What are my chances of getting this job?

[RordOfTheMBKT]

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Hey, this isn't directly related to pre-vet or school, but i thought this might be a good place to ask about this. I want to be a vet, and I've been searching like crazy to find a vet clinic job and volunteer opportunities around me but with no luck so far. Just two days ago, a clinic near by placed an ad in the job section of the sunday paper for a FT receptionist job. So i went over and filled out an application and i was just curious if you guys think i have any chance of getting this job and what else i could possibly do to get noticed. I'm 19, male, white, not in school(for now). I graduated from a private catholic high school. I have nearly two years of retail experience(one year working at petsmart in customer service). They asked for two references, but i only had one(ops manager at petsmart im cool with). I also expressed in my application my interest of becoming a vet and stuff. The vet wasnt there when i filled out my app, but lady there said he'd call me.

 

[luplodw]

I can't comment on your chances of getting the job, but I'd suggest looking for another job. If the clinic is looking for a full time receptionist, you probably won't be getting to see nearly as many procedures as if you were working/volunteering/shadowing with the vet. If you are looking just for a job to make money, then this is great, but if you are looking for a job to get experience, there are probably better opportunities out there. Don't get me wrong, you will still be exposed to a lot (terminology,medicines, etc), but as far as hands on experience goes, you could probably do better. The reason I say this is because the receptionist needs to be at the front desk pretty much constantly (especially if clients are there), and you won't be able to run back and watch procedures. If you are working in the kennels, it probably won't hurt for you to take a break and go see some cool stuff the vet is doing every once in awhile since you aren't interacting with clients.

If you can't find another job, of course this opportunity will be better than no job or a job not related to vet med! I'm not trying to discourage you, but I want you to maybe see another side of it.

 

[chii chan]

I agree with luplodw.

However, the reception job could give you a good opportunity to at least learn things. My first job was strictly helping the techs (and vets sometimes with extremely little client interaction), and my second (which I got because I of my first) was actually reception. The job I currently hold has me running around doing all of the above. If the clinic you filed an application with is anything like the job I'm working at now, you'll actually need quite a bit of knowledge just to answer the phone because sometimes owners just need advice. Landing this job could also help you get a better job with more animal handling because you've already got your foot in the door. If things go well and opportunities open, you could speak with the manager or vets to see if you could move toward the back, away from reception.

As far as your qualifications, I don't know what people look for when they are hiring. My first job was at In-N-Out Burger and it broke the "need a job to get a job" (like the need to have a credit card to get a credit card). I think the retail experience would help your case, and (provided you weren't terminated) if you were at the same place for 2 years, I think that would look good also.

 

[HopefulAg]

Have you considered just shadowing there and trying to get a tech position that way?

I've never heard of a receptionist promoted to technician (though I'm sure it happens) but plenty of shadowers get tech jobs.

Also, would you be able to do it full-time if you're doing classes for pre-reqs at the same time?

 

[dgm]

I'm sure you're capable of doing the job, but your odds of getting it are determined by the applicant pool. And although people are right that you won't get much in the way of hands-on experience, I think my time working as a receptionist really helped me figure out how to talk to clients. I've noticed that some other students/techs who don't have the reception experience are sometimes very nervous when they have to talk to a client on the phone. So it can help you out indirectly, but you will definitely want to try to shadow when you're not working, or get a tech job somewhere down the line. Good luck!

 

[RordOfTheMBKT]

Thanks for the advice guys. Like i previously mentioned, ive searched like EVERYTHING. very few vets near me even take a shadow(like zero even take volunteers) and the ones that do told me to wait till the summer. Ive applied to like all of them looking for kennel type jobs but to no success. I asked one vet tech one time what i should do and he recomended getting an entry level position as a receptionist. I saw this job opening and i was just hoping i can get it, as i need the money bad, but also i just REALLY want to get into a frikkin vet clinic without breaking my dogs leg first so i have a reason to be there(not that i would, i luv my golden retriever too much, but you get the idea lol). Vet shadowing opportunities are like nonexistant near me and its really starting to bug me 😡

 

[deleted266066]

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[RordOfTheMBKT]

@TheEvilShoe

The sad part is, ive applied at all those kinds of jobs too. Ive applied at everywhere from arby's to bed bath and beyond and still NOTHING! i seriously feel like ive applied at every single business that i would be a possible hire at. Ive been at it for four months, and so far ive come as close as an interview with three employers and i didnt get the job. So i just figured in the mean time i would volunteer. Easy right? apparently not... So far, the ONLY hope i have for doing ANYTHING is volunteering at the hospital my mom works at(shes a nurse). And im still just waiting on that. I cant get a job mexicans who cant speak english can get and i cant even volunteer for free! Im seriously depressed... what the heck should i do? im really hoping i can volunteer at my moms hospital(they showed interest in taking me apparently) and get this job as a receptionist. Its a start...

 

[luplodw]

You might look into the vets offices in different towns. This summer I shadowed somewhere an hour away!! It was a pain to drive, and gas was was horrible, but I got great experiences. I have found the more rural the area, the more likely the vets let you shadow. They usually get less requests, and aren't so annoyed by it. I live in the south so i'm not sure how it is everywhere else, but in the rural areas, the vets are "good ole boys" who get down and dirty and don't really care about liabilities or anything. I've had vets let me basically do spays and neuters (with them helping me along). Yeah that sounds terrible (I wouldn't want some kid working on my animal) but it was an awesome experience!

 

[RordOfTheMBKT]

Well, i do live in oklahoma, and its about as rural as it gets everywhere but where i live(im in tulsa) so ill try my luck with some other vets. Ugh... i hate driving though lol

 

[Bearby]

If you haven't mentioned to the doctors you've applied to that you're working on gaining experience because you want to apply to vet school, they may be more willing to work with you. It is hard to get a job in a vet's office, like someone else said, if you don't have experience you won't get hired but then how do people get the experience? Most vets, especially the younger ones, remember going through what you're going through and are more likely to allow you to volunteer or shadow if they know that you are trying to get into vet school. If you've stopped by a clinic previously, stop by again. Persistance shows that you really want to be involved and you didn't drop off your application on a whim. See if you can speak with the practice owner or the office manager instead of just whoever is at the front desk. As far as only having one reference, remember that you can use personal references. If you have a long time family friend, they can write you a letter. I'm not saying that one of your friends from school should write your letter, but if an adult has been in your life for a long time and knows about your plans and your schooling, that's a good place to start. High school teachers and college professors can write some pretty awesome letters as well.

I do agree that if they're looking for a FT receptionist, you aren't going to have much hands-on experience with the animals.

Good luck and keep trying

 

[davidd]

well, you're white... chances look good so far...

 

[twelvetigers]

Emergency clinics might be a good bet if you're willing to work the overnight shifts. At least you don't live in Stillwater, we have like 50% of the state's pre-vets and about 8 clinics. Pretty competitive.

Good luck!

 

[BlacKAT33]

Maybe it is just me but both the clinics i intern at have receptionists and techs that have done both positions. Sometimes the techs start off and they decide they want less hands on work and want the receptionist job. Sometimes the receptionists say they'd like more hands on experience and they take a tech job (especially prevets). If you can't find another tech job Id say go for it. You will get to know everyone there and you can slowly start expressing how you want to go to vet school. Your vet is more likely to let you shadow (maybe on your days off) since you work there anyway. Maybe your vet will be nice enough to let you switch over to tech after a couple months or a year, and even if your vet doesn't... you will be the first to know if there is a tech opening!!! It's really what YOU make of your job. Be out going and be willing to come in for extra hours/weekends/snow days. Good luck with w/e you decide!

 

[katryn]

I also would say don't be discouraged to start as reception. I'm currently in a reception position (after almost 4 years of teching) just because I needed a job and that's what I found. I have to say my people skills have gone BOOM in the last year because of it, and you will need those as much as you need animal experience. So it's really not as bad a place to start as it may seem. Good luck!

 

[Pigsfoot]

did you finish your college degree? if not-since you have the time right now-why don't you just finish it or take classes? take bio classes or pre-reqs and start learning what you'll need to know eventually. maybe you could even get a job at the school. It *might* be easier for you to get a job after you get your bachelors-that can open up other opportunities like bio research techs and stuff.

 

[JuniorJumper]

Definitely apply for the job! It's hard to get a job anywhere right now, let alone in this field. Take it and it will definitely open up doors for you, either moving up to tech at some point or being able to take a more hands-on job at another clinic in the future.

I shadowed a vet for about 500 hours one summer and was able to (finally) get a job as a receptionist at a great hospital near my university because of my shadowing experience. The jobs of the techs/kennel techs/receptionists/answering phones overlap a lot where I work so we get experience doing everything besides just our "main" job; this clinic may be the same way so it would definitely be worthwhile!

Working reception develops your communication skills (hello interviews!) and you have to know a lot of procedural/medical stuff to explain to the clients (flea/tick/HW products, Rx diets, post op care, medications, supplements, vaccines, etc) so you are learning things that you can apply in a tech job as well 🙂 Think about it, you have nothing to lose by working this job and you're bound to learn a lot, you should do it! Good luck!

 

[Smileystar5]

Seriously. What does being white have to do with it? Why was that even included in the OP?

(or that your highschool was catholic for that matter)

 

[JuniorJumper]

I wouldnt take the addition of his race so sensitively, I dont think it was something meant to offend anyone....relax 🙂

 

[BlacKAT33]

Seriously. What does being white have to do with it? Why was that even included in the OP?

(or that your highschool was catholic for that matter)

davids comment made me chuckle. anywho, i wish i were a difference race because im trying to look for scholarships and im finding ZIPPP. sighhh

 

[RordOfTheMBKT]

I didnt mean to offend in any manner. Just stating the facts. Altho i have yet to see a single non-white person in a veterinary clinic, it would be a spectacle for me im sure(lol,jk). But i just got back from turning in an application for another clinic, this one actually had an opening for kennel assistant and were taking apps!!!!! im keeping my fingers crossed tight right now! As for college, i have taken any classes yet. I am enrolled at a comunity college nearby, but havent taken any classes yet. Im still a little unsure about it tho, im considering just buckling down and taking the sat/act again and trying to score high and get accepted into 4 year uni(last time i took act/sat was junior year and was pretty much dead average). But still, the community college is set up with oklahoma state uni(including their vet school) to provide the whole transfer option and is set up with prevet courses. I dunno which i should try to do...

 

[Pigsfoot]

"Altho i have yet to see a single non-white person in a veterinary clinic, it would be a spectacle for me im sure(lol,jk)."..

heh. you should definitely preface that with 'IN OKLAHOMA' because that is certainly not the case in lots of other cities (like, for example-Chicago or Miami, FL).

But, i think, if you *don't* get this job-taking classes that you can eventually transfer credits to another college is also a great option, especially to introduce you to biology, which you're going to have to take classes in anyway to become a vet!

 

[Nissan]

Altho i have yet to see a single non-white person in a veterinary clinic

Depends on where you are 😛. Most of the people I work with are "minorities" here hahaha.

Also, if you're looking for specifically vet tech/assistant positions, a trend I've noticed is to follow the schedule of the school semester, particularly if the hospitals and clinics you're applying to are near universities or colleges. A lot of places I applied to started hiring during the beginning or end of school semesters as they tried to anticipate the turnover for their techs enrolled in school. They also start losing techs early into the school year when the techs realized they can't handle working full-time and taking a full course load. Although.. it doesn't hurt to apply anyway just to have your resume on file for the future.

Of course, I'm speaking only from my experiences in NJ where techs don't have to be licensed to do tech things, so there always seemed to be a ready number of qualified/trainable candidates. ..Maybe I should just refer to them as assistants XD?

 

[BlacKAT33]

You should def start taking at least some classes. a lot of the techs here take classes part time and work. but since their classes are at night and they only take about 2 per semester they are still able to get a lot of working hours in.

 

[projekt]

If you're in Tulsa, why not go by the university of tulsa or osu center for health science and look for the laboratory animal facility. You should be able to shadow there, possibly find employment, etc.