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The Radiology Job Interview

Kimberly E. Applegate, M.D.

Ask about the job parameters...
including the range of radiologic exams to be performed (such as interventional procedures, Doppler and ultrasound skills needed, and other sub-specialty imaging); time spent on administration, research, and teaching. This should include a discussion of formal and informal teaching.

What is the current clinical volume?

    • How much of the imaging is cross sectional vs. plain film?
    • How much of the current work is outpatient vs. inpatient?
    • How many other facilities are currently (and prospectively) covered by the radiologists in this group?

Do you anticipate any changes in the current job description?
For example,

    • Will there be coverage of additional modalities or outpatient centers or is it anticipated that there will be additional imaging modalities performed in the near future?
    • Will your responsibility be to develop a new imaging area, produce more research, update protocols in a sub-specialty area, or develop teaching resources?
    • If a current member of the department has left and the position is open, ask why the radiologists left the job (for example, retirement, job promotion, family reasons).

Ask about the department's current strengths...
to include the radiology staff, support staff, secretarial support, and available equipment (radiologic imaging equipment and computer support).

Are there weaknesses in the department?
(You may also want to ask this question to different people on this interview day).

It is appropriate to discuss quality of life issues (such as where people live, what the commuting distance is to the hospital, what your future colleagues see as positive aspects of the job). Any negative aspects?

Must ask questions before the second interview should include questions about salary, vacation, benefits and call schedule. Where will your office be? Academic time?

Must Do For The Job Interview:

    1. Be positive, enthusiastic, and optimistic from your initial telephone contacts, prior to the interview, to the end of the interview process. Often the best positions are not advertised. Keep a list of people you have contacted including names and who referred you to the person.
    2. Do your homework before your interview and preferably before you make your initial telephone contact. Learn about the institution, the radiology department, and the person you may be speaking with. Use your AAWR directory. Is there a member working in the department you could talk to? Have your CV ready to fax.
    3. Use an easy-to-read and organized format for your CV. Many institutions provide a standardized CV format you may find helpful. Include a short, personalized cover letter with each CV.
    4. Be politely persistent in your attempts to obtain the interview. If you do not hear from prospective colleagues, call to remain them. Get a time frame for when the position will be filled. If an academic position, offer to give a lecture (if you have one prepared). You will likely be asked to do this at an academic institution, so have your talk ready. It can be as simple as a collection of interesting cases.
    5. Arrive early for your interview. Walk around the hospital to get a sense of its environment. Ask for a tour.
    6. Write a thank you letter promptly after your interview. You may also want to call your contact person after the interview. Have additional questions ready at this time.

Reference: Survival Guide for Women Radiologist: The AAWR Pocket Mentor. Edited by B. J. Manaster, MD. (Chapter 7B: Interviewing, by Jacylyn Calem-Granat, MD)


How to put together a CV


Written by Melissa L. Rosado de Christenson, MD, FACR and B.J. Manaster, MD, PhD 1998;Updated 2022 by AAWR website committee

The definition of curriculum vitae (CV) is course of life. The purpose of a CV is to outline or summarize an individual’s professional and academic achievements. Some personal achievements such as community related or extracurricular activities are occasionally listed in an individual’s CV. Although some institutions have CV requirements, there is no set rule for the organization or outline of a radiologist’s or radiation oncologist’s CV there are some sections that must be included and addressed which are summarized below:

Date

The date of last revision should appear prominently on the first page. Usually it is printed at the top of the page.

Personal Information

The individual’s full name and title should be stated. Women should include their maiden name if applicable.

  • Address - A complete home and work mailing address should be listed to include telephone and email address.  
  • Optional information - Includes the date of birth, nationality, and visa status if applicable.

Education

Include undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate training with dates and institutions. State whether you served as a Chief Resident. Include honors and awards here or in a dedicated section.

Military Service, if applicable

List of positions held, ranks attained, promotion dates, and military awards.

Board Certification and Professional Licenses

Include all boards and dates, as well as all professional licenses held. Identify license numbers, the state, and the status of the license (active vs inactive).

Institutional Activities

Academic / Hospital Appointments

Committee Participation

Include positions held.

Society Membership

Include the complete and correct names of professional societies, as well as the date of initial membership. If you are no longer a member, list your last membership year. Include all offices held under each of the societies and list all committee participation.

Publications

Publications should be clearly identified as peer reviewed or non-peer reviewed. Journal listings must be accurate. It helps if you highlight your name in each publication.

  • Non-peer reviewed publications should be listed and so identified.
  • Ensure that work in progress is clearly identified. A manuscript you just mailed for consideration is a "submitted" work. A manuscript which is accepted for publication is different in that publication is virtually always accomplished. The latter should be listed as "in press" or "accepted".
  • Include all electronic publications and correctly reference them.

Book Chapters:

Include authors’ names, title of chapter (and subtitle if applicable), title of the book, editor(s) names, publisher, publication date, and page numbers

Abstracts

Work presented at national meetings and scientific assemblies.

Abstracts should be listed with the names of the authors, the title, the name of the meeting and the meeting date and place. If the abstract was published, a citation should be listed.

Scientific Exhibits

Scientific Exhibits should be listed as well as the meeting where it was presented, the date, and the place. If a published abstract exists, list the citation. Awards received should also be acknowledged.

References

List the names of those individuals who are willing to recommend you. Do not state "references available upon request". Rather, list the names of individuals who can be contacted for a recommendation (remember to let the individual know you will be listing her/him as a reference).


Additional sections of a CV typically include:

  • Invited Presentations
  • Grants
  • University Teaching Roles
  • Hospital Teaching Roles

Treat your CV like the important document it is. Here are a few words of advice based upon a ten-year experience of reviewing CV’s of potential fellows and staff.

Do’s:

  • Keep your CV accurate and up to date. Always list the date of the last revision. An outdated CV does not leave a good impression.
  • Use a legible font
  • Scrutinize your CV for mistakes and inaccuracies
  • Number the pages
  • Consider using a header or footer with your name and the page number (or institution letterhead).
  • Include work address
  • Use complete and accurate citations for all your publications
  • Decide whether you will use an increasing or a decreasing chronology of events and be consistent throughout the document
  • Document important events, publications and other accomplishments as they occur to keep a “running version of an up-to-date CV.

Don’ts:

  • Do not use unnecessary graphics or designs
  • Do not use "fancy" fonts
  • Do not mix categories of accomplishments
  • Do not make mistakes in names of individuals, institutions or professional organizations


Things to Remember:

  • Update your CV regularly (at least every 6 months). Keep a file of all your accomplishments.
  • Request someone else’s input in reviewing your CV and check for errors.
  • Look for gaps in your employment history. Potential employers will always want to have them explained, so be prepared.
  • Do not forget to list those awards you have received. Never exaggerate, you cannot afford to lose your credibility.
  • Review your CV before your interview. Anything on it is fair game for discussion, so be prepared.
  • Learn about the institution you are applying to. Tailor your letter of intent (probably the most important document your potential employer will look at) to promote yourself from the time of your first contact. 



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Email: info@aawr.org

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