4 Warning signs during your job interview

Getting ready for job interviews?

Here are 4 red flags and warning signs to look out for in a prospective group!

1. Non-compete clause. 

A non-compete clause means you're contractually limited in where you can work after you leave the group for any reason. It's like an ex telling you you're not allowed to date anyone in the same city after you break up. Sounds terrible, right? The clause usually has time and distance specifications, i.e. you are not allowed to work within 10 miles of a certain hospital within the first 3 years after you leave the practice. Enforceability varies from state to state, so a non-compete might not even be enforceable in your state (i.e. California), but to prove that, you will likely have to fight it in the court system, which is a huge hassle. Better to get it negotiated out of the contract, or move on to another group!

2. The group says they "need to hire a bunch of people right away". 

This might be a warning sign, but it can also be an opportunity. On the negative side, the group might have to hire quickly because a lot of people have recently left, or the group has taken over a contract and members of the pre-existing group refused to stay on. Either way, you're probably going into a situation which is new and unstable. It could be a hidden gem, or it could be a dumpster fire!

3. Group members are hesitant to answer questions. 

I was originally going to write "the group doesn't give you time to meet members", but if that's the case, you should seriously rethink whether you want to join that group! I once interviewed with a private practice group where I asked one of the associates how many weeks of vacation they had. The associate hesitated, squirming in his chair, and then he said, "I think you should ask Jerry that question" (Jerry was the sole owner and head of this 30-person anesthesia group--itself a red flag). So, I asked Dr. Jerry that question, and his answer was, "you know, that's the thing...the folks in my group enjoy working! You don't make money when you go on vacation". Needless to say, I didn't join that group!

4. The interview day is disorganized. 

This is a subtle one that many people don't consider. They just assume that things are hectic and disorganized because the group is busy...busy making money! And that's a good thing, right? Well, maybe. The same people who are organizing your interview day are the same people who are going to be determining your vacation dates, assigning cases, writing policies, negotiating with the hospitals, etc. An organized interview day means the people who are running the group are organized, have attention to detail, and value you as a person and a potential partner. A disorganized interview day means you can expect to be dealing with disorganized people from the moment you join the group.