3 Top Myths of Ob-Gyn Salary Negotiations
As an ob-gyn physician, you’ve worked hard to earn your degree. Landing that perfect job, whether you’re straight out of school or have been practicing for years, always feels like a feat. Then, just when you think you’ve landed the ideal job offer, that one you’ve been hoping for day in and day out, there’s a catch—they want YOU to tell THEM what you think you should make.
This question scares even the most experienced professional and can cause people to undervalue themselves—or even worse—turn down the job opportunity altogether. This fear is driven by an old myth that salary negotiation is a method organizations use to weed out physicians who want a decent salary. But it’s simply not true!
Today, we bust three major myths of ob-gyn salary negotiation and help you learn tactics to push through the awkwardness of discussing terms and conditions.
Myth #1: It’s Not OK To Negotiate Salary
This widely believed myth stems from the fear that candidates will offend their potential new employer so much so that they will retract the offer, which is unlikely to happen in reality. If you have a few years of experience under your belt, this would naturally warrant a salary on the higher end of the pay scale compared to a women’s health physician fresh out of residency. However, some organizations will still offer a more experienced candidate an entry-level salary in hopes they can save a little dough. Their intention is likely that you’ll feel too timid to negotiate a higher salary. The key is to speak up and ask for more.
Having a competitive salary range that aligns with your experience, education, and location is a must. How much money can an ob-gyn make? To find out what salary is reasonable in your area, check out our comprehensive healthcare salary calculator.
Myth #2: The Key To Winning A Salary Negotiation Is To Ask For A Lower Salary
You might be asked during a job interview how much you’d like to make. In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to give the low end of your range, but this is a mistake. Asking for a lower ob-gyn salary does not increase your chances of getting hired. If you undervalue yourself during the interview process, it can have a negative effect, making you appear desperate or seem like you don’t believe in your abilities. Do you know what the best-case outcome is when you give a lowball number? You get a lowball offer and have limited room to negotiate.
When asking for higher pay, there is an almost magical-like formula for how to word your request. Saying something like, “The only thing preventing me from signing this offer is…” followed by what number you’re hoping to receive.
Myth #3: If They Won’t Negotiate, It’s Not The Right Job
Sometimes companies simply won’t budge on compensation and your final salary offer will remain exactly what was originally presented. This doesn’t necessarily mean you should head for the hills. Yes, it could be a red flag that they’re intractable, but it might mean they simply don’t have the budget.
If they seem genuinely enthusiastic about bringing you on board but are open about not having additional funding to offer, take some time to think it over. This doesn’t mean it’s an automatic deal breaker and there are other things you can consider. Do they offer great benefits? Could you ask for more PTO? Do you see yourself fitting into the company’s culture and thriving? Are there additional opportunities for advancement that you haven’t seen accessible at other facilities? You need a salary that supports your lifestyle, but compensation isn’t the only thing that matters.
Are you ready to find an ob-gyn job that pays you what you’re worth? Search hundreds of women’s healthcare physician jobs across the United States and apply today!
