ACC CardioCareer & CME Guide - March 2008v8 - (Page 19) Finally, be very selective about your interviews. Don’t waste your time interviewing for jobs that you know are not of interest. It is not worth the free lunch or dinner. Sometimes, the interview ends up lasting all day. During the Interview The interview is your opportunity to show the practice staff what a wonderful person you are and why they should hire you. First impression is very important. This is also your chance to learn more about the practice (e.g., size of the office, office equipment and support staff available, etc.). Be prepared with standard interview questions, but do not ask about money right away. After the Interview Immediately following the interview, write down your impression about the practice and additional questions that come to mind. Make sure you follow-up with a thank you letter or e-mail, and stay in contact with the point person. Also, if interested, get additional information about the practice (e.g., practice revenues, workload, salaries) as well as the community in which you will be working (e.g., patient demographics). Make sure that there are good doctors in the area as well, both primary care and subspecialists. The Offer Once you have received a job offer and you decide that you are interested in accepting the position, you can start the negotiating process. This is when you can start discussing money, benefits, call schedule, partnership, etc. The Contract Review the contract yourself, paying special attention to salary and benefits, work expectations, and renewal or separation. Also, discuss the contract with your colleagues, and compare and contrast the contract to others. Last, find a good lawyer to review the contract. What I Learned Since My First Year in Practice This summarizes what I have learned after my first year in practice: First, before you start the job, take a long vacation — at least a month, if not longer. This is one of the few times where you can take a prolonged vacation without having to worry about payback. Service is of utmost importance: Be available, be flexible, and communicate well. It is also important to learn the billing process. After you begin your job, life will be different. You will have more money, but less time. It is important, however, to stay in touch with your colleagues. You will have more independence, but at the same time, more responsibility. u American College of Cardiology CardioCareer & CME Guide 19
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