No matter what occupation you’re in, finding a job is a nerve-racking, anxiety-inducing process. It’s confusing to know where to look, let alone taking the steps to actually apply and land a job. If you’re a veterinarian, you’re in luck. This tool will help you get on the right track to searching and finding suitable jobs in the veterinary field.
Connect with Current Veterinarians
The best way to land jobs is to create relationships with current veterinarians and gain mentors in the field. Networking is key to getting a job in any field. Also, if you can get experience through internships while you’re in vet school, then it increases you chances for getting a job when you’re out of school.
Use Veterinary-Focused Search Engines
There are tons of online search tools for finding job listings and posting resumes and applications. These tools can be useful when you’re just trying to see what’s out there in various locations. There are also search tools just for veterinarians and related occupations. iHireVeterinary.com is a tool that sorts positions by title, by state, and by city. This enables you to see different kinds of positions in different locations.
Utilize the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
The AVMA is a national association that governs and represents thousands of veterinarians and organizations. Joining the AVMA helps protect you as a vet. The AVMA provides you with tons of information and resources. Joining can help you find jobs and network with other veterinarians. The AVMA site also has a career center section that allows you to search for jobs like other search engines, and it also allows you to post your resume. Additionally, the career center gives you additional tips for going through the job search.
Use Your Resources
There are a limited number of vet schools out there, so the existing vet schools have tons of resources for helping students and alumni to find jobs. When you’re in vet school, create relationships with career advisors and ask your professors questions about starting your career. These tools are invaluable in helping you launch your career post graduation.
The Old-Fashioned Way
When all else fails, you can always contact clinics and veterinarians directly to seek jobs and ask questions. You never know when clinics are searching for assistants or additional physicians but aren’t posting online. You can also request informational interviews with different clinics to learn about their program and resident veterinarians, and this can help you bridge connections and network for the future.
