Career Planning for Residents
For the seventh straight year, the demand for family physicians outpaced the demand for other specialists, according to the annual Merritt Hawkins survey. Family medicine is an excellent career choice!
As you complete your residency, there are a variety of questions you'll ask yourself:
- What practice setting is right for me?
- Where should I look for a job?
- How do I write a curriculum vitae?
- How do I negotiate an employment contract?
The questions are endless! Check out some of these resources to help find some answers.
What practice setting is right for me?
From private practice to urgent care and from academic institutions to community health centers, there are a variety of practice settings to choose from. How do you find the job that is right for you?
While you probably have a general sense of your practice preference, you may want to utilize AAFP's Practice Prefeernce Worksheet to identify your priorities in areas such as practice style, community type and georgraphic location.
In March 2014, the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians released a white paper titled, "The Family Physician Resident's Guide to Hospital Employment." If you're considering hospital employment, click here to read the white paper now.
If you'd like to talk with a family physician in a specific practice setting, please contact the MAFP office and we'll work with you to locate a member who would be willing to further answer your questions.
Where should I look for a job?
There are several career boards with opportunities for family physicians in numerous locations across the country. Here are a few locations to start your search:
- Medical Opportunities in Michigan
- AAFP CareerLink
- American Family Physician/Family Practice Management Career Center
AAFP has also created a Job Planning and Tracking Tool that you may find useful during your search.
Be sure to keep your eyes on the Family Medicine Update and MAFP Direct for classified ad postings seeking talented family physicians like you!
How do I write a curriculum vitae?
A curriculum vitae (CV) is similar to a resume in that it documents your educational and professional accomplishments. But unlike a resume, it is typically more detailed and can also be used to highlight your personal interests and activities. The AAFP provides a quick overview of key elements you'll want to be aware of when writing your CV.
If you're attending the AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students, be sure to bring your CV along. Not only will you have the ability to meet with hundreds of potential employers, you can also utilize the complimentary CV review by volunteer family medicine residency program directors and faculty in the Exposition Hall.
How do I negotiate an employment contract?
Negotiating a contract can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be! If you prepare and do your research, you can successfully negotiate to come out on top. From determining what is right for you and your worth to understanding the elements in a contract, you'll want to review the AAFP's Negotiating Employment Contracts guide.
Watch for upcoming events in which contract negotiating sessions will be presented.
Additional resources that may be helpful when negotiating your employment contract include: