Veterinary Voices

Writing Compelling Job Titles That Actually Get Clicked On - ep.228

Julie South | Veterinary Recruitment Marketing Strategist Episode 228

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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.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs


Writing Compelling Job Titles That Actually Get Clicked On - ep 228

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 228—the fourth episode in our series about writing job adverts that attract and build 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 getting fast results from your job adverts, then head on over to vetclinicjobs.com."

"Last week, we talked about writing job requirements that attract rather than intimidate. Today, we're focusing on something that happens before anyone even reads your requirements: your job title. Because here's the reality—if your job title doesn't grab attention, nobody's going to click through to read your amazing job advert."

"And I'm going to give you three proven strategies for writing job titles that make veterinary professionals stop scrolling and start clicking—because your perfect hire can't apply if they never see your job."

Why Job Titles Matter More Than You Think

"Let's start with the hard truth. When veterinary professionals are job searching, they're often scrolling through dozens of job listings. Your job title has about 3 seconds to capture their attention before they move on to the next one."

"Most clinic owners underestimate how crucial this is. You could have the most amazing practice culture, fantastic benefits, and perfect working conditions, but if your job title is boring or unclear, no one will ever discover that."

"Think about it from a jobseeker's perspective—they're scanning titles like 'Veterinarian Required,' 'Vet Nurse Position,' and 'Small Animal Veterinarian Wanted.' These titles tell them nothing about why they should be excited about YOUR opportunity specifically."

The Problem with Generic Job Titles

"The biggest mistake I see practices make is using generic, uninspiring job titles. 'Veterinarian Required' or 'Veterinary Nurse Position Available'—these titles are forgettable and give no reason for someone to choose your advert over the dozens of others they're seeing."

"Generic titles also waste your opportunity to communicate what makes your practice special right from the first impression. Your job title is prime real estate—it's the headline of your opportunity, and headlines matter."

"Plus, when every clinic uses the same basic titles, your advert gets lost in the crowd. You need to stand out to get noticed, and that starts with your title."

Three Strategies for Compelling Job Titles

"So how do you write job titles that actually get clicked? Here are three proven strategies, but first—always remember to include the professional title they're scanning for. When a veterinarian is job searching, their brain is looking for the word 'Veterinarian.' Same with veterinary nurses. If you get too gimmicky and bury or replace these key terms, they'll skim right over your advert. Give them what they're looking for, plus a bit more."

1. Lead with What Makes You Special

"Start with the professional title, then add your unique selling point. Rather than 'Small Animal Veterinarian,' try 'Veterinarian - Fear Free Certified Team' or 'Small Animal Veterinarian - Supportive Environment.' Instead of 'Veterinary Nurse Position,' consider 'Veterinary Nurse - No After Hours, Great Team.' This gives their brain the familiar term they're scanning for, plus immediately tells them what they'll gain by working with you."

2. Include the Outcome They Want

"Think about what veterinary professionals in your area are really looking for. Work-life balance? Professional development? Mentorship? Add it after the professional title. 'Veterinarian - Genuine Work-Life Balance' or 'Veterinary Nurse - Excellent Mentorship Program' speaks directly to what people want from their next role while still being easy to spot in a list."

3. Be Specific About Location and Type

"Don't make people guess where you are or what type of practice you run. 'Veterinarian - Mixed Animal, Hamilton' or 'Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal, Central Auckland' helps the right people find you quickly. If you're in a desirable location or have a particular specialty, make sure that's clear but always keep the professional title prominent."

What Not to Do

"Let me also share what doesn't work. Avoid using all caps—it looks unprofessional and desperate. Skip the excessive exclamation marks or gimmicky language that makes you sound like you're trying too hard."

"Don't make claims you can't back up. If your title promises 'Best Work-Life Balance in the Industry,' you better be able to deliver on that. Remember what we talked about last week—your real culture is how your team would describe working at your clinic when you're not around. If your job title promises something your team wouldn't genuinely say at that backyard BBQ, you're setting yourself up for problems. Misleading titles might get clicks, but they'll also get you the wrong applications and damage your reputation."

"And please, avoid internal jargon or abbreviations that jobseekers might not understand. Keep your titles clear and accessible to anyone in the veterinary profession."

The VetClinicJobs Advantage

"Now, here's something important to consider—on traditional job boards, you're often limited in how creative you can be with titles. Many force you into rigid categories or character limits that don't allow for the kind of compelling titles we're talking about."

"This is another area where VetClinicJobs gives you a real advantage. You have the flexibility to craft titles that truly represent your opportunity and capture attention. You're not stuck with dropdown menus that force every clinic into the same boring format."

"When you can write titles that reflect your actual practice personality and values, you start attracting veterinary professionals who are genuinely interested in what you specifically offer."

Quick Recap

"Let me quickly recap those three strategies for job titles that get clicked: First, always include the professional title they're scanning for, then add what makes you special. Second, include the outcome they want—whether that's work-life balance, mentorship, or professional development. And third, be specific about your location and practice type so the right people can find you easily."

Your Action Step

"Here's your homework: Look at your current job titles and ask yourself—would these make you stop and click if you were job searching? If the answer is no, it's time for a rewrite."

"Think about the one thing that makes your practice different from the clinic down the road, and find a way to work that into your title. Remember, you're not just filling a position—you're offering someone an opportunity to join something special."

"And if you're ready to create job titles that actually get noticed and clicked on, visit vetclinicjobs.com. Lizzie and our team understand that your practice is unique, and we'll help you communicate that right from the title."

"That's Episode 228 of Veterinary Voices. Next week, we'll be exploring how to write opening paragraphs that hook jobseekers and keep them reading. 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 that first impressions matter—and your job title is often the very first impression a veterinary professional will have of your practice. Make it count! Go out there and be your most fantabulous self!" 

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