Whether you're hiring a new dentist, dental hygienist, or administrative staff member, it's important to do your due diligence and research each candidate thoroughly before extending an offer. The internet is a wealth of information, and there are many ways to use it to vet candidates for your dental office.
In this blog post, we'll discuss a few of the best ways to use the internet to research job candidates.
Social Media Accounts
One of the first places to look when researching a candidate is their social media accounts. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can give you insights into a person's interests, values, and personality. For example, if you're considering hiring a dental hygienist and you find that their social media accounts are full of posts about drinking and partying, they might not be the best fit for your dental office.
Conversely, if you're looking at hiring a front desk receptionist and their social media accounts are filled with complaints about customer service jobs, they might not be the best fit for your dental office either. It's important to dig deeper than just looking at someone's social media posts; you should also look at who they follow and what groups they're in. This can give you even more insights into their interests and values.
Professional Websites
Another great way to use the internet to research job candidates is by looking at professional websites like LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a great way to see a person's employment history as well as any volunteer work or board positions they may hold.
LinkedIn can also be a great way to see if the candidate has any recommendations from previous supervisors or co-workers. If you're having trouble finding information about a candidate on LinkedIn, you can also try searching for them on Google. Many professional websites will show up in Google searches, so this is another great way to find information about potential candidates.
Online Reviews
If you're considering hiring someone who will be interacting directly with patients (such as a receptionist or dental hygienist), it's important to check online reviews to see how they interact with customers. Many times, patients will leave reviews of their experience at the dentist office on sites like Yelp or Google Reviews. While you shouldn't put too much weight on one or two negative reviews, if you see that a candidate has consistently negative reviews, it might be indicative of bigger problems.
Background Checks
Finally, once you've decided on a candidate, it's important to run a background check. This is especially important if you're hiring someone who will be working with children or vulnerable adults. Background checks can give you insights into a person's criminal history, employment history, and credit history. After all, you want to make sure that you're hiring someone who is trustworthy and will be a good fit for your dental office.
Conclusion
The internet is a valuable tool that can be used in many different ways during the hiring process. By taking advantage of social media websites, professional websites like LinkedIn, and online review sites, you can get a well-rounded view of each job candidate and make sure you're making the best decision for your dental office.
While the internet is a great resource for researching job candidates, it's important to remember that you should never make a decision based solely on the information you find online. Use the internet as one tool in your hiring process, but be sure to take the time to speak with references and conduct in-person interviews before making your final decision.
But where can you find qualified dental staff near you? That's why Stynt was created. Stynt is the largest online marketplace for dental staffing. With Stynt, you can quickly and easily find qualified dental hygienists, assistants, and front office staff in your area.