While the time-tested method of viewing a physician job posting and then applying for that job can lead to employment, in today’s ever-evolving and fast-paced job market, the power of leveraging personal relationships and the necessity of finding word-of-mouth opportunities through your professional network is an undeniable reality. Knowing this, how can you search for your next opportunity using the power of networking while finding a professional network as a physician?

Social media is here to stay

No matter the industry, the importance of using social media to stay connected with peers and remain current with emerging trends is unquestionable, with no signs of slowing down. Creating and maintaining social media profiles and then using those profiles to follow specific medical organizations and healthcare facilities you’re interested in can lead to discovering a desirable job posting in real time – sometimes long before it reaches an official job board. In addition, social media provides endless opportunities to discover connections and network with professionals in your local community.

The benefits of networking

At times, there can be a negative connotation using networking to leverage advancements in your career. It can sometimes feel staged or inauthentic and depersonalized. To avoid these potential concerns, it is recommended you enter the networking space with an open mind and open ears, with a desire to meet new people not just for personal gain but to show you truly have an interest in the work and opinions of the peers and mentors in your community.

Instead of asking what you can gain from engaging in a conversation, ask how both parties can grow and possibly be helped from the interaction. Knowing not every opportunity to network will lead to a quantifiable outcome and accepting networking is an ongoing, lifelong process will help you set realistic expectations.

Volunteering

There are few better ways to give back to your community and view life from another’s point of view than to volunteer locally. Choosing specific health-related causes that are important to you will lead to meeting others with the same interests, which may ultimately lead to a more natural networking opportunity. Whether it’s a community health initiative or even participating in a medical study, volunteering provides ample opportunities for open discussion and networking.

Following up

After you’ve attended a networking event or a professional conference, you may have found you met several people whose work interests you greatly. After this initial positive meeting, what steps can you take to stay connected with these contacts and hopefully include them in your professional network moving forward? A great first step would be to add the contact on a social media platform, then send a follow-up message letting them know you enjoyed meeting them and wish to continue your professional relationship in the future. Maintaining these burgeoning relationships in an earnest and consistent way will help maximize the size of your professional network – and theirs.

Networking in practice

As a physician, you have invested countless hours into your studies, residency and your practice. In a heavy word-of-mouth industry such as healthcare, investing sufficient time into networking is essential as it can ultimately lead to a position you truly desire, even if it’s one you had never considered before. The medical industry is filled with stories of physicians who found their dream job from a chance meeting or a networking event, and therefore the importance of a lifelong commitment to genuine engagement through networking is highly recommended.