Congratulations! You have completed years of school and post-graduate training and you finally have the opportunity to begin practicing as an ophthalmologist! Now all you need to do is find a job. Easier said than done, huh? One of the most crucial first steps in finding the right job and subsequently having a successful negotiation begins before you even start interviewing. It starts with some critical thinking about what your personal career goals.
Indeed, taking some time for self-reflection about your personal goals and your career goals early on will help you determine what practice setting is right for you. I would suggest finding a quiet spot where you can do some critical thinking (for me it is by the water) and be honest with yourself. Start by asking what practice environment you would be most happy in. Academics? Private Practice? Research? Employed in a large group or small group? How about one that is owned by private equity? What is your personality type? Are you a self-starter or do you prefer to work where things are set up? Would you be happier if you were an employee and did not have to be concerned about human resources or managing employees or would you rather be an owner and have more control over the business decisions? I encourage young ophthalmologists to carefully evaluate the type of practice and the type of environment they personally could see themselves most satisfied in (not necessarily what your co-residents are doing). What do you really want your day to day to look like and what are you hoping to get out of a practice? Another important question is where do you want to practice? You finally have an opportunity to choose where you want to be (instead of a computer match choosing for you). Choose wisely. Often this means taking into consideration what not only would be best for you, but also your family. This is an exciting time and there are many wonderful things ahead. Take a little time and have a clear mind about what you really want before you begin that journey.
Next time I will review best places to look for a job and key questions to ask during the interview.
