoming an attending physician in a hospital wouldn’t be a good fit for you. Working in a clinic with set hours could be a better option.
But if your goal is more of a financial target, you’ll want to work where the money is. It may not happen as your first job. Yet, knowing whether you want to work at a hospital, a private office, or somewhere else where you know you’ll be paid well will guide you as to which jobs you take to help you get there.
Keep in mind that it’s not just the salary. The perks in your contract could determine how quickly you reach your goals, too. It’s wise to have a contract attorney review your document before signing, especially when you’re a new graduate. They’ll advise you as to whether you should be asking for more benefits, such as a guaranteed raise within a certain period or more paid time off.
2. Start Preparing the Groundwork Early
The chances of someone (not just you) graduating medical school and landing the perfect job within days are very slim. Typically, it will take weeks or months to review the job boards, complete applications, attend initial and follow-up interviews, and negotiate contracts.
When you start networking before you receive your diploma, you can cut down much of this wait. Look for advice from mentors and those in the field you’re hoping to work in.
Be willing to ask for connections and references. In most careers, it’s not always who you know but who you know who knows someone else. In fact, studies show that about 70% of jobs are obtained through networking. Professions such as healthcare often hold interviews for in-house or networked candidates before they post the vacancy on a job board.
3. Keep Your CV Current
In the medical field, you’ll need a curriculum vitae (CV) to apply to any job. You’ve likely already started preparing this in school, but it’s crucial to keep it current.
As a new graduate, you’ll be learning skills in every job you take. You’ll probably have continuing education courses and trainings to participate in early.
Right now, your CV isn’t too full of impressive experience yet. But every training you take, achievement you receive, or a new skill you learn can go into this document. If you keep up with it as you go, it’s easier than trying to remember to add everything before your next interview.
Your CV is a crucial part of impressing a hiring manager. If you’re not confident in writing one or find it a challenge to “sell yourself” in print, consider hiring a professional CV writer. The expense often pays for itself.
4. Continue Your Education
You have the highest degree possible within standard education circles, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop taking courses and reading books.
Continue to grow your knowledge in your field and tangential areas, as well as in your mental and physical health. The information you gain may be invaluable in the future when you’re faced with an unusual circumstance or a job interview ends up in your favor because you had a particular training the hiring manager was looking for.
Continuing education courses are required, but the education opportunities don’t stop there. Use any time you can get to ask questions of others you respect, read books, and take online courses that interest you. The more skills you have, the more valuable an asset you are to any employer.
Conclusion
Planning for your profession now will make it easier to find the one that fits you after graduation. Set your goals and look for roles that match up to them. Network, keep your CV current, and continue looking for ways to grow, and you’ll be as prepared as possible for your next career journey.