…..So you’ve finally done it – you’ve graduated from med school, and it’s only a matter of time before you are recognized as a doctor. But before that happens, you need to get some experience under your belt, and for most the best option is to apply for residency. But with so much competition out there, standing out from all the other applicants can be quite a daunting task. Following are five tips to improving your residency application which may give you an edge over the rest:
- BE ORIGINAL – When applying for residency, the best thing you can do to shoot yourself in the foot is by losing your own voice and imitating somebody else. Be true to who you are and don’t be afraid to showcase high grades, achievements, and specialties. Average students may try to seek other ways to stand out from the pack by highlighting anything they can bring to the table.
- BE HONEST – It is a common practice for people to exaggerate and even lie about themselves when applying for any kind of job – and it is no different in the world of Medicine. It is, however, of far greater importance to be completely honest when applying for work in this industry, because somebody’s life may depend on it. Be clear about your interests, strengths, weaknesses so that you are placed in the best possible role for you to succeed.
- WRITE A COMPELLING PERSONAL STATEMENT – They are often overlooked – but having an interesting and well-written personal statement can sway the odds heavily in your favor. Discuss what brought you to the world of Medicine – try to express why you decided to specialize in a certain field or perhaps share any goal or purpose-oriented motivation you might have. This job is not for everyone – so always remember to explain why you belong.
- EMBRACE YOUR STRUGGLES – Do not hide the struggles you went through to get to where you are. It is key information that will show people how you respond to adversity. Keep it limited on the actual application, but feel free to expound during the interview itself so that your employers get a glimpse of how resilient you are.
- EDIT & PROOFREAD BEFORE SUBMITTING – This should go without saying – but there are still way too many applications that contain errors that could have easily been corrected if only the applicant cared enough to edit and proofread before submitting their applications. Careless submissions show employers that you don’t take them seriously and may have a direct effect on whether you are invited to interview or not. Before submitting any application, make sure to have a friend, a family member, or anyone you trust proofread the document and highlight any errors.
…..Setting foot in the medical industry has never been easy – the difference between success and failure is razor thin, which means you need all the help you can get. Contact TukkoMed today and let us guide you from day one all the way through to retirement!