Robert F. Priddy, Should I work with you?
This is the question I’m very, very often asked by physicians. And, it’s a slightly complex question to answer, but I’ll offer my candid and honest assessment.
First, it’s a little like walking into your accountant’s office with all you financial information and asking if you should have an accountant file your taxes or if you should just muddle through it yourself. The honest answer – it depends.
But second, if simply asking the question, do you generally expect the accountant to say no? No, you don’t need any help and it would likely be impossible for me, the accountant, to find any added benefit in my review of your tax situation. That would not happen.
I’m reminded of a time when I had a business partner, a semi-retired and highly respected physician. After meeting with a potential client and effectively having just this type of conversation – i.e. exactly how much more successful will the client be using my services as opposed to simply “muddling” along, I’d suggested the client should not hire me. After the client left, my partner berated me quite severely on the premise that expert advice will always add to the likelihood of a positive outcome and that I had greatly undervalued my service and expertise.
Now, for a more objective perspective. Let’s return to the “it depends” answer. This is upon what I suggest your decision should depend.
- How long do you intend to work and at what level?
- If you intend to remain in the work force for five or more years, and your objective is an executive, meaning middle to upper middle or above employment level, then an investment of about one month’s, plus or minus, salary to achieve that is quite warranted.
- If you intend to remain in the work force for five or more years, and your objective is an executive, meaning middle to upper middle or above employment level, then an investment of about one month’s, plus or minus, salary to achieve that is quite warranted.
- Do you know what you actually want to do?
- There is a difference between knowing what you want to do and knowing what you can do. So, first, if you don’t know that difference, you need help. Second, if you only know what you believe you can do, you need help. And third, if you want to learn the range of how what you want to do can fit into the nonclinical career world, again, you would benefit from my services.
- There is a difference between knowing what you want to do and knowing what you can do. So, first, if you don’t know that difference, you need help. Second, if you only know what you believe you can do, you need help. And third, if you want to learn the range of how what you want to do can fit into the nonclinical career world, again, you would benefit from my services.
- Do you understand the vast difference between searching for a clinical job versus searching for a nonclinical career?
- In other sections of my website I speak to why recruiters are not interested in helping you, the extended timeline of nonclinical career development and the best ways to actually present yourself to the nonclinical career world and your chosen industry. Simply put, if you’re either asking where to find that information or saying to yourself, I know, and I find it confusing, then again, you will benefit from my advice and counsel.
- In other sections of my website I speak to why recruiters are not interested in helping you, the extended timeline of nonclinical career development and the best ways to actually present yourself to the nonclinical career world and your chosen industry. Simply put, if you’re either asking where to find that information or saying to yourself, I know, and I find it confusing, then again, you will benefit from my advice and counsel.
- So, who doesn’t need to work with me?
- Someone wishing only short term, temporary or part-time work. It’s probably not worth your investment. Plus, short term, temporary and part-time are very difficult opportunities to find for a physician. But, if you’re only wanting project-based or part-time work and you intend to do it for a long period of time and money is not your driver, then I can probably help you find or create better fits than you will accomplish alone.
- You only want to work from home reviewing medical records. Those jobs are mostly posted online nowadays, so what you really need it a refresher course on online searching.
- Someone who only wants to apply for jobs online. That’s not the way I work, and I’ll be glad to reengage with you in a year or two when you tire of the frustration.
- Someone wishing only short term, temporary or part-time work. It’s probably not worth your investment. Plus, short term, temporary and part-time are very difficult opportunities to find for a physician. But, if you’re only wanting project-based or part-time work and you intend to do it for a long period of time and money is not your driver, then I can probably help you find or create better fits than you will accomplish alone.
So, there you have it. I hope this helps in answering the should I work with you question, but as always, I’m happy to discuss your unique situation to whatever extent you require to make your own best and most informed decision. You can contact me HERE for a hallway consult whenever you wish.