Why GPs have the upper hand in today’s job market

And what motivates them to change jobs

When it comes to finding a new job, GPs appear to be bucking the trend with the majority landing a new role with relative ease and at least two months earlier on average than other equally ranked professionals, new data suggests.

The inaugural AusDoc.JOBS ‘Job Seeker Study – 2019’, a survey of 707 Australian based GPs shows that more than half took less than a month to secure their current position while a further quarter took less than three months.

This is in stark contrast to those in other career fields, who should be prepared for a three-month job search and even longer if age is not on their side, according to global jobs site Indeed.

As for those at the top of the corporate ladder, it can take anywhere from six months to a year for a CEO to land the top spot, the Indeed survey reveals.

Conversely, GPs are in the enviable position of circumventing both ageism in the workplace and a painful and prolonged job search.

Almost a quarter of those interviewed by ADG for the job seeker study were aged 55-64 and a further 13% aged 65-plus.

Most respondents (60%) applied for just one job before being successfully recruited.

“Overall, practices are so desperate for additional GPs, particularly now as there seems to be a massive shortage where I am, that they would take any GP with a pulse,” says one NSW Central Coast GP who wanted to remain anonymous.

“Practice owners are all very keen for an immediate sign-up.”

Fortunately for practice owners, the data reveal GPs are generally loyal to their employer, preferring long-term tenure to job-hopping, with half of those surveyed reporting they had been in their current role for more than five years.

A further 15% had been working in the same practice for between three and five years.

But if there’s anything that’s going to sway a GP to change jobs, it’s most likely going to be remuneration-based. Like the rest of us, the prospect of more money is particularly alluring and so not surprisingly, a pay increase is the most common reason for looking further afield.

Drilling down further, GPs report that paid training opportunities are important to them (47%), followed by additional paid holiday leave (38%), additional super contributions (32%) and equity/partnership opportunities (27%).

Almost a quarter said they wanted a bonus.

 

Related article: What motivates GPs in Australia to take a new job

 

For more information about the AusDoc.JOBS ‘Job Seeker Study – 2019’ (n=707), please call 1300 360 126.

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