After the contract is signed, after the physician has shown up for the first day (or the first week or the first month), after the books are closed on the vacancy and onboarding is complete, what's a recruiter to do? How can you foster a positive ongoing relationship with your new hire?

Here's your Power Tip: Try scheduling regular check-ins and occasions for encouragement. Make notes on your calendar of the physician's birthday and start date anniversary so that you can send regular cards. And call or email from time to time — maybe after one month, then three, then six from there on — to check in on the physician. 

Here are just a few of the many reasons to do this:

1. You were the physician's original point of contact within the organization, and maintaining the relationship will help him or her get off to a positive start and have an improved experience overall.
2. The physicians you hire can serve not only as referrals for future hires but also as participants in unofficial market research. They understand the job search from the physician perspective and may be able to provide helpful insights to you as you craft job postings and share your jobs with future candidates.
3. The dynamics and employer experience within your organization play a role not only in retaining physicians but also in hiring new ones. So by doing your part to foster a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere throughout the organization, you can actually reduce turnover and create an environment that other physicians want to be part of.

Maintaining relationships with your hires will likely also be a boon to you personally, reminding you of your past recruitment successes and spurring you on to find new hires who might also become new friends.