Making a good hiring decision can be a chaotic and difficult process to navigate when you have so many resumes flowing from a pool of candidates. Sailing the sea of potential hires can seem like an impossible task with the data you have at hand. Fortunately, navigating your way through the chaos can be made easier with the proper hiring process.
By asking the proper series of questions, you can find what you need to make a better-informed hiring decision for your next dentistry hire.
So, with that in mind, it is time for you to ask the tough questions and get straight to the F.A.C.T.S.!
F is for Financial: Can You Meet Their Needs?
While pay isn’t everything, it’s one of the most critical aspects in locating and retaining top talent. When seeking out a new job, candidates are generally looking for a particular pay scale to live the quality of life they have come to expect. However, from the employer’s perspective, you are looking to pay a specific amount to deliver value and production to your office. Meeting in between these two values will help everyone come away with a better deal.
You need to ask yourself if you can provide that level of payment and any benefits for the position. If the answer is “no,” then you should not expect them to stick around for long if they can find greener pastures. Factoring in the financial wants of candidates can spare you fair-weather employees. Benefits like a competitive salary, 401K matching, and health insurance are the most sought-after perks employees demand.
A is for Attitude: Are They a Good Fit?
Gauging a potential hire’s personality can be a little tricky since you need to interact with them, and they might alter their behavior to make a decent first impression. In dentistry, making sure your employees have an agreeable attitude is essential to make sure they are not driving away patients. While it can be a challenge, you should try to get to know the applicant on a semi-personal level to understand their opinions and attitude.
If they seem like the kind of person that will make patients feel welcomed and part of your dental family, consider hiring them. Otherwise, you might be better off looking for more personable candidates.
C is for Career: Are They in it for the Long Haul?
While many job seekers are looking for their next long-term career, some candidates will view their next positions as stepping stones and not give their best performance. Trying to determine how passionate a candidate is about the industry and your open role can save you a lot of hassle in the long run.
If the candidates want to make a career, they become a long-term investment as a hire. On the other hand, if they only see it as “a job,” they are liable to jump ship as soon as a better prospect comes along.
T is for Teamwork: Do They Play Nice With Others?
When bringing on a new employee, they need to work well with your other team members. Your staff will likely have established an essential shorthand and level of cooperation for the efficacy of your practice. So, when someone new comes on board, it becomes a concern about whether they can mesh with the team or be prone to conflict.
Being part of a team requires taking constructive criticism and compromise to keep things operating smoothly. A good way to determine if a candidate would work well with your established team is by including your employees in the hiring decision and process. If the candidate doesn’t work well with your team, they run the risk of alienating your existing staff and even driving them off. After all, your practice is only as strong as your weakest team member.
S Is for Skills: Can They Meet Your Needs?
The most critical section of any résumé, by far, is the skills a new hire will be bringing to the table. You probably already have some non-negotiable hard or soft skills you want to see in an applicant before extending an offer, and making sure they possess those skills is a vital step in the hiring process. If they have the skills you need to do the job properly, you might have found what you seek. If not, there is no shame in continuing the search.
Making the Right Hiring Decision Every Time
Once you have gathered the F.A.C.T.S. about your applicants, you will find that making the right hiring decision is that much more straightforward. But we also know that you are busy and might want a little assistance in finding the right fit. In that case, our team at Peak Performers is here to help. We focus on finding professionals for various positions in dentistry within Michigan’s borders. So contact Peak Performers today to save time and money locating your next top performer.
