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blog//Beyond the CV – How to Land the Perfect Job

By the Kendall & Davis Primary Care Team

Whether you are fresh out of your residency program or you are an experienced physician looking for a new career opportunity, the process of finding your ideal job can be time-consuming and stressful. With over 30 years of experience in physician recruitment, Kendall & Davis recruiters know what it takes to make the process as hassle-free as possible.

Self-Assessment

Before setting out in search of your perfect job, the most crucial and also the most often overlooked step is developing a firm idea of your career objectives, personal concerns, and key selling points. Interviewers can quickly weed out applicants who do not have a clear direction in mind. Take the time to explore your past and understand what you want for the future: list diagnostic, clinical, and procedural skills, list your personal concerns (including family-related issues, salary and benefits, community, continuing education), set both short- and long-term career goals, make sure you know what you want before you start looking for it.

Beginning the Job Search

There are many avenues a doctor can use to find the perfect job – some more worthwhile than others. Medical classifieds and online job posting boards, many specializing exclusively in medical fields, are one of the most common means of investigating new career opportunities. Many medical publications contain classified listings for physician careers – most of which have online counterparts. Some of the most popular are the NEJM CareerCenter and the ACP Career Opportunities database.

Personal networking is another crucial aspect of the job search process. Making a name for yourself in the medical world is definitely not an easy task, but making a lasting impression on someone you meet at a convention or joining your local Rotary or Kiwanis club could very well lead to your next great career move.

Finding the perfect job can’t always be done on one’s own however. Many hospitals and group practices hire exclusively through recruitment services. There is usually no cost or obligation for the use of a recruitment firm. When choosing a recruiter, consider the company’s age, experience, and specialty. To gain the most exposure during your career search process, working with a recruiter is an ideal solution. You can trust your recruiter to keep your career goals and personal objectives in mind as they help you find your dream job. Never worked with a recruiter before? Learn more about what to expect from them here.

Interviewing

Conducting a successful and beneficial interview is the most important career-building skill a physician can possess. An interview generally has two phases: a preliminary telephone dialogue and an on-site formal interview. Telephone screening is an important part a hospital or group’s candidate evaluation process; it should not be overlooked as an opportunity to market yourself.

Some things to keep in mind during your preliminary phone interview are:

1. Remain alert, attentive and enthusiastic. Potential employers are looking at this phone call as a first impression of who you are as a person.
2. Try to eliminate background noise and distractions. You likely would not bring a barking dog to an in-office interview – this rule should not change for phone interviews.
3. Be prepared to respond promptly and concisely to any question posed to you, ask questions of your own, write down pertinent information (including the contact information of the caller), and inquire about the next steps in the interview process.

The on-site interview can be a lengthy and stressful process, but nothing will settle your nerves better than being adequately prepared for it.

1. Do your homework – research the job and the hospital or facility in detail. This will help you stand out from the competition.
2. Conduct yourself professionally – confirm your appointment the day before, dress professionally, and be prompt (arriving early is even better).
3. Be prepared – bring extra copies of your curriculum vitae (get tips on creating an outstanding CV) and come ready with questions regarding the position that you are prepared to discuss with the employer.

The most important step in the interview process is being prepared to sell yourself. The medical field is highly competitive; here's how to make yourself stand out.

1. Stress your accomplishments. Recruiters and administrators will want to know what makes you stand out from the other qualified candidates. Stress achievements you’ve made in your area of expertise, honors and recognitions, as well as contributions you have made to organizations or previous employers. Taking credit for your achievements is not arrogance!
2. Use examples. It is important to not be too theoretical when conducting yourself in an interview. Employers will want you to demonstrate that you have the ability to do what you say you can. It is important to vary the length of your responses to questions, not every answer needs three or four examples supporting it – be prepared with a list of experiences and use those to concisely demonstrate your key selling points.
3. Be courteous, respectful, and most importantly – be yourself! An interview should be a two-way conversation, neither party should dominate it. Be courteous, attentive and formal but be aware that it is okay to show your personality in a professional manner.
4. Ask questions. This is one of the most important things you can do to make your interview a success. Come prepared with a list of questions regarding the practice environment and organizational issues. This will help you determine if it is right for you and will also let the administrator know that you are interested in the position. Feel free to ask about the practice, the physicians and support staff you would be working with, education opportunities, community, administrative tasks, patient information, financial concerns, and the office setting.
5. Take notes. It is important to keep a record of information you obtain at each interview, especially if you have multiple interviews in close proximity.

Interviewers will ask you to delve in to all areas of your professional career. Be prepared to go in to detail about all aspects of your past jobs (not just the positives but the negatives as well…it is important that you be honest with yourself and with the employer) and certain aspects of your personal life (hobbies, family, etc.). Some common interview questions you should be prepared to answer include:

1. Why did you choose to go into medicine?
2. Why did you choose the school you attended?
3. Why are you changing jobs?
4. What interests you about this position/location?
5. What are your long-term goals?
6. What do you feel you can bring to the group?
7. Describe your strong points and your weaknesses.
8. How do you describe your clinical judgment?
9. What are your strongest clinical areas?
10. Describe one of your most recent clinical triumphs.
11. Describe a clinical scenario that did not go well and how you handled it.
12. How did you resolve a major conflict with a patient?
13. What do your patients like best and least about you?
14. Describe your personality, work ethic and habits.
15. How well do you communicate with patients and with co-workers?
16. With what volume of work are you comfortable?
17. What do you feel are the most important contributions you have made to your profession?
18. Have you ever had any disciplinary actions, problems of professional competence, investigations or malpractice suits against you (past or present)?
19. After what you have seen and heard, are you interested in the position?
20. What level of compensation do you require?

You have been made an offer…now what?

Receiving a new job offer is an exciting moment, but it is important to not jump in feet first. Before accepting the offer, take some time to consider the pros and cons of this new position – how is the community? Is the compensation what you were hoping for? Are the hours agreeable? Look back to your list of career goals, your wish list, and your applicable skill set before you decide if this job is definitely what you want for yourself and for your family.

If the offer falls short of what you were expecting, it is completely within your right to attempt to negotiate. Keep in mind that if the job is not quite what you want, you are under no obligation to accept it, but it is also important to remain flexible during the negotiation process. Look for opportunities to compromise; for example, accepting a generous benefits package in lieu of a pay raise.

Keeping your goals and aspirations in the front of your mind at all times is imperative to finding your ideal job. At Kendall & Davis, we know how hard it can be to find that one perfect position; our recruiters are committed to helping you meet and exceed your career goals. This is our commitment to physicians – to begin working with one of our expert recruiters today, contact us at 1-866-675-3755.

May 23, 2007