Talking about $$ during the interview

[humuhumu]

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I'm posting this thread here because you've all (presumbably) navigated the interviewing process successfully.

My question is simply this: did the issue of physician salaries come up during the interview? When they asked you, "Why do you want to be a doctor?", did any of you admit that excellent salary and job security were indeed a factor? Did any of you say, "Well, let's face it, it's nice that years of hard work and sacrifice will be rewarded financially someday." Or did you avoid the issue like a minefield? Or do you think it's just understood that *everyone* interested in medical school is motivated, at least in part, by the money and/or status?

 

[thackl]

I'm posting this thread here because you've all (presumbably) navigated the interviewing process successfully.

My question is simply this: did the issue of physician salaries come up during the interview? When they asked you, "Why do you want to be a doctor?", did any of you admit that excellent salary and job security were indeed a factor? Did any of you say, "Well, let's face it, it's nice that years of hard work and sacrifice will be rewarded financially someday." Or did you avoid the issue like a minefield? Or do you think it's just understood that *everyone* interested in medical school is motivated, at least in part, by the money and/or status?

Leave it alone unless brought up. If brought up, be honest without focusing on the money too much. It came up for me and my response was that I felt medicine was a very good fit for me (elaborated here), but in no way would I drag my family thorugh this if there wasn't going to be financial/job stability in the end.

 

[humuhumu]

Leave it alone unless brought up. If brought up, be honest without focusing on the money too much. It came up for me and my response was that I felt medicine was a very good fit for me (elaborated here), but in no way would I drag my family thorugh this if there wasn't going to be financial/job stability in the end.

Good points. Your response resonates with me because I have a family too....

 

[Mutterkuchen]

As the previous poster indicated, it probably won't even come up in the interview. If is does, they just want to see if you answer the question "too eagerly." If you are only in this for the money, it is a long, hard road. You have to be in this for something else too, otherwise you will be miserable.

 

[JohnDO]

My question is simply this: did the issue of physician salaries come up during the interview? When they asked you, "Why do you want to be a doctor?", did any of you admit that excellent salary and job security were indeed a factor?

The issue of salary didn't come up in any of my interviews. I casually mentioned job security during a discussion of my motivations, but no one harped on the issue. In the end, I think money is a factor but clearly not the only factor for most of us. There are easier ways to make money. Nonetheless, I would not suggest to outright state "money". If you do, find some way to be tactful about it. Of course the money is attractive. Who doesn't want to make a good salary for doing what they love? I think that's implicitely understood, and I don't think you could be faulted for that. What you could be faulted for is placing too much emphasis on the money issue. As others have mentioned, you won't be happy if all that's motivating you is a good salary. It's not entirely unreasonable that they would ask, but I think it's unlikely.

 

[WVmed]

I'm posting this thread here because you've all (presumbably) navigated the interviewing process successfully.

My question is simply this: did the issue of physician salaries come up during the interview? When they asked you, "Why do you want to be a doctor?", did any of you admit that excellent salary and job security were indeed a factor? Did any of you say, "Well, let's face it, it's nice that years of hard work and sacrifice will be rewarded financially someday." Or did you avoid the issue like a minefield? Or do you think it's just understood that *everyone* interested in medical school is motivated, at least in part, by the money and/or status?

I was asked the exact question "Is money one of your motivations to get into medicine?" I explained how my current field (engineering) offers a very rewarding salary with health benefits and also no hassles with malpractice insurance, overheads costs if you have a practice, etc. I explained that medicine will most likely be a pay CUT for me as I am coming from the highest paid form of engineering (i.e. chemical) that has no set limitations of payment and most retire in the 6 figures range. Anyway, they bought it hook line and sinker and Im in.

 

[humuhumu]

I was asked the exact question "Is money one of your motivations to get into medicine?" I explained how my current field (engineering) offers a very rewarding salary with health benefits and also no hassles with malpractice insurance, overheads costs if you have a practice, etc. I explained that medicine will most likely be a pay CUT for me as I am coming from the highest paid form of engineering (i.e. chemical) that has no set limitations of payment and most retire in the 6 figures range. Anyway, they bought it hook line and sinker and Im in.

I currently have a nice job, too, but I couldn't honestly say that medicine would be a pay cut, at least in the long run. On the other hand, it *will* be a pay cut for the next 8 years (assuming a 4 year residency) and a mountain of debt. If money were the primary motivation I'd go into dentistry....

 

[gschl1234]

One of my interviewers (ENT) commented that this field can be financially very rewarding and that can give you comfort when you're faced with all the sacrifice/hard work but he never specifically asked me about income etc....If it does come up just be honest. Although, I can't imagine any amount of financial compensation being enough to make up for the drudgery. I read somewhere that a survey showed that the vast majority of doctors describe their job as "fun" (i.e. most people aren't doing it for the money/job security).

 

[badgergirl]

There was an article in a recent New Yorker about one man's experience when he interviewed for his first attending position about naming his own salary... it was pretty interesting. I'll try to find a link.

 

[synapse lapse]

There was an article in a recent New Yorker about one man's experience when he interviewed for his first attending position about naming his own salary... it was pretty interesting. I'll try to find a link.

http://www.newyorker.com/printables/fact/050404fa_fact

 

[Gulliver]

I'm posting this thread here because you've all (presumbably) navigated the interviewing process successfully.

My question is simply this: did the issue of physician salaries come up during the interview? When they asked you, "Why do you want to be a doctor?", did any of you admit that excellent salary and job security were indeed a factor? Did any of you say, "Well, let's face it, it's nice that years of hard work and sacrifice will be rewarded financially someday." Or did you avoid the issue like a minefield? Or do you think it's just understood that *everyone* interested in medical school is motivated, at least in part, by the money and/or status?

They will NEVER ask you that. 😉

 

[synapse lapse]

Yeah, probably won't ask directly. I mentioned job security/financial stability for family among my reasons for becoming a physician and got it. As long as you don't show it as your primary motivation, I feel it is ok to list it among the attributes of the job that appeal to you.

 

[humuhumu]

http://www.newyorker.com/printables/fact/050404fa_fact

This article is fantastic. We all want to help people, but we ignore the business and politics of medicine at our peril....

 

[Shah_Patel_PT]

They will NEVER ask you that. 😉

They asked the wierdest questions to me!

When I interviewed ...they asked me questions like "what did you learn about islam after Sep. 11??

I look arab...but am not... I really had no answer.

 

[YouDontKnowJack]

http://www.newyorker.com/printables/fact/050404fa_fact

“Patients find this extremely upsetting,” Parillo said. “ ‘I have insurance! Why do I have to pay for anything! I didn’t bring any money!’ Suddenly, you have to be a financial counsellor. At the same time, you feel terrible telling them not to come in unless they bring cash, check, or credit card. So you see them anyway, and now you’re going to lose twenty per cent, which is more than your margin, right off the bat.”



ah.. the ignorant public. I fear these people. And I hear stories all the time about patients that just walk straight out the door after an office visit.

When I'm in practice, I will shamelessly ask you to bring your money. I don't give a crap what you think. 👍 👍 👍



"Any rejection, and the bill comes back to the patient. Calls to the insurer produce automated menus and interminable holds."

I've had this happen before, so i pay cash at the doctors office. What the doc bills the insurance company is up to double what he would bill me if i have no insurance. And if some screw up happens, the insurance company sends the bill back to me and asks me to pay the doc.



and finally.....
"Still, would I want to be a doctor only to those who could afford me?

Why not? the surgeon was asking. “For doctors to think we have to be altruistic is sticking our heads in the sand,” he told me. Everyone is squeezing us in order to make money, he said—everyone from the supply companies that we pay to the insurers who are supposed to pay us. “The C.E.O. of Aetna’s compensation is now ten million dollars,” he pointed out. “These are for-profit companies. Insurance companies make money by withholding reimbursements to physicians or by not approving payment for a service we’ve provided.” To him, the question is why we deal with them at all. In his view, doctors need to understand that we are businessmen—nothing less, nothing more—and the sooner we accept this the better."

HELL F##*&$& YEAH. This guy has become my new idol. His motto will be plastered on my computer wallpaper. It's not surprising why, in the past, physician groups have tried to cheat insurance companies.....


If I ever had to discuss money at an interview, I would reiterate these thoughts exactly...

 

[45408]

http://www.newyorker.com/printables/fact/050404fa_fact

$1.2 MILLION? Wow. That's hand-over-fist kind of money.