How to Showcase Your Clinic's True Culture in Veterinary Job Ads - ep 226

Veterinary Voices Episode 226 – Showcasing Your Team Culture to Attract the Perfect Jobseekers 

Julie South: "Welcome back to Veterinary Voices, the podcast that celebrates and showcases Employer of Choice veterinary clinics. I'm Julie South, and you're listening to Episode 226—the second episode in our series about attracting and building the best teams in the veterinary profession."

"Veterinary Voices is brought to you by VetClinicJobs—the job board: direct hiring, reimagined, no agency. If you're ready to showcase what makes your clinic special and attract candidates who truly fit your culture, then head over to vetclinicjobs.com."

"Last week, we talked about the power of storytelling in job ads. Today, we're diving deeper into something that can make or break your hiring success: showcasing your team culture. Because here's the truth—skills can be taught, but cultural fit? That's where the magic happens."

"And I'm going to give you three practical strategies you can use in your very next job ad to showcase your culture authentically and attract the right people to your team."

Why Culture Matters More Than Ever

"Let's start with a reality check. In today's competitive veterinary job market, talented professionals have choices. They could work at the clinic down the road that offers good pay, or they could work at YOUR clinic where they genuinely love coming to work every day. Which do you think they'll choose?"

"Your team culture isn't just a nice-to-have—it's your competitive advantage. And if you're not showcasing it in your job ads, you're missing out on attracting the people who would be absolutely perfect for your team."

What Team Culture Really Means

"Let's be clear—EVERY workplace has a culture. Whether it's good or bad, supportive or toxic—every single clinic has a culture. The question isn't whether you have one, it's whether you know what yours is."

"Here's a simple way to figure out your real culture: imagine your team members are at a backyard BBQ, and a university mate asks them, 'So what's it really like working at your clinic?' What would they say when the boss isn't around? That honest, unfiltered answer—that's your culture."

Showcasing Your Culture

"So how do you capture and showcase your team culture in a job ad? Here are three key strategies:"

1. Show Your Team in Action

"Instead of just saying 'we're collaborative,' describe how collaboration actually looks. For example: 'When our newest team member had questions about a complex surgical case, three different veterinarians gathered around to share their expertise—not because they had to, but because that's who we are.'"

2. Highlight Your Unique Traditions

"I've worked with clinics that have Friday 'bake offs'—every Friday morning a different team member brings in something homemade for morning tea. Then there are clinics that start with morning 'huddles'—but first there's a quick once-around-the-team to find out where everyone's 'sitting' on a scale of 1-10. No justification required—but it's code that lets everyone know where each person is that day. Whether they're 10/10 or maybe 3/10 because they've got a sick kid or parent. It lets the team know that person might need extra support that day."

3. Share Growth Stories

"Talk about how your team members have developed. 'Our veterinary nurses don't just assist—they lead. Sarah started as a new graduate and now mentors our nursing students. James discovered his passion for dentistry and we supported his advanced certification.'"

The Job Board Reality

"Now, you might be thinking, 'Julie, this sounds great, but most job boards limit us to a few hundred words. How am I supposed to showcase culture when I can barely fit the basic requirements?'"

"You're absolutely right. Traditional job boards make it nearly impossible to showcase what makes your clinic special. You end up with generic bullet points because that's all you have room for."

"This is exactly why we built VetClinicJobs differently. It gives you the opportunity to have a careers page without the hassle AND in a place where jobseekers are already visiting. You have space to tell your story, showcase your culture, include photos. You're not cramming your clinic's personality into a tiny text box."

"Here's something crucial—your culture showcase has to be authentic. Candidates can spot fake enthusiasm from a mile away, and nothing damages your reputation faster than promising one culture and delivering another."

"If your team is still growing and developing your culture, that's okay! Be honest about where you are and where you're heading. You might say: 'We're a growing practice that's intentionally building a culture of mentorship and continuous learning. If you're someone who wants to help shape that culture while growing your own skills, we'd love to meet you.'"

The Authenticity Factor

"I remember working with a small mixed practice that was convinced they had nothing special to offer. They kept saying, 'We're just a regular clinic.' But when I started asking questions, here's what came out: They had a tradition where every team member got to choose a monthly charity to support. They did group text check-ins after difficult euthanasia cases. The senior veterinarian had an open-door policy where anyone could interrupt him with questions—and he genuinely meant it."

"Once we captured these authentic cultural elements in their job ad, they started attracting candidates who specifically mentioned wanting to work somewhere that valued community service and genuine support. The right culture attracts the right people."

A Real-World Example

"Before we wrap up, let's talk about what NOT to do when showcasing culture:"

"Don't oversell or exaggerate. Saying 'we never have drama' or 'we're always happy' sounds unrealistic. Instead, try 'we address challenges directly and support each other through difficult situations.'"

"Don't make it all about the perks. Free coffee and casual Fridays are nice, but they're not culture. Focus on how your team actually works together and treats each other."

"And please, don't copy another clinic's culture description. Your culture is unique to your team, your values, and your approach to veterinary medicine."

Your Action Step

"So here's your homework: Sit down with your team and ask them what they love most about working at your clinic. What would they tell their friends about your workplace? Those answers are your culture gold mine."

"Remember, you're not just hiring a veterinarian or veterinary nurse—you're inviting someone to become part of your clinic family. Make sure your job ad shows them exactly what kind of family they'd be joining."

"And if you're ready to create job ads that showcase your authentic culture, visit vetclinicjobs.com. Lizzie and our team understand that every clinic has its own personality, and we'll help you communicate yours effectively."

"That's Episode 226 of Veterinary Voices. Next week, we'll be talking about how to write job requirements that attract qualified candidates without scaring away the perfect person for the role. Another big thank-you to VetClinicJobs—the job board: direct hiring, reimagined, no agency. Check them out at vetclinicjobs.com."

"Until next time, this is Julie South reminding you to celebrate what makes your clinic special—because when you do, the right people will want to be part of it. Go out there and be your most fantabulous self!"