Physicians, there’s a simple mantra to keep in mind when you get an offer: You can always ask for more.
Let’s take a scenario. Dr. Keith Dudemeister, an Internist, is about to graduate from his residency program in New York City. He’s a normal resident, with no problems, but nothing amazing to brag about, either. Just your normal, average physician.
He gets an offer for a job in Chicago, where his family is, for an outpatient job with privileges at a local hospital. (He found this job through The Doctor Job, but that’s not important). The offer is for $140,000 for the first year, plus 1 week paid vacation, comprehensive health and dental benefits, reimbursement for his CMEs, and full medical malpractice coverage. Call is 1:4, and they pay up to $5,000 in moving expenses. After two years, he can become partner track, and the partners typically make about $300,000 a year or more. Sounds like a pretty good job, right? Why should Dr. Dudemeister even think twice?
Because you can always ask for more. It is an absolute certainty that this group is not offering you the extent of what they’re willing to offer. No employer would. They’ll offer a little bit less, but they’ll be willing to negotiate.
So what should Dr. Dudemeister do?
Even if he knows there are three other candidates who interviewed for the job, he should remember that he is the one who got the offer. Which means that they like him the best. Don’t feel that by negotiating, you will revoke your offer. You’re not. You’re just seeing what else they’re willing to do.
He should meet with them in person, if at all possible.
Sit down, with a smile.
Say, “Thank you for the offer. I love your practice, and I can see myself at home here. I am very interested, but I have a couple of questions.”
“First of all, is there any flexibility on the starting salary? After looking at my expenses and the cost of living here, I was looking for something closer to $160,000 if at all possible. I know it’s not that much more, but it would make a huge difference on being to live in this great area.” In this sentence, he’s explained a rational reason, given an amount he wants (looking for about $155,000), and made them feel like it’s not a huge difference in salary, which it’s not.
“Second, my wife and I had already planned a trip this year that will likely conflict with the vacation policy. Would there be a way to get that changed to two weeks?”
“And, finally, I was looking at moving expenses from NYC to Chicago, and it looks like it will be about $8,000. I’d be happy to pay for it and be reimbursed, but I’d like to get the whole cost covered.”
What is the worst that can happen? They can say “No, No, and No”.
What is the best that can happen? They can say “Yes, Yes, and Yes”.
In the best case scenario, you get more money (maybe about $15,000 more), another week of vacation (that’s worth about $3,000) and more money for moving expenses (another $3,000), for a total of $21,000 more. Just by asking.
This seems simple and obvious, but physicians are notorious about not negotiating. They find an offer, it seems good, and they take it! Even if you’re only asking for about 10% more, you should try. The worst they can do is say no. They will not rescind the offer – no reasonable employer would. And, honestly, if they ever did rescind your offer based on a mere request for flexibility, it’s not a group that you would want to work for, because it would be a horrible environment.
Always remember: You can always ask for more!
Great tip, and it is very necessary for graduating residents to be aware of this possibility. Your arguments are clear and compelling. I would try it.