The demand for skilled veterinarians is rising fast, thanks to more people owning pets and the growing need for pet care services. However, many veterinary clinics are struggling to find and keep the right staff.

Job boards aren’t bringing in enough qualified applicants, staffing agencies cost too much, and the hiring process is taking too long. However, some clinics have found a faster, more cost-effective way to hire.

They’ve figured out the power of referral hiring. Here’s how they’re succeeding and what other industries can learn from them.

The Power of Referral Hiring in Veterinary Clinics

Veterinary practices operate under unique constraints. Hiring the wrong person can be a costly mistake as the effects impact patient care, customer satisfaction, and overall clinic operations. With an industry-wide turnover rate of 23%, finding and keeping the right team members is critical.

Referral hiring solves this. Here's why:

• Trust is everything. Veterinary work is high-stakes, and clinics trust referrals because they come with credibility. Employees only recommend professionals they believe can handle the job.
• Tight-knit industry networks. Veterinarians and technicians frequently attend the same schools, conferences, and training programs, making it easy for them to refer qualified peers.
• High retention rates. Referred employees are 45% more likely to stay for over four years, compared to just 25% of job board hires.
• Speed and efficiency. Referrals are 4x more likely to be offered a job than website applicants.

But referral hiring isn’t just about asking employees for names. It also involves structuring a program that incentivizes participation and maximizes quality.

Breaking Down the Success Metrics

Veterinary hospitals are embracing community-driven hiring, leveraging internal networks to bring in top-tier talent with a lower risk of attrition.

Referral hiring delivers measurable results:

• 92% of people trust referrals from people they know, making referral candidates more engaged and prepared for the role.
• Referral hires generate 25% more profit for their companies compared to other hires.
• Better culture fit: Referred hires outperform their peers in both patient care and customer satisfaction scores, as they already align with clinic culture and values.
• Lower Hiring costs: Referral hires reduce recruitment costs by $1,000 per hire by eliminating job board fees, recruiter commissions, admin and operational costs.

The success of referrals is the result of optimized hiring processes, strategic incentive structures, and technology-driven automation.

The Secret to Successful Referral Hiring

Veterinary clinics that excel in referral hiring use a few simple yet effective strategies. Here’s how top performers are making it happen:

1. Make Referrals Quick and Easy

Veterinary professionals are busy, so the referral process needs to be fast and simple. If it’s too complicated, requiring multiple steps or waiting weeks for feedback, employees won’t bother referring candidates.

Best Practices:

• Two-click referrals: Keep the process simple. Employees should be able to refer someone in just two clicks.
• Integrate with everyday tools: Make the referral process available on platforms employees already use.
• Track progress: Allow employees to see the status of their referral in real-time to keep them engaged and motivated.

2. Automate Reward Payments

Managing referral rewards can be tricky, especially without the right systems in place. Many clinics shy away from referral programs because they don’t want to deal with the hassle of tracking and paying rewards manually.

Best Practices:

• Automate payouts: Use a system that automatically tracks and distributes rewards, saving HR teams time and reducing the risk of errors.
• Clear, predefined criteria: Rewards should be given based on clear rules, ensuring fairness and efficiency.

3. Use AI to Expand Your Network

Referral programs can become limited when employees only refer people they know. AI-powered recommendations help employees surface qualified candidates outside their immediate circles.

Best Practices:

• Expand your pool: AI helps find qualified candidates outside the usual circles, ensuring a diverse talent pool.
• Maintain trust: AI still ensures that referrals are made by employees who believe in the candidate’s ability, keeping the strength of referrals intact.

4. Offer Incentives to Boost Engagement

To encourage more participation and prioritize high-value referrals, offer incentives that increase with the value of the role or the quality of the referral. This approach increases excitement and ensures employees stay invested in the process.

Best Practices:

• Larger rewards for key roles: Offer bigger bonuses for harder-to-fill positions or for referrals that lead to long-term hires.
• Referral raffles: Reward all employees who submit a referral, even if the candidate isn’t hired, to maintain engagement.

The Future of Veterinary Hiring

Referral hiring strategies are proving to be a practical solution. Clinics that use these strategies have seen faster fill times, lower hiring costs, and better retention. With the use of technology, including AI for candidate matching and automated reward distribution, veterinary clinics are building stronger, more cohesive teams.

For veterinary clinics facing high turnover or struggling to fill open positions, a referral-first approach should be at the top of the hiring strategy. The success of referral programs in the veterinary industry shows that when done correctly, they can transform the hiring process and lead to long-term success.

Discover how Boon’s referral-first platform can help your veterinary clinic hire faster, reduce recruitment costs, and increase retention. With AI-powered recommendations, reward automation, and a proven referral program structure, Boon can help you build a stronger, more engaged team. Schedule a demo today and learn how our platform can drive success for your clinic’s hiring strategy.

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