6 TIps for Hiring a New Team Member

Use this list of ideas to make sure you hire the perfect new member of your dental team.

The human resources aspect of the job can be a challenging part of being a dental office manager. Counseling or reprimanding staff as well as interviewing and hiring can be both time consuming and stressful. Here are some tips to think about when it comes to hiring a new team member.

Be Specific in Your Want Ad

Let prospective employees know exactly what you are looking for. For example, your ad could say: Searching for a schedule coordinator for a busy general private practice. Must have at least two years of dental office experience, and experience using Dentrix software is preferred.

Set your expectations for potential team members from the beginning. This will avoid you having to interview unqualified applicants which would be a waste of your time and theirs.

Get the Word Out

I’ve found great employees by placing an ad online for free. Most cities have a Facebook page for dental offices which can be a great place for you to post the job, and for potential employees to see the job listing.

Also, talk to your local reps. My Henry Schein Field Sales Consultant is always a great source to let me know who is looking for a job in the area.

Contact Candidates

After receiving resumes and reviewing them, contact qualified candidates and set up an interview. Schedule interviews at a time that is convenient for you with limited distractions. Hiring a new team member is an important decision and you want to be able to give the interview your full attention.

Learn Their Personality

When the candidate arrives and is filling out an application for employment, also consider giving them a personality test. I’ve found this to be a valuable resource. For example, I like for the Schedule Coordinator in my office to be an extrovert because they are typically good at greeting people and like to talk on the phone. The results of a personality test can also tell you how this person will best be managed.

Get the Team On Board

My best piece of advice when it comes to hiring a new employee is to involve the rest of your team. We spend a lot of our time at work. You are often with your coworkers more than your own family! Once I have chosen a qualified candidate to fill the position, I take them out to lunch with my team. Let everyone get to know each other. In my experience this has helped to transition the new employee into the team.

Do a Working Interview

For some positions it is critical to do a working interview to be sure the candidate is the right fit. For example, it is imperative that an assistant work with the doctor to make sure they work well together. I prefer to do a working interview for all roles in the office to be sure that each candidate is the right fit for the office.

Try using these tips the next time you hire a new team member to be a part of your work family.