If you’re stuck in non-clinical job search mode and not getting offers, these tips are for you!

They come from my experience coaching physicians to find their first non-clinical role.

1. You need more than a resume.

While a resume targeted to the job description is a cornerstone of your application, it’s not enough.

To accelerate your job search timeline, leverage your existing network, and build new relationships with people working in your desired role/industry.

2. Talk to physicians working in the role you’re interested in.

Find out how they landed the role. Ask them for advice.

Well-meaning friends, colleagues, and mentors may offer advice. That’s OK but make sure you’re getting advice from physicians who are doing what you want to do!

3. Be focused in your search.

In the early phase of your career transition, it’s important to be open to exploring different roles to determine your best fit.

As soon as you decide on a role and industry, become highly focused in your search. Target the companies you’re interested in, connect with physicians and recruiters who work for those companies, and clearly define your job search terms.

4. Keep track of your search activities.

Excel or Google Sheets are great for this.

Document your application date, the role and company, the recruiter’s name, summary communications from the recruiter, interview questions and dates, who you’ve sent connection requests to, etc.

Keeping track helps you stay organized and on track!

5. Adjust your expectations.

You may get a rejection note immediately after you apply, you may not hear anything for weeks, you may not get responses to connection requests, or emails to recruiters. This happens. Just.keep.applying!

You only need one door to open to get your foot in.

6. Be clear on the answers to these questions:

How do you feel about not seeing patients anymore?

How do your skills and experience translate to the non-clinical role?

How do you feel about “starting over”?

7. If you’re not getting interviews, get experience.

If you meet the requirements in the job description (JD) and your resume is targeted to the JD, but you’re not getting interviews, you might be competing with candidates who have experience.

One way to gain experience is through volunteering. Examples:

• If you’re applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, volunteer to sit on an Institutional Review Board, perform H&Ps on healthy volunteers in early-stage clinical trials, or join a company’s speaker bureau.

• If you’re interested in a physician advisor role, join your hospital QM or medical records review committee.

Another way to gain experience is to start by taking a course in the industry you’re applying to. Then create content about what you’ve learned and post the content on LinkedIn, or give a lecture.

Last words:

To go from non-clinical job search to your first job offer typically takes longer than you expect and will test your patience and resilience! If you stay focused, organized, adjust your expectations, and network at every opportunity, you will move forward. Take courage! Other physicians have done this and so can you!