Job Hunting

Veterinary Science Graduate Certificate from UofI
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cowgirla

cowgirla

Oklahoma 2014
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I know I'm not the only 2014'er (or post internship 2013'er) working on the job hunt. I'm scared! I've found a grand total of 5 advertised jobs that I'm reasonably/seriously interested in. Now I'm trying to write cover letters for the ones I'm not quite as excited about...and I've started looking in states I'm not that excited about living in. Ugh.

I'm about to start sending resumes off to every clinic in the state I want to live in, whether they are hiring or not. Even the ones that only hire residency trained vets might be getting a resume letter too, just in case they want to take pity on me.

Please commiserate and make me feel better about this mess! I keep telling myself that it's only January and I still have time, but it's not helping
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I sent in two resumes/cover letters a week and a half ago and haven't heard back yet. I sent in two more apps today and will probably send another one in later this week. Those are the ones I have seen listed somewhat near me. Now I'm starting to expand my search. Recently I just hear about classmates , getting interviews, internships, etc. and it makes me mildly panic for 30 seconds. And I know classmates are applying for the same job as me because they told me. I want the job so it will be really hard for me to act happy for them if they get it over me.
 
Definitely send resumes to places you are interested in even if they are not advertising. Figure out your preferred criteria and send your info to all the clinics that meet those criteria. Then follow up if you haven't heard back in a week or so. Good luck !
 
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Angelo84 said:
Definitely send resumes to places you are interested in even if they are not advertising. Figure out your preferred criteria and send your info to all the clinics that meet those criteria. Then follow up if you haven't heard back in a week or so. Good luck !
Click to expand...

Preferred criteria:
Sees the occasional cow or horse.
Refers cats to the nearest specialty hospital.
With a daytrip's drive of the ocean or very large lake.
Provides a paycheck.
:)
 
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You have plenty of time. If you really like an area, consider visiting clinics there. Dress nicely, bring a resume, and ask to speak to the office manager. Let them know you're in the area and looking.

Back when I was an assistant a new grad stopped at our clinic doing just that. The owners were impressed, gave his resume a look, interviewed and offered a job. They weren't even advertising for hiring, it was just on their minds and he seemed to fit the bill. They would get resumes occasionally, but they really liked how he personally stopped in. They said it made him seem serious about wanting to settle in the area.

So there are jobs out there, you just might have to shake the tree to make them appear.

I know it's hard to be selective about a job in this economy, but try to be if you can. Landing in a well functioning clinic that supports/mentors you is invaluable. The article below is older (2002) and I think done in the UK, but brings up some good points. I know colleagues who have landed a great first job and love it - and others who left within a year or so with unfortunate experiences.

One in three veterinary graduates will leave their first job within two years. A lack of mentorship, being on call, lack of surgical competence and finances have been cited as some of the main initial difficulties for the new graduate. -- Routley J, Taylor I, Turner R, et al. Support Needs of veterinary surgeons during the first few years of practice: perceptions of recent graduates and senior partners. Veterinary Record. 2002: 150: 167-171.

Best of luck!
 
lailanni said:


Back when I was an assistant a new grad stopped at our clinic doing just that. The owners were impressed, gave his resume a look, interviewed and offered a job. They weren't even advertising for hiring, it was just on their minds and he seemed to fit the bill. They would get resumes occasionally, but they really liked how he personally stopped in. They said it made him seem serious about wanting to settle in the area.
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The only time I would be able to do this in the near foreseeable future is on Sats, but I hesitate a little because I don't want to be inconsiderate and drop in on Sat mornings when I'm sure the clinics are busy. Would it be weird if I blasted out my résumé now first and then dropped in to the same places in Mar?
 
I am definitely blasting my resume to all the local clinics. There are zero job listings right now, but we have no desire to uproot our family and move. This is mine and my husband's home town, we have family here, and the grandparents would die if we took the grandbaby away.
 
Minnerbelle said:

The only time I would be able to do this in the near foreseeable future is on Sats, but I hesitate a little because I don't want to be inconsiderate and drop in on Sat mornings when I'm sure the clinics are busy. Would it be weird if I blasted out my résumé now first and then dropped in to the same places in Mar?
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That shouldn't be a problem at all (based on my past experience outside vet med).

Also, @Lissarae06 and others. Don't get too down about rejections/not hearing. I literally got 100s of rejections when I first looked for a job. You should EXPECT that. And MANY (if not most) places won't reply to your resume/cover letter. They should... but a lot of them are just too busy to respond. Hang in there.... If you expect bad news, then you won't be disappointed. Just don't get discouraged and keep plugging. Persistence is a key... it really is.

Good Luck.
 
I got an interview today! It's a phone interview that will determine if I get a working interview. But the job I really wanted informed me today that they had hired someone.
 
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Minnerbelle said:

The only time I would be able to do this in the near foreseeable future is on Sats, but I hesitate a little because I don't want to be inconsiderate and drop in on Sat mornings when I'm sure the clinics are busy. Would it be weird if I blasted out my résumé now first and then dropped in to the same places in Mar?
Click to expand...

I think that would work just fine. Also good instinct about Saturday. I've noticed the people who call the shots (office managers, clinic owners) aren't always around on Saturday, so a weekday might be better just for that.
 
While I'm not in vet school yet, I am an office manager at a vet clinic and people who drop off resumes in person are looked at more often than the ones mailed in - where I work. Also, maybe you could call and ask when the best time to come in is. If people come in and hang around when we are super busy it is the most annoying thing in the world. I would call and make sure you aren't walking into the craziest time of the day.
 
Question for mailing resumes. Large envelope that keeps it all flat, or standard trifold letter envelope?
 
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Second question: Do you just print your CV/resume on fancy paper? Or the cover letter too?

It's been forever since I did anything more than fax my pre-vet resume to places. >< I seriously think this is worse than taking boards y'all.
 
cowgirla said:
I know I'm not the only 2014'er (or post internship 2013'er) working on the job hunt. I'm scared! I've found a grand total of 5 advertised jobs that I'm reasonably/seriously interested in. Now I'm trying to write cover letters for the ones I'm not quite as excited about...and I've started looking in states I'm not that excited about living in. Ugh.

I'm about to start sending resumes off to every clinic in the state I want to live in, whether they are hiring or not. Even the ones that only hire residency trained vets might be getting a resume letter too, just in case they want to take pity on me.

Please commiserate and make me feel better about this mess! I keep telling myself that it's only January and I still have time, but it's not helping
Click to expand...

Keep us posted, I am curious to see what your experience is compared to what I hear out there. Wish you the best of luck.
 
katryn said:
Second question: Do you just print your CV/resume on fancy paper? Or the cover letter too?

It's been forever since I did anything more than fax my pre-vet resume to places. >< I seriously think this is worse than taking boards y'all.
Click to expand...
I printed both my resume and cover letter on heavy weight paper but not cardstock. I think I used cardstock last time I was sending out resumes, but I got these printed at LSU's office services or whatever they call it, and the person working there said this was what he usually prints resumes on.
 
Just got some good news on the job front!
1) Invited back to a clinic I previously visited. They want me to do another rotation with them (And rumor is that they will be hiring in the next 6 months or so)
2) Got offered a working interview at a clinic that I think might be a great fit!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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cowgirla said:
Just got some good news on the job front!
1) Invited back to a clinic I previously visited. They want me to do another rotation with them (And rumor is that they will be hiring in the next 6 months or so)
2) Got offered a working interview at a clinic that I think might be a great fit!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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great! Let us know how they go
 
Finally put aside my fear of rejection and applied to 5 jobs yesterday. Got 3 replies with 1 confirming that they received my app and that I will be hearing from them in the next couple of weeks, and 2 interviews!!!!! Teehee teehee I haven't been this excited in a while.
 
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Minnerbelle said:
Finally put aside my fear of rejection and applied to 5 jobs yesterday. Got 3 replies with 1 confirming that they received my app and that I will be hearing from them in the next couple of weeks, and 2 interviews!!!!! Teehee teehee I haven't been this excited in a while.
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3 outta 5, not bad!

I've started making a list of all the clinics I think I would really really like to work at (IE, right area, right % large/small, etc). I've got the envelopes ready, just need to print out cover letters. That's my plan for tomorrow. Have a few clinics that asked me to call them to discuss, so that's also on the agenda. I've also got an inbox with a bunch of "position filled / no thank you" emails :-/
 
At least you are getting responses. The only response I have gotten at all was Banfield.
 
Lissarae06 said:
At least you are getting responses. The only response I have gotten at all was Banfield.
Click to expand...

How was filling out the app for Banfield? Since I had my CV/cover letter at the ready, it was easy enough to send them out to the clinics with job postings. but then I saw an opening at a Banfield and really wanted to apply, but then got to the forms and decided I needed to get some sleep and didnt have time to fill it out.
 
MB, are you still interested in shelter med?
 
NStarz said:
MB, are you still interested in shelter med?
Click to expand...
Yup, would love to do it! But it's kind of not an option in much of New England, where I'd like to be unfortunately. Lots of little shelters and rescues, but very few fulltime positions. I think it would be a good idea for me to get a good foundation in general medicine before doing only shelter anyway. Ill def get involved in some rescue/shelter work whatever I do, but fulltime work in it isn't in my near future at least.
 
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I just had an unexpected phone interview with a clinic I applied to yesterday! They want me to come out for a working interview.
 
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Minnerbelle said:
Yup, would love to do it! But it's kind of not an option in much of New England, where I'd like to be unfortunately. Lots of little shelters and rescues, but very few fulltime positions. I think it would be a good idea for me to get a good foundation in general medicine before doing only shelter anyway. Ill def get involved in some rescue/shelter work whatever I do, but fulltime work in it isn't in my near future at least.
Click to expand...

MSPCA-Angell in Massachusetts has a huge hospital that services both the shelter and the public (mostly referrals - they have a TON of specialists!). Most of their openings are listed on their website. Might be worth looking into if you haven't already!
 
BlackDog17 said:
MSPCA-Angell in Massachusetts has a huge hospital that services both the shelter and the public (mostly referrals - they have a TON of specialists!). Most of their openings are listed on their website. Might be worth looking into if you haven't already!
Click to expand...
I'm well acquainted with angell/mspca... but thanks for the suggestion
 
So, I'm a class of 2015er and I had a question about applying for jobs. I live in Florida now and have lived here for most of my life, but my family is from New England and I would like to move to the Eastern Massachusetts/Rhode Island/Southern New Hampshire region after graduation. It's going to be difficult for me to go around to clinics when I'm getting close to graduation as I'll be on clinical rotations at school, but I will be in that region for a month this summer. Would it be entirely too early to go introduce myself and drop off resumes and cover letters? I've always been a huge proponent of applying in person to jobs you're seriously interested in, and this is the only feasible way I can see that happening. Thoughts?
 
Anybody anxiously awaiting internship/residency match results? (I realize this belongs in the veterinary section, but it kinda sorta fits into this thread).
 
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I'm starting to stress, hardcore. Interview itself, no big deal. Logistics of flying somewhere for an interview without taking more than 2 days off from a rotation? Hotels? Rental cars? Money?? AHHH. It doesn't help that some places are so danged far from the closest big airport :-/

Realizing I need to talk to the guy I scheduled the interview with, and see if he's okay with a morning interview so I can leave by like 2 or 3 in the afternoon to get back to the airport.
 
Bearby said:
So, I'm a class of 2015er and I had a question about applying for jobs. I live in Florida now and have lived here for most of my life, but my family is from New England and I would like to move to the Eastern Massachusetts/Rhode Island/Southern New Hampshire region after graduation. It's going to be difficult for me to go around to clinics when I'm getting close to graduation as I'll be on clinical rotations at school, but I will be in that region for a month this summer. Would it be entirely too early to go introduce myself and drop off resumes and cover letters? I've always been a huge proponent of applying in person to jobs you're seriously interested in, and this is the only feasible way I can see that happening. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Can you do any off campus rotations? I scheduled a bunch of mine (5 out of 6 vet practices) in my ideal post-graduation location so I can at least get my foot in the door at a few places, and drop off a few other resumes while I'm up there.
 
We can, I just don't have the time or money to do them. I'm doing one up there over the summer but I can barely afford to house myself for 2 weeks, let alone 4, 6, or 8. I would obviously follow up with the practices that I stop by when it gets closer to graduation, I guess I just want to make sure that the practices don't think I'm crazy for coming in so early.
 
Gahhhhhh so stressful, I can't sleep and I'm going to puke (again). Ugh. Super jealous of my classmates who will have their life at least for the next year set on Mon when match results are up.
 
Well my interview fell through. I have a second interview with banfield lined up but that's it so far. This whole process is so sucky.
 
Can I be like the incoming vet students and just go "lalalalalalala" whenever you guys talk about this stuff?

Ugh.

I think I'mma have to move to Texas. I don't wanna move to Texas.
 
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twelvetigers said:
Can I be like the incoming vet students and just go "lalalalalalala" whenever you guys talk about this stuff?

Ugh.

I think I'mma have to move to Texas. I don't wanna move to Texas.
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I don't wanna move to texas either! Stupid oklahoma vets that don't retire until they're 90!
 
I'm wondering about your opinions on the importance of networking particularly for finding your first job. Does anyone wish they would or could have done more networking? Would it have made a difference?
 
Minnerbelle said:
Gahhhhhh so stressful, I can't sleep and I'm going to puke (again). Ugh. Super jealous of my classmates who will have their life at least for the next year set on Mon when match results are up.
Click to expand...
I guess that's nice, in a way--but it also makes you feel pretty powerless. I'm also applying for a field where no internship is required, so it'll decide the next several years of my life... -_-
 
nyanko said:
At least that means that you won't just have to do this all over again next year. :(
Click to expand...

Fair enough, and extremely thankful for that. Although I have to admit, having a centralized application process made all the logistics of applying pretty simple IMO. The waiting and general uncertainty of having a computer program mess with your future is brutal though.
 
Oh yeah, there's nothing wrong with the logistics, I think it's just about as straightforward as can be and appreciate that a lot. The whole thing surrounding the process is the awful part.
 
Ugh--sent out 9 resumes, so far I've gotten 3 responses and they are all no. Discouraging. :(
 
skittles12 said:
Ugh--sent out 9 resumes, so far I've gotten 3 responses and they are all no. Discouraging. :(
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I'm sorry! I bet you'll get some good news from the other places you applied to.

I was talking with a 4th year last week who told me about a HORRIBLE interview she had with a veeeeeery "old school" vet. He "doesn't get along with vet techs" so he hired only 2 receptionists to run the hospital. Everything is on paper (actually, patient records are kept on index cards). There's 1 computer in the hospital. He does surgeries BY HIMSELF and his only anesthesia monitoring equipment is a PULSE OX. SCARY SCARY SCARY!! I'm terrified that when it's my turn to send out resumes, the only vets who respond are people like this crazy vet.
 
I'm two for two on "no"s. Plus a bunch of "not hiring right now"s from all the places around town I randomly sent my resume to. Really hoping more positions come up between now and May.
 
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