Physicians Division :: The Cambridge Group

Whether you are a resident about to embark on your career, or a practicing physician looking for career advancement, the job search process can be time consuming and confusing. Based on our many years of recruiting experience, we have identified some practical tips to assist you in defining your career path and guide you through the entire interviewing process.

Self-Assessment Prepares You For A Successful Interview

If you are uncertain about your career path, plunging into the job market makes little sense. Interviewers quickly eliminate candidates who are unsure of their direction. Self-assessment is the first and most important step in any job search.

Self-knowledge allows you to match your interests, skills, goals, values and potential with a future career.
Affirming past experiences can determine your future.
Self-knowledge can lead to a focused, dynamic interview style.

Self-Assessment Questions

What are my key competencies?

Diagnostic skills
General clinical skills
Procedures
Documenting administrative and patient records

What are my personal concerns?

Family needs
Salary
Community/Cultural
Education

Frequently Asked Interview Questions

General

Tell me about yourself.
Why did you choose to go into medicine?
Why did you choose the medical school you attended?
Why are you changing jobs, or why are you interested in this job?
Why did you choose our practice location?
What are your long-term goals?
Why do you want to work with us?
Why should we hire you?
What do you feel you can bring to the group?

Strengths and Weaknesses

Describe your strong points.
Describe your weaknesses.
Describe your abilities as a team player.
How do you describe your clinical judgment?
What are your strongest clinical areas? What makes you say that?
Describe one of your most recent clinical triumphs.
Describe a clinical scenario that did not go well.

Quality of Service and Patient Relationships

How did you resolve a major conflict with a patient?
What do your patients like best about you?
What do your patients like least about you?

Personal Attributes

Describe your personality (initiative, enthusiasm, stability and consistency).
Describe your work habits (difficulty reaching, timely reports, patient interaction, etc.).
How well do you communicate by phone when describing patient situations?
With what volume of work are you comfortable?

Contributions

What do you feel are the most important contributions you have made to your practice, community, and hospital?

Risk Factors

Have you ever come before any committee of a hospital or peer review group for review or had privileges revoked or suspended?
Have you ever had any disciplinary actions or problems of professional competence?
Are you aware of any claims or investigations against you (past or present)?
Have you had any malpractice suits?

Conclusion

After what you have seen and heard are you interested in the position?
What level of compensation do you require?

Telephone Interview

Most practices will have a brief telephone interview with a candidate before setting up a site interview. Telephone screening offers an introduction and gives some level of assurance that you are appropriate for the opportunity. Remember the impression you make during the telephone interview determines if there will be a site visit. Unqualified candidates are screened out over the telephone. If you are unprepared or ill mannered on the phone, you may not have an opportunity to go to the next step. Don't lose your momentum by falling short on the phone interviews when a potential opportunity comes calling.

Always Sound Alert and Interested
Enthusiasm will increase your chances of landing an all-important site interview.

Eliminate Background Noise
You will seem unprofessional or inattentive if there is background noise such as radio, television or children. Avoid any unnecessary disruptions. Do not answer other phone calls.

Write Down the Caller's Name and the Hospital
Refer to the hospital and the caller by name during the conversation. Follow up with a letter, even if you have only had a phone discussion.

Be Prepared
Keep your CV, appointment book and a list of questions you have near the phone.

Ask Questions
Ask questions to show interest. Stay focused on the opportunity. Do not ask about salary or benefits. Get the interviewer talking about himself/herself.

Give Concise Answers
Think of questions that might be asked beforehand. Don't waste the caller's time by being unprepared and rambling.

Inquire About the Next Step
At the end of the conversation always ask what the next step will be. Ask for an interview and know your availability. Remember the telephone not only helps impress potential employers but also allows you to explore various opportunities without taking time off.

Be Flexible in Scheduling an Appointment
If you have impressed them enough to get an interview, maintain the positive image and momentum by being readily available.

Interview Preparation

Do your homework. Remember there is always competition for a good opportunity. The more prepared you are, the easier it will be for you to stand out against the competition.

Confirm your appointment. Make sure you have accurate directions and phone numbers, in case of problems.

Dress professionally. You do not have a second chance to make a first impression. You should wear a conservative suit, and have a neat and well-groomed appearance.

Be on time. Employers look for emotionally mature adults with sound, rational judgment. Your prompt arrival indicates your interest in the opportunity.

Bring a clear copy of your Curriculum Vitae, along with names, addresses and phone numbers of your references.

Concentrate on selling yourself and finding out if this position is for you. (If you impress them, then your dollar value will naturally increase).

What is your wish list? (Geographics, call coverage, salary, community, family needs, etc.)

There is no such thing as a perfect opportunity. If you look for everything on your wish list, you may miss the best opportunity by searching for something that doesn't exist. If 50 percent of your wish list is met, you have a good match.

Never discuss money on the first interview, you will appear money-motivated. If asked what kind of offer you are looking for, your response should be, "I will consider your strongest offer." This will prevent you from giving a figure that is too high or too low, which could take you out of the running because they can't afford you - or generate an offer less than desired. If and when they offer you the position, discuss the offer with your recruiter and he/she will guide you.

You have no decision to make until you have an offer. Your goal in any interview is to get an offer. If you like what you see, don't leave without one. Never be afraid to ask for the position.

Site Interview

Interview Skills
These are the finer points of marketing yourself ... subtly. These skills are an important part of implementing a career plan in a highly competitive marketplace. Common sense may cover interviewing basics but you seldom realize the finer points of a successful interview without research and practice.

Utilize the basic fundamental rules of interviewing we suggest below, as well as common sense, in all job-hunting situations. Doctors who are accustomed to interviewing patients often do a poor job when they sit on the other side as a candidate. You must prepare for the interview - especially, if you have been out of the job market for any length of time. Make sure you turn off your cell phone when you arrive.

Stress Accomplishments
Administrators want to know what distinguishes you from the competition. When asked about your accomplishments, be prepared.

Develop a list of accomplishments, naming the most important first. Don't be modest or arrogant but take credit for your achievements!

Use Examples
Answer questions directly and concisely but vary the length of your responses. A two-hour interview devoid of examples and imagery is too theoretical. Use examples and imagery rather than lecturing to expand on points and issues. For example, cite diagnostic situations you have encountered and the resolutions you implemented to improve the patient's overall health.

Let the Interviewer Talk
Be courteous to the administrator and let him/her take the lead - especially early in the meeting. Size up the interviewer and interject comments that will allow you to control what should be a two-way conversation.

Ask Solid Questions
Investigate the opportunity in-depth before your visit and be ready to ask thoughtful questions about the practice environment and organizational issues. Administrators are impressed with candidates who show knowledge and interest in the position and organization.

It Is Important to be Yourself
Be flexible by showing there is more than one way to handle a given situation. Avoid controversial topics, such as politics, religion and issues that generate strong emotional reactions - but don't always agree with the interviewer. In some instances, interviewers try to trap the candidate into agreeing with a senseless observation or opinion. If you are pressed for answers on a subject on which you may disagree with the interviewer, be honest, but not argumentative.

It is the one who interviews best who receives the job, not the most qualified. Some candidates are too brief with answers to questions regarding hobbies, family and spare time activities. These questions can be an essential way for the interviewer to see your humanity and often mean the difference between receiving an offer or a rejection. You may be competing with people whose qualifications and accomplishments are very similar to yours. The administrator and others in the organization want to know that you fit in with the culture of the organization. The most critical part is marketing yourself. Remember that your poise may be tested with some tough questions so be prepared for those that delve into situations where things did not work out well. How you handled a difficult situation successfully would be a point to pursue. Know in advance what you are going to say and how to present it. Close the interview with the impression that you are the best candidate. Ask questions so that the interviewer knows how interested you are. Don't forget to ask for the job if it's something you want.

Specific Questions You Might Ask During The Interview

General

What kind of practice is it?
Does it have academic affiliations of any kind?
What is the history of the group?
What is the philosophy of the group?
What is the medical character of the practice?
What are the short and long-range goals of the group?

Physicians

What are the backgrounds and interests of the physicians I'll be working with?
Is the group cohesive? Are their practice styles similar to mine? What's their malpractice history? Is the philosophy compatible with my workload and responsibilities?
Do physicians in the area refer patients to the group?
Is there a genuine need for another physician in my specialty?
Are other physicians in the practice still accepting new patients?
What's the average waiting time for a new patient appointment?
Are there specialists in the area to take my referrals? (Or, if you are a specialist, ask if there are enough primary care doctors to keep you busy.)
What are the future plans regarding additional physicians?

Education

What seminars or journal clubs are conducted in the group?
Does the group encourage attendance at annual specialty conferences?
Does the group encourage CME, teaching, hospital staff, and medical society activities?
How difficult will it be to get a license in this state? Are there any special requirements?
Is there a medical school nearby? If not, where would I find some CME and a good medical library?

Community

Are members of the group active in the community?
Will you be permitted to be active in the community? Politics? Moonlighting?
What role, if any, do the physicians' spouses play in the conduct of the group?

Billing

Does the practice use automated or manual system for scheduling, billing and /or insurance filing?
How are outstanding debts collected?
What system is used for filing charts?
What is the group's payor mix?
How is day-to-day management of the practice accomplished?

Personal Issues

How is scheduling determined? Is it reasonable?
How much charity work is expected?
How many nights and weekends would you be on call? Are all the cross-covering physicians compatible?
What are the fringe benefits, including insurance (health, life, disability, and malpractice), CME, and vacation time?
What are the hours?
What are the daily responsibilities of your position?
What other duties will you have (administrative, managerial)?

Patient Information

How is informed consent handled? What are the moral and ethical views of the group concerning informed consent?
What type of patient education is conducted? Is it taken seriously by the group?
What percentage of patients have indemnity insurance, belong to HMOs or PPOs, are on Medicare or Medicaid, or are indigent?

Money Concerns
What is the compensation plan? How often are increases made? Are you an employee or on partnership track. What expenses are you responsible for, and what is covered by the group/hospital? What is the malpractice insurance and who pays the premiums?

Practice Setting

The Office

Describe the office location. How many are there? Are the location/s convenient for both doctors and patients? Would I work out of more than one office?

Housing and Family

Take the time to research the area where you are applying for a job. Consider the following:
What are the percentages or rates of state and local sales and income taxes?"
Are there sufficient cultural and recreational opportunities such as museums, symphony, opera, and theater?
Are there major league or college sports?
What is the average cost of housing?
Are there good public schools? Are private schools available? What about colleges and universities?
What kinds of health care services are available?
Do the local churches/temples fit my needs?

After the Interview

Write a thank you note. Although e-mail thank you notes are acceptable, a handwritten note is best. It should be brief - tell them you enjoyed your meeting. Express interest in the position and in hearing from them soon.

Keep a record of questions you still have that will need to be addressed. The entire process from interview to hire can take a few months. By writing down your thoughts, you will be able to stir your memory on issues that may become important later.

If you get an offer. If you are interested in the job, you should have a good idea that an offer is coming, before it is actually extended. Communication is the key - stay in constant contact with the hiring authority. Have an attorney review the employment contract. Return phone calls to your future employer immediately. Time kills all offers. If you are continuing to interview, they are doing the same. Move quickly and you will secure the opportunity you desire.

If you are not interested, be courteous in declining and do it immediately.

SUMMARY

The keys and tips in this guide are designed to give you the basic skills necessary to help you find the opportunity you desire. If you are using the services of a recruiter, you should take advantage of their knowledge and expertise to help you with your preparation. Practice the tips and refer to the guide regularly and you will have a distinct advantage in your quest for your ideal job.

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