Unemployed doctors

Non medics are often surprised when hearing that a doctor is “unemployed” . However there are many reasons why unemployment can arise.

In between jobs

By choice – for a break or for study

Following ill health

Following difficulty at work leading to a training or partnership contract being terminated.

Suspension or GMC/NCAS investigation

Redundancy

And – relating to job applications

Poor skills in CV/ forms/ interview processes

Insufficient experience for the posts desired

Competitive market for that career

And more!

 

The first thing to consider when unemployed is whether to sign on for benefits or not. If you anticipate any financial difficulty you must do this immediately however strange or uncomfortable it may seem.

If you anticipate severe financial difficulty it may be worth going to speak to financial advisers about mortgages etc or even debt counsellors about handling debt issues well before it gets to your credit rating being permanently damaged.

There is a guideline that few of us stick to - which says - always have at least three months salary in savings somewhere. Living well within ones means is another way of ensuring that any lean times do not cause complete financial meltdown.

If you know what posts to apply for and are confident of returning to work then career planning support may not be needed. However, if you are uncertain what to apply for, whether to return to work you did before or to attempt something new or are having difficulty getting back into work – some career planning support may be invaluable.

If you are unemployed and without back up savings you may find most of the personal career feedback services at Medical Forum are too expensive. If that is the case make sure you utilise all the free information and options on this web site and perhaps obtain one of the Publications we sell. If you are still employed and nearing the end of a contract it may be that your employers will fund our services.