Frankly, the range of options open to me and the complexity of the choice of opportunities overwhelm me. How do I really know what’s right for me until I try?

Not all opportunities are created equal. It is vital that you find a position that is a good fit with your skills and goals. At any given time, there are numerous academic and private practice positions available across the country.
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Given the economic climate, what’s the risk of accepting a job with the first quality practice that makes me an offer?

Every job opportunity that presents itself to you is not a good one. And every practice you talk to will present itself as a quality practice. Practices that know how to recruit are only going to show you the good parts.
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I get job advertisements mailed to me, see positions posted online and in journal, even receive telemarketing offers to interview. Any advice for separating the initial wheat from the chaff?

As with any other commercial decision, you must learn to be a very discerning consumer when sorting through your career choice and direction. Use your career assessment tools as a basis for comparing your options and opportunities.
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I spend considerable time combing through job opportunities, advertisements, etc. But something tells me it will all boil down to “who you know” in the end. Is this true?

Molly D. Shepard, president of Shepard Executive Resources in Philadelphia, says: “In counseling high-level executives and physicians, I have found that at least 85 percent of the really good, exciting jobs are found through personal contacts.
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If a career counselor advises me to have a signed employment agreement early in my final year of residency, then I should be looking for a job almost two years before I complete my training, right?

The majority of residents and fellows believe that they should begin their practice search when they begin their final year of training; anytime before that is just too soon.
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I’m in my last year of training and am anxious to find the ideal position. How can I speed up the timeline on my job search?

Ideally, a comprehensive career assessment should be completed 24-18 months prior to completion of training. It is important to note that the timeline described is the “optimal” timeline. If you are in your last year of training and have not yet begun your search, all is not lost.
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I’ve been advised by my program director to nail down an employment contract – negotiated and executed – many months prior to completing my training? What’s the rush?

There are some very good reasons to work toward the goal of having an employment contract executed 12-6 months prior to completion of training. For instance, if you are moving to a new state, you will need to obtain a license to practice in that state.
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Is it really that important for me to get so formally structured in my search for a position?

Yes, by attacking this critical task with a proven methodology you’ll greatly increase the likelihood of finding a position that will meet your professional, financial, family, social, recreational, and geographic needs.
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Out of fear of offending someone, what might the consequences be if we held back during an interview?

The final misconception we will dispel is the one that says you can’t ask the tough questions you really want answers to without damaging the chemistry you have built with the practice.
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Employment Agreements – Key Questions

Some university practices may provide a verbal offer and an employment contract for your review. In almost all cases, the employment agreement is a binding contract. While university agreements are generally rigid with little opportunity for change, you should seek cost effective legal counsel and mentor guidance regarding the employment contract to ensure you understand the obligations of the document you are signing. In addition to the guidance provided by your legal counsel, consider the areas that follow.
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Employment Agreements- Launch Your Career® for Residents and Fellows