Being prepared for an interview is vital to the success of the practice search process. Part of the preparation is practicing how to answer the questions during the interview. Here are some examples of interview questions and how to respond.

Q: Why do you want to change employment?

A: Don’t give them a horror story about your current employer. No one wants to hear negative stories. Negative stories in interviews make the person who is telling them seem negative. Instead give a generic answer such as: “I am looking for professional growth.”

Q: What do you wish to change about your present position?

A. This is another question where you dontyvant to present negative information. Frankly, interviews are not the place for much, if any, negative information. A good response could be “I’m looking for more inpatient world’ if you’re interviewing for a position which involves inpatient work and you’re currently doing more outpatient work.
Q. What are your professional goals?

A. Your goals should jive with the goals ofthe practice, e.g. to help grow the practice, to make patients satisfied with their visit, being active in the community. Therefore, to respond successfully, you must do your homework to find out what the practice’s goals are. This may not be available as is but you can make deductions about it from your initial conversation with the practice and the website. For example, the practice physician may have talked with you on the phone about how the practice just added a tluro suite. Given this expense, its no doubt a concern ofthe practice to pay offthis expense so their goal is to build the interventional referral base. Professional goals can be: patient education, to become Board Certified, to become a partner.

Q. What would a colleague say about your strengths and weaknesses?

A. This is another trick question. Most interview questions are seeking information which the answers indirectly provide the essence ofthe interviewee’s character and values. For example, you might respond to this question that your yveakness is that you’re impatient. Rather than say that you’re impatient, its better to say that you strive for perfection and that at times you become impatient with yourself when trying to get something done on time and well.
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How do you complete a successful practice search? The answer to this question begs the reader to define success. Everyone has a different definition of suc-cess, therefore, the parameters of a suc-cessful search will be very personal.

You must consider your vision of success to include your goals and the path you must take to accomplish them. Take the time to sit down and contemplate your val-ues. What is important and how important is it – finances, practice location, size, style, and type: proximity to family and friends, etc. Once you’ve identified your values, your practice search will be headed to-wards a successful completion.
Once you’ve identified your ideal practice situation, it’s time to find the ideal opportu-nity. The obvious methods are through the classified ads in the PM&R Journal and The Physiatrist, the AAPMR’s Job Board, recruiters, the Job Fair and bulletin board advertising at the Annual AAPMR Meet-ing.
Practice opportunities can also be found through a more active and, often, more productive approach. Talk with former classmates who are now in practice about opportunities they are aware of within
their own practice or elsewhere in their community. You should also talk with doctors in the area where you wish to practice
On to the interview . . . be prepared to discuss the current health care environ-ment. Engage in dialogues with practic-ing physicians so you can speak to the needs and issues of the practice. Give examples of how you can contribute to the practice’s ongoing success.
Know your references from the start. However, if the interviewer asks for them, you should request a day or two lead time so that you can notify your references of the impending calls. Also tell your references of the needs of the position and how your skill set matches them. You might need to coach them about the strengths they should empha-size.
In conclusion, take time in advance to identify your ideal practice situation. This soul-searching process will direct and streamline your practice search and save you time in the process. Your practice search will be much more enjoyable and rewarding.

A doctor asked me yesterday what he might expect in locum tenens compensation.  The compensation varies but I’d say the average is approximately $1,000/day.  Typically, lodging and transportation are also provided.

If you’re a hiring entity wanting a locum tenens doctor, please consider using our services.  Although we concentrate on permanent recruitment, we find possible locum tenens doctors sometimes during our searches.

You think that what you say during the interview process is the key to whether you get the job or not. That’s true but the way you end the interview is also critical to getting the job as well as to moving the process along. The interviewer should be in charge of the process but you particularly have the opportunity to lead at the end of the interview. This is the point where you can ask what the next step will be. For example, good closing statements should include a summary of the qualities and abilities you bring to the table followed by lines such as “When should I expect to hear from you?” or “What can I do after you offer me the job to most help the practice?” The interviewer will be impressed with your ambition and control of the situation. While other candidates are asking about benefits at the end of the interview, you are confirming your desire to be a contributing member of the organization and someone who has the ability to lead.

Why are you, or might you in the future, consider a job change? I’m sure there’s a multitude of reasons however the number one reason should be to advance your career. Career advancement should be the number one reason because other items such as greater compensation or being closer to family should follow either in the new job or the one thereafter. Seeking a new job solely for any other reason may be a detriment to your career advancement. A new job can offer career advancement from a number of different perspectives such as learning, visibility, and/or a growth opportunity.