In the dental field, you hear a lot about attracting new patients that will stay. But, have you given much thought to hiring ideal employees? We’ve talked before on our blog about the topic of attracting applicants to your job posting. But hiring the right employees is about more than just getting a lot of hits on your Indeed listing. Today on the blog, our dental practice consultants are providing tips on attracting the right job applicants.
Meeting the Candidate
Always start by conducting a telephone screening of any ideal candidates. This gives you a chance to gauge this person before extending an invitation to interview. Invite the candidate to drop by the office and fill out an application and drop off their resume. This could even be a simple meet and greet. Don’t schedule an official interview until you have met with the candidate face to face. During this drop-in, it not only allows you a chance to get a better sense of your potential candidate, but it also lets them see inside your office, and how your team works together. You also will get a sense of their professionalism, like attire, punctuality, and demeanor.
Did you catch the part about asking your potential candidate to fill out an application and submit their resume? There is a difference. A resume is a formal way of presenting one’s skills and job history. But an application allows you an opportunity to review their attention to detail, neatness, and a chance to compare the information.
Listen More, Talk Less
The idea of listening more and talking less means that you allow the applicant an opportunity to sell you on the idea that they are the right candidate for the job. It’s not a time for you to convince the applicant that they should consider the position. During the interview, ask open-ended questions that solicit well-thought-out responses.
Examples could be:
- What are three of the most important aspects of your current or previous job?
- What is your favorite part of your previous job?
- How would you deal with an irritable or rude patient on the telephone?
- What would your response be to a patient that says our fees are too expensive?
It’s time to do your homework again!
Just when you thought schoolwork was over, not yet! Be sure to take notes during the interview process. Document your first reaction, and what you feel in your gut. Review their application and check their references! This often is overlooked by many hiring managers, but speaking with references or past employers could tell you a lot about the potential candidate. The most useful question to ask would be, “Is this person eligible for rehire?” Another bit of homework that you should do is some Internet searches of your candidate. See what pops up online when you type in their name. While it seems that everyone these days has a social media account, that isn’t the place to post unbecoming photos. Use your best judgment to decide if particular photos reveal a side of your job candidate that you don’t want infiltrating your team’s culture. Then, once you narrow the pool down to a couple of applicants, invite them both in at different times so that your team can meet them, and see what it feels like having them around.
Making the Hire
Now that you have found your newest team member, and offered him or her a position, it’s time to really get busy. There is paperwork that needs to be completed.
Here is a list of documents that should be presented to your newest employee:
- Complete job description
- Employment agreement letter
- All legal documents (I-9 and W2 forms)
- Collect a copy of driver’s license and emergency contact information
- Provide the employee with office manual or standard operating procedures
Next, set up a proper orientation. No employee should be expected to hit the ground running. Even the most seasoned dental team member needs an understanding of your office routine, what’s expected of them, and how things work in your office. This is an excellent opportunity to get your current team involved by assigning specific training tasks to each person. If all goes as expected, you now have a new, valuable new team member who is ready and anxious to contribute to your practice.
Hiring new employees isn’t as simple as just setting up and conducting job interviews. There is a lot of thought and effort put into attracting the right employee that will mix well with your existing team, and buy-in to the vision and mission of your practice. If you would like to learn more about hiring the right team members, contact Bryant Consultants at (877) 768-4799. No office is out of reach for us; we will even come to you for a consultation!
