Finding a Job

It is never too early to begin thinking about what you want to do at the end of residency and to begin to make contacts for your future career. Do you plan to pursue fellowship training? Direct to practice? Will you locum? It can all seem overwhelming at times and difficult to know where to start. In this section we have tried to assemble some useful resources to help get you started in the right direction as you begin navigating through this process.

Tips to get started:

  • Start thinking about your career plans early – it’s okay if your plan changes as you learn more about different career paths in general surgery but it’s important to at least start thinking about it.
  • Keep your CV updated – Keep track of the extracurricular activities, committees you sit on, research, and conferences. It’s much easier to do this as you go than to try to think back 4+ years while stressing about application deadlines.
  • Get involved in research – Research is a big part of many careers in surgery especially if you plan to work in an academic center. Publications and presentations look great on applications. Try to get involved in projects you are genuinely interested in.
  • Find a mentor – mentors can help you to learn about what path their career has taken, to learn about different opportunities you may not have considered or known about, and to make connections for electives, fellowships, and job opportunities. Mentors can be anyone from your program director, academic advisor, faculty, or senior residents. You may have more than one mentor that helps you reach your career goals.
  • Think about your elective options – Take the opportunity during your electives to consider where you would like to work or train. Many fellowship programs recommend taking an elective at their center prior to applying. You can use this time to get a feel for the program and the city. If considering a location for your future practice, ask about the needs of the community. Do they have upcoming job opportunities they know of? Are there specific skill sets or specialty training they are looking for in the person they hire? These are a great opportunity to put your best foot forward.

Resident resources:

Job Boards and provincial recruitment departments: