Tips and Tricks for finding Veterinary Jobs

There are many job opportunities for DVMs, if you know where to look!  Here we've compiled a list of tips and tricks to help seasoned and new veterinarians find the job of their dreams.

How To Look
When using a job search board to hunt for a new position, using a variety of search strategies will yield the best results.  Below are search tips to use with any online job board.

Keywords

The way you identify the job you are seeking will alter the results returned.  Avoid being too specific as you may miss great opportunities that are just worded differently than you expected.  To get the most thorough return, try separate searches using the following keywords:

• Veterinarian
• DVM
• VMD
• Veterinary
• Animal
• Animal Hospital

Location

Although you may think that pinpointing your location would be the way to go, that is not always the best approach to take.  Here are some location tips based on the type of job you are seeking:

• Clinical practice jobs- if you want to be in a specific area, then include that in your search.  Just be sure to adjust the "radius" option so you don't miss opportunities in surrounding areas that may fall under a different zip code.
• Industry- even if you don't want to relocate, its best to leave out the the location information when seeking these types of jobs.  Many times the location listed will be the company's headquarters, but the job itself may be in an entirely different city or state.
• Education-  as with industry, unless you are seeking a job with a specific education institution in a specific location, its best to leave the location off.  There are many positions available, both on-ground and online.  Adding a location to your search criteria may eliminate jobs you'd actually be interested in pursuing.

Variety

• Don't limit yourself to one method when searching for jobs.  Just because you have always used journal classifieds, for example, doesn't mean you should keep looking only there.  Not all jobs will post in all forums!
• Print media can still be used for job searches, and occasionally you'll find a gem hidden in the print classifieds.  Don't forget, most print journals include their classifieds online! 
• The Internet provides a much more comprehensive means for seeking new positions. Use multiple sites to search for jobs.  By not limiting yourself to one resource you are much more likely to find everything out there, and not just the cross-section that chose to advertise where you first looked.  

Where To Look
Below is a list of websites that are very useful for DVMs and Vet Students seeking veterinary career opportunities. 

Professional Organizations 

Professional organizations are typically the first place veterinarians look for jobs, and for good reason.  These organizations are familiar and respected by the vet community.

• AVMA Veterinary Career Center
• AAHA Career Center
• Veterinary Information Network
• State Veterinary Medical Associations
• Local/Regional Veterinary Medical Associations 

Veterinary Recruiters 

The evolution of the internet has made job hunting easier than ever before.  Several recruiting services specialize in animal health and vet specific job placement and offer free job searching online.

• Animal Health Careers
• Animal Health Jobs
• iHireVeterinary
• The Vet Recruiter
• VetNet America

General Job Search Sites 

General job search sites are also worth exploring and typically yield a more diverse selection of alternative careers that vets are suited for.

• Indeed (my personal favorite!)
• Monster
• Career Builder

Organization Specific Job Search

When you are seeking a job with a specific organization, or type of organization, do not forget to check out the employment opportunities on the company's website.

• Banfield
• VCA
• Purina
• Royal Canin
• Vetco
• most pharmaceutical companies

Final Advice

• Show Initiative!  Veterinarians are busy and practice owners tend to procrastinate.  (I can say this because I was a practice owner for many years!)  It's not unusual for practices in need of help to be very slow to advertise.  Therefore, if you really want to work in a particular location, or at a particular practice, make the first move!  Put together a great resume and mail it or deliver it to the practice owner.  You'll be surprised how many call-backs you get from practices that "weren't looking" for help!
• Interview Well!  Be prepared when you interview, not only with responses to anticipated questions, but also with questions of your own!  Job interviews are two-sided affairs.  The decision to join an organization needs to be mutually beneficial if the relationship is to last.  Determine what is most important to you in regard to work culture, and then ask questions so you can be assured the organization will be a good fit for you!
• Be persistent!  You are unlikely to find your dream job overnight, but by searching on a regular basis the right opportunity  will come along.