Physician Job Interview Tips

“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.”
—Aristotle

No matter how many years of experience you may have under your belt, making the decision to change your employment situation is rarely easy. Searching for a new job can be challenging at best and downright stressful at worst. If you are considering a transition to a new practice, hospital or university, these tips and tricks can help the process run more smoothly and be more enjoyable.

Before You Begin

Prior to applying for a new position, otolaryngologists should take several factors into consideration. While there are many points to consider, including why the position is available, access to ancillary revenue and the type of equipment the facility uses, “the most important criterion should be: Is there a defined need for ENT services in the area?” said Jim Stone, president of The Medicus Firm, a physician staffing firm based in Dallas, and president-elect of the National Association of Physician Recruiters. He advises applicants to ask prospective employers about the number of referring primary care physicians, new otolaryngology patient volume, existing patient volume, wait times on new patient appointments, the size of the draw area and the current number of otolaryngologists in the area. “They should be able to provide specific data to support the need for an ENT,” he said.

Tommy Bohannon, divisional vice president at Merritt Hawkins & Associates, a physician search and consulting firm based in Irving, Texas, said that otolaryngology practices are becoming increasingly subspecialized. “Practices are consequently looking for a doctor to focus on one aspect of otolaryngology,” he said. “It’s very important for you to ascertain how much time you will spend in that particular area and determine whether that’s acceptable to you.” These and other considerations can be verified in a preliminary phone conversation or through a recruiter.

The Interview

In recent years, the dynamic of looking for a job and the applicant-employer interactions involved have changed pretty drastically, said Bohannon. “Prospective employers have done a certain amount of due diligence. If they’re working with a recruiter, they have a dossier and a good idea of what you are all about.” Your qualifications have already been verified and your references already spoken to, he said, because today’s technology has made it much easier to confirm the basic facts of your CV.

Therefore, the interview itself is more about figuring out how you will fit into the practice’s dynamic. “Medicine has become much more of a customer service-type business,” said Bohannon. “Otolaryngology is a field that tends to still rely heavily on word-of-mouth and network referrals, so the customer service aspect is important.”

Because employers are trying to determine the more intangible aspects of your personality, here are a few questions that you can reasonably expect to be asked:

• How would you describe your approach to providing health care services? (Aggressive? Conservative? Evidence-based?)
• How well do you work as part of a health care delivery team? (How do you get along with nurses, mid-levels, other physicians?)
• What are your practice goals?
• What are your thoughts on customer service?
• How much do you value and promote patient satisfaction?
• Why are you interested in coming here to practice?

Both Stone and Bohannon agree that honesty is the best policy when it comes to answering interview questions. “In terms of how to answer, answer honestly but concisely,” said Stone. “If they want more information they can always ask you to elaborate. Less is more.” Always focus on your strengths and on what sets you apart from other physicians, and be prepared to provide specific workplace examples when possible to illustrate your strengths. “Just be yourself,” said Bohannon. “Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Don’t be negative, don’t appear jaded and don’t be fake.”

During the interview, you are also ensuring that the position is right for you, so be on the lookout for red flags, Stone said. Be wary if the prospective employer won’t let you meet any other physicians, such as fellow otolaryngologists or primary care physicians who will be referring to you. “You should be able to meet someone who can speak for what it’s like to practice in the community, confirm the need and confirm support of other physicians in the area,” he said. Other warning signs include excessive physician turnover or an inability to prove the need for an additional otolaryngologist in the area.

Don’t lose focus on why you started looking for a new position, added Stone. “Many people tend to get overly stressed or apprehensive toward the end of the process … and get hung up on one small detail of the contract or process.” Ultimately, Stone advised, “Be patient and try not to let the process overwhelm you.”