Career and Life Planning Guidebook for Medical Residents

Communicate the terms needed for you to accept the opportunity. There are, however, (one, two, several, etc.) that I would prefer to negotiate: [Term 1]… [Term 2]… [Term 3]… Your commitment if the terms are acceptable. “If these terms are acceptable, I am prepared to: Sign an offer letter within 48 hours of receipt. Sign an employment agreement within 7 days of receipt.” Thank them for their consideration. “I appreciate you allowing me to talk through the process and look forward to coming to a final agreement with you.” Next steps. “So I can plan accordingly, can you walk me through the next steps and when I can expect to hear back from you one way or another?” Send Follow-Up Email to Confirm Your Commitment Regardless of whether you are in contact with the decision-maker or the organization has multiple layers for approving a physician compensation package, sending a follow-up email to confirm in writing you are prepared to execute an agreement by a specific date will only help your case. Sample Follow up Email Dear (Negotiator): Thank you so much for the time you spent with me discussing the terms of your employment offer. I am very excited to enter into a final agreement and begin my career with (employer). As I mentioned, in the event [name of employer] offers me the following terms, I am prepared to sign an executable agreement by [Specified Date] and call [name of community] my home: 1. An increase in my starting salary to recognize my experience with (?) and my enthusiasm for exceeding the RVU target. 2. A signing bonus of $? to bring your offer more in line with other offers I am considering. 3. A loan repayment agreement to be forgiven over the course of a four-year contract. I am very excited to join (employer) and happy that you consider me to be a good fit for your position. I look forward to hearing from you in the next day or two. Sincerely, John Smith, MD/DO SECTION III: T MINUS ONE YEAR CAREER AND LIFE PLANNING GUIDEBOOK FOR MEDICAL RESIDENTS 304