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Professional veterinary recruitment

Vet Seekers are a Multi-Award Winning Specialist Veterinary Recruitment Agency

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Interview Advice

They say on average 33% of interviewers know within the first 90 seconds if you are the right candidate for the advertised job role, therefore advanced preparation is key to a successful interview and setting you apart from all other rival veterinary interviewees. So, we have put together suggested interview tips below:

Before you attend your interview:

  • Read through the full Job description
  • Research the practice and company
  • Plan your journey and allow for traffic and weather conditions
  • Bring with you your ID, CV, pen, notepad and any other related material

Dress Code:

  • Smart business dress or veterinary
  • Due to the profession you may go straight from your current employment, so you're working uniform will suffice
  • Presentable appearance always goes a long way
  • Conservative colours are suggested to be appropriate
  • Feel comfortable

Vet Seekers top 10 questions you could ask the interviewer at the Practice:

  • What are the characteristics of the person you are looking to hire?
  • How would you describe a typical working day or week of the advertised position?
  • How long have you been at the company and what made you stay?
  • How would you describe the work environment and culture of the practice?
  • What are the growth plans for the practice – short and longer term?
  • When and how would my performance be measured?
  • What is the team structure and who will I be reporting to?
  • What are some of the company's initiatives regarding personal training and development?
  • How do you see this practice developing in the future?
  • What scope is there for being involved in any other aspects of the company, such as…...?

The Interview:

  • Acknowledge everyone as soon as you walk into the practice
  • Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and have a friendly expression when you are greeted by your interviewer
  • Maintain good eye contact during the interview
  • Try and feel relaxed and comfortable. Remember though, you are constantly being appraised, so always keep professional
  • Find out what the key parts of the job specification are so you can show how you meet them
  • Make sure the interviewer knows the benefits and strengths of employing you
  • Sell yourself, what do you have to offer/contribute to the practice
  • Quote real examples of when you've used certain skills or if you have any weaknesses tell them how you are improving on these
  • Take your time when answering the questions: Make sure you understand the question if you need to think

Some don'ts:

  • Don't be late or too early (try and arrive around 10 minutes before)
  • Try not to give vague responses and if you make a mistake be honest and correct this
  • Avoid bad mouthing your current or previous employer or co-workers
  • Having done little or no preparation on the role or the practice
  • Try not to be over nervous (we all know this can be difficult)
  • Don't go to extremes with your posture; don't slouch, and don't sit rigidly on the edge of your chair

Closing the interview:

  • Ask any questions you may have.
  • Agree exactly what the next steps will be and timeframes
  • You should also find out if they are running second interviews and when they are likely to be and offer some dates when you could attend
  • They may ask you in for a trial day / morning / afternoon, offer some dates you could attend
  • If you are interested in the position, make sure that you let the interviewer know and explain why

After the Interview:

  • Phone your Consultant at Vet Seekers while it's all fresh in your mind.
  • They will then run through the interview with you and obtain your feedback and any questions that you may have
  • Your consultant will then obtain feedback from the interviewee at the practice and provide you with honest, constructive feedback
  • You consultant will then come back to you with any answers or negotiations you may have.
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