3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Beginning Your Physician Job Search
As an emergency medicine resident, when you're asked what states you'd like to practice emergency medicine in, do you find yourself checking off more boxes than leaving them empty? When asked if room for advancement within the ED is important to you, are you left scratching your head?
If you answered yes to either of these questions then this article may be for you. When you are uncertain about your career path, plunging into the job market makes little sense as those interviewing you quickly eliminate candidates who are unsure of their direction.
According to EMRA, 70% of Emergency Medicine residency graduates will leave their first job within the first two years due to a lack of clear cut career and personal goals during the initial job search.
Don't be a statistic. Below are three questions (and related topics) we suggest you ask yourself before beginning your physician job search:
1. What are my key attributes and traits? (Aptitude, Affability, Availability)
- General and specific diagnostic skills and procedures
- EHR/EMR experience and comfort level
- Documenting, administrative and patient records
- Independent, self-motivated, enjoy working with a team/solo
2. What are my professional concerns?
2. What are my professional concerns?- Demand for specialty
- Income potential- base hourly guarantee, productivity pay, bonus/partnership income?
- Political and financial stability
- Need mentoring or leadership potential
- Area and patient demographics
- General economic and social base
3. What are my personal concerns?
- Size of community
- Proximity of friends and family
- Cost of Living
- Quality of Schools and Recreational Activities
- Employment opportunities of significant other
- Quality of home life versus time spent at work
- Professional growth
Once you’ve answered these questions for yourself, you will be able to have a more open and honest conversation as your recruiter guides you down these information-gathering pathways. Be honest with yourself and genuine in your answers, and you can expect the same in return. Both parties have a similar goal – making the best match for both the candidate and the emergency medicine group hiring.
