Everyone in the healthcare industry has read about or heard that there is a growing physician shortage in the United States. Earlier this year, the Association of American Medical Colleges confirmed that there would be a gap of between 46,900 and 121,900 physicians by 2032. For any physician looking for new practice opportunities, there will be plenty of jobs available. While this is good news, the question to ask yourself is, which job opportunities are right for me? That’s where having a relationship with an experienced physician recruiter can benefit you the most. Let’s look at the unique ways a trusted recruitment partner can help you.
How Physician Recruiters Simplify Your Search
Nationwide Reach
Whether you are looking for a perfect opportunity across town or across the country, you will have access to information about available opportunities. Your recruitment partner will have the resources and the network connections to find you an opportunity that matches your career and life goals. For example, he or she can keep you informed about hiring and compensation trends in whatever specialty or geographic region you are exploring.
Insider Access
In today’s high-demand climate, physicians who conduct extensive searches on physician job boards may find a suitable position. However, this approach is time-consuming at best. When you work with a recruitment professional, he or she already has relationships with hospital system administrators and in-house recruiters. According to a 2017 ASPR Benchmarking Report, more than 40% of physician searches were to replace a departing provider, and almost 70% were for hospital-owned practices. These numbers highlight the importance of the relationships and trust a recruiter has built throughout their network. Recruiters have information about current open positions and future openings that typical job board searches will miss.
Heavy Lifting
Once your recruitment partner understands your career goals and lifestyle needs, he or she can help you throughout the process of landing the right opportunity. This support can be preparing you for the interview to scheduling the site visit and even helping you navigate the contract negotiations. An experienced recruiter has a wealth of information that can help you overcome challenges and put your best foot forward when being presented as a candidate.
Getting the Most Out of Your Recruitment Partner
Establish Trust
The most important way to establish trust with your recruitment partner is open and honest communication. Make sure he or she knows exactly what you are looking for in your next opportunity and why you are looking in the first place. If you want a new opportunity because of a bad work environment, process issues with administration, or unruly work hours, explain that to your recruiter. Your recruiter needs to know what your cultural fit looks like so he or she can match you with a client employer who shares similar values. The more information your recruiter has will only benefit you in finding your perfect practice setting.
Use Recruiters as a Resource
As important as it is to establish trust with your recruiter through open dialogue, it is equally important to maximize him or her as a resource. Your trusted recruiter has information about every aspect of the position and the organization with which you are applying, even the expected salary range. Never be shy about asking tough questions. Find out about the challenges an organization is facing or even why there is an opening. Your recruiter knows the hiring team, the administrators, the culture, as well as important details about the community. Tapping into that knowledge and experience is the key to helping you make the right career decision.
Be Committed to Your Search
Once you have established a relationship with a professional recruiter, and he or she begins finding opportunities based on your stated requirements, you need to see it through. As Warren Buffett famously stated, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and only five minutes to ruin it.” When you have a recruiter working on your behalf, respect the process, and treat it seriously. Essentially, this means that if things advance to the point of an offer, it shouldn’t be used as a bargaining chip with your current employer. If you were open and honest about your reasons for the job search, then any offers received will be given the consideration they deserve.
Jackson Physician Search has a nationwide reach and a team of recruitment professionals with decades of healthcare industry experience. Contact our team today and let us work on finding the perfect fit for you and your family.
