by Stacy Pursell, CPC, CERS
The VET Recruiter®
I’ve written before about the fact that there is a limit to the leverage that candidates possess in this current market. Yes, we are in a candidates’ marketplace. And yes, the National Unemployment Rate is historically low. And yes, the unemployment rate is in even lower within the Veterinary profession.
However, in order to maximize your career growth (and subsequently, the satisfaction that you derive from it), you must maintain the proper perspective.
And as such, it’s important to realize that the proper perspective does NOT revolve around what you want.
I’ve used this quote from motivational speaker Zig Ziglar before, and I believe I should use it again. The quote is as follows:
“You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.”
It’s a rather simple equation: you’ll get everything that you want, if you just give enough other people what they want. It’s imperative to point out that you must be the one who gives first. This brings to mind the Principle of Reciprocity, which I’ve mentioned before on multiple occasions, as well.
According to this principle, when someone gives us something, we feel compelled to give them something in return. Conversely, when you first give something to someone else, they will feel compelled to give something to you in return. Incidentally, the Principle of Reciprocity is one of the core values of The VET Recruiter (listed under the Win-Win Mindset).
And of course, I have numerous case studies that illustrate what I mean by this. I recently had a candidate send me an email about what they want in their career. They indicated they want a six-figure salary, as well as other benefits and perks. However, what they failed to mention in the email is what they “bring to the table,” so to speak. They failed to mention the value that they can offer to an employer. The email was all about what they wanted.
This was not an isolated incident. I speak with candidates on a consistent basis who talk first of what they want without thinking about what an Animal Health employer or Veterinary employer wants. And if these job seekers and candidates aren’t talking about what they want, then they’re talking about all the things they don’t want or don’t want to do. I want to impress upon Animal Health and Veterinary professionals that a “me-first attitude” will not take you very far, even if the unemployment rate is low and job openings appear to be plentiful.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I whole-heartedly agree that there is plenty of opportunity within the Animal Health industry and Veterinary profession. I know that more than most people because I’m in the trenches every day of the employment marketplace. And I 100% agree that professionals should take advantage of this opportunity to grow and advance their careers. However, I also 100% acknowledge that, just like most everything in life, there is a right way to do it and a wrong way to do it. The wrong way is predictably short-sighted, while the right way will allow you to, as Zig Ziglar said, “get all you want in life.” I’ve broken down both approaches in detail below.
The wrong way to do it:
- Talk first about what you want and/or the things you don’t want or the things you don’t want to do in a new employment opportunity.
- Talk only about what you want and/or the things you don’t want or the things you don’t want to do in a new employment opportunity.
- Act as though the employer owes you something or that you’re doing the employer a favor by considering their opportunity.
- “Asking for the moon” (i.e., making ridiculous demands) because of the philosophy “If you don’t ask for it, then you’ll never get it.”
The right way to do it:
- Talk first about what you can give and the value that you can provide to a potential new employer.
- Only discuss things such as salary, benefits, schedule, and other details regarding the employment opportunity during the phone screen and/or face-to-face interview, either when you’re asked a question about them or when you’re asked if you have any questions.
- Save negotiation for the negotiation stage of the hiring process. In other words, there is rarely a reason to negotiate with an employer unless that employer has made a job offer to you.
- If you’re working with an Animal Health recruiter or Veterinary recruiter, allow them to negotiate on your behalf to reduce the emotional element involved and position yourself for the best offer possible.
- Regardless of what ultimately happens, act with integrity and treat the prospective employer with respect, so that you brand yourself in the most positive way possible.
Once again, this is a candidates’ job market. And yes, candidates—especially top candidates—often have more leverage than Animal Health organizations and Veterinary practices that are looking to hire. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to take advantage of the opportunities that exist in the current employment marketplace.
Another way to take advantage of the opportunities that exist in the market is to align yourself with an experienced Animal Health recruiter or Veterinary recruiter. They have the knowledge and expertise necessary to provide career guidance, regardless of whether you’re an active job seeker or passive candidate. And they have the connections necessary to present you with employment opportunities that are not advertised through traditional means, including through online job postings (if you are a strong candidate).
When you realize that the proper perspective does NOT revolve around what you want, then you’re uniquely positioned to actually achieve all of the professional goals that you’ve set for yourself.
We help support careers in one of two ways: 1.By helping Animal Health and Veterinary professionals to find the right opportunity when the time is right, and 2.By helping to recruit top talent for the critical needs of Animal Health and Veterinary organizations. If this is something that you would like to explore further, please send an email to stacy@thevetrecruiter.com.
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