transitioning jobs

[pathman124]

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Finally decided to sign up and post a thread.

I couldn't find much in the search function about transitioning from one job to another, so I thought I'd ask. How does this process work? How do you look for another job without sabotaging your current job prematurely? How does the new job learn about you (obviously can't call your current job for a reference if they don't know you are looking elsewhere)? How does tail coverage work?

Any other advice?

 

[pathstudent]

Finally decided to sign up and post a thread.

I couldn't find much in the search function about transitioning from one job to another, so I thought I'd ask. How does this process work? How do you look for another job without sabotaging your current job prematurely? How does the new job learn about you (obviously can't call your current job for a reference if they don't know you are looking elsewhere)? How does tail coverage work?

Any other advice?

You got to be upfront with your current job. Tell you are looking. You don't have to tell them why you are looking if you don't want to but then make something up if that is the case. They aren't going to fire you for looking for another job.

 

[2121115]

You got to be upfront with your current job. Tell you are looking. You don't have to tell them why you are looking if you don't want to but then make something up if that is the case. They aren't going to fire you for looking for another job.

Every time I've been involved in a conversation about this topic, the above advice is always an example of "what not to do". Almost everyone will tell you that you have to have a transition plan in place well before you resign your position. If you tell them and then don't find something, you may never recover.

 

[Thrombus]

You got to be upfront with your current job. Tell you are looking. You don't have to tell them why you are looking if you don't want to but then make something up if that is the case. They aren't going to fire you for looking for another job.

They may not renew your contract if things don't work out. They almost certainly will not promote you or give you a raise and you will have no future there.

 

[icpshootyz]

I don't see why you'd have to tell your current employer anything. You do what you have to do to find another job, then when you have your new contract at the new job you give your notice at your current job. I would think letting your current job know that you're looking elsewhere, without actually having something lined up elsewhere, is a big risk for ending up with nothing. Keep it quiet until you know you're leaving.

 

[pathman124]

So if I don't tell the old job I'm looking around, what references do I give the new job? Will they call my former training program where I haven't been in years and no one will know me that well? Talk to peer references? Not bother with references until we are past the point of no return? Will they keep the fact that we are talking confidential? It seems like letting them call references essentially lets the cat out of the bag and can screw your current gig, since pathology is such a small community and word will get around that you are looking at other jobs.

Also, how much is tail coverage? 10K? 20K? 30K?

 

[pathstudent]

I don't see why you'd have to tell your current employer anything. You do what you have to do to find another job, then when you have your new contract at the new job you give your notice at your current job. I would think letting your current job know that you're looking elsewhere, without actually having something lined up elsewhere, is a big risk for ending up with nothing. Keep it quiet until you know you're leaving.

So they can tell the people that are going to hire you that you are a good guy.

 

[pathstudent]

So if I don't tell the old job I'm looking around, what references do I give the new job? Will they call my former training program where I haven't been in years and no one will know me that well? Talk to peer references? Not bother with references until we are past the point of no return? Will they keep the fact that we are talking confidential? It seems like letting them call references essentially lets the cat out of the bag and can screw your current gig, since pathology is such a small community and word will get around that you are looking at other jobs.

Also, how much is tail coverage? 10K? 20K? 30K?

Depends on how long you are in practice but 35k is about normal around here for people retiring.

 

[Tissue issue]

So if I don't tell the old job I'm looking around, what references do I give the new job? Will they call my former training program where I haven't been in years and no one will know me that well? Talk to peer references? Not bother with references until we are past the point of no return? Will they keep the fact that we are talking confidential? It seems like letting them call references essentially lets the cat out of the bag and can screw your current gig, since pathology is such a small community and word will get around that you are looking at other jobs.

Also, how much is tail coverage? 10K? 20K? 30K?

Are you talking about a shotgun attempt at job ads or do you have a specific group or academic setting in mind (where hopefully you know at least one person already working there)? I'm asking because this makes a huge difference.

 

[pathman124]

Are you talking about a shotgun attempt at job ads or do you have a specific group or academic setting in mind (where hopefully you know at least one person already working there)? I'm asking because this makes a huge difference.

Maybe both, not sure. What would be the differences in those situations? I read a CAP webinar on this topic and the general message was to not tell your current job until you have something else lined up. I'm just not sure about the logistics. The CAP webinar also showed a stat that for "new in practice" pathologists (i.e. a couple of years experience) the average number of offers (not interviews but job offers) was 8 during the second job search. That makes it sound like people were doing pretty extensive searches.

 

[Tissue issue]

Maybe both, not sure. What would be the differences in those situations? I read a CAP webinar on this topic and the general message was to not tell your current job until you have something else lined up. I'm just not sure about the logistics. The CAP webinar also showed a stat that for "new in practice" pathologists (i.e. a couple of years experience) the average number of offers (not interviews but job offers) was 8 during the second job search. That makes it sound like people were doing pretty extensive searches.

Transitioning to a group where you know someone is by far the better choice, both for you and the group. How else are you going to know if you're not going from the kettle into the frying pan? I'm not claiming to be the definitive job search expert but I feel comfortable saying it is quite unlikely that you are going to get 8 (or anywhere near 8) offers with a shotgun approach (where you don't know anyone). Also, do not discuss this with your current employer/group until the last possible second. It's all "possibilities" anyway until you have a written contract in hand.

 

[KCShaw]

Depends on what the circumstances are for your trying to leave and what your relationship with your current employer is. Sometimes it can be reasonable to include your current employer -- gotta move with or to family (or away from ex-family), etc. -- and they may even help you. But it may not be such a good idea if the reasons are personality issues, location, office culture, workload, etc. -- leaving for those reasons are going to burn bridges to some degree regardless of when you inform them, and while I'm not sure it matters once you have another job it certainly could hurt if you inform too early and never get another job offer. Potential new employers will need some references, and at some point that could be an issue, especially if you're currently in just your first job -- nobody else can really comment on your work as an attending.

 

[pathman124]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I thought that having multiple jobs during a career was common, so I figured there would be more replies with first hand experience with transitioning jobs. I suppose most people on this forum then are in training or in their first job. It's interesting to get perspectives nonetheless. I appreciate the replies.

 

[2121115]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I thought that having multiple jobs during a career was common, so I figured there would be more replies with first hand experience with transitioning jobs. I suppose most people on this forum then are in training or in their first job. It's interesting to get perspectives nonetheless. I appreciate the replies.

Since you have experience, the job search should be easier on you than a new grad. Just curious, why are you leaving your current job? How many years have you been there? Are you in private practice doing general surg path or in academics? These details all influence your next steps.