Resident & Fellow Recruitment Playbook: From First Contact to Signed Offer

FREE Recruiter Playbook

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Winning trainee talent takes a different playbook. Residents and fellows run on GME calendars, board-eligibility timelines, and program obligations-so your strategy must meet them where they are and move fast without adding friction.

Why a Trainee-Focused Approach

Specialized recruiters understand class years, PGY levels, fellowship match cycles, visa pathways (J-1 waivers/H-1B), and what matters during the transition to practice: mentorship, case mix, schedule predictability, and growth. With the right plan, you'll build relationships early and convert graduating trainees into committed hires.

The PracticeMatch Resident & Fellow Recruiter Playbook

Your step-by-step guide to sourcing, engaging, and closing trainees-packed with timelines, outreach templates, and field-tested workflows.

What you'll be able to do:

Engage earlier: Build presence with GME programs; nurture PGY-2 to PGY-5 and rising fellows with stage-specific messaging.
Align to GME schedules: Offer flexible interview slots, elective-friendly site visits, and streamlined decision paths.
Use trainee-friendly incentives: Early-sign stipends, relocation, loan assistance, CME/board prep, and visa/legal support.

Built for Today's Trainee Market

Residents and fellows evaluate more than salary. They look for culture and mission fit, protected time, procedural opportunities, schedule flexibility, mentorship, research/teaching options, spouse/partner support, and community fit. The Playbook helps you present a complete, credible story — so saying "yes" is easy.
Outcomes You Can Expect
- Predictable sourcing calendar by class year and specialty
- Higher show rates and faster decisions with trainee-aligned steps
- More signed offers before graduation — and stronger first-year retention