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• What do we mean by connections?
This means knowing a doctor working in a German hospital or, even better, being friends with them.
If you have any doubts or need more clarification, feel free to ask any time in the main group of Facharzt JETZT on Facebook and Telegram (all Telegram groups will be added as a folder). This article is a guide to enhance your understanding of the topic; however, it should not be your sole resource. Always consult official websites for the most accurate and up-to-date information (you can read our full disclaimer here).
• Why are connections important?
I did not expect that before I came to Germany, but knowing someone in a German hospital could help you easily get many things. It is NOT about corruption but rather that hospitals search always for good doctors. Sometimes, hospitals pay headhunters money sums between 5 and 15 thousand Euros for bringing doctors to them! Yes, even more, when they bring a new head of department. So, the hospital profits from the recommendations.
The head of the department (🇩🇪 der Chefarzt, short version Chef) is also happy when his residents and specialists suggest people they know for future positions. Because:
• They do not have enough time to see tens or maybe hundreds of application emails, CVs, and motivational letters.
• Even if they did, the organization of interviews takes from them and many employees in the hospital a lot of time.
• The interviews themselves last at least 10–20 minutes. Not to mention that the head of the department might accompany the new doctor in a tour of the hospital.
• The small talk with the candidates in the job interviews might not always result in choosing the best suitable doctor for the position (see how an interview works and how some candidates appear a lot better in the interview than they really are).
• Many heads of departments would try to please their residents and specialists when they notice that they want someone to work in the hospital. So, the satisfaction in team would increase.
• If a doctor is bringing a partner/spouse/relative to him to work in the hospital. This could increase the chances that the doctor would not change the hospital and the city because he now have close contacts there.
Hypothetical example of a resident doctor trying to find a job position for someone he got to know online
“Hallo Chef,
I heard that we need in three months a new resident. I know a very active doctor from the Facebook and Telegram groups of “Facharzt JETZT” 🥳. He writes very good German, and he seems to be very motivated. I saw how he comments a lot to hard questions being asked in the groups; with many answers being correct. Moreover, I am friends with him on Facebook and LinkedIn and I noticed from what he posts that he is a mature man. I think he would fit in the team and be a help to us all. Can he maybe come to a Hospitation and then, when he proves my impression of him, get the position?”
• What can you get through connections?
• You can get easily a 🇩🇪 Hospitation (🇺🇸 medical training /observership/clinical attachment), job interviews, or the job itself.
• Help in finding accommodation
• Help in your applications (Approbation, jobs, visa, etc.)
• You can develop friendships with interesting people and find motivation and help during your whole life as a doctor in Germany. It is not only about getting a training or job, each one needs always help from experienced colleagues (Board exams, problems at work, medical questions, buying a house, etc.).
• If someone trusted you a lot, he can save you from having to pay 11000 plus Euro for a blocked bank account (How?)
• Help later on during the work in the hospital: When human beings work together, misunderstanding and conflicts could arise; especially if you are new to the language and culture. Your friends in the hospital can tell others how good you are, in case, for example, a female nurse thought that because you speak loud and this means you do not respect women! 😂 (It happens! Ask me!)
• How to make connections with medical doctors in Germany?
(1) Interactive Facebook and Telegram groups
Through groups, in which there are discussions, you can slowly make friendships with doctors working in Germany, mostly residents.
Through our community of “Facharzt JETZT!” you can easily do that. See how: Article.
(2) Doing medical training (🇩🇪 eine Hospitation)
But to get a Hospitation, you probably need connections 😅 In case you got a training, make sure to benefit from it in making connections.
(3) Visiting international medical events (conferences, symposiums, scientific days, lectures)
You can do this in your home country or of course in Germany itself. During such events, you can directly talk with doctors working in hospitals, even heads of departments (🇩🇪 die Chefärzte/die Chefärztinnen). You can then give them your CV or ask for an interview.
In Germany, there are thousands of medical events. You can discover in the following article how to find them: Article.
(4) Joining professional social networks
You probably know LinkedIn. A German similar website is called “Xing”. Particularly on Xing, you can start following doctors from the specialties you like. In both networks, there are also doctors who post sometimes interesting medical cases or news related to the specialty. Last but not least, through both websites, you will often be contacted by rerouting agents/headhunters. But in the end, do not build big hopes on that. The websites do not allow you to write to many persons (even with paid subscriptions). Our suggestion is to take advantage of our free interactive community (see the previous point number 3).
Want to learn more? Questions?
Join JETZT (🇺🇸 now) all of our groups & ask what you like
(On mobile phone: The links are at the end of this page/ On PC: On the right side)