How the words “ Networking” and “ Connections” are poorly understood by most IMGs,

yet essential to getting into good programs in the US

It isn’t just what you know, it’s who you know.
It isn’t just what you do, it’s what others are willing to do for you.

Your network is your net worth!”  -- Nicky Verd

When most of us IMGs decide to apply to medical training in the US many of us have a misconception that there is this giant algorithm reviewing our applications and choosing those with specific criteria. Although this is sometimes true where computer filters are used to scan through thousands of applications, we forget the most important thing of all, which is the human factor involved in the final decision.

The people looking at our applications are human beings (at least for now in 2024) and their human emotions interact with their professional decisions just like any other decision we take in our life. This explains the importance of “letters of recommendation” which are basically how mentors you’ve worked with subjectively think of you as a person and physician.

So what does this have to do with networking and connections you may ask ?... Well everything .. Many of the IMG applicants who got into really good programs left a great impression on someone they worked with who made calls for them and got them interviews. That group of people who put effort to help you get a spot in a program are called your “network” and each one of them is a “connection” for you.

How do I  build a network you may ask ?... Well it starts by showing off your talents and impressing people in the professional circle that has connections to programs you are interested in. It also includes a lot of giving to the network you created before being able to take from it. So now we have to answer two important questions, the first is what are those professional circles that I need to show off my talents and be helpful in, and the second, how can I impress the  people in those circles  and be useful to them ?

So where should you show off these personal talents and try to impress ?... So many places

• During a clinical rotation (observership, elective, externship, residency or fellowship) or research meetings
• In the lunch room while sitting with other people chatting in your clinic, hospital or research building
• When you’re giving a presentation or discussing your poster in front of others whether face to face or virtually. Always show your video and dress well even when online.
• When attending a conference during a social hour or during special interest meetings or “networking events”
• When you invite a co-worker or mentor for lunch during your  observership, elective, or research. And yes you should invite people for a simple inexpensive lunch, you can’t imagine how rare this is, despite the profound effects these simple gestures have.
• When you invite your co-workers or mentors at your home for a home cooked dinner or for them to do the journal club in your apartment complex club house and prepare some snacks or order some food.
• During a department outing, picnic, retreat or gathering at one of the faculty’s homes. Or when you’re invited for a pharmaceutical dinner with other people in your department.

Now the million dollar question is how can I show off my talents and impress the right people ?

Well many ways, here are some ideas…

• Be friendly in your encounters with new people, with simple gestures like smiling, waving, introducing yourself and asking about them.  
• Try to always offer value to people during any interaction not as a tactic to get help from them later on, but to build the kind of rapport you need to expand your network.  If you’re in a situation that you can offer something like connecting them with someone or inviting them somewhere or helping out in a problem they mentioned, then do it.
• Get involved in the discussion. Don’t go on endlessly when you start talking , but don’t be embarrassed to ask questions and share your thoughts (you will need to know your topic well so have to do your homework)
• When people talk, actively listen to what they’re saying and ask questions that show interest and understanding of what they just said. Share your stories about the topic to help break the ice and have them ask more about you.
• Learn to understand body language and non-verbal communication, and realize if you keep looking at your phone or smartwatch while someone is talking to you it’s like you saying to them “I have a lot of more important things to do than listen or talk to you”. Don’t ever do that and if you have to look at your phone apologize and explain why you had to do that and keep it at a minimum.  Try to understand what people are saying through their body language, don’t continue talking endlessly if you notice the person in front of you is disinterested and shift the conversation to something they are passionate about.
• Be respectful of people’s ideas and beliefs, and don’t share very negative views you have of a topic when you’re still being introduced to someone and don’t understand how they feel about it. 
• Learn to market for yourself and your accomplishments. There is a difference between being a self-centered narcissist and being good at marketing for yourself when the time is right. So learn to read the room and understand when it’s a good time to let the people around you talk and when it’s your time to advertise yourself in areas that interests the people around you. This explains the importance of active listening to understand which parts of your experience resonate with your audience and are worth sharing.
• Dress really well.  Always ask what kind of attire people are wearing to the event you’re going to and dress appropriately. It’s always better to overdress than underdress. That being said I wore a full suit to my very first talk at ARVO which was held in Fort Lauderdale , Florida and many people around me were in their beach shorts . So maybe I didn’t need a whole suit that day but it wouldn’t go well if I was wearing shorts and everyone around me came with suits. Get help from an experienced friend or even professionally if you’re not sure how to find a suitable attire.
• Be nice and courteous to everyone , not just to the attending physicians, residents, fellows, postdocs, but to everyone including the nurses, techs, administrative staff  and all other people you deal with on a daily basis at work.

So how does doing all this make a difference ?... It creates your network, and your connections, the people who will vouch for you, say good things about you, make phone calls for you, and go the extra mile to make sure you get what you want. Learn that there is a lot of legwork involved in creating a healthy network of people that gets you to places you never even dreamed of. Also understand that while creating this network you have to give more than you take and be a very useful person to those in your network.  

“Ask not what your network can do for you. Ask what you can do for your network.” – Greg Bahlmann

Do you want to start creating networks right now ?.... Share with me and others on our Career Coach MD Facebook page  (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/xhQqMrPXXV2cFAKd/ )  examples of how networking and connections have served you in your life, as well as other tips and tricks you’ve learned in creating these connections.

 “Those that win in networking give first, give generously, and give often”  - Unknown

M.Soliman