by Stacy Pursell, CPC, CERS
The VET Recruiter®
There are many factors that ultimately contribute to Animal Health and Veterinary hiring success. This is the case regardless of market conditions or whether we’re experiencing a recovering economy or a recessionary one.
However, it’s also true that some factors are ultimately more important than others. The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly been a game changer in terms of many facets of the interviewing and hiring process. What it takes to be successful during or after the pandemic is different than what it took to be successful before it began.
As an Animal Health recruiter and Veterinary recruiter, I spend each day “in the trenches” of the employment marketplace. As a result, I see first-hand what is happening. I know what is working and what isn’t, both for job candidates and employers.
And because of that, I can say without a doubt that the number-one key to Animal Health and Veterinary hiring success during COVID-19 is communication.
In fact, effective communication during the interviewing and hiring process is more important than ever for employers looking to hire the top talent.
Achieving Animal Health and Veterinary hiring success
You might think this is an oversimplification of what is happening in the marketplace, but I assure that is not the case. There are a couple of main reasons why this is the case:
#1—Communication is often inadequate during “normal times.”
Unfortunately, effectively communicating with job candidates has been a problem with some employers, including some Animal Health and Veterinary employers. This was certainly the case during the candidate-driven market that we were experiencing until recently. When an employer does not communicate well with candidates, it means they’re not properly engaging those candidates. And when you don’t properly engage candidates, you diminish your chances of being able to successfully hire them.
#2—The pandemic has added a layer of uncertainty.
The COVID-19 pandemic initially resulted in a number of restrictions, including restrictions involving travel. Even though the lockdowns and a number of the restrictions have been lifted, there are still certain guidelines to which employers and job candidates must adhere. Consequently, employers’ interviewing process now includes additional steps that it did not include previously. This is why it is critical to communicate your organization’s process and procedures to job candidates, preferably before they start participating in the process.
Below is a list of reasons why it’s important to communicate all of this information to candidates:
- The health and safety of everyone involved. If you are conducting in-person, face-to-face interviews, then you must make sure that every person follows the protocol. In order to ensure that happens, you must clearly communicate that protocol.
- Candidates will be focused less on the details of the process and more on the interview itself. You want all candidates to “put their best foot forward.” If they’re worried about the process itself and the protocols involved, then they might be distracted, and because of that, you might miss out on a great candidate.
- You will impress candidates and you will stand out as an employer. This is an opportunity to make a great impression on job candidates and truly engage them. You want to show them that your organization is “on the ball” and would be a great place for them to work. On the other hand, you don’t want to brand yourself in a negative fashion and put doubt in the mind of candidates.
While it’s true there are challenges and obstacles in the marketplace right now, both for candidates and for employers, those who view these challenges as opportunities are the ones that will truly thrive and be successful. Even though the country and the world is enduring a pandemic, there is still opportunity. However, you must recognize it as such, and you must pursue it and seize it.
This is yet another reason why working with a recruiter during the Animal Health and Veterinary hiring process. A recruiter can help you to effectively communicate with job candidates and ensure that they have the appropriate information for every step of the process. Now, more than ever, it’s important to stand out and to brand yourself as an “employer of choice.”
While some other Animal Health organizations and Veterinary practices may be taking a defensive posture and not seeking the top talent in the marketplace, you can be pursuing that talent. Investing in the right candidates and hiring them is one of the best ways to achieve growth and to continue sustaining that growth.
The VET Recruiter has helped Animal Health and Veterinary employers find, recruit, and hire top candidates for nearly 23 years. We can help your Animal Health or Veterinary Company during these uncertain times so that you can thrive now and in the future.
You can click here to find out more about our services for employers. Click here to learn more about our recruiting process.
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.
Copyright © 2020 The VET Recruiter
The VET Recruiter is The Animal Health Executive Search Firm and The Veterinary Recruiting Firm
Stacy Pursell is an Animal Health Executive Recruiter and Veterinary Recruiter and Workplace/Workforce expert for the Animal Health Industry and Veterinary Profession