Veterinary Voices

Most veterinary clinics don't offer extensive benefits packages—and today, you'll discover why that doesn't have to stop you from attracting great veterinary professionals.

Join host Julie South as she reveals why trying to compete with "benefits" is the wrong strategy and how to showcase the genuine value your clinic offers that money can't buy. Because veterinary professionals aren't just chasing benefits—they're looking for workplaces where they can thrive.

You'll discover:

• Why independent practices trying to compete on corporate terms is a losing game
• The three-strategy framework for attracting great people without big benefit packages
• Zero-cost benefits that prevent burnout and matter enormously to veterinary professionals
• How "We finish by 6pm most days" beats expensive health insurance for many jobseekers
• The mentorship advantage that independent practices have over corporates
• Why "protected time to finish notes" is more valuable than you think
• How to be honest about limitations without sounding negative
• The whiteboard exercise that reveals hidden job-ad gems

This week's actionable takeaway: List everything valuable you offer that isn't a traditional benefit—then ask your team to add what they value about working at your practice. These genuine advantages are often more compelling than expensive benefit packages.

Essential listening for independent clinics that feel they can't compete on benefits but want to attract veterinary professionals who value what they actually offer.

Brought to you by VetClinicJobs—direct hiring, reimagined. No agency.

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

You've got their attention with your job title—now you have exactly 10 seconds to convince them not to hit the back button.

Join host Julie South as she reveals why "We are a busy small animal practice seeking a veterinarian" is killing your hiring success before jobseekers even get to your amazing benefits. Your opening paragraph is make-or-break territory, and most practices are getting it completely wrong.

You'll discover:

• Why jobseekers abandon job adverts within seconds (and it's not what you think)
• The three-part strategy that transforms boring openings into irresistible invitations
• The "dream day" technique that puts jobseekers right into your practice (before they've even applied)
• Why starting with "Established in 1985" is sabotaging your hiring efforts
• The one ratio that veterinary professionals scan for—and why it matters more than your equipment list
• How to address the after-hours elephant in the room without scaring people away
• The fatal mistake that makes your opening sound corporate instead of human

This week's actionable takeaway: Transform your generic opening paragraph into a compelling connection that shows veterinary professionals exactly what's in it for them. Because getting the click is only half the battle—keeping them reading is where the magic happens.

Essential listening for veterinary practice owners who want to stop losing great jobseekers in those crucial first 10 seconds.

Brought to you by VetClinicJobs—direct hiring, reimagined. No agency.

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

Your job title has just 3 seconds to stop veterinary professionals from scrolling past your opportunity—are you making them count?

Join host Julie South in this game-changing episode as she reveals why "Veterinarian Required" and "Vet Nurse Position" are killing your hiring success. If you're tired of posting job adverts that disappear into the void, this episode could be your wake-up call.

You'll discover:

• The harsh reality of why generic job titles are costing you the best veterinary professionals
• The three-part formula for titles that make veterinary professionals stop and click (hint: one part they'll never expect)
• The word that veterinary professionals are scanning for—and the fatal mistake that buries it
• Why "No After Hours, Great Team" beats "Veterinary Nurse Position" every single time
• The biggest mistakes clinic owners make with job titles (and how to avoid them)
• Why your amazing practice culture means nothing if jobseekers never click to read about it
• The one question you must ask about your current job titles (spoiler: it might sting)

This week's actionable takeaway: Transform your boring job titles into click-worthy opportunities that reflect what makes YOUR practice special. Because your perfect hire can't apply if they never see your job.

Part of the essential job advertising series every veterinary practice owner needs to hear. Whether you're struggling to fill positions or just want to attract better veterinary professionals, these strategies will revolutionize how you think about job titles.

Brought to you by VetClinicJobs—direct hiring, reimagined. No agency.

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

We tackle how writing effective job requirements can transform your veterinary clinic's hiring success by focusing on potential rather than unrealistic wishlists. 

The perfect veterinary team member often doesn't check every box but brings the right attitude and growth mindset to thrive in your specific environment.

What Julie South covers in this episode:

• Too many job adverts read like impossible wishlists rather than realistic requirements
• Understanding the crucial difference between absolute "must-haves" and developable "nice-to-haves"
• Use the test: "Would I hire someone perfect in every other way who lacks this requirement?"
• Lead with growth potential instead of demanding specific experience levels
• Be specific about what communication and skills actually look like in your practice
• Show jobseekers the path to developing "nice-to-have" skills at your clinic
• Avoid the experience trap - more years doesn't automatically equal better fit
• Success comes from focusing on what someone needs to thrive in your specific environment
• Writing your requirements in your own words attracts professionals who understand your actual needs

Ready to write job requirements that attract the right veterinary professionals without scaring people away? Visit vetclinicjobs.com where Lizzie and the team will help you craft requirements that reflect what you actually need, not what you think you should ask for.

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

In today's competitive veterinary job market, skilled professionals have choices about where they work, making your clinic's culture your competitive advantage. This episode explores three practical strategies to showcase your genuine team culture in job ads to attract jobseekers who'll be the perfect cultural fit.

• Culture isn't just a nice-to-have—it's what makes jobseekers choose your clinic over others
• The "BBQ test": what team members would honestly say about your workplace when you're not around
• Show collaboration in action through specific stories rather than generic claims
• Highlight unique traditions that reveal your workplace's human side
• Share growth stories demonstrating how team members have developed professionally
• Traditional job boards limit your ability to showcase culture effectively
• Authenticity is crucial—job seekers can spot fake enthusiasm from a mile away
• Even "ordinary" clinics have special cultural elements they take for granted
• Avoid overselling or exaggerating your culture with unrealistic claims
• Don't reduce culture to perks—focus on team interactions and support

Visit vetclinicjobs.com for a job board that gives you space to tell your story, showcase your culture, and include photos without cramming your clinic's unique personality into a tiny text box.

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

Ever wondered why your veterinary job advertisements aren't attracting the right applicants? The answer might be simpler than you think.

Welcome to Episode 225 of Veterinary Voices, where we kick off an exciting new series about how to advertise job vacancies to build your stellar teams in the veterinary profession. 

Today, we're diving into a game-changing approach that transformed one clinic's year-long recruitment struggle into a successful hire within just two months: storytelling in job advertisements.

Most veterinary roles share similar technical requirements – what truly sets positions apart are the people, environment, and culture. Traditional bullet-point job listings fail to capture these crucial differences. Through storytelling, you invite potential applicants to imagine themselves within your clinic's unique narrative. 

Rather than stating "We're hiring a veterinarian," paint a picture: "Picture yourself walking through the doors of a welcoming clinic where the laughter of the team competes only with the tap of paws waiting patients."

Julie South shares three practical strategies to incorporate storytelling into your recruitment process: describing a day in the life at your clinic, celebrating your practice's unique "wow factors" (flexible schedules, work-life balance, team camaraderie), and highlighting the patients and clients that make your community special. 

These approaches help applicants envision their future at your practice, creating emotional connections that bulletpoints simply cannot achieve.

The proof is in the results – clinics using this storytelling approach are connecting with jobseekers who specifically want to work in their environments, not just anyone looking for a job. 

Ready to transform your recruitment strategy? Visit VetClinicJobs.com, where Lizzie will help you craft compelling narratives that attract the perfect additions to your team. 

Hit that "follow" button to automatically tune in next week as Julie explores team culture and its critical role in attracting ideal job applicants!

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

Recent Massey University Veterinary Science Graduate, Dr Aodhan Wildbore, shares what truly matters for veterinary graduates starting their careers. His experience at Wanganui Vet Services showcases how essential proper mentoring is for new professionals – making the difference between thriving or leaving the profession entirely.

Aodhan's no-holds-barred insights shatter common fears about first veterinary positions. "I actually don't feel like a new grad really," he shares, describing a practice where new graduates receive both freedom and robust support. 

Unlike clinics where experienced vets reject new approaches, Aodhan works with senior practitioners who value fresh knowledge while providing guidance without micromanagement. 

His most satisfying case to date? Diagnosing a BVD outbreak in a herd – a complex situation where he applied thorough diagnostics and implemented management protocols with appropriate backup from experienced colleagues.

Beyond clinical practice, Aodhan offers thought-provoking perspectives on the declining number of men entering veterinary medicine. He suggests limited exposure may be the culprit: "Guys are somewhat shielded from the industry in terms of exposure." 

This cultural shift presents challenges for the profession's diversity. For anyone considering Whanganui as their next destination, Aodhan's experience as a newcomer has been overwhelmingly positive, finding the community welcoming and accepting far sooner than the "five years to be accepted" he'd been warned about.

Ready to find your place in a clinic that lifts you up? Wanganui Vet Services and its sister clinic, Vets on Carlton are seeking veterinarians who are motivated, flexible and people-oriented. Visit vetclinicjobs.com/vets-on-carlton to learn more about joining a team where you'll be empowered to grow while delivering exceptional care.

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

Ever wondered what makes a veterinary practice truly special? It's not just about the facilities or location—it's about creating a culture where every team member feels valued, supported, and empowered to use their full range of skills.

In this chat with Bridget Swart, head veterinary nurse at Vets on Carlton in Whanganui, we talk about the daily rhythms of a clinic that's earned an impressive 4.7-star rating from its own employees. 

Bridget shares her journey as a "transplant" to this seaside community, where she's found not just professional fulfilment but a perfect setting for raising her young family.

What becomes immediately apparent is how this clinic approaches teamwork. From organised morning rounds to the mutual support team members offer one another during challenging days, there's an genuine camaraderie that can't be manufactured. 

Perhaps most significantly, veterinarians at the practice fully utilise their nurses' skills—from administering pre-meds to intubating patients, placing catheters, and conducting x-rays. This approach not only increases job satisfaction for nursing staff but creates a more efficient workplace where everyone can focus on what they do best.

For veterinary professionals considering their next move, Whanganui offers a compelling alternative to big-city practice. As Bridget puts it, the "slower pace" and family-friendly amenities create the perfect work-life balance, while the clinic's commitment to continuing education ensures career development doesn't stagnate. 

Whether you're a veterinarian looking for your next position or simply curious about what makes a veterinary workplace thrive, this episode provides valuable insights into creating a sustainable and fulfilling veterinary career.

If you're ready to discover if Vets on Carlton might be your perfect next move you owe it to yourself to check them out!  

Check out Tania's Job Video.

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

Discover the heart and soul of rural veterinary practice through Dr Dave Rankin's eyes as he celebrates 30 years with Wanganui Vet Services - sister clinic to Vets on Carlton.  

Dr Dave's journey shows what makes a veterinary workplace truly special – the deep bonds formed with farming families across generations, the satisfaction of mentoring young professionals, and the joy of practicing diverse medicine from pregnancy testing cattle to performing emergency small animal surgeries.

What stands out in this conversation is Dr Dave's people-first approach to veterinary medicine. "My team's always stronger than the individual," he explains, describing how everyone from receptionists to nurses plays a vital role in clinic success. 

This philosophy extends to professional development, where staff members are encouraged to pursue their passions – even when it means sending a primarily large animal vet like Dr Dave, to a small animal dental course!

The clinic's thoughtful approach to after-hours work demonstrates their commitment to staff wellbeing. New veterinarians receive approximately six months lead-in before joining the on-call roster, and when they do, a tiered support system ensures they're never alone. This structure, combined with extra annual leave, helps address one of the profession's most challenging aspects.

Beyond the clinic, Whanganui itself offers an enviable lifestyle. "Everyone forgets we're a seaside city," Dr Dave shares, describing how he can be fishing, skiing, or hiking within minutes of home. With good schools, a pleasant climate, and a central location, it's the perfect setting for veterinary professionals seeking work-life balance.

Want to join a veterinary team where you're truly valued? Visit vetclinicjobs.com/vets-on-carlton to learn more about opportunities at this Veterinary Clinic Employer of Choice, where you can apply directly with no recruitment agency involved.   As Dr Dave puts it, "Our clinics allow people to be themselves and to grow in an environment that is fully supported."

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics

What does it take to be a Veterinary Clinic "Employer of Choice" - Julie South catches up with Dianna - Head of Reception at Wanganui Vet Services (sister clinic of Vets on Carlton).

If you're a veterinary professional looking to make your next move and Companion Animals is your thing, you owe it to yourself to check out Vets on Carlton in Whanganui.

Dianna shares her 16-year journey at Wanganui Vet Services and Vets on Carlton, revealing what makes this veterinary practice a VetClinicJobs Employer of Choice with a stellar 4.8-star employee rating. 

Julie and Dianna explore the clinic culture where "everybody is valued the same" regardless of their role, and discover why veterinary professionals choose to build long-term careers in this supportive environment.

Reception Manager Diana has worked at Wanganui Vet Services for nearly 16 years:

• Originally joined as a qualified vet nurse doing her training at the practice
• Enjoys building relationships with clients and helping solve their problems
• Team described as "fabulous, dedicated, and professional" with complementary strengths
• Whanganui offers excellent quality of life with festivals, outdoor activities, and strong community
• Clinic serves diverse clientele from urban pet owners to generations of farming families
• Work environment where "everybody is on the same level" regardless of role
• Team provides support when "things go wrong in people's lives"

What does it take for VetClinicJobs to identify a clinic as an Employer of Choice Veterinary Clinic?

Employer of Choice status requires 

• >2 4-star employee reviews, 
• clinic commitment to CPD 
• community involvement

Check out vetclinicjobs.com/vets-on-carlton for more information, and tune in next week when Julie South catches up with head veterinarian and Massey grad, Dr Dave Rankin. 

Could Your Kind of People recognise Their Kind of Clinic?

A job ad may catch a vet’s or nurse’s eye. But it’s their own due diligence that determines whether they apply—or keep in touch.

Culture Story Centres turn real experiences from inside your team into credible, discoverable recruitment evidence, giving vets and nurses meaningful reasons to choose your clinic.

Explore Culture Story Centres for veterinary clinics