The Job You Want May Not Be the One You Need

We’ve recently worked with a physician who thought it was time to make a move from a small rural community setting into a large metro area.  By working with a recruiter at Jackson Physician Search, he found a position that met all of his personal and professional needs.  Here is his recruitment story.

Our physician, let’s refer to him as Dr. Smith, had been working in rural Northern Kentucky for several years.  Having recently married, Dr. Smith felt he was ready to explore opportunities in larger metropolitan areas.  He began by considering cities like Chicago, hoping for access to cultural activities and better schools for his daughter.  He quickly learned that his personal and professional needs might be better met in a mid-sized community and practice. It surprised him to find that the large group he was interviewing with wasn’t very responsive and he felt that working there, he would be just another number.

He began working with Helen Falkner, Sr. Director of Recruiting at Jackson Physician Search, who has been helping doctors, and other medical professionals find their perfect job for years. They began by narrowing down the things that were most important to him and his new family. He wanted a position affording him a better work/life balance and a location that offered the amenities of a larger metropolitan area.  When Helen told Dr. Smith about an opportunity she had in a Midwestern university town, he was unfamiliar with the community and initially skeptical.  However, Dr. Smith knew that keeping an open mind is critical and that it would be worth it to do his due diligence on the job.

The first thing that struck Dr. Smith when he arrived for his interview was that he was meeting directly with the CEO of the clinic.  He felt very comfortable having that direct line of communication with the CEO, and it allowed for a streamlined decision-making process. Dr. Smith was pleasantly surprised to find that the facility was very physician-centric and they were extremely motivated to learn more about him and his family. He knew if he joined them, that he would be more than just another doctor.

Being a college town, and also located less than an hour from a major metropolitan area, Dr. Smith and his family found that they would have access to vibrant cultural scenes, concerts, great restaurants, and a top school system.  The organization was very accommodating with Dr. Smith’s salary and scheduling preferences, and he gladly accepted their offer to join the team.

Dr. Smith’s story is not unlike many others in today’s ultra-competitive physician search environment, and it includes some key takeaways for consideration. Dr. Smith kept an open mind throughout the process and working with his recruiter, stayed focused on the things most important to him and his family.  He also recognized that in a smaller setting, he had the opportunity to become a part of the community and work in a more comfortable, inclusive environment. The only investment Dr. Smith had to make was the time he spent interviewing.  By overcoming his preconceived notions of what he thought he wanted, Dr. Smith ended up as part of a tight-knit team in a location that met all of his family’s needs.

If you are ready to find your next opportunity, check out our job portal to search for your next job or connect with Helen directly on her LinkedIn page.