The one question every new physician must answer

Can you explain what prompted you to go into medicine? Can you do it in two minutes?

Regina Levison, vice president, client development, Jordan Search Consultants, St. Louis, challenges all new physicians to develop what she calls an “elevator speech:” A two-minute presentation explaining who you are. Don’t go on for 15 minutes, she warns. Instead, giving the employer enough information briefly will generate more questions that meet the employer’s needs.

 Whether you’re new or experienced in job searching, it helps if you can practice answering questions. Choose a faculty member or colleague to help you.