Between busy schedules, long clinical hours, staying organized with emails, networking with recruiters and sending out applications, the job search process quickly becomes a job in itself.  As you submit applications, staying prompt, professional and organized is critical. Sometimes this is the hardest part of the job search and it doesn’t have to be.

To make sure you find the right fit, you may want to call in for back up. In most cases, the perfect back up is someone you already know and trust – your spouse.  It is important to develop a plan together to define the key roles your spouse will play. Use this list to help define how your spouse can help.

Monitor Job Sites

Keeping up with job sites is a lot of work. With too many different websites to choose, the work is best split between you and your spouse. Let him or her help search for job opportunities for you, especially if relocation is an option.

Secondary Contact

Whether you are a resident or practicing physician, time is scarce and it is not always easy to get to the phone or answer an email right away. Let your spouse do it for you. If you’ve come up with a plan together, there should be no fear with letting your spouse take the reins.

Stay Organized and Timely

With a flood of information, jobs, locations, recruiters and other details are all easy to confuse. Your spouse can play a vital role in keeping things organized. We suggest making a Google Sheet or Google Doc for each location. Both users will have access to update in real time so nothing is left behind. Things to keep track of are points of contact, corresponding emails, job descriptions and details, hospital details, city and state details, calendars, etc.

Another Set of Eyes and Ears

Making an error is easy when you fill out several job applications at once. Let your spouse proof your CV, cover letters and applications to help avoid any mistakes you might have missed along the way. Not only is it easy to miss a grammatical error or spelling mistake, but with the influx of information you will receive, it is nice to have your spouse on important calls or on-site visits. They will catch the details you might not.

Offer a Family Perspective

While securing a position is a huge step for yourself, it’s also a big step for your family. Take the opportunity to learn more about our spouse’s opinion of the city, the schools and community if relocation is required for any of your potential jobs. If traveling for interviews, bring your significant other along. While you are in meetings, he or she can explore the area and learn more in person rather than just doing online research to determine if everyone’s needs can be fulfilled.

Attend Recruiting Events and Site Visits

If the opportunity is available, always bring your spouse with you to interviews, site visits, dinners or any other recruiting events. Potential employers want to know if they are a good fit for you and your spouse and/or family.

Working together as a team during the job search will help when it comes time to choosing the best opportunity for not only yourself, but all parties involved. Remember to sit down with your spouse at the beginning to define key roles and how the search process will be managed from both ends. Communication is key when working as a team. While there are many ways your spouse can help in the process, there are also some things they should avoid. Download the full list here.

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