by Wendy Abdo, Staff Writer & Michael P. Broxterman, COO
Pinnacle Health Group
Many physicians view recruiters with a suspicious eye. From the time of residency, they are told by instructors to beware of recruiters who will send out their CV without prior permission to every potential client across the country. Though this is now uncommon, there are some recruiters who still use this method with the aid of the Internet.
Yet, armed with this caveat, many physicians still opt to use recruitment firms. In fact, a recent study conducted for the New England Journal of Medicine CareerCenter (independently researched and conducted by Zeldis Research Associates) found that recruiters are the most popular source, other than direct referrals, for physicians seeking job opportunities. Therefore, if you don’t know someone who can give you a good referral, recruiters are by far the best way to find a job opportunity.
Just as in everything else, all recruitment firms are not equal. Some are better than others, and Pinnacle continues to work at improving relations with both physicians and clients. To better understand what candidates want, we have interviewed several physicians about their experiences with Pinnacle and other agencies. Below we point out what doctors find is most important in a recruitment firm. Then we follow up with a specific question and answer session with one physician who recently used Pinnacle’s services.
Listening and Respecting Physician Needs
What is crucial to candidates is whether a recruiter will understand and respect their needs. “If I don’t want to move to Alaska, don’t waste my time trying to convince me it’s the best place to go,” is how they see it. While the recruiter’s personality does count, it is not as essential as whether they are actively listening to the physician. One doctor commenting on a bad experience said, “It’s as if they think we don’t know what we want.” Hence, doctors are drawn to recruitment firms that focus on their needs.
Responsiveness is Vital
How quickly a recruiter responds back to a physician can make all the difference. An OB-GYN said he explained what he wanted to all the recruiters who contacted him, but the first one who responded back to him was the one he actually used. Physicians need to feel they can trust the recruiter. They are very busy and cannot wait all day for calls to be returned; therefore, promptness is a definite plus.
Communication No-no’s
Physicians have very strict ideas about how they want to be contacted. Woe be it if a recruiter calls a physician at his place of work and manages to alert his present employer about his possible departure! In fact, a recent PHG study indicated that 78 percent of the time, physicians would prefer to be contacted at home rather than at work.
One Pinnacle recruiter, sensitive to the physician’s situation, said she first tries to contact the doctor at home. If that doesn’t work, she then e-mails the physician. If there is no home telephone number or e-mail address, she looks for a pager number. Only as a last resort will she call a work number, and even then she is VERY CAREFUL not to leave incriminating messages that will raise suspicions.
One-on-One Interview
How does Pinnacle stack up to physician requirements? Decide for yourself. Below we have posted an actual interview on a candidate’s recent experience:
Q: What do you do?
A: I am a Nephrologist in a very skilled and innovative private practice.
Q: What led you to look for another job?
A: The lack of job satisfaction and the willingness to leave the big cities for opportunities in suburban areas with good schools and a better family-friendly environment.
Q: Why did you opt to use Pinnacle Health Group?
A: I searched using Internet engines and with many search firms. However, Pinnacle struck me, because I was “in charge.” They did not tell me what to do. I told them what I wanted and all they humbly did was work with me in my search for an ideal, fulfilling practice. They did all the work, and I did all the asking. They deliver!
Q: Did Pinnacle Health Group make your job search easier?
A: They made it too easy. They organized very flexible interview arrangements and gave me very useful interview tips. All I had to do was listen while they did the work for me.
Q: Did you use other methods/physician recruitment firms during this time?
A: Yes, but I wasn’t satisfied with them.
Q: How did we compare to other recruitment firms?
A: You are the best. And I am not exaggerating.
Q: How did your Pinnacle Search Consultant treat you during your job search?
A: With respect. A very cordial relationship grew between me and my Search Associate. He is soft-spoken. He is an excellent guy, and he listens.
Q: Did the Search Consultant answer all your job-related questions? Did you get all the information you needed?
A: More than enough.
Q: How quickly did the Search Consultant return your calls and respond to your inquires?
A: He was on top of the show. I even called him at his home at odd hours and once spoke with his wife. He’s an excellent guy.
Q: How well did your interview go?
A: There were no faults, except that there was too much to eat and drink at dinner. I was even driven around in a Hummer Limousine. What else can I ask for? I am so blessed.
Q: Do you feel they found the position that most closely matches your professional skills and personal needs?
A: Of course.
Q: Comparing Pinnacle Health Group with other physician recruitment firms, what would you say makes us unique from the others?
A: Your are outstanding because of your good client relationships and because you actually listen to what we want.
Q: If your friends or colleagues where looking for a new job opportunity, would you recommend Pinnacle Health Group to them?
A: Definitely. I already referred one person.
There are many ways for physicians to find jobs, but one of the easiest ways is to work with a quality recruitment firm who understands their needs. A Cardiologist stated, “I think recruiters have a more thorough list of opportunities to draw from. I felt that I had a limited selection. They just know where the jobs are.” That being said, physicians must carefully pick and choose from a vast array of recruitment firms to make sure they are getting a reputable one that will work well with them.
References
Zeldis Research Associates (May 2003). “How Physicians Search For Jobs.” Sponsored by The New England Journal of Medicine Career Center. Email nejmjobsupport@nejm.org for a copy of this study.