The job of a Physician Liaison is similar to the job of a recruiter. The major difference is that rather than developing a short list of paid client employers and then searching for an appropriate candidate to fit those clients' needs, the Physician Liaison begins with the candidate and his or her needs. The Liaison then identifies appropriate clients from a large pool of practice opportunities.

Always be professional. Like a recruiter, your liaison has a responsibility to the employer. Therefore, you want to treat the Liaison with the same integrity, professionalism and respect that you would a prospective employer. Be confident and charming. The more effectively you sell yourself to your Liaison, the better your Liaison can sell you to prospective employers.

Be honest and forthcoming. When your Liaison is clear about your needs and career goals, he or she is best able to identify the kinds of opportunities that will meet those goals. The same is true in meeting your familial and social needs. Because the Liaison will always present you to employers in your best light, you can be comfortable discussing personal concerns about the position or the community. Let the Liaison know what your interest level is with regard to each opportunity, especially if there is one in which you have no interest at all.

Communicate regularly. After any contact with a prospective employer, always call your Liaison immediately. A Physician Liaison will have important feedback and advice for you throughout the entire employment process, so be sure to keep them in the loop. Be sure that your Liaison can always reach you with important information about opportunities and negotiations. If you feel that a position isn't right for you, but you think it would be a good fit for a colleague, be sure to tell the Liaison. This kind of networking will also help you to develop your career.

Your Physician Liaison will act as your contract negotiator. Don't discuss money or compensation with the employer. Financial negotiations are often the most tension filled and stressful aspect of the hiring process. Having a Physician Liaison negotiate for you will allow you to focus your energy on evaluating the practice, the working conditions, the environment and the community. You will also be able to establish relationships with your new colleagues without any "baggage" lingering from the negotiation process.

A Physician's Agent is not a recruiter. A Physician's Agent works as the physician's advocate in locating and negotiating career opportunities, similar to the agents of professional athletes and actors. Physician's Agents have extensive knowledge of the physician employment market, and are experts in employment contract negotiation.

Physician's Agents differ from Physician Liaisons in several ways. Physician's Agents work for the physician, not the employer. Because they do not collect recruiting fees from an employer, Physician's Agents are able to gain placement for their clients in highly competitive areas where employers do not feel a need to use recruiting services. They can also obtain placements in prestigious positions with various government and nonprofit agencies constrained from using recruiters. In addition to this broader access to the physician employment market, Physician's agents bring to bear their strategic negotiation expertise to ensure their client the most attractive compensation package available.