Finding a great physician job in a major metro city like New York, Los Angeles or Chicago can be difficult.
Finding two great physician jobs in the same city can seem downright impossible. But what’s the alternative? Is it really viable for a family to be separated, with one physician and children living in one location and the other living somewhere completely separate? It is very easy for a physician couple to find jobs within commuting distance of each other, and under no circumstances should any physician ever feel like he or she has to move away from a spouse in order to work. Ever.
Even in a market that recruiters call “saturated” (which can usually mean any metro area from the DC Metro Area to Dallas to Houston to Miami to Los Angeles to San Francisco to Philadelphia to New York to Chicago, and everywhere in between), it is entirely possible, and quite simple, for two married doctors to find jobs in the same place:
HOW TO FIND PHYSICIAN JOBS FOR TWO SPOUSES WITH THE SAME SPECIALTY
The best way for two doctors to each find a job in the same location is to team up in their job search. Get a list of every single networking and hiring contact – every practice and group and possibly related specialty group in the area. Prepare a resume for each physician and one cover letter outlining the desire for both physicians to practice in the same city.
This allows the married doctors to take advantage of every single networking opportunity. One group may offer only one of the physician spouses a job – but may be able to offer a valuable referral to assist the other spouse in finding a position.
(If a physician couple is using a service like The Doctor Job, often times both job searches will be covered by one fee – essentially giving the doctors two jobs for the price of one. Be sure to ask if this is possible for your job search!)
HOW TO FIND PHYSICIAN JOBS FOR TWO SPOUSES WITH DIFFERENT SPECIALTIES
The best way for two doctors to find jobs in the same town if the spouses have different specialties is to start with the most difficult specialty.
For example, if the husband is a pathologist and the wife is a family practice physician, start by securing a job for the pathologist. Once the doctors have been able to secure a pathology job, the family practice physician will know exactly what locations to focus her job search in.
The chances of both physicians finding a job in the same city as their spouses is much better when the doctors start with the more difficult specialty, commit to a location, and then begin the other spouse’s job search. This method is especially practical if the couple is using a service that can guarantee a doctor job in an exact location. (Again, a service like The Doctor Job may offer discounts for physician couples with two career searches in the same location – even if they aren’t done at the same time. Remember to ask about all of your career marketing options.)
It is possible to find two physician jobs in the same location – even if the spouses do not have the same specialty. The key is to be smart about your planning and take a strategic approach to both doctors’ career search.