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Graduating from medical school is such a major accomplishment that it might feel as if it is a grand finale, when in fact, it’s just the beginning. With so much to do, where should you start?

Whether you are heading into an internship or residency, or if you’ve completed those steps and are ready for your first “real” job, there is much to be done. If you are at the internship or residency stage, be in touch with your contact person at the facility to work out logistic details: when you start, what materials you might need, etc.

For those of you who have completed your residency, we have prepared a checklist to help you in those first steps from your academic to professional life.

Consider Your Options

By now, you probably have a general idea of the path you want to take. For instance, you may know that you are interested in working in a private practice rather than pursuing a career in academic medicine. But within the area you’ve identified, there are many choices: small private practice or individual private practice? Community clinic or hospital? Or are you interested in one of the emerging areas such as concierge medicine or working as a hospitalist? Now is the time to explore the possibilities.

Prepare Your Resume

Ideally, you’ve been updating your resume as you’ve made your way through the final stages of your medical training. Now you will want to add the finishing touches and make sure all the information is up to date. You may want to create more than one version of your CV, each highlighting the experience most important for the job you are seeking.

Take Care of Credentials

Licensures, applying for privileges, and applying for insurance are a few of the tasks you have to tackle. Take care of the paperwork as soon as possible and be sure you have proof of credentials and any other documents employers might need as you begin your job search.

Stay in Touch

Right after graduation is the perfect time to contact doctors you met and worked with during your residency and thank them for the experience. They will be happy to hear from you and they might provide valuable advice or contacts as you search for a job.

Get Ready to Relocate

If you are applying for jobs across the state or even farther afield, now is the moment to plan on how a move would happen. Do you have an old car to sell or a lease that’s difficult to break? If you are offered a job, will the employer pay for moving expenses? You also will want to find out about state licensure if you plan on relocating to another state.

Research Education Opportunities

Some MDs go on to get other degrees such as MBAs or PhDs, depending on the direction they would like their careers to take. If you think these degrees might be in your future, now is a great time to do some research and plan whether you might like to pursue further education sooner or later in your career.

Maintain a Life Outside Medicine

You are on the path to an exciting and fulfilling career, and as tempting as it is to make it “your life,” don’t forget other activities that will help you achieve a healthy balance. Stress and fatigue are part of a physician’s daily routine, so during your time off, plan on other occupations you love: yoga, spending time with family, reading, dancing, sports, cooking. Anything that helps you shed the stress is the perfect choice.

And finally, as you begin your search for a job, consider working with a medical recruiter. Since 1990, we at Enterprise Medical Recruiting have placed thousands of physicians and advanced practitioners in top medical positions nationwide. We’re delighted to bring our skills and knowledge to you as you start your career.