, Nov 2, 2009

Confessions of a Dental Recruiter

Written by Mark Kennedy, Managing Director of ETS Dental.

Sooner or later, every practice is faced with seeking a new Associate, Partner or Owner. In the past twelve months ETS Dental has recruited and placed more than 200 Dentists with independent practices and clinics around the country and some of the lessons we’ve learned may be beneficial to you when it comes time to bring a new dentist into your practice.

The best candidate already has a job
As a whole, the population of Dentists is truly at full-employment. Most great candidates are employed, but passively seeking a better long-term opportunity. In fact, only one out of every 20 Dentists we place come as a direct result of an ad…the rest come from networking.

There’s a reason the best opportunities aren’t advertised
The best associate or partnership opportunities are rarely advertised. If a practice is losing a key associate it is typically in the best interest of the practice NOT to advertise this fact until a replacement is found. Some patients and key staff will certainly leave if they know their Dentist is leaving the practice.

The best time to start looking is early
There is an old Chinese saying, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.”
Very few good candidates are desperate for change. The vast majority are willing to wait a few months or a few years. Likewise, no one practices forever…there is usually an identifiable window of opportunity when a partner would like to step back or retire…the closer a practice waits until that time, the more they limit their options.

Practice Owners with a plan hire the best Associates
Interview preparation is a two-way street. While much has been written to help the potential hire prepare for an interview, we have found it equally essential for interviewers to have specific communication goals to achieve through the interview process. Let’s face it, most dental practices conduct comparatively few interviews.
If you found the “perfect associate candidate,” I can guarantee you that your perfect candidate probably has multiple options. Have a plan in place. Do you have a sample contract? How will the associate be compensated? Would he or she be offered a buy-in? If you can’t answer these questions, you will lose the best candidates.

Relocation, relocation, relocation
More that 60 percent of the dentists we recruit and place relocate. Many are looking for the opportunity. Many are looking to get closer to the people or places they love. Dentists coming out of a residency or the military are nearly always located in a different city or state. When you are looking for a new associate, you probably won’t find them in your own back yard.

Whether you are a practice owner looking for a candidate or a Dentist seeking a long-term practice opportunity, the moral of the story is the same:
• Start looking far in advance.
• Work hard to find multiple options.
• Be prepared if the right opportunity or candidate comes available.
The best candidate or practice for you may be somewhere you don’t expect
________________________________________
Carl Guthrie is a Account Executive for ETS Dental. ETS Dental is an excutive recruiting firm specializing in finding and placing dentists, dental specialists, and dental staff across the United States. www.etsdental.com.
Connect with Carl Guthrie at:
540-491-9104
cguthrie@etsdental.com
http://www.google.com/profiles/guthrie.carl

News/Insights

Pro Hiring Tips: When to hire for your dental practice Hiring

Pro Hiring Tips: When to hire for your dental practice

Sep 3, 2024

Is your practice ready to grow? Do you have an associate leaving to be closer to family?  The specialized recruiters of ETS Dental are here to help you find your next new hir...

Where Are All the Dentists? Hiring

Where Are All the Dentists?

Oct 27, 2021

 The market for dental talent has always been competitive. Several factors have combined to make what was already a tight market even more challenging. These include: Grad...

The One That Got Away Hiring

The One That Got Away

Jun 23, 2021

You thought your staffing issue was solved. You felt you had the right fit, you were confident the job offer was solid, you made the offer, and yet, somehow, they took another...

Are You Ready for What’s Next? Hiring

Are You Ready for What’s Next?

Mar 24, 2021

Everyone is trying to understand what’s coming next in a post-COVID-19 world. While we have no special foresight into the future of the pandemic, we can tell you what we hav...

The Right Questions to Ask When You Meet a Candidate Hiring

The Right Questions to Ask When You Meet a Candidate

Jun 16, 2020

There is a common perception that interviews are about putting the best face forward for both the practice and the potential employee. While it is natural to want to make a go...

Planning Ahead – Hiring for the Future of Your Practice Hiring

Planning Ahead – Hiring for the Future of Your Practice

Apr 22, 2020

With some states in the beginning stages of lifting isolation restrictions and making small, careful steps toward a new normal after the COVID-19 crisis, many of the practice ...

Interview Logistics 101: Putting a Candidate at Ease Hiring

Interview Logistics 101: Putting a Candidate at Ease

Jan 21, 2020

You think you’ve found a candidate who might just be the perfect fit and you’re looking forward to a great interview. However, your candidate could have a flight delay on ...

Ten Great Quotes to Inspire You to Find Your Next Superstar Associate Hiring

Ten Great Quotes to Inspire You to Find Your Next Superstar Associate

Jan 13, 2020

“Hire people who are smarter than you are—whose talents surpass yours—and give them opportunities for growth. It's the smart thing to do and it is a sign of high persona...

New Year. New Hire? Hiring

New Year. New Hire?

Jan 2, 2020

The big ball has dropped. The champagne has popped. The calendar page has turned.  A lot of the planning for 2020 has probably already taken place. Now it’s time to start ...

Playing to Win – How to Seal the Deal with a Potential New Hire Hiring

Playing to Win – How to Seal the Deal with a Potential New Hire

Nov 26, 2019

The rest of the corporate America is dealing with what dental practices have known for years: it's tough to attract and retain top talent. Even when you find a promising candi...