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What to Look for in a Veterinary Position

You’ve completed your training and perhaps even have a little experience under your belt, but now that it’s time to find a position, what should you do? As a relatively new veterinarian, i...

What to Look for in a Veterinary Position

You’ve completed your training and perhaps even have a little experience under your belt, but now that it’s time to find a position, what should you do? As a relatively new veterinarian, it can be confusing to look at job listings and try to figure out which option is best to apply for. Before you begin sending in applications, here are a few things to consider.

Which Animals Will You Treat?

As a child, you probably thought of a vet as someone seeing dogs and cats and the occasional domestic bird. However, there are many different options now that you’re trained. You may choose to specialise in farm animals, exotic cats, zoo creatures, or small mammals. There are endless options out there and you get to choose.

Look carefully at job postings to determine which animals you’re most likely to work with. You will enjoy a job that you are passionate about more than one that you take just because it was there.

How Much Does It Pay?

Salaries vary quite a bit depending on what type of vet you are and you should research the average salary for your experience and desired position. From there, you can start looking for positions that offer a reasonable amount. Remember that it is possible to negotiate if you have unusual skills or are being recruited.

Where Is It Located?

Not everyone is willing to relocate for a job, so you’ll want to consider this. Are you willing to move if the perfect job is elsewhere? How much of a commute are you willing to do? From there, you can look for the jobs you’re willing to take. If you find the perfect position, but it requires a three-hour commute, that’s not likely to work out.

Will This Further My Career?

Everything you do in veterinary medicine should advance your career in the direction you want to take it. To do this, you will need to be very clear on your goals. Do you one day wish to work in a specific zoo or aquarium? Then you need to take jobs that will lead you toward that life. Measure each position against your end goals.

Once you have set clear goals for yourself, it’s time to start looking into those positions that interest you and are a match in salary. Remember that the interviews are just as much a test for you as for them. This is a chance to ask questions about the position and to determine if you will get along with the others in the clinic.

In order to find the best positions, you need to look at a high-quality job list or you can contact a recruiter specifically for vets. At VetPro Recruitment, we help bring together the best vets with the best vet clinics. Try us today!