In the world of veterinary medicine, finding dedicated professionals is of the utmost importance. Retaining and engaging veterinary professionals can be difficult for some clinics and hospitals due to the demanding nature of the field. These candidates can spend years earning their education, making finding and keeping the best fit even more crucial to the success of clinics and hospitals alike. Here are just some tips for retaining and engaging veterinary professionals.
What is Your Job Description Saying?
The first and probably most important thing you can do is to make sure that your job description fully encompasses what you want and need in a new candidate. More than 50% of job seekers indicate that the quality of a job description influences their decision to apply. Clearly define the expectations, role, responsibilities, and qualifications that a candidate would need to be successful. By stating exactly what you need and want from the beginning, this can mitigate future problems you would have had, and employees can have an accurate understanding of what they are signing up for.
The Recruiting and Onboarding Process
After you establish a job description, the recruiting and onboarding process is going to be extremely important. These things will set the tone for an employee’s time at your organization. During the recruiting process, candidates should feel respected and informed throughout. The more upfront and transparent you are throughout the process, the more comfortable your candidate will feel. Remember, these candidates are likely corresponding and applying to other organizations as well. By keeping them informed and making them feel valued throughout your recruiting process, this could set you apart from other companies. Your onboarding program should also be detailed and inclusive. Having a well thought out orientation and even an assigned mentor to help a new hire get settled can have a lasting impact on retaining and engaging veterinary professionals.
Opportunities to Grow and Advance
An employee is much more likely to stay and feel engaged when they know that there are opportunities for them to grow and advance in their field. There should be regular training, advancement opportunities, and mentorship programs. Performing regular evaluations and giving feedback can help employees feel engaged and allow them the opportunity to flourish.
Work-Life Balance is Important
Today, work-life balance is one of the most important factors that new talent considers when applying for a new job. 72% of workers believe work-life balance is a critical factor when choosing a job, and 57% of job-seekers say a poor work-life balance is a dealbreaker when they’re considering a new job. If your organization actively supports work-life balance, this can play a huge part in retaining and engaging good veterinary professionals. You can offer flexible work schedules, mental health days off, paid time off and other solutions to comfortably meet a new hire’s needs.
Evaluate and Adapt
Your organization should constantly audit your processes and look for ways to make things easier for your employees and your company. You can conduct surveys, analyze data and collect feedback to make your employees feel heard. When you implement ideas that came from your employees this makes them feel included and engaged and less likely to leave.
Tips for Retaining and Engaging Veterinary Professionals
When you are actively engaging with your veterinary professionals, you build an environment of trust and collaboration. This starts with your job description and recruiting process and continues through the employee’s time at your company. By creating a thorough job description, being transparent throughout the recruiting and onboarding process, creating opportunities to grow and advance, focusing on work-life balance, and constantly evaluating and adapting, retaining and engaging veterinary professionals can be a little easier. And as always YM Careers Network can help you get your job postings in front of as many qualified professionals as possible.
