BEGINNING YOUR JOB SEARCH
Decide what you really want
First, be clear about what you want at this point
in your career. Are you looking for a position that
will provide the broadest opportunity for
experience? Is limited call time a critical issue
for you? Are you looking to settle down long term,
maybe becoming a partner, or preparing to purchase a
practice? Are you a big city person? Maybe you
prefer a more rural setting for raising a family.
Think about your career over the next five years,
bearing in mind that you don't have to spend your
whole life in one location. Decide what feels right to
you at this point in your life and your career, and
consider what would be the "best job" for you.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What motivates me?
- What do I find most satisfying about my work?
- What kind of pace do I prefer in the
workplace? In my personal life?
- What are my strongest skills (both personally
and professionally)?
- What do I dislike? If these are areas in which
I
have strong skills, how do I de-emphasize those
skills?
- What kind of lifestyle is important to me
(family oriented, outdoor recreation, theater or
other fine arts, flexible schedule, etc.)?
When you have answered these questions for
yourself, consider what kinds of practice and living
environments would make the best fit for you.
Consider both earning & costs
In general, small to mid-sized communities,
particularly those with only one hospital, tend to
have higher reimbursements, less managed care, less
competition, and a lower cost of living. This can
allow you to earn substantially more with lower
overhead and expenses, creating the opportunity to
accrue substantial savings while enjoying a good
standard of living. Additionally, many physicians
find great professional and personal satisfaction as
part of a community where they are really needed.
And many smaller communities are within an hour or
so from larger metropolitan areas.
Broaden your horizons
Even if you feel strongly about one particular
state or location, consider surrounding states and
areas. The more flexible you are about where you are
willing to locate, the more options you will have in
making your career choices. Be willing to visit a
new area. You may be delighted with what you find.
Be Aggressive
Competition for the more desirable jobs can be intense.
You need to be prepared when opportunities arise,
and you need to pursue them aggressively. Have your
CV ready to go and update it regularly (see:
Creating a Winning CV).
Learn everything you can about the position. Make
yourself available for interviews. Prepare for the
interviews thoroughly (see:
Interviewing with
Confidence), and contact your liaison immediately
after each interview to strategize your follow-up
and begin salary negotiations.
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