Director's Message: Do you really know what goes on behind the scene at job placement firms?
After completing a heartfelt and sincere interview with Liz Graham of Grahman Placement Agency for my Dental Influencers Empowerment Series I was speechless when the email exchange below entered my email box.
Liz holds her clients with such positive regard and a passion for job coaching and advocacy, I thought, “Wow! Are Liz and her firm in the minority, or is this company the anomaly?” This may be an isolated incident; yet, I believe, it’s worth bringing to a wider audience.
READ:100 Tips from 100 Practice Management Experts in 100 Words or Less
READ: Director's Message: So you want another job? Then don't play it safe!
Scenario
Job Posting from a Placement Agency:
Dental Office INC
Address: XXX
www.xxxx.org
Work Site County/ies: Happy Dental Ville
On Bus Route? No
Pay: $20.87 Per Hour
Duration/Hours Per Week: Part-Time, 8 Hours Per Week Minimum
Shift/Work Days: First
Position is very flexible working 16 hours in a two-week pay period.
Dental Hygiene Candidate
A dental hygienist replied to the above advertisement from a job placement agency. She attached her resume to an email. An excerpt from her email reads:
“I am just 20 min from XXX I know XX address sounds far but it’s not I am just on the border. Thanks for considering me. I have lots of good experience with a passion for oral health and patient relationships.”
Reply from the Job Service Agency
The dental hygiene job placement coordinator replies to her client, a prospective dental employer. Below is the email in its entirety.
“Older gal. Lives in XX but not too far from XXX office she claims. I would MapQuest this one and see just how close it is. Possible candidate, if they want a mature person. I am guessing with as advanced in her career she only wants PT and would not move. Yet how many more years does she have in her too?”
I do not understand the inferences within this email, all without having a conversation with the potential candidate. I believe this is a disservice not only to the potential candidate, yet equally for the dental office clients. It is unfortunate to read the limiting beliefs and conclusions around the potential candidate’s potential, without taking the time to have a conversation, to ask questions, to understand if the potential candidate’s career goals and needs would align or be a fit for her client dental office.
I welcome your comments and thoughts- please share on the RDH eVillage facebook page or at [email protected].
Kristine Hodsdon, RDH
Director, RDH eVillage
