[RT340067]

I started looking at options about January of R4 year, reached out to a few groups in the spring of R4. Interviewed at end of R4 and early fellowship, signed on about 1 month into fellowship. Some of my coresidents had jobs in R3, some didn’t start looking until after fellowship had begun. In your situation, it sounds like it might be harder for your SO to find a job, so maybe have them start surveying options and looking for a job now. That may give you a better idea of where to target. Its never too early to reach out though. 

[stlmchenry_510]

Now.

[aldoctc]

TL;DR   Now.  Never too early to start looking.  
 
Used to be that PPs were fickle, as in:  You’d cold call or put out a feeler and the response would be “Nope, we’re not looking to hire.”  Then a partner announces retirement and suddenly, the PP is looking.  They’d get a bunch of interviews lined up through word of mouth, sign somebody up, and then it was back to “Nope, we’re not looking to hire.”  The hiring process could be done in a matter of weeks and if you missed the window…..
 
Now?  IDK of a practice that’s not looking to hire, and even if your skill set didn’t quite match what they’d like, they’ll still gladly talk to you.  Mention that your SO is looking for a position and a savvy PP will work their connections to help you out.  I’ve never seen a rad job market like this, and I’ve been doing this a long time.  
 
Pick some place(s) you and SO might want to live and get busy.  
 
Good luck.  
 

[Unknown Member]

One thing, start now but keep your options open for a while so you can let the process work itself out. The more you look and discuss options with employers the more you will learn, and understand. 
Dont sign too early, but dont perseverate on minutia and the best deal. If groups are too aggressive, be wary. 
You should like the group you are joining.
Its a journey where you are fortunate to be driving the bus. Start now, but dont speed. 
Lastly, be reasonable and dont be greedy.
Once you find a practice youll know what is fair, and a good group will know too. 
Its all a little wish washy, but thats life. Gut feeling plays a role. 
Good luck. 

[Unknown Member]

+1

Dont commit until you find what you want, dont let a couple of extra bucks make you take a job that doesnt seem great.

[ruszja]

Start now. If you have a group you are truly interested in, see if you can do a few days of weekday locums while you are a fellow. That way you get an idea what the group is about and they get to gauge whether you are a human they want to deal with for the next X years. Oh, and you have some spending money.

Oh, as above. The right job in the right place is worth more than a couple ten k a year or a signing bonus.

Wife and I were in a similar situation (two subspecialty physicians). For a variety of reasons, the answer for us was initially employment with a heath system (or university). In a big organization, things like maternity leave or temporary part time are easier to handle than in a small PP.

[william.wang_997]

Start now. You will know what they are looking for and you will polish your resume in these 2 years to land the best job that you want. You could be lucky and lock into a position that you want in the next 6 months as everyone is looking.

[tom.claikens_334]

.

[farzadahmadimedrn710_43]

Rad job market is hot as hell. Maybe best to find a city with your SOs top job and then you make it work there. Highly unlikely for them to not be hiring if youre known as a hard worker and fast reader.

[22002469]

“Hard worker and fast reader” is great.
 
People are hiring if you’re known as a lazy rad and a slow reader too.