Reimagining Job Ads: From Boring Bullets to Storytelling - ep 225

Veterinary Voices Episode 225 – Why Storytelling is the Secret Sauce for Job Posts That Work

Host - Julie South
"Welcome to Veterinary Voices, the podcast that celebrates and showcases Employer of Choice veterinary clinics. I’m Julie South  and I’m thrilled to have you join me for Episode 225—our first in a brand-new 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 serious about building your dream veterinary team or finding the perfect role, then check it out at vetclinicjobs.com.  

"So, let’s get into it! Today we’re talking about one simple idea that can revolutionize your job ads: storytelling. If you want to attract the right person for your practice, you can’t just list responsibilities. You need to tell a story that brings your clinic workplace to life."

Storytelling: Painting a Picture for the Job Applicant

"Let’s break it down. Imagine you’re describing your practice to someone who’s never seen it before. What do they need to know to picture themselves on your team? What makes your clinic a great place to work? Take those ideas, and build a story."

"What are you talking about Julie…?   Great Q!!  Here’s an example: Instead of saying, ‘We’re hiring a veterinarian or veterinary nurse to assist with surgeries and patient care,’ you could say:"

“Picture yourself walking through the doors of a welcoming clinic where the laughter of the team competes only with the tap of claws and paws of waiting patients… Imagine helping to guide a nervous pet parent through their first visit for their puppy or kitten, while working side-by-side with a supportive team that has each other’s backs—even on the busiest days. Every patient, every client, every day—you know what you do here makes a difference.”

"Did you catch the difference? Rather than focusing on a list of tasks, this approach helps the candidate feel and start building a picture of what it’s like to work at your clinic."

Let’s face it, a list of bullets can apply to every vet clinic pretty much anywhere in the world… right…?    But your clinic isn’t any old clinic – it’s YOUR clinic and that’s where you want people to be – AT YOUR CLINIC!

Why Storytelling Works:

"Here’s why this works: people connect with other people through emotion—not a transactional checklist. Storytelling is what helps jobseekers imagine themselves thriving at your clinic."

"Not only that, but stories also highlight your unique personality. Whether your practice is all about mentorship, compassionate care, teamwork, or cutting-edge technology, it’s the storytelling that communicates what you value and why someone should want to join your team."

Practical Tips for Storytelling in Job Ads

"Here are three quick ways to bring storytelling into your job post right now:"

1.     Describe a Day in the Life:
"Instead of listing tasks, explain what a typical workday looks like. Will the jobseeker be part of morning rounds… surgeries… or community outreach…?   Paint a picture of their role in your workplace."

2.     Celebrate the ‘Wow Factor’:
"What’s something jobseekers won’t find elsewhere? Maybe it’s the team camaraderie, flexible schedules, or your focus on work-life balance. Whatever makes your practice special, own it and shout about it from the rooftops!"

3.     Highlight Your Patients and Clients:
"Do you see generations of loyal clients or handle only specific species or cases? Introduce jobseekers to the world they’ll be stepping into so they can envision working with your patients."

Anecdote as an example:
"Here’s a little story to bring this to life: A clinic that VetClinicJobs recently worked with was struggling to attract new hires.   They’d been advertising for a while – over a year in fact, on other job boards.   Their job post was, unfortunately, the usual: bullet points, dry, no life.   Lizzie on our team rewrote it with a storytelling approach.  Unlike other job boards that post what you give them, that’s not how Lizzie at VetClinicJobs works.  A former Vet Nurse herself, she knows what veterinary professionals really want to know and she goes the extra yard to make sure she includes this info in the advertisements she writes.   

"And guess what happened…?  They started getting applications not just from people looking for a job, but from veterinary professionals who specifically wanted to work in an environment like theirs.   Within a little over two months of advertising at VetClinicJobs, a job offer was made and accepted.  That’s the power of storytelling."

"If you’ve been posting jobs that look like every other ad out there, stop and ask yourself: What story can you tell about your workplace?  Remember, you’re not just hiring a veterinarian or vet nurse—you’re welcoming someone new into your unique and very special team."

And if you’re like this clinic who’s been advertising for a while and not getting any applications from the type of person you’re looking for, then visit vetclinicjobs.com and list your job advertisement today.  Lizzie will be there helping you with your advertisement once you’ve set up your clinic profile.

"That’s it for Episode 225 of Veterinary Voices. If you loved this bite-sized insight, stay tuned for our next mini-episode, where we’ll dive into showcasing your team culture to attract the perfect jobseekers. And a big thank-you to our sponsor, VetClinicJobs—the job board: direct hiring, reimagined, no agency. Check them out today at vetclinicjobs.com to find your next hire or your dream role."

"Until next week, this is Julie South signing off and inviting YOU to go out there and be your most fantabulous self—because YOU work with a great team of professionals who have your back and lift you up each day at work."