Dear colleagues,
I thought I should write-up the tips and ways to grab Post-doc and Research assistant positions. One and the foremost thing don't be a Nervous Nellie as ALLAH knows what is better for you. I must say till final year I was heading towards FCPS but then a drastic change occurred that put me in the top-notch program. Alhamdulillah, Never lose hope and remember "ALLAH can do anything". Have faith and save all the stones of hardships (and not to throw any of them on barking dogs on your way) in your life to make a path so that others can follow your foot-steps.
> The process should usually have been started early in your medical school. Try to write as many papers as you can. Its a trial and error method....... rejections, rejection, reject and then accept, acceptance and acceptances.
> Now when you will be preparing your CV always keep in mind this is a research position, try to highlight your research experience. Especially the attendings are usually interested in an all-rounder person who can do stats, can write up for research papers and grants so highlight your strongest part.
> CV should have a contact info in the start
> if you have given your steps highlight your score and even if not try to show your gpa. and then in descending order HSC/A-levels, SSC/Olevels education
> when ever you write your publication follow the following pattern and highlight your name in bold. For example; Mahmood K, Naeem M, Rahimnajjad NA. Metformin: The hidden chronicles of a Magic drug. Eur J Int Med 2012; vol: page number.
> Devise a nice e-mail layout that should be in three paras. start with
Respected Dr, XYZ, MD, PhD.
LMN med school
div of thoracic surgery
[ DON'T FOLLOW THIS XEROXLY]
With due respect, I am writing this email in context of you being the Investigator of abc Disease. I saw your academic and research achievements and decided to write to you.
My name is ABC and I have just graduated from Dow Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan. The following are my achievements.
I have some indexed publications in reputable journals and have also experience in writing scientific papers. Write a line about if you are peer-reviewer for any journal (it has a gigantic impact, believe me)
Dr XYZ, I want to pursue a career in surgery in US with particular interest in Research. Being an International Medical Graduate I know its not easy. So in order to make my application stronger I want to dedicate 1-2 or more years in Research before applying for good residency programs. Its my passion and I am ready to work day in and day out for it. I shall be really very grateful if you can recruit me in any of your research projects as a paid research assistant. (I did write a paid thing, I don't know if it works or not, but some one at my department told me it is kind of "taedium vitae" on part of the person reading) Attached is my short CV along with consolidated marksheet (if you have steps score they have more weightage). I am not a US national.
I shall be really very grateful if you can help me in getting some opportunity. Thanking you and waiting for your reply.
Best Regards,
MN, Dow Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan
> While mass e-mailing especially after midnight when you are half-sleep, do look for changing the names because it does happen even if you are extra vigilant.
> In subject "do mention RESEARCH POSITION" and if your e-mail has the option of "highly important" tag USE IT on the e-mail because most of your e-mails will ultimately be deleted without reading that's actually the Ninth circle of hell for your mass e-mails. Don't lose hope and have faith in ALLAH, He can do anything.
> Before writing an e-mail do some home work regarding the current Publications of the investigator whom you are writing to. and also check on clinical trials.gov (if any of his/her current study recruiting the subjects because that will give you a rough idea that this study will be going on for next 2-3 years or so.
> A trick to utilize (although I didn't use it), go to the following website and see which investigator has funding and see what is the project http://projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter_summary.cfm#tab2
then search the investigator on PubMed. read the current most 5-6 abstract so that you can comment that "Mr. Keith your work regarding the polymyositis is interesting well the gene HIJ you have currently found a locus for will definitely change the future of rheumatology" Do praise but don't too much as this will give a bad impression about the extreme desperateness for USA.
YOU CAN FIND E-MAILS ON PUBMED OR WEBSITE OF UNIVERSITY WHERE THE PERSON IS CURRENTLY WORKING
ONLY EMAIL LESS THAN 30% OF PEOPLE IN DEPARTMENT AS THEY USUALLY DISCUSS EVERYTHING ON MORNING MEETINGS AND IF THEY FIND THAT YOU ARE E-MAILING EVERYONE YOU WILL BE ON A PERMANENT BLOCK.
> one more thing "look for CAREER OPPORTUNITIES tab on different teaching hospital websites they do have research positions, be an early bird as they are usually filled much early.
> always be nice and humble even if you get rejection, send a THANK YOU e-mail.
> I must tell you an insider " RNP REGISTERED NURSE PRACTITIONER" are usually the research people working on high salaries for many physicians. But believe me they can never think out of the box they are 9 to 5 people who can only do scut work and at the same time their MD students do not apply for these positions. So they do look forward to take people from outside USA (although difficult some times) but you should have something exceptional so that your investigator can defend your case in front of university Dean.
> If you get a positive reply, don't be pushy. As the process usually takes time [attendings are busy as hell]. He/she may schedule a call so that they can assess you atleast on phone what kind of person you are.
> if you are calling them, make some notes handy so that you don't find difficulty in finding the words. there main questions are "Why USA? why not Pakistan?" "What prospects do you see in this field?" "If they don't have an e-mail on website and you some how got it from pubmed, they will ask How you got my e-mail?" "they will ask you about the research work you have done so far!" "Do you know the use of SPSS or SAS as I will not be around to help you and I want some one who knows stats, be honest and tell if you have this skill or not" "During interview they are judging your english and eagerness for work. Don't be accentish speak in Pakistani style or whatever suits you as they also want people who can attend meetings when they are busy and can speak on dice in front of people" "They will ask you about how the field is flourishing in Pakistan, please don't speak anything bad about Pakistan tell them we are making to fullest of our capabilities despite having the resources like a grain of salt in flour in comparison to USA"
> Be humble as attending can take three four weeks in getting back to you, do send a Thank you note and remember don't e-mail him/her again and again. Just send a reminder if you don't hear anything after three weeks.
> Always speak for H1 J1 visa, as on b1 visa attending can make you work like a horse but he/she is not really obliged to pay you as you are on B1 and this is actually saving lot of money on part of attending because there is nothing to show to deptt of homeland or work affairs that you are actually working.
> Always reply to the emails as soon as possible. If you are calling be nice to the secretaries. "Good morning patty, how are you doing today. end call by saying HAVE A GOOD ONE.
>This process usually take 3 months so be patient and pray.
> If by luck one of your friend or class fellow has got that position. Please don't mass e-mail to the same investigator as it leaves a bad impression for your country and school in that program. Please don't pull the legs always think good about others and ALLAH will repay you 1000 times for every of your good deed you will be doing. My professor received many e-mails after I got there so He was unhappy with that.
Good luck for with your endeavours
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