Common Job Seekers Mistakes and How to Fix Them
by Tina Wilkins, Tina Wilkins Physician Recruitment
With the current shortage of physicians, job seekers have their choice of career opportunities. However, candidates need to remember that employers interview multiple physicians for a single position, to find the right candidate to fit the organizational culture. If you are interested in a particular opportunity, take the time to ensure that you don’t make some of the most common mistakes recruiters encounter in the interview process.
Mistake #1: An unorganized and incomplete CV.
Solution: List all required education, training, and past employers, including the start and finish dates. Show date of board eligibility or board certification; list medical licenses and any awards you may have received. Highlights of your training or your work experience reveal your background, interests, and skills–a bonus for employers.
Mistake #2: Lack of availability for the first telephone interview.
Solution: When you receive a call from the employer or recruiter, return it as soon as possible and no longer than 24 hours from when you received it. Recruiters are very busy and may skip to the next candidate.
Mistake #3: One word answers without follow-up explanation.
Solution: Be yourself and let your personality shine through. The recruiter or employer will assess your communication and interpersonal skills. Volunteer enough information for the recruiter to be able to judge if your temperament is a fit with the team.
Mistake #4: Slow response to requests.
Solution: Response is an indicator of your interest level and your professional work ethics. Have current letters of references available upon request. If forms are sent to you for your evaluators to complete, distribute them immediately and follow up to make sure that they are completed and returned to the recruiter/employer. If offered a contract, the timely review and return of that document is essential.
Mistake #5: Not being knowledgeable about the region before on-site interviews.
Solution: Make sure that you have the knowledge of the position, the community, and that the personal needs of your family can be met (schools, sports, recreation, employment for your spouse, etc.) before you visit. At the end of the interview, ask any questions you may have about the region and let the employer know if you are interested.
Mistake #6: Casual dress.
Solution: Dress professionally. The team who interviews you will be in professional dress; it is disrespectful for you to not do the same.
Mistake #7: Lack of follow-up after the interviews.
Solution: It is not only polite to drop a thank you note to the employer, but also an indicator of the next step that you would like to take. Let the employer know of your appreciation along with your interest level, or lack of interest. This information will lead into the next step: a contract or a respectful good-bye.
Mistake #8: Too many requests for changes in standard language of the contract.
Solution: Be sure to study the important components of the contract (practice issues, compensation, benefits, etc.) and/or have an attorney review it. However, most contracts are templates already approved by attorneys. Asking for changes to the standard template (At-Will Statements, Contingency Statements for Receipt of References, Agreement Clause for Compliance with By-laws, Rules and Regulations, etc.) may delay the hiring process or cause the employer to reconsider.
Mistake #9: Not closing the interview process appropriately.
Solution: If accepted, return the contract promptly and notify the employer of the date the signed document was sent to them. If you decide to decline the offer, call and let the employer know the reason for not accepting and express appreciation for their time and consideration.
Mistake #10: Thinking that after the contract is signed that it is the end of your responsibilities.
Solution: You will still need to complete credentialing and other paperwork for the employer, finish collecting the references (if not already done), and obtain the state’s license, if you don’t have one. Be as attentive to these details as you have with the interviewing process and communicate your progress with the employer. By providing what is requested by the employer, good communication on the process, and showing responsiveness, you will be off to a good start with your employer and your career!
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