your current position. This initiative will serve to help you grow a practice and build a reputation, preparing you for future opportunities. Develop your niche. Even if you are not destined to remain at your current job much longer, it’s important to remember that one is often hired based on performance and accomplishments attained in a previous position. The process of transitioning to a new job can be arduous and take several months. As such, if your current position no longer best serves your career goals and/or aligns with your core set of values, understand that looking for a new position is likely going to be a long term undertaking. Consider beginning this undertaking by reaching out to colleagues within your subspecialty society or practices in your area of interest with discreet inquiries about potential opportunities. Recognize, however, that no inquiry is absolutely discreet. Ideally, your job search should target positions that offer a promotion from your current role (e.g., from assistant to associate professor). You should also be keenly aware of exactly what you’re looking for in a new position that your current position doesn’t or cannot offer. For example, if your current position requires PA support and it is unable to be provided, inquire about support available when interviewing for new positons. Some important factors to consider when evaluating a new position include the following: 1. Remember, there are “pushes” and “pulls” when determining whether or not to pursue a new job. While you may identify a “push” in your current role that is causing you to look for a new position, be sure you aren’t leaving one non-ideal situation for another. Instead, look for a job that “pulls” you in (i.e., is more ideally aligned with your clinical and research interests, better fits your short- and long-term plans, offers more support related to your ultimate career goals, etc.). 2. Understand your current contract. Provisions that should be considered when separating from an institution or practice include (but are not limited to): terms of separation and timing, restrictive covenant, non-compete and scope and tail malpractice coverage. Consult an attorney to review your current contract before making any decisions, as a breach of contract can have serious financial and professional repercussions. 3. Ensure you compare “apples to apples.” A good salary in a low cost of living location may be a better fit than a great salary in a high cost of living location. Translate compensation to quality of life for a fair comparison. In addition, be sure
to evaluate the benefits package at your current position to ensure you’re able to accurately compare with a new offer. 4. Recognize that some AUA committee and leadership roles are appointed by AUA Section leadership. If you currently serve on an AUA committee, ensure you have a full understanding of the implications a geographic move could have on the role. 5. Always leave on good terms. Urology is a small world, and you never know when you may need to reach out to former colleagues within your subspecialty society or AUA Section in the future. 6. Don’t bad-mouth your former boss or colleagues. When discussing your decision to move on, a simple and concise statement such as, “I’m leaving for a different opportunity” should suffice. After accepting a new position, the routine of a new job will quickly take over and once you settle in, your old job becomes a chapter in your career that has come and gone. Hopefully, you were able to take full advantage of that chapter and if not, be sure to take the next opportunity to “build it bigger and better.” WATCH: Kirsten Greene, MD, discusses early-career job change as part of the 2020 AUA Young Urologists Live webinar.
APPENDIX A: PRACTICING IN A COMPETITIVE MARKET Competitive job markets are typically located in areas with high desirability – often, a major metropolitan area with appealing amenities and a well-diversified economy. Who doesn’t want to live in a major metropolitan area like New York City, Los Angeles, Houston or Boston? Okay, of course the metropolitan lifestyle doesn’t appeal to everyone. But living in a major metropolitan area does offer many unique advantages: easy access to arts and culture, lively and diverse social scenes, diverse selections of dining, ease of national and international travel, etc. If city life is up your alley, you are not alone – which can make seeking jobs in such a market extremely competitive and present a set of unique challenges when looking for your first job. Consider some of the information below if you think practicing in a competitive market is right for you.
A.1 Start Your Networking Now If you’ve already identified a specific metropolitan
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