The veterinary industry is rapidly growing and evolving around the world, with new regions developing with an influx of capital being injected into the profession, resulting in furthering the veterinary infrastructure – thus offering a higher level of pet care, which is a real positive.
As pet ownership increases and new technologies and treatments become available, the demand for skilled veterinary professionals is on the rise. However, with this growth comes challenges in attracting, recruiting and, more importantly, retaining not just the best talent, but the best talent that fits in with your brand.
Employers in the veterinary industry must be strategic and proactive in their recruitment efforts to attract and retain top talent. Here are some of our insights and solutions for employers in the global veterinary industry to help them overcome recruitment challenges.
1. Build a strong purpose-driven employer brand
A strong employer brand is essential for attracting and retaining the best talent in the veterinary industry. This involves creating a positive and compelling image of your organisation that resonates with potential candidates.
It is important to highlight your organisation’s unique strengths, values, and culture and communicate this through your recruitment materials, website, and social media channels.
This can help differentiate your organisation from competitors and attract candidates who are aligned with your values and mission. Jobseekers want to go on a journey with their employers and be driven by the employer’s purpose, which in turn, allows everyone to work towards a common and shared goal.
2. Offer competitive compensation and benefits
One of the biggest challenges in recruiting veterinary professionals is offering competitive compensation and benefits packages. To attract top talent, employers must be willing to offer salaries and benefits that are on par with industry standards. This includes healthcare benefits, professional memberships, and paid time off. Employers should also consider offering other incentives, such as enhanced continuing education opportunities and flexible work schedules to attract and retain applicants.
3. Partner with a veterinary-specific global talent agency
Partnering with a veterinary-specific global talent agency will provide you access to the best talent from around the world. It will also allow you to consistently check that the package and benefits you’re offering are competitive, against your competitors.
If you can form a genuine partnership with a global talent agency, and you look to immerse them in your business, they will become an extension of your HR/Recruitment department and then subsequently your onboarding and aftercare team as well, saving you time to concentrate on day-to-day matters of running your veterinary business.
At Global Veterinary Careers, we partner with veterinary employers around the globe and have successfully helped many veterinary professionals connect with veterinary employers on the other side of the world. Our global reach is unrivalled.
4. Develop a strong onboarding program
Once you have recruited top talent, it is important to have a strong onboarding program in place to help them acclimate to your organisation. This includes providing training, mentorship, and other resources to help new employees feel welcomed and supported. A strong onboarding program can help reduce turnover rates and increase employee satisfaction and productivity.
If you’ve chosen to partner with a global talent agency like Global Veterinary Careers, then we will be able to assist with the onboarding and aftercare to ensure that your hiring efforts are in line with your retention strategy.
5. Foster a positive workplace culture
Finally, fostering a positive workplace culture is essential for attracting and retaining top talent in the veterinary industry. This includes promoting work-life balance, creating a supportive and inclusive environment, and providing opportunities for professional growth and development. Employers should prioritise employee engagement and feedback to continuously improve workplace culture and ensure that employees feel valued and supported.
A true work-life balance doesn’t just mean offering flexible working hours, it means valuing your employees’ mental well-being and prioritising their lunch break over a busy waiting room. Not overloading them with appointments, but instead working with your team to help strike the right balance and culture within your veterinary business.
To Conclude
In conclusion, recruitment in the global veterinary industry can be challenging, but by implementing these solutions, employers can attract and retain top talent.
By building a strong employer brand, offering competitive compensation and benefits, leveraging technology for recruitment, partnering with a global talent agency, developing a strong onboarding program, and fostering a positive workplace culture, employers can create a workplace that attracts and retains top talent in the veterinary industry.
