Eyeworld

OPHTHALMOLOGY BUSINESS 88 January 2017 matter of fit between you and the practice." EW Editors' note: The sources have no financial interests related to their comments. Contact information Burger: Berdine.Burger@carolinaeyecare.com Garg: gargs@uci.edu Koch: wkoch@texasretina.com Rostov: ATalleyRostov@nweyes.com that, but be prepared to talk about reasons for why that happened," Dr. Rostov said. Dr. Rostov looks for confidence but not arrogance, and she appre- ciates a sense of humor and quick wit. Candidates interviewing at Dr. Rostov's practice will spend time with her in the clinic and the OR. This gives the candidate the oppor- tunity to sense the practice vibe and allows Dr. Rostov to observe how the candidate treats the staff. "In a sense, it's like being on a date and seeing how your date is treating the server. If they're rude to the server, then it's like 'OK, we're done,'" she said. Of course, interviewers want to know the candidate has good clinical and surgical skills. Where that candidate trained and who their references are will speak to this to some extent, Dr. Rostov said. Selecting references with whom you have a good, personal relationship, such as an attending who can speak to your skills and has knowledge of your clinical surgical acumen, is key. Dr. Rostov said they ask some candidates for surgical videos and, at times, the candidate already has some prepared. "If they have surgical videos, that's always a bonus because it shows they did their homework and they're really interested," she said. What to expect during an interview can vary slightly depend- ing on the practice setting. Private practices, Dr. Garg said, are looking for associates who can expand their services and fit in the practice. An academic setting can be different. "We are looking for faculty who can bring something unique to our practice, research interest, expansion of clinical services, etc.," Dr. Garg said. Dr. Rostov said private practices are less interested in the genetic loci you discovered in the lab and more interested in how well you perform cataract surgery. Both Drs. Burger and Rostov said applicants with what's-in-it-for- me attitudes are turnoffs. In addi- tion, certain habits and an obvious lack of preparation can end an interview rather quickly. "There was a guy who came in … who didn't seem to have done any homework on the practice," Dr. Rostov recalled about a past inter- viewee. In another situation, there was a candidate who held several jobs and it was "a little mysterious" as to why he was looking for a new position again. In the end, Dr. Rostov said so much of selecting a candidate—be- yond surgical and clinical skills—has to do with intangible factors that make the interviewee the right fit in the practice. Even applicants who are qualified with a nice personality might not be what the practice is looking for at that time. "Relax and be who you are because, at the end of the day, that's who the person is going to be work- ing with. Obviously, you want to be professional, to have done your homework, and be well spoken, but at a certain point there is just the The job interview continued from page 86 Do's and don'ts • Do research the practice/department and its physicians/faculty • Do prepare surgical videos to highlight your skills • Do consider how you treat staff at the practice • Do come prepared to discuss gaps in employment or multiple positions • Don't be arrogant • Don't have a what's-in-it-for-me attitude • Don't take the lack of an offer too personally; the interview process is all about finding the right fit for both parties Check out the December 2016 issue of Ophthalmology Business at digital.ophthalmologybusiness.org In this issue: • How potential patient research improves your LASIK marketing • Value-add services that a practice can offer to better serve patients • Insurance policies that you really need ... and more! An ASCRS Publication December 2016 digital.OphthalmologyBusiness.org DEVICE SIMULATES DIFFERENT IOLS BEFORE SURGERY P. 25 The opportunity in dry eye is the chance to improve patient outcomes P. 20 TM VIRTUAL CARE CLINIC P. 6 OB Cover_December 2016.qxp_Layout 1 11/10/16 5:01 PM Page 1

• Cover