JOANNA CAREW

I posted an ad on Indeed for a dental receptionist and received over 100 applications in a week. Great you’d think … but I only looked at 10% of them.

The ad clearly states that the application is a two-part process: emailing a CV and recording a 3 minute video explaining why you want to work at Carew Dental. To reinforce this process we send every CV applicant a reminder that their application won’t be considered without the video.

We received 10 videos 🎥🎬

We have followed this process since the very early days and I think it is a fantastic barrier to place in front of people. If you are not passionate about joining our team you simply won’t make the video.

I have received some irate messages from applicants that they’re not prepared to ‘waste their time’, and that I ‘must be joking’ … no, not joking and very pleased I am not wasting my time reviewing CV’s for people who definitely won’t be a cultural fit!

I understand that making the video is a daunting task, but that’s the point! If you want to join the Carew Crew you have to go above and beyond, and there definitely will be times where you’re working outside of your comfort zone!

When I was applying for solicitor training contracts the various application stages were often brutal, but I felt so driven to do my best and get through each stage. We don’t make the process as onerous as a graduate entry scheme but I believe it is fair to ask applicants to earn the right to be interviewed.

So now I have shortlisted the 10 applicants and am moving to interviews confident that we have a strong list and should be able to appoint.

Plus, the applicants have earned the right to interview us … 🤞🤩🧐☺️

I can’t wait!