“For young residents beginning their careers, the lack of a profile photo is actually hurting their chances of landing their dream job. In fact, our data reveals that employers are 21% more likely to view candidates with profile photos than those without.”
Wonderful session with Dr. Haley Hochstein! Haley is finishing up her doctorate studies at Midwestern University in Glendale and needed great professional headshots as she pursues the next steps towards her dream of becoming a family practitioner!
To improve your chances of residency matching, the following steps may help:
Research Arizona programs: Begin by researching general surgery residency programs in Arizona. Explore their curriculum, faculty, hospital affiliations, and reputation. Gain a thorough understanding of the programs' requirements, values, and specific areas of focus.
Score well on the USMLE: Prepare diligently for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and Step 2. Aim for competitive scores as they play a significant role in residency program selection. Consider utilizing study resources, practice exams, and review courses to maximize your performance.
Gain relevant clinical experience: Seek clinical experiences in general surgery or related fields during your medical school years. Actively participate in surgical rotations, electives, and clerkships. This will not only enhance your surgical skills but also allow you to build connections with potential recommendation letter writers.
Obtain strong letters of recommendation: Forge meaningful relationships with attending physicians, mentors, and faculty members who can write strong letters of recommendation for your residency application. Aim to secure letters from individuals who can speak to your clinical skills, work ethic, and potential as a surgeon.
Showcase research and academic achievements: Engage in research projects, case reports, or publications related to general surgery. Active involvement in academic activities demonstrates your commitment to the field and can make your application more competitive.
Participate in extracurricular activities: Engage in extracurricular activities that demonstrate your leadership, teamwork, and commitment to the community. Volunteer in medical outreach programs, participate in student organizations or contribute to community service initiatives. Such experiences showcase your well-roundedness and dedication to making a positive impact.
Make a Professional First Impression with a great headshot for your residency application! Shameless plug: Headshots contribute significantly to conveying professionalism, confidence, and approachability. A well-executed headshot is a visual representation of professionalism. It communicates that an individual takes their career seriously and understands the importance of presenting themselves in a polished manner.
Personal statement: Craft a compelling personal statement that highlights your passion for general surgery, your reasons for pursuing a residency in Arizona, and your unique qualities and experiences that make you an ideal candidate. Tailor your statement to each program to demonstrate your specific interest in their institution.
Program interviews: If invited for interviews, prepare thoroughly. Research each program extensively, including its strengths, faculty, and ongoing research projects. Practice commonly asked interview questions, and be ready to discuss your career goals, interests, and why you believe you would be a good fit for the program.
Be flexible with your application: Apply broadly to a range of programs in Arizona to increase your chances of securing interviews and matching. Consider both university-based programs and community-based programs to expand your options.
Continuously improve your application: If you are not successful in matching during your initial application cycle, seek feedback, identify areas for improvement, and work on enhancing your application. This may involve gaining additional clinical experience, pursuing research opportunities, or strengthening your USMLE scores.
Remember, improving your chances of matching into a general surgery residency in Arizona requires a combination of academic achievements, clinical experiences, personal qualities, and a tailored application. Stay dedicated, seek guidance from mentors, and continually strive to enhance your qualifications.
“As a Program Director, one of my responsibilities is to help our graduating residents find jobs. Paper CVs have been effective, but I encourage them to create online profiles. I even tell them to add photos to help bring their CVs to life.”
“When applying for ERAS residency matches, a professional photo humanizes you to the faculty assessing your application for potential candidacy. It ensures you’re not just another faceless applicant. They are also looking at a vast amount of other applications so you want your application to stand out as qualified and polished. While they are not assessing you based on your picture, a headshot will help them remember who you are—and this is vital to your chances of acceptance.”
—MED SCHOOL INSIDERS JULY 20
Phoenix Professional Headshots & Easy Branding Portrait Sessions
BY PHOENIX, PEORIA, GLENDALE AZ PHOTOGRAPHER
Anjeanette Photography