Completing medical training and entering the job market can be an intimidating process. Mentors, referrals, and colleagues can certainly help, but optimizing your time by utilizing a professional physician recruiter is key to landing your ideal career. Just as you would work with a real estate agent to buy a house, a physician recruiter simplifies the job search process for doctors. A qualified recruiter will expertly identify a career that meets your goals and is tailored to your preferences.  

From the day you begin residency or fellowship, you can expect contact from physician recruiters advertising roles within your specialty. However, not all physician recruiters work towards the same goal, and it’s crucial to work with the right recruiter, one best equipped to align you to your ideal career. Here is a breakdown of the different types of recruiters, so you know just what to expect: 

Contingent Recruiters:  

A contingent recruiter is like a fisherman with bait. They typically work in smaller firms, employing business models designed on marketing your CV to as many organizations as possible within your targeted geographical area\. Although they can introduce you to a variety of opportunities, they often do not have the in-depth knowledge to determine if a particular opportunity is right for you. Within this process, your CV remains confidential and you retain control over where your information is sent.  

  • Pros: Maximum exposure for your CV to potential employers. 
  • Cons: Unable to answer detailed questions about specific jobs. 
  • Best for: Physicians confident in their ability to research a job independently. 

Retained Recruiters:  

Retained recruiters are contracted by healthcare organizations to help them find top talent for specific roles. Because of this relationship, they can offer deeper insight into the job and its location. Retained recruiters are often utilized for hard-to-fill roles, mitigating the financial impact of job vacancies, or for highly sensitive roles requiring confidentiality. 

Because of this, it’s unlikely that you would be able to reach out directly to this type of recruiter, and they are usually working within specific specialties with a limited pool of candidates. 

  • Pros: Exclusive access to jobs not publicly advertised 
  • Cons: Focus on specific, often niche roles with a limited candidate pool.  
  • Best for:  Experienced physicians seeking exclusive leadership roles or those with highly specialized skills. 

In-House Recruiters:  

In-house recruiters are professionals who work directly for healthcare organizations. These recruiters are mindful of retention, which means they’re unlikely to hire you unless they truly believe you are the right person for the job. Because they are personally invested in the organization for which they are recruiting, their deep insight into the organization’s culture and location is invaluable. In-house recruiters work directly with the role’s decision makers and can potentially offer inside knowledge and strategic negotiation advice. If you choose to work with this type of recruiter, expect to have a long-lasting and fulfilling professional relationship throughout your career. 

  • Pros: Most likely to align you with a long-term career. 
  • Cons: Limited to opportunities within a single organization. 
  • Best for: Physician with a clear vision of the type of organization they want to work in.

Regardless of which recruiter you work with, they are an asset to your job search, and free to you! Don’t hesitate to ask questions and thoroughly vet your recruiter to ensure they possess the dedication and expertise to find the perfect match for your career goals. A skilled recruiter is your advocate, proactively seeking positions that match your aspirations, not just filling open slots. A strong recruiter relationship can significantly streamline your job search and pave the way for a fulfilling and successful physician career. 

Written by Judith Heller, VP, Physician Recruitment at Northwell Health & Pamela Penso, Senior Project Manager, Physician Recruitment at Northwell Health.

For questions or more information, please contact Judith Heller at Jheller1@northwell.edu or Pamela Penso at ppenso@northwell.edu.