11 Jun 4 Tips for Working with a Healthcare IT Recruiter
Finding and hiring top healthcare IT talent can be a challenge, especially during candidate shortages. To expedite the hiring process, using a recruiting agency can pay dividends – if you know how to get the most out of them. To start, work with a recruiter that specializes in HIT because they will focus only on candidates with the type of experience, education and training you need. In a specialized agency, recruiters have their fingers on the pulse of the healthcare IT industry, know the job market intimately, and will better identify the candidates that will be the best fit for you.
There are several steps you can take as a hiring manager to ensure the recruiting process is as smooth as possible, too. Read on to discover how to remove any roadblocks from snagging a fantastic new healthcare IT employee.
- Sell your company and the position. In the current job climate, many job seekers feel they can afford to be passive and wait for the perfect position to fall into their laps. We have seen candidates walk away from job offers because they don’t see much enthusiasm or fire from the hiring manager about his own career. In your job and company descriptions, make sure you let candidates know that they are applying for an exciting, worthwhile career-boosting position. List specific details about the job that are interesting, fun, challenging or provide opportunities for career development. Provide information about salary if possible, and if high pay isn’t part of the package, reveal some juicy benefits such as vacation, flex-time, or retirement savings opportunities.
- Know what you want – and be specific. Speaking of job descriptions, it makes the candidate selection process go more easily and quickly if you are able to pinpoint exactly what skills, experiences, and capabilities are required by the position you need to fill. Try to imagine the perfect candidate as you are writing the job description, including must-haves. Talk to existing team members who will be working with the new hire and find out what they need from this position. Think about what personality types will work well in this role. For example, an introvert would most likely not do well in a role that requires a lot of interaction with multiple clients or colleagues, and a big-picture thinker would feel stymied in a job limited to highly detailed or complicated tasks.
- Do your due diligence. Recruiters are fantastic resources for tapping into candidate pools you might not otherwise find, and they are often very useful career counselors. However, recruiters are not fairy godmothers who can wave a magic wand over Joe Schmoe and turn him into your perfect new employee. Make sure that when you interview candidates, you get to know them well so that you can determine whether or not they are a culture match for your company. Just because someone looks good on paper doesn’t guarantee they will mesh with the personalities on your team. Also, make sure that the hiring manager is in communication with the recruiter. Clear, honest and specific feedback about candidates can help the recruiter narrow his scope – as long as it’s provided in a timely manner. Remember, the recruiter is your ally and wants to make sure you’re happy with the process as well as with the person you ultimately hire.
- Time is of the essence. It’s very important for hiring managers to be willing to commit to a realistic timeline, as well as to set expectations for a quick interview process. When a recruiter sends a strong candidate your way, it’s critical to start the interview process right away. Keep the candidate engaged between each step, because if too much time goes by, your dream match might lose interest or be snapped up by another company.
Finding highly qualified, talented healthcare IT staff can be challenging, but when you partner with an experienced, specialized recruiter you can save both time and money – not to mention reduce your own stress.
If you’re ready to hire, we’re here to help. We pride ourselves on our success in connecting employers with top HIT candidates who have the skills, experience and personality that will meet your staffing needs. Contact us today!