Attracting top talent—the kind of talent that fits in well with your veterinary practice’s culture and team—begins with your job advertisement. But how do you craft a job ad that captures the attention of the people you’re searching for? Here are a few tips:

Use an appealing job title

Veterinary technician or veterinary nurse? Receptionist or client care specialist? Kennel worker or patient care assistant? Some job titles sound more appealing than others, and if you want to attract highly qualified and desirable applicants, you need to make your open position sound as appealing as possible.

Hook your readers

Just like magazines and newspapers use hooks to grab readers’ attention, your job ad should do the same. Use an introduction that includes the most attractive and exciting details of the job, so applicants will want to read your job ad, not the others on their screen.

Toot your practice’s horn

Is your practice well-established and respected in your community? Is your employee turnover rate exceptionally low? Do you offer specialized services or equipment that help you stand apart from your competitors? Does your veterinary hospital give back to your community in various ways? Tout all the great things about your practice to potential applicants.

Sell the position and location

A job ad is different than a job description. You don’t need to include every requirement and function of the position in the ad. Instead, include only the main and essential functions, and then move on to additional benefits, perks of the location, and other things potential applicants will find interesting.

Repeat why they should apply

Before you end your ad—right above the “Apply Now!” button or email address—be sure to quickly reiterate the top reasons a qualified veterinary professional would want to apply for your job. A bulleted list will suffice here.

Explain what applicants can expect next

Ever apply for a job and wonder what happens next? Don’t leave potential candidates feeling confused and unsure about the process. What’s your timeframe? Will you reach out to everyone who applied, even those who won’t be moving on to the next step in the process? By spelling out your process in the ad, applicants will know what to expect, and you could avoid unnecessary phone calls and emails, too.

Have others read it

Even the best writers need editors. Treat your job ad just as you would any other piece of practice collateral or marketing. Have multiple people read your ad, copy edit it, and provide you with honest feedback.

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Here’s a simple example of a job ad for a veterinary nurse:

Imagine an animal hospital with a team that practices the highest quality medicine, values the personal and professional growth of all staff members, strives to never stop learning, and loves going to work every day. Imagine that animal hospital is located in a beautiful, highly desirable area with an abundance of outdoor activities and big-city amenities, while still maintaining that small-town, close-knit feeling. Now, imagine that animal hospital is looking for a passionate and experienced veterinary nurse.

These things don’t have to be a dream, because [insert your practice’s name] in [insert your practice’s city and state] is looking for a veterinary nurse to help us meet the needs of our thriving animal hospital!

You’ll love the low nurse-to-doctor ratio, innovative and forward-thinking team, fun but professional atmosphere, and incredible benefits. Our practice has been serving the community for more than 50 years, and our dedication to the people and pets here shines through in everything we do.

We’ll love your experience, passion, drive, and ability to work well with a team. This is a full-time position for an experienced (at least 2 years) and licensed veterinary nurse. Benefits include:

  • A highly competitive salary commensurate with experience
  • Health, vision, and dental insurance
  • Paid time off
  • CE allowance and time
  • 401k

Think you’re the veterinary nurse we’re looking for? Email your resume to [insert your email address]. Any applicants being considered for an interview will be contacted by [insert date] via email.

 

Learn more about attracting (and keeping!) the best talent in veterinary medicine with my Relationship Centered Practice Academy, here.