1) Like most things in life, the person who cares the least has the most power.
a. If you have some cash reserves, you should let them know that you are looking at other offers. If you have $0 in the bank, you should not.
b. Be prepared for one place to offer you the job on the spot, and want an answer right then. Consider what you'd like to do with that. Hint: This is unlikely to be the best offer.
c. If you have 5 job offers, you can reasonably negotiate between offers.
2) You should ALWAYS ask "Can you come up on that number, some?". No risk to that question.
a. If they ask "what are you thinking, you should have a number. Quote the Sweet salary survey, if you are in neuropsych.
i. If you don't have a number, ask for in terms of percentage. "Can you come up 10% more?". By describing it as a percent, it sounds like it's a lower number that is easier to agree to.
b. If they say "No", then you should still ask for non-money benefits. These might include:
i. Flexible schedule, assuming the work is done. "If you can't come up on the number, would you be open to giving me a flexible schedule, so long as all my work is done?". 4 Ten hour days. Or something like that.
ii. Extra week of off time for CEs, might be a reasonable way to get an extra week of vacation, but that is a bigger ask.
iii. Increase retirement contributions by 1-2%. They likely have an LLC they use to get a 401k, which would legally require them to offer some matching . They probably will act like this is a favor, and don't want to tell you that this number can go up.
iv. Malpractice insurance, disability insurance, etc. These are a big nothing .
v. My contracts always ensure that the employer agrees that the patients are the clinics, not mine. If I leave, I can't be hit with patient abandonment.
vi. BIG ASK "I know medical practices typically offer partnership after a few years. Would that be something you would consider offering?"
vii. Ask about their medical insurance, including monthly cost, deductible, etc.
3. Spent 18 minutes on youtube looking at interview questions. Basic stuff like agreeing, behavioral mirroring. The best questions to ask include, "Assuming this interview went well, and I got the job A year from now, how would you know I did a good job?".
4. Ask what the job expectations are. You don't want a job that pays $100k, and requires you to write 7-8 neuropsych reports per week.
5. I would HIGHLY recommend internet stalking your potential employer. Most important:
a. Look up how much they got from the PPP loans. That was supposed to be 3 months of revenue. Multiply by 4 to see what their gross is/was. That should let you know if you're getting screwed.
b. Look up their home address, and then look at their home value on something like the tax office, or zillow.
c. google if they have been sued or had a complaint.
d. Don't let them know you have this information. If they're fair, it will seem invasive. If they're screwing you, they will get mad that their deception is called out.
