Finding qualified veterinarians can be difficult due to their specialized nature. Recently, more subspecialties have been created. Other factors include the high cost of education but low starting wage, the preference for experienced workers over fresh graduates, and the competitive nature of the veterinary industry.

From providing medical care to assisting in research initiatives, veterinarians play an invaluable part in the industry. To provide quality veterinary care, companies should have the right professionals. The recruiting strategies for veterinarians vary depending on the organization’s size, type, and service, but there are key tips for maximizing the overall effort.

Here are some tips and strategies to help maximize your veterinary recruitment efforts and attract the most qualified professionals.

Identify your target candidate

The first step to recruiting is identifying the target candidates to fill the role. Research potential applicants and narrow them down according to their experience and skill sets. Conduct interviews to gain more insight into their qualifications. Qualified candidates must not only have the education and licensing credentials but the communications skills and a genuine passion for animal care. Through this, you will feel if they fit into the organization.

Utilize your website

Provide detailed information about the veterinary job opening on your website. Include the company or organization’s mission statement and key services. Don’t forget the contact information of your recruitment team. Provide clear instructions on how to apply and make it easy.

Leverage professional networking platforms

Most candidates looking for a job are optimizing their social media for recruiters to view. They’re also on the lookout for recruitment teams’ page job openings. So, post the job opportunity on LinkedIn and other professional networking platforms. It should generate interest among qualified candidates. To encourage them to apply, make sure to respond to messages and comments professionally.

Additionally, you can build your network by joining or creating groups within the veterinary community. Aside from being a great resource for candidates, they also keep you up-to-date with the latest recruitment trends in the animal science industry.

Utilize job boards

Other than LinkedIn, there is also ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor Jobs, Monster, Indeed, and Google for Jobs as platforms to leverage your recruitment efforts. They can be a great access to a wide community of applicants. Depending on the job board’s relevance, you might also attract more interest from qualified candidates.

Leverage word-of-mouth marketing

Word-of-mouth remains one of the most effective ways to spread job opportunities. This will come in handy if you have built and established relationships. You may reach out to connections, friends, and colleagues and ask if they know someone interested in a veterinary position. You can also leverage this strategy by attending events in the industry, such as trade shows, meetings, and conferences.

Recruiting qualified veterinary professionals isn’t an easy task. However, with the right strategies and attitude, you not only recruit and match the best possible veterinarian to an organization, but you also build a strong team of recruiters and create an active talent pool to match with the right organization.

For more helpful and expert tips on recruiting, visit our website at continentalsearch.com. You may also follow us on LinkedIn to get notified of our latest blog posts on recruitment, career management, and job-hunting tips. And for the latest job openings, head to our website or connect with our President, Dan Simmons, on LinkedIn.