887: 3 Hiring Mistakes to Avoid – Michelle Wakeman

The Best Practices Show with Kirk Behrendt

When you hire the wrong people, it costs you more than money. In this episode of Practical Solutions Day, Kirk Behrendt brings back Michelle Wakeman, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to break down three of the biggest mistakes in hiring that you need to avoid. Start choosing the best candidates — not the least worst! To learn the best practices for effective filtering, listen to Episode 887 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Michelle:

• Send Michelle an email: [email protected]
• Follow Michelle on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdental
• Send Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: [email protected]

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 887: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos
• Learn more about Bent Ericksen: https://bentericksen.com
• Hiring FAQ’s from Bent Ericksen: Bent Ericksen Hiring FAQ.pdf

Main Takeaways:

• Have a clear vision of your ideal candidate.
• Always perform a pre-interview screening on applicants.
• Set up a documented, structured interview system for intentional hiring.
• Spend more time learning about your applicants instead of trying to sell yourself.
• Never rush to hire out of desperation. Wait for the person who is right for your practice.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

2:10 Why this is an important topic.

3:36 Make sure you have a position that needs to be filled.

4:59 Choose the best, not the least worst.

6:34 Create an efficient system.

7:53 One bad apple spoils the bunch.

9:40 Perform pre-screenings on candidates.

13:44 Pre-screen with a video submission.

15:59 Pre-screen using a Google phone number.

17:22 Have a documented interview system.

19:49 Create defined roles in the interview process.

20:48 Use a scorecard to make objective comparisons.

21:39 Ask open-ended questions.

23:04 Spend more time learning about your candidates.

24:54 Pay attention to the quality of candidates’ questions.

26:53 Final thoughts.

31:38 Learn more about Bent Ericksen.

Michelle Wakeman, BSDH, Bio:

Michelle Wakeman, BSDH, brings nearly 20 years of clinical dental hygiene, administrative, managerial, and sales experience to the table. She has a passion for people and a natural aptitude for communication that has led her to develop meaningful relationships throughout her career in dentistry. As a coach, she seeks to help dental practices develop systems that enable them to enhance their patient experience, leading to better relationships among owners, team members, and patients, along with profitable outcomes.

In her off time, Michelle can usually be found at the ice rink supporting her son, Hunter, in hockey, the ball field cheering on her son, Carter, or the gym, reliving her days as a gymnast with her daughter, Leighton.