Acquiring and retaining top talent is the lifeblood of a thriving practice. In today’s competitive healthcare landscape, assembling your team can make the difference between mediocrity and excellence. At MB2 Dental, we’ve honed our talent acquisition strategies through years of experience, helping hundreds of practices build teams that elevate patient care and drive practice growth.
Below are a few of our proven strategies, with actionable steps, to help you strengthen your recruitment process and assemble a powerhouse team.
Tip #1: Enhance Your Practice’s Online Presence
In today’s digital age, your online presence is crucial for attracting top talent. Job seekers are increasingly tech-savvy and prioritize employers with a strong culture, making your digital footprint a vital tool for recruitment.
A practice website, social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, and review sites like Google and Indeed are where candidates gather insights about your practice. Engaging content highlighting your practice’s culture and values can significantly influence potential candidates.
How to Cultivate Your Online Presence Effectively:
- Showcase Culture: Share behind-the-scenes content, team outings, and employee spotlights on social media to give potential candidates a glimpse into your practice’s day-to-day operations and team dynamics.
- Leverage Employee Testimonials: Current employees can be your best advocates for attracting new talent. Create short video interviews featuring team members discussing their roles and experiences, emphasizing your commitment to employee well-being.
- Build Out Indeed and Glassdoor Profiles: Complete your profiles on these platforms with your practice logo, the visual content of your practice and team, and a compelling description of your culture and benefits. Clearly articulate your mission and values, as alignment with candidates’ values is increasingly important. A strong presence on these platforms can be a deciding factor in whether candidates will even apply.
- Optimize Your Website: A well-designed website with details about the procedure offerings, patient base, and team member bios and headshots can also attract potential candidates.
- Demonstrate Technological Advancement: Highlight your state-of-the-art equipment and innovative procedures on your website and social media to signal that your practice is modern and forward-thinking.
“As a recruiter who has spent years talking to candidates over the phone, I’ve learned they want accessible information about the job they’re applying for. Even a picture of your team can inform prospective employees about the practice’s attire. An informative website and appealing social media presence can answer more questions than you think.” -Dacotah Sokolosky, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist at MB2.
Enhancing your online presence not only attracts patients but also creates a powerful tool for recruiting top dental talent.
Tip #2: Partner with Local Dental Schools and Training Programs
Building relationships with local dental schools and training programs is an effective strategy for connecting directly with future professionals in the industry. By partnering with these institutions, you can tap into a pipeline of emerging talent while also contributing to the growth and development of the dental profession. This partnership not only helps you identify potential candidates but also positions your practice as a supportive leader in the dental community.
How to Create Mutually Beneficial Partnerships:
- Internships and Externships: Offer students opportunities to gain practical experience in a real-world setting while giving your practice a chance to evaluate their skills and fit within your team.
- Guest Lectures and Workshops: Participate in guest lectures or workshops at local dental schools. Sharing your expertise and experiences can inspire students and establish your practice as a go-to resource for career guidance.
- Sponsorships and Scholarships: Consider sponsoring events or scholarships for dental career students. This will support their education and enhance your practice’s visibility and reputation within the community.
- Job Fairs and Networking Events: Attend job fairs and networking events hosted by dental schools. These platforms provide an excellent opportunity to connect with students and promote your practice as a desirable workplace.
By investing in the education and development of aspiring dental professionals, you help shape the industry while building a robust talent pipeline for your practice.
Tip #3: Use Industry-Specific Job Boards
While major job boards are excellent for casting a wide net, industry-specific platforms are invaluable for targeting qualified dental professionals. These specialized boards attract candidates with relevant experience and help streamline your recruitment process, especially in competitive markets or when seeking specialized roles.
Bonus Tips for Optimizing Job Advertisements:
- Research Relevant Job Boards: Identify the most popular job boards in your area and look for those with a strong reputation and high volume of listings.
- Optimize Your Job Advertisements: Job advertisements are just that, ads! Replace endless lists of job duties with compelling descriptions that outline the role and captivate potential candidates’ attention. Be transparent and specific about expectations, work environment, and culture. Highlight benefits, cutting-edge technology, team dynamics, work schedules, and unique aspects that set your practice apart.
- Use Relevant Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords throughout your job advertisement to increase search visibility. Consider what terms potential candidates might search for. Be sure to include short-hand acronyms like RDH, RDA, or DDS. If you are looking for someone part-time, include that in your job description so that it will appear in keyword searches.
- Utilize Multiple Platforms: Don’t limit your advertisements to just one job board. Use a combination of industry-specific sites and general job boards to maximize your reach.
Conclusion
The art of dental recruitment has evolved far beyond simply posting job openings and hoping for the best. Strengthening your online presence, partnering with local programs and schools, and leveraging industry-specific job boards can help your practice build a robust recruitment pipeline that fills positions and cultivates a thriving workplace culture. The journey to building a stellar team starts now!
