On the average physician’s list of top job search priorities, you’re most likely to find some combination of compensation, location, and work-life balance. As a dedicated physician recruiter, Senior Search Consultant Sonya Cathey helps connect physicians with opportunities that meet their needs. Still, in addition to the usual three, she always stresses the importance of cultural alignment. An organization’s culture is the manifestation of its mission, values, and beliefs. When physicians’ attitudes and behaviors reflect and align with their employers’ on this level, it creates positive corporate cultures, and employees are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs. Alternatively, when behaviors are misaligned, the environment can feel unstable, and physicians are often unhappy at work.
Unfortunately, the latter scenario described Dr. G’s experience with his employer. A psychiatrist in Texas, Dr. G had completed his training and then worked in various roles throughout the southwest. When he and his wife decided to settle in Houston to be near family, he found a staff psychiatrist job with an organization that checked all his boxes — competitive compensation, location, and a schedule that allowed for some flexibility and work-life balance. He had worked for enough organizations to know that cultural alignment was also important. However, it is often not as easy to evaluate as other job qualifications. So, Dr. G took a chance and accepted the job. However, before long, it became clear that his values were not aligned with the organization’s.
Despite his relatively short tenure with his previous employer, Dr. G began looking for a new psychiatry job in Houston. He started with a Google search and quickly found a job posted by Sonya. Sonya’s client was one she knew well. She placed a psychiatrist with them more than a year ago and has maintained a relationship ever since. The owner contacted her for help finding another psychiatrist, confident she understood the organization’s culture and knew the kind of physician who would excel there.
A Knowledgeable Physician Recruiter
When Dr. G contacted Sonya about the job, she was able to talk to him at length about the organization’s patient-focused mission and culture. She listened to Dr. G’s concerns about his current organization and assured him that her client, a private practice with just two locations, offered a very different approach. Over the course of this one conversation, Sonya knew Dr. G would be a perfect fit with her client.
Sonya’s client trusted her opinion and was eager to meet Dr. G, and because he was already local, they were able to schedule an on-site interview quickly. He was impressed by everyone he met, and the feelings were mutual. It was easy to see that he had found where he belonged. The client extended an offer, and Dr. G was happy to accept, just 29 days after Sonya began the search.
Secrets of Physician Job Search Success
When Dr. G was ready to search for a new psychiatry job, he leveraged online job boards to find opportunities. Thanks to Jackson Physician Search’s vast online presence, he quickly connected with Sonya. However, he wasn’t looking for just any psychiatry job. He needed to be sure his next employer aligned with his values. Fortunately, Sonya had a long-term relationship with the hiring organization, so she could knowledgeably speak to their values and knew that they embodied the patient-focused mission. They were looking for a physician who also put patients first, and Dr. G checked that box and more. It was a perfect match made in less than a month.
Evaluating Values and Culture During the Interview Process
Of course, physician job seekers benefit from working with a recruiter who knows the hiring organization as well as Sonya knows her client. However, it’s also helpful for physicians to know how to evaluate culture during the interview process themselves. First, use every channel available to learn as much as possible. Prepare thoughtful questions to reveal the most important values. Observe the behavior of those you meet directly, as well as the surrounding staff and even the patients. If you see anything that concerns you, do your best to learn more. After you have observed as much as possible, ask your recruiter to share what they know about the organization’s culture. They will want to ensure alignment and should be transparent about their knowledge. Use this information, along with your observations and instincts, and you are sure to make the right decision.
If you are seeking a new opportunity and want to ensure the employer aligns with your values, the recruitment team at Jackson Physician Search is eager to help. Reach out today or start your online physician job search now.
