What candidates want to know before they apply to your dental practice
Most dental job posts look the same: a title, the city, a line about a great team, and "competitive pay." Candidates read that and still can't tell whether the job fits. A few call to ask. Most move on to the next post.
Here's what candidates want answered before they apply, and how to answer it once.
What hygienists want to know
- How long appointments are, and whether new patients and perio maintenance get more time
- Whether there's assisted hygiene, and how many patients a day
- How pay works: hourly, daily or production, and what any bonus is based on
- Whether hours are guaranteed when the schedule is light
- Saturdays, early starts and late evenings
What dental assistants want to know
- Day-to-day duties, and whether they'll work with one provider or several
- Which certifications you require, and whether you'll help them get any
- What training they'll get in the first few weeks
- The schedule, and how raises work
What front office and practice managers want to know
- Team size and who they report to
- What they'll be responsible for, and what decisions they can make
- How any bonus is figured
Why "competitive pay" costs you applicants
Candidates compare posts side by side. When one says "competitive" and the next gives a range, the vague one usually reads as lower. If you can't post exact numbers, explain how pay works: an hourly range, what the bonus is based on, and what moves someone up.
Put the answers in before anyone asks
Before you post, check that the job answers the questions above for that role. Each answer you add up front is one less phone call, and one less good candidate who moves on without asking.
When you'd rather not answer
That's fine. Say so, or say when you'll cover it, for example "we discuss bonus structure at the second interview." A clear "not yet" reads better than silence.
How HealthcareHitch helps
On HealthcareHitch, candidates ask questions right on your job post. We bring them to you without names or contact details, so nobody risks their current job to ask. You answer once, and the answer goes on the post with the date you confirmed it, for every candidate who looks.
We ask practices to answer within two business days. Correcting your job details and answering questions is always free.