Team VPJ

So, unless you have been hiding under a warming blanket for the last few years, you know that your services as a Veterinary Professional are in high demand*, even in the midst of a pandemic, and that demand is only going to increase over the coming few years*…but before you head out for an innocent coffee with that recruitment consultant who has been so persuasively persistent of late, the best first step is always to have “that chat” with your current boss first…

So, you successfully completed your studies and practical skills placements, and gained your Degree or Certification and you are actively networking and applying, and with good interest being shown…and then there is a global pandemic…impossible to plan for, but with some extra effort not completely insurmountable. Finding a practice to put your newly acquired skills to work in an entry-level role is always a challenge, and now even more so, so here are five tips to help you secure your first job as a brand new DVM, Vet Tech or Vet Nurse in these challenging times…including always wearing pants for an online interview, always…

Nobody really saw it coming…a pandemic…there were rumblings and mentions but it’s a shock to anyone’s system when it really happens…but once we get over that initial world-altering jolt, there is opportunity and still room for optimism…they say “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”…If you think, “well, I made my bed, so I guess now I have to lie in it,” think again – this pandemic, as awful as it is, brings with it the prospect of diversification and new veterinary career opportunities in a post-COVID-19 world. If you’re willing to research and explore new horizons with an open mind (which could be quite an adventure in its own right), you’ll find a host of interesting (and in some cases surprising) veterinary career specialties that you may not have considered that may reinvigorate your veterinary career as things begin to return to some modicum of normal, including these…

If the term “networking” makes you think of people in suits, all wearing “Hi, My Name Is…” labels, scanning the room for influential people to talk to, as you stand awkwardly in the corner, you are not alone. However, modern networking is actually not a painful process, and it can have significant impact on your career prospects. Here are five easy ways you can boost your veterinary career without the awkwardness of name labels!

So, you’ve worked hard to pass all of your exams and obtain certifications to become a qualified Veterinarian, Veterinary Nurse or Veterinary Technician and you have just started in your very first job. Congratulations! But your first year as a brand new veterinary professional can be a bit like a roller coaster with many ups and downs, and with a global pandemic added to the mix, it all can seem a little intimidating at first. You may be feeling too overwhelmed to be planning what your next steps should be, but thankfully there are many kind and helpful fellow industry professionals and remarkable resources that you can call on to ease you through the transition. It’s time to remember all of the reasons why you chose this amazing career path and to get ready to kick start your veterinary career! You know you can, and will, succeed. And to assist you on your journey, here are a few essential early veterinary career tips that we sourced from Veterinary Professionals who have “been there, done that” and thrived…

In this era of unusual supply and demand for Veterinary team members, if you want the best then it’s time to become a great storyteller. We’re not talking about fibs, stretching the truth or outright lies. What we do mean is that in a market where demand clearly is outstripping supply (at a ratio of almost 2:1) Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Nurses and nearly all Veterinary Professionals are being highly selective about choosing their next career step…and it starts with your Job Campaign. You have 3 seconds. That’s it. In today’s attention-span-challenged world, if your Job Campaign does not attract, engage and draw readers or viewers into your story in the first 3 seconds then you have failed – and having captured their attention you must keep their interest right to the very end. And if you are a Job Seeker, you want to know your potential new employer’s story too. Find out how and why…

Research indicates that over 25% of workers report experiencing high levels of burnout as a result of their jobs. And the field of veterinary medicine is not immune to this trend. Vet Nurses, in particular, are subject to burnout as a result of the daily stressors you face. Failure to address burnout head on can lead to serious problems such as depression, stroke, and other serious health complication, and is a primary cause of veterinary professionals leaving the profession that they love. Fortunately, there are some straightforward measures that you, your work mates and your hospital or clinic can take to recognize, prevent or manage the symptoms of burnout in the nursing team. Here are nine tips that we can all implement to prevent or overcome burnout…