Coffee & Contracts - How to look at a job posting

Physicians navigating the job market must scrutinize job postings as the initial data point in their due diligence process, especially as recruitment timelines now extend as far as three years in advance. Postings vary significantly between large hospital systems and private practices, often omitting critical details like specific locations or exact salary figures to protect recruiter commissions. Discrepancies frequently exist between advertised terms and final contracts, particularly regarding call schedules and compensation floors, necessitating the preservation of original advertisements for later legal review. Securing multiple points of contact, obtaining various letters of intent, and conducting several site visits provides the necessary leverage to ensure contractual expectations align with initial offers. Whether engaging with in-house HR or external recruiters who function like real estate agents, verifying that clinical ratios and partnership tracks match the written agreement remains essential for long-term career stability.