Finding A Job After Your Spouse Starts Residency by Rachel Hernandez

Finally,’match day’comes. You find out your medical spouse has been accepted to a residency program in another state. You are happy for your spouse but also worry about your future career.

Moving to another city can be tough. Venturing out into unknown territory can be scary, but it can also be an adventure. Either way, you are left with the task of finding a new job if you decide to move with your spouse. Do not worry. It can be done. Here are a few stories from other medical spouses who have moved and been successful in finding a job:
Name: Wendy
Occupation: Registered Nurse
Location: Saginaw, Michigan

After re-locating, what was your situation in terms of your job status?
I had to start over.

If you were forced to find a new job on your own, what types of job-hunting strategies did you use?
I looked at newspaper ads. I looked in the phonebook to find out what types of medical facilities were in the area. I made phone calls to talk to managers of the different facilities.

How long did it take you to find a job?
About two weeks.

In terms of salary, did you notice a big pay increase or decrease compared to your prior location?
I noticed a very big pay increase. Michigan hospitals have a high rate of unionization. The organization I worked for is not unionized, and keeps its benefits competitive to avoid it. In Missouri, the hospital did not have to be competitive because it was the only hospital of significant size for ninety miles. So, it could pay what it wanted.

What were some of the pros and cons of your move?
There were more job opportunities and the pay was better.

Any last words of wisdom?
Be flexible and tell yourself frequently this isn?t forever. If you end up in a job that?s below your qualifications, use the energy you would have used in the job to either find a new job or accomplish something else in your life. Take some classes, spend more time with your kids, or spend more time with your friends. Focus on what the low-stress aspect of it allows you to do rather than how bored you are or how much this job stinks.

Name: Kelly
Occupation: Attorney
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Spouse’s Residency Program: General Surgery

After re-locating, what was your situation in terms of your job status?
There was no opportunity for me to transfer my work from my previous employer. I had not been at that job very long and my employer had trained me extensively in legal research. So, my early departure impaired my current employment recommendations as well. It took several months to go through the process of obtaining a license to practice in Minnesota. I spent four months unemployed.

If you were forced to find a new job on your own, what types of job-hunting strategies did you use?
My husband asked his Department Chair to call the University law school to ask if they would extend me privileges in their career services office.

How long did it take you to find a job?
I did not spend more than a few hours looking for a job because I enjoyed being a stay at home mom. I sent out a few resumes. Within a couple of weeks, I received two interviews.

In terms of salary, did you notice a big pay increase or decrease compared to your prior location?
The salary for this part-time job equals my salary as a full-time employee back home. However, the cost of living is much steeper here. In law, experience reigns supreme. In this field, obtaining the first job is the most difficult job that you will ever acquire.

What were some of the pros and cons of your move?
Much more job flexibility because this is a larger market with fewer applicants. Ohio has nine law schools while Minnesota has three. Plus, Minnesota is known for its “muscle economy”. As a creature of habit, I probably would not have left my last job. The move gave me the opportunity to fall in love with my job. My work helps people and contributes to society. At the same time, my job permits me to spend time and focus on rearing our toddler son.

Any last words of wisdom?
Remember, you will not be unemployed forever! Be selective. Know that you have assets that companies seek. This is especially true for new attorneys still downtrodden from the grueling law school experience. You are not as stupid and incompetent as the professors would have you believe. Good luck!

Name: Adrienne
Occupation: Strategic and Management Consultant
Spouse’s Residency Program: General Surgery
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

After re-locating, what was your situation in terms of your job status? I had to start over.

If you were forced to find a new job on your own, what types of job-hunting strategies did you use?
At that point, the economy was still very good. Within days of posting my resume on Monster.com, I got several calls for interviews. Looking back, there were other companies I should have considered at the time. Unaware, I had zero familiarity with the city.

How long did it take you to find a job?
Two months. I did it on a part-time basis while I kept my former job.

In terms of salary, did you notice a big pay increase or decrease compared to your prior location?
Since the income taxes where we moved to were even higher, it came out even.

What were some of the pros and cons of your move?
The job market in Milwaukee was much smaller. I was unaware of the companies that existed in the area. If I still wanted to work full-time, I really should have thought more about it in light of my husband?s ferocious schedule.

Any last words of wisdom?
Take your time. Try and find a headhunter that will assist you. Make sure you consider all of your options before you settle. Right now, the job market is the pits compared to what it used to be.

Name: Greg
Occupation: Sales
Location: Boston, Massachusetts

After re-locating, what was your situation in terms of your job status?
I was not able to transfer locations. I moved from Rochester, Minnesota to Boston, Massachusetts.

If you were forced to find a new job on your own, what types of job-hunting strategies did you use?
I used mainly online job engines like Monster.com. It was pretty successful, but many of the calls were from recruiters. Due to the nature of the move, I had to do all of my interviews by phone.

How long did it take you to find a job?
Three months.

In terms of salary, did you notice a big pay increase or decrease compared to your prior location?
The pay increased just a bit.

What were some of the pros and cons of your move?
I moved from inside sales in the legal industry to inside sales in the computer industry. Both jobs are similar. It is a much more high-tech job market here in Boston. However, the cost of living is higher.

Any last words of wisdom?
Start your search early. On Monster.com and other online engines, put in your address field ?Moving to? and the cit you are moving to because those engines allow employers to search via city and zip. You will not show up in your new city with your old city and zip. Renew your resume every day because this moves it to the top of the list.

Name: Jolener
Occupation: Elementary School Teacher
Location: Winston Salem, NC (Pediatrics), Kansas City, MO (Pediatric Emergency Medicine)
Spouse’s Residency Program: Pediatrics, Pediatric Emergency Medicine (Fellowship)

After re-locating, what was your situation in terms of your job status?
I had to start from scratch. Luckily, education is a field always needing people.

If you were forced to find a new job on your own, what types of job-hunting strategies did you use?
I networked using many of the attending physicians that my husband worked with for leads.

How long did it take you to find a job?
Two weeks.

In terms of salary, did you notice a big pay increase or decrease compared to your prior location?
There was no real difference in pay. Teachers are always underpaid. That does not change anywhere.

What were some of the pros and cons of your move?
Teachers are always in demand.

Any last words of wisdom?
Networking really helped me. I am glad that I never looked for a job right away. I enjoyed the time off during the summer to set up the new house.

Rachel Hernandez is the founder of CareerWish, a career oriented website. At CareerWish, we strive to inspire and encourage others to pursue the career of their dreams.