For Physicians, there has never been a better time to find a new practice opportunity. With a projected shortage of up to 122,000 physicians by the year 2032, any doctor who is not happy in their current situation has plenty of opportunities to improve their circumstances or career trajectory. Let’s look at five key things all physicians can do to ensure a successful job search.
Reconcile Why You Want a New Job
One necessary step physicians should take before they begin a job search is to determine all of the reasons why a new practice opportunity is essential. Giving consideration to the reasons why you are ready to leave your current position is an important factor in finding the right new opportunity. The best way to accomplish this is to put pen to paper and list the reasons why you are ready for a change. Whether the change is to get out from under unmanageable work hours or to improve your job satisfaction, or maybe you want to advance your career by getting into a leadership position. Listing the reasons why you are ready for change can help you avoid getting into a similar situation in your new job. It can also be helpful information to have when you are working with a physician recruitment firm.
Update Your CV and Prepare for the Interviews
Now that you have thought about why the time is right for a new practice opportunity, take the next step in the process by updating your CV. In today’s high-demand climate, there is a real chance that you will be receiving job offers right out of the gate. Taking the proactive step of updating your CV will help you keep the momentum of your search going forward. Now is also a good time to jot down questions that you may have for any potential new employers. Administrators know that physicians who are actively searching will receive multiple offers, so don’t be surprised when they move quickly once you are on their radar.
Prepare for the Compensation Questions
Physician compensation is complicated and varies between organizations. It is vital to understand your entire compensation package, including base salary, benefits, bonuses, and potential incentives. Based on where you are at in your career, you may want to ask about student loan forgiveness or different retirement saving options. It is also important to keep in mind the tax implications between states. Fortunately, there are tools available to help you compare compensation in different locations.
Involve Your Family
Job searches don’t happen in a vacuum. As important as it is for you to find the right opportunity for your career, it is equally important for your family to take part in the decision-making process. Moving to a new location has a lot of serious variables to consider. Is it a good fit for your lifestyle? Are there quality schools for the children? What kind of weather is prevalent in that part of the country? No individual location or community is going to be perfect for every member of your family, but you need to consider how any move will impact everyone involved.
Career Advancement
At the end of the day, your job search should result in the advancement of your career. That advancement can be professional, personal, or both. If you are at a stage in your career where you seek more control or a more significant say in the decision-making process, begin exploring leadership positions. If your current situation requires you to work an unreasonable amount of hours, or you have become frustrated with a toxic work culture, then your job search should be focused on finding an organization that espouses values similar to your own. The good news is that once you find the right practice setting, your life should change for the better. From having more free time to spend with the kids or finally having time for the occasional round of golf, a new job can be just the recharge your batteries need.
In today’s healthcare environment, physicians don’t have to remain in a job that doesn’t align with their lifestyle or values. Demand for physicians is high and will continue to be so in the foreseeable future. If you are ready to begin exploring new opportunities, you may want to consider finding a partner for your job search. An experienced recruiter has access to administrators and job openings that you won’t find on your own. Additionally, professional recruitment partners can help you work through contract negotiations, compensation packages, and also provide insight into organizational culture questions you may have.
Jackson Physician Search has a team of recruitment professionals with decades of high-level industry experience. They have a nationwide reach and established relationships with healthcare industry administrators in organizations of all types and sizes, giving you the best opportunity to find a position that takes your career to the next level. Contact a Jackson Physician Search recruitment professional today.
