The sleepless nights, stress-filled days and years of intense sacrifice have all led to this. Now it’s time to look for the perfect post-residency job, right?
Wrong.
Because there is no such thing. But you can create a more perfect process to get you on the right path. Be patient. Have faith in yourself. And heed the words of those who’ve gone before you. This is the advice from Eric Mann, MD—CEO and Founder of Lucens and an ophthalmologist with a thriving private practice in New Jersey.
Here are his 7 secrets to finding the job that suits you best:
1. Know thyself
"You have to know who you are, know what you're looking for," he said. Too often, residents get so caught up in the grind of their training they don't take time to reflect on their true priorities and values. But this self-awareness is crucial when evaluating potential job opportunities.
2. Don’t limit yourself
Cast a wide net when searching for that first job. "Interview as much as you can and look for job offers with as many people as you can," Dr. Mann said.
Many residents make the mistake of settling on the first decent offer that comes their way, only to find themselves unhappy down the line. Options give you leverage to negotiate the best terms.
3. Get help with negotiating
Speaking of negotiation, Eric highly recommends getting “a shark of a health care attorney.”
The right attorney can help ensure you don't get taken advantage of. It will cost more money, but in Dr. Mann’s case, it set him up for a smooth transition to eventual partnership in his practice.
4. Find your fit
Beyond just the contractual details, Eric emphasized the importance of finding the right cultural fit. Residents should think carefully about the practice environment, the leadership style, and whether their values align with the organization. not just the highest paycheck.
As he put it, "It's not about the dollar sign figure...it's the freedom to run your practice and see your patients the way you want to do it."
5. Tap into your mentors
The best mentors are informed and judgment free. They can offer deep insight and share a unique perspective. Talk to a lot of them. Soak it all in. And map their experiences against your own vision for the future. See what emerges and move in that direction.
6. Be resourceful
Use your time in residency to explore—ask questions of everyone.
Dr. Mann harkens back to his own experience: “I wanted to find the biggest practice that I could take over as soon as possible. I worked with pharma sales reps all the time and told them what I was looking for so they could reach out to their sales team network and help me find it.”
7. Look outside your bubble
You’re exposed to some amazing academic doctors and attendings during your residency. But that’s just a narrow slice of what’s out there—from private practice to large health systems, public health, sub-specialities, research and more. Explore as much as you can. Be a sponge. Understand that you can make what you want out of your own career.
Bonus—one thing Eric wishes he knew back then:
“To be more humble when working with others. When you come out, you’re at the top. You need to take it slow and appreciate what you have to learn about your new setting and the people you now work with. "It's not about what they can do for you. It's what you can do for them.”
Big takeaway: Let’s break the taboo of not talking about money and professional growth. This is your life. We need to share what we know and support each other, just like we do when talking about our clinical expertise.
If you’re ready to embrace this important conversation, join Dr. Mann for his Lucens Rotation—Training to Employment: Land Your First Job After Residency & Fellowship, beginning on September 25, 2024.
