Top 5 Things a New Grad Veterinarian Wants in a Job

Graduation season has just ended, but if you’re looking for a new associate, you need to be looking at current third and fourth-year veterinary students, as those are the ones beginning the job search. So, what are they looking for in their first job after completing veterinary school? In part one of our June series, here’s a look at the top 5 list that new grads want in a clinic:

1. Mentorship – Recent graduates need someone to show them the ropes as they begin their careers. Pairing the new associate with a senior veterinarian to add further instruction, be a sounding board, and offer guidance is a sure way to sway a candidate to look even closer at your clinic.
2. Quality of experience – From dental cleanings to endoscopies to acupuncture, the variety of services and treatments your clinic offers will likely appeal to a new associate looking to gain experience in performing them.
3. Work environment – A positive workplace free from toxicity and promoting work-life balance is one of the most desirable traits when choosing a new job in any field, especially veterinary medicine where a national shortage of doctors continues to grow.
4. Benefits – Offering health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans are key in attracting new doctors
5. Salary – Competitive salaries for new graduates top $100,000 a year. With the shortage of doctors, new graduates know they can get that – and sometimes more. Be sure to offer your best salary when negotiating with a candidate to let them know you’re serious about hiring them.

Does the recruitment process overwhelm you? It’s a full-time job in and of itself. Allow me the opportunity to tell you how my team has a 93% success rate in bringing quality candidates to our clients within the first 90 days of the recruitment process.