Now That You Have Graduated - How to Sell Yourself and Achieve Success in the Medical Field

You've slaved away for years and years to achieve the medically-focused degree of your dreams. There's been a light at the end of the tunnel all this time, but it's been a bit intangible - all you've focused on is the actual graduation, hoping the rest would simply fall into place. Now that you've got your degree wrapped-up, you may be hitting the wall that almost all graduates must find a way to scale: how do you take all this newfound knowledge and apply it to the real world? How does a newly minted medical student land the dream internship and set themselves up for success and fulfillment in such a competitive world?

You're going to have to get comfortable with singing your own praises. Not all of us are inherently at ease with trumpeting our own successes, but it's a crucial skill if you really want to get ahead. This doesn't mean you should turn into a vain and arrogant me-me-me type - quite the opposite, actually. It means you should be proud of all you’ve accomplished, and you should know when it’s appropriate to speak up and say so. It’s equally critical that you communicate these successes in a humble yet confident manner. Don’t brag, but do be clear – if you volunteered at a local hospital for the last five years in the maternity ward, make sure to emphasize your knowledge and dedication. Seeing your credentials on a paper resume is one thing, hearing about your personal experience can make or break the job offer.

There's a way to express your fantastic accomplishments without sounding boastful and snobbish. First, know your audience. If you're at a job interview, this is absolutely your chance to inform your interviewer of all relevant successes, talents, and experience. This is precisely why they've asked you to speak with them. Show your diversity, and don't be afraid to mention accomplishments that may not directly pertain to the job you're interviewing for. If you’re after in a children's hospital, but won a national competition for fine art, mention this proudly - employers tend to give high marks for diversity, and huge achievements in any arena bode well for the interviewee. Ambition in any form is an attractive trait. But what you need to express most is why you're the perfect fit for the job you're interviewing for, and if you can take that beyond the general position and expand it to the specific lab or hospital, you're that much more likely to hear a resounding "you're hired".

If you think the only chance to sell yourself is at a structured job interview, you’re selling yourself short. Build a personal web page showcasing your resume, biography, and any accomplishments you think are worth noting. Photographs always give a wonderfully personal touch to such listings, but keep a professional, polished vibe for heightened success. Carry business cards wherever you go, regardless of whether you’re working for a company or hospital that issues them. If you’re not, make a personal batch with just your name and contact information; you just never know when you’re going to bump elbows with someone who can give you the opportunity you’ve been searching for, and without a quick way to relay contact info, you might just miss the boat. Finally, when you do finally land a job interview at a medical establishment you’d truly like to work at, make sure you walk in as prepared as you possibly can be. Do research about the staff, hospital, and the person you’ll be interviewing with. Bring several printed copies of your resume and references. Be creative, and show initiative; these folks have likely been throw the interview process a million times, and any time a perspective employee does something to stand out in a professional manner, it’s appreciated, if not the surefire way to land the gig. No matter what, don’t give in to discouragement. While it’s true that today’s professional world is as competitive as it’s ever been for new doctors and nurses, there’s always room for talented, dedicated individuals. If you’re able to strike the right balance of integrity, confidence, and humility in selling yourself, you’re setting the stage for success. Remember – if you don’t tell the world how fabulous you really are, no one else will. Except Mom, but she can always use a little help.

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