Anyone seeking a new job may suffer understandable anxiety at the prospect. After all,competition for top positions can be high. Job prospects for physicians are no different.

Whether you’re entering the job market for the first time or you’re a seasoned veteran seeking a new place of employment, there are several steps you can take to make the process go more smoothly. Here are some tips to help you nab a new job.

1. Update Your Resume
When it comes to an up-to-date resume, there are two considerations to take into account. First, you have to include pertinent information about your education and experience, whether you’re a graduate that has recently completed residency or you’re an experienced physician seeking new employment.

However, your resume also needs to reflect the current style. Resume trends change over time, and the massive success of online recruiting, job boards, and such has definitely had an impact on resumes.

Now that hiring agents receive hundreds of applications for every position posted, they naturally have a lot more information to sift through. For this reason, the standard resume format these days requires that you try to fit all relevant information onto a single page.

Many people also include a professional photo as part of their resume to personalize it and make themselves more than just another faceless applicant. Don’t forget the importance of personalizing the cover letter, as well. In a sea of similar applicants, your cover letter can help you stand out.

2. Brush Up On Interview Skills
Whether you’re interviewing for your first position or you’ve been out of the game for a while, it’s best to do some practice interviews before the real deal. Ask a friend or colleague to play interviewer and look online for sample questions.

Be prepared to explain what makes you more qualified, capable, and desirable than other candidates, and don’t forget to consider tricky questions, like the all too common: what is your greatest weakness? You can turn this negative into a positive by highlighting questionable flaws (such as being a perfectionist to the point of fault) and discussing what you can do to “improve”.

3. Consider What You Want
This is not always easy, especially if it’s your first foray into the career world. However, you need to consider your strengths, what you enjoy, the type of work environment you prefer, and the location you’re interested in rather than simply accepting the first job that comes along.

4. Do Some Research
This often overlooked part of the job search is essential to finding the job that’s right for you and beating out the other candidates. By researching different facilities and positions, you have the opportunity to find a job setting that is ideal for you and your long term career prospects.

In addition, knowing all you can about the organization you wish to work for could help you to craft an appealing cover letter and nail the interview.

5. Continue Your Education
Health information technology is a hot topic with hospitals, clinics, and private practices at the moment. As health care shifts to a model that allows for more patient control, physicians need to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies, including equipment, software, online networks, and mobile applications.

Every medical staff recruiter you meet is likely to be swayed if you have a good understanding of relevant technologies and you’re actively learning about emerging products and services. This could give you the edge you need to land a new job.