For Millennial doctors who are fresh out of residency or fellowship, the physician job search can be a daunting yet exhilarating process.

<p>
  For Millennial doctors who are fresh out of residency or fellowship, the
  physician job search can be a daunting yet exhilarating process. As digital
  natives, proficient in technology and engaged on social media, Millennial docs
  might be expected to conduct their physician job searches mostly online.
  However, Millennials are using both innovative and traditional methods to find
  their ideal jobs. If you&rsquo;re a Millennial resident or fellow,
  here&rsquo;s a look at some methods, tips, and motivators you and your peers
  can use to find your ideal match as an attending physician.
</p>

<h2>Methods for Millennials &ndash; Physician Job Search</h2>

<ul>
  <li>
    Networking and referrals &ndash; Put the word out that you are starting your
    search. Consider your friends, colleagues, and fellow graduates. Reach out
    to your current and past medical directors, department chairs, and
    supervisors.
  </li>
</ul>

<ul>
  <li>
    Post-fellowship job &ndash; If you want to stay at the facility where
    you&rsquo;ve been a resident or fellow, find out as early as possible
    whether you can continue there as an attending physician. Although most
    fellowships will let you know before your fellowship begins if there will be
    a full-time opportunity upon completion, some do not. Be sure to confirm
    potential opportunities 3-6 months before your fellowship ends to provide
    ample time to begin your job search. If you find yourself in a position to
    job search, consider locums tenens as a bridge to your full-time employment.
  </li>
</ul>

<ul>
  <li>
    Locum tenens assignment &ndash; Why not &ldquo;try before you buy?&rdquo; If
    you take on a locum tenens assignment, you can have access to several
    different facilities over a short period of time. You can try out rural or
    urban settings or discover your passion before you settle in. You can
    practice with a purpose by taking on a locum tenens assignment caring for
    veterans at the VA or helping patients with the Department of Defense or
    Indian Health Services.
  </li>
</ul>

<ul>
  <li>
    Hospital and practice websites &ndash; Research the healthcare facilities in
    your desired areas of clinical interest and geographic location. Larger
    facilities often post openings and smaller practices will have contact
    information.
  </li>
</ul>

<ul>
  <li>
    Online job boards &ndash; Check out online medical job boards like
    DocCafe.com, HealtheCareers.com, and PracticeLink.com or visit boards run by
    journals and professional organizations like the New England Journal of
    Medicine (NEJM) and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
  </li>
</ul>

<ul>
  <li>
    Print journals &ndash; Peruse print journals for job listings. According to
    <a href="http://employer.nejmcareercenter.org/rpt/jobstudy10.pdf">NEJM</a>,
    50 percent of doctors look at classified recruitment sources in print to
    find positions.
  </li>
</ul>

<ul>
  <li>
    Career fairs &ndash; Visit career fairs when possible. Hospitals hold them,
    and there are even virtual career fairs online.
  </li>
</ul>

<ul>
  <li>
    Annual meetings, conferences, and expos &ndash; Facilities and recruiters
    are always looking for physicians at these events. Even if you don&rsquo;t
    find the perfect match there, networking opportunities abound.
  </li>
</ul>

<ul>
  <li>
    Email &ndash; Sign up for email lists to receive notification of positions
    available in your areas of interest. Also consider emailing directors of
    facilities or private practices to inquire about openings.
  </li>
</ul>

<ul>
  <li>
    Snail mail &ndash; Send off a cover letter and resume the old-fashioned way.
    You may just find a facility that appreciates your adherence to tradition.
  </li>
</ul>

<ul>
  <li>
    Cold call &ndash; Pick up the phone. Call around. Even if your search turns
    up empty, you&rsquo;ll be building your network.
  </li>
</ul>

<ul>
  <li>
    Social media &ndash; Turn to social media. See what you can learn on sites
    like Facebook or LinkedIn. Join groups in your specialty, location, or area
    of interest.
  </li>
</ul>

<ul>
  <li>
    Online search &ndash; Spend time doing a general search online. Look for
    hospitals, practices, organizations, meetings, and events for leads.
  </li>
</ul>

<ul>
  <li>
    College career center &ndash; Contact your alma mater for help. While they
    typically focus on current students, they may be open to sharing ideas and
    connections for networking.
  </li>
</ul>

<ul>
  <li>
    Physician sites &ndash; Use physician-specific websites like Sermo,
    Doximity, or Medscape&rsquo;s Physician Connect.
  </li>
</ul>

<ul>
  <li>
    Recruiters &ndash; Connect with a recruiter to alleviate much of the stress
    around finding the right match, researching licensing requirements, and
    pursuing employers.
  </li>
</ul>

<h2>Preparing for Your Physician Job Search</h2>

<p>Here are tips to help you get in gear for your physician job search:</p>

<ul>
  <li>Begin your physician job search at least 12 months in advance</li>
  <li>
    Generate a list of your wants, needs, and goals for yourself and your family
  </li>
  <li>Decide what type of practice or facility you would prefer</li>
  <li>
    Research cost of living, culture, schools, practices, and facilities within
    cities of interest
  </li>
  <li>Find out what the licensing process is for your states of interest</li>
  <li>
    Think creatively, use a combination of methods to find the perfect job
  </li>
  <li>Keep an open mind, but don&rsquo;t settle</li>
  <li>Consider having an attorney review documents before you sign</li>
  <li>Be sure the job is a good fit before accepting</li>
</ul>

<h2>Millennial Motivators</h2>

<p>
  So, what do Millennials docs value most in a physician job? New physicians
  have many similar motivators:
</p>

<p>
  <strong>Work-life balance.</strong> Decent hours, a reasonable call schedule,
  and time for family, hobbies, travel, and exercise.<br />
  <strong>Environment</strong>. Ideal size of practice, collaborative
  colleagues, level of autonomy, type of facility, manageable stress.<br />
  <strong>Location</strong>. Rich culture, restaurants, activities, religious
  institutions, schools, and affordable cost of living.<br />
  <strong>Compensation and benefits.</strong> Insurance, signing bonus,
  relocation expense, loan repayment, malpractice coverage, retirement funding,
  and vacation time.<br />
  <strong>Technology and innovation.</strong> Electronic records system,
  efficient charting process, balanced patient time versus administrative task
  time, and state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.
</p>

<h2>Consider Locum Tenens</h2>

<p>
  If you&rsquo;re a Millennial doc who is motivated by
  <strong>flexibility and freedom</strong>, think about taking a locum tenens
  assignment and read our MDA post:
  <a href="https://www.mdainc.com/blogs/are-you-in-your-residency-or-fellowship"
    >Are You in Your Residency or Fellowship? Consider Locum Tenens</a
  >. You can also check out our
  <a href="https://www.mdainc.com/job-search-results?profession=Physician"
    >physician job search</a
  >
  online or call 1.800.780.3500 to be connected with a Medical Doctor Associates
  recruiter.
</p>


The Physician Job Search: How Millennials Find a Match