When I graduated from college and landed my first “grownup” job, I made a vow that I would always have fresh flowers in my office, as a reward for finally “making it.” In the early years, it was often a flowering weed that I yanked from an unsuspecting neighbor's yard, or a sad-looking bunch of daisies that I rescued last minute from certain impending doom at the flower shop, but for the most part, I’ve stuck to that promise. The vases have changed, too. I’ve always been on the lookout for the “perfect” vase, so I was excited when, about 15 years ago, I was in a cute little antique shop in St. Charles, Missouri and ran across a beautiful silver water pitcher. It was elegantly simple, with a bit of an ornate scrolling design up the handle, and along the bottom. And it was pricey. Not crazy, “are you kidding me?” pricey, but just enough to make me stand there and think of all the reasons why I shouldn’t whip out my credit card and gleefully skip out the door with the silver beauty, which would be perfect for my flowers. “It’s a bit more than I feel comfortable paying,” I thought. “And it’s silver so that means polishing. And the scrolling would make it a bit high-maintenance to keep clean. And maybe I’ll find one that I like even more, even though this one is pretty much exactly what I’m looking for.”So after a bit of deliberation, I walked out without the pitcher. And immediately regretted it, especially when I walked into my office later that day and realized that I had the perfect place for what I then realized was the most perfect vase I had ever come across. Hence, I made a mental note to head back to the shop later in the week to right my wrong, and . . . I’m guessing you know how this story ends, right? Someone else had seen the value in the beautiful silver pitcher and without hesitation taken it home to fill the void in their office or home.You’re probably wondering what this little story can possible have to do with you and Healthcare IT. Well, here’s the thing. I’m hearing from candidates and recruiters that hospital hiring managers and/or the hiring powers that be are dragging their feet when it comes to communicating their feedback and desires in regard to the candidates submitted. I heard from a very disappointed candidate just this morning who, after not hearing from her #1 choice after her interview 5 WEEKS AGO accepted another position, and then – guess what? She just received a job offer out of the blue from her #1 choice today. Too little, too late. Just like me, choice #1 obviously did not get the “pitcher.”As you know, the competition for qualified Healthcare IT team members is fierce, and only going to get tougher. Don’t let HR bureaucracy and a search for the all-elusive “perfect” candidate keep you from making quick, decisive, considerate hiring decisions. If you’re interested in a candidate, let them know in short order – either directly or through their recruiter. And if you’re not the one responsible for pulling the trigger? Make sure that you convey the urgency of the decision-making process. Because if you don’t snap them up, chances are very good that someone else will, and then you’ll be regretting that blank space in your office.(And if you’re not interested? Let them know that, too.)
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