The Physician Job Interview process

 

INTRODUCTION

Hiring decisions in the world of medicine are not made without face-to-face interviews. Interviewing techniques for the academia and the private sector differ markedly. The expectations are different, the questions are different and the answers are different. What may sound offending or lame in academia may become the prime topic of discussion in a private setting. These are different perspectives in medicine and does not necessarily mean either one is bad. To highlight this difference in approach my future posts regarding the physician  job interview questions  will be divided into two categories academia and private practice.

[Apparently the academicians appear to have principles while private practitioners come across as businessmen. However do not forget that the academia gets most of its funding from federal and state programs or grants. Whereas the private practitioner has to generate his own capital to keep his practice viable. In reality all successful practitioners are good businessmen. As long as the practice of medicine is fair and ethical you have nothing to fear.]

 

THE PROCESS

The first contact with the prospective employer is by telephone. Usually the prospective employer initiates the call. At the end of this conversation you may or may not be offered an interview. On the odd occasion you may get a call from office personnel to schedule an interview.

The face-to face interviews are by and large unstructured interviews where your academic knowledge is almost never tested. Your graduation from medical school and completion of residency are sufficient proof of your academic competence. If everything goes well in the interview you will be offered the job in next few days to weeks.