5 Common Mistakes with Hiring Veterinarians and How to Avoid Them

The BLS reports there were 86,300 veterinarian jobs in 2021. The job outlook for veterinarians is very bright, with predictions that jobs for veterinarians will grow by 19% between 2021 and 2031.

If you are looking for the best veterinarian in the United States, you must set yourself apart from other employers. Avoid these common mistakes by hiring veterinarians.

1. Not Creating a Compelling Job Posting

Unless you can snag a referral, you must advertise the opportunity. The first impression a job seeker will get from your organization is the job posting you advertise. There are lots of veterinarian job postings, so you must stand out.

You want to tell veterinarian job seekers what makes your organization unique. Why are you different? Talk about your philosophy and the types of animals you help.

Veterinarian job postings often talk about the location of the job and fun things to do outside of work. Benefits are significant to your candidates, too.

2. Not Asking the Right Interview Questions

No matter how many candidates you meet, it is important to ask the right questions. You want to choose a veterinarian that will fit with your culture and who will stay for a long time. Asking the right questions will help you decide the right fit.

Include these in your interview question checklist.

• Tell me more about you and why you would fit the role well.
• What expertise or skills do you have that are unique from other candidates?
• What is your greatest strength?
• Describe a weakness that you are working to improve.
• What does the word “leadership” mean to you?
• If a client cannot afford the veterinarian bill, how would you handle it?

You do not need to ask many questions to get to the heart of the matter and decide if the person is a good fit. Listen closely to the answers. This is how to build a veterinary team.

3. Not Offering a Competitive Salary

Remember that you are not the only veterinarian office that is hiring. It is very easy to let a good candidate slip away if you are not offering a fair veterinarian salary.

A fair veterinarian salary depends on your location. However, the national average is $108,297 per year.

4. Letting Your Applicants Fall in a “Black Hole”

Candidates are vetting you the same way you are screening them. What are you telling them about what it is like to work for you?

When you receive a resume, you should thank the applicant and let them know that you are reviewing their resume. Communicate with applicants during every step of the application process. If they are no longer being considered, let them know that too.

Applicants who have not heard back from you after submitting their resume feel like they are in a black hole. Ghosting hurts your employer’s brand. Communicate!

5. Not Having an Onboarding Process Ready

Your veterinarian hiring process says a lot. When a new hire begins, there is a lot they want to know. As a good employer, you should have all documents ready.

Training materials and employee handbooks must be available. Having someone available to walk the new hires through their entire first day would be helpful. Be ready for day one!

Mistakes With Hiring Veterinarians

You can find top talent when you avoid these common mistakes with hiring veterinarians. Write a compelling job ad, ask the right interview questions, offer a fair veterinarian salary, communicate clearly during the application process, and onboard new hires effectively.

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