Yes, we are currently in the midst of a candidates’ job market in the Veterinary profession. And yes, that means candidates (especially top candidates) have the majority of leverage in hiring situations. However, that does not mean you don’t have to “put your best foot forward” during the recruiting and hiring process.
There are a couple of important reasons for this. The first one involves the size of the Animal Health industry and Veterinary profession. Compared to other industries—for instance, Manufacturing or Engineering—the Animal Health industry and Veterinary profession are relatively small in size and scope. This means “word travels fast,” and it can travel even faster when you don’t brand yourself correctly.
And that leads us to the second important reason, which is personal branding. Simply put, personal branding is the experience that you provide for other people. You could almost say that it’s akin to your “career currency.” As such, a positive personal brand is difficult to build and takes a long time to do so. On the other hand, damaging that brand doesn’t take nearly as much time.
Costly interview mistakes that are avoidable
Which leads me to a story that occurred recently and that will serve as the basis for this article. I recently received some feedback from an employer who interviewed a candidate. The employer was not enamored with the candidate, namely for a series of mistakes that the candidate made during the job interview process. I’m going to examine four of these mistakes, all of which severely hurt their candidacy for the position in question:
#1—The employer had a difficult time scheduling the interview.
If you’re interested in exploring an Animal Health or Veterinary job opportunity, then you must make time to schedule an interview. After all, you can’t get the job without first going through the interview process. This made the hiring manager believe that the candidate did not think the interview was that important.
When an organization is trying to schedule an interview with you, be responsive. In reality, this is an opportunity for you to brand yourself in a positive way and make a great impression within the profession, regardless of whether or not you receive a job offer.
#2—The candidate was 15 minutes late to the meeting.
The candidate got the amount of minutes correct, but they should have been 15 minutes early to the interview instead of 15 minutes late. Once again, this sends the message to the employer that the candidate does not consider the interview (or the job, for that matter) to be that important.
Not only was the candidate late to the meeting, but according to the hiring manager, they were also difficult to contact prior to the interview. In fact, the candidate had cancelled the interview multiple times on previous occasions, creating the need to reschedule. As you might imagine, that put a burden on the employer and branded the candidate in a negative way in the hiring manager’s mind. The candidate did not apologize for being late to the job interview.
#3—It appeared as though the candidate had just woken up and wasn’t dressed for an interview.
This is also something for which there is no excuse. First, you should be alert and awake when interviewing. Ideally, you should be energetic and ready to engage with whomever is interviewing you. Second, you should also be dressed appropriately. A job interview requires professional dress, regardless of who you are. In this case, it was a veterinarian who was interviewing for the job.
In addition to dressing in a professional fashion, you must avoid wearing heavy perfume or cologne. In short, you want the focus of the interview to be on the fact that you are a potential fit for the position. When the focus of the interview somehow becomes something else—like a candidate’s unkempt hair or the fact they can’t seem to focus when answering questions—it does not bode well.
#4—The candidate had a difficult time answering questions in general.
Once again, this speaks to a lack of preparation on the part of the candidate. The candidate had difficulty answering the general interview questions, not to mention the more specific and elaborate ones.
When interviewing, practice answering the most common interview questions in advance, prior to the interview. In addition, prepare a list of your own questions to ask the hiring manager. These can be questions about the position or the organization, but ideally, your list should include both. By answering questions in a competent fashion and asking your own questions, you show not only your interest in the position but you also illustrate that you’re a viable candidate for the position.
And you can’t receive an offer of employment unless you first prove that you’re a viable candidate for the position.
The importance of making a great impression
Making a great impression during an interview is crucial for several reasons. First and foremost, it sets the tone for the entire interview process and significantly impacts the interviewer’s perception of your qualifications and suitability for the role. A positive first impression can create a favorable bias, enhancing your chances of securing the job.
Second, a strong initial impression demonstrates your professionalism, enthusiasm, and attention to detail. It shows that you value the opportunity and have taken the time to prepare adequately. In addition, it showcases your communication skills and ability to articulate your thoughts effectively.
Third, a great impression also helps to establish rapport with the interviewer, fostering a positive and engaging atmosphere. This can lead to a more relaxed and productive interview, allowing you to showcase your expertise and fit for the position more effectively.
Fourth, a positive impression can set you apart from other candidates who may possess similar qualifications. By making a memorable impression, you increase your chances of standing out and being remembered positively when the hiring decision is made. Unfortunately for this candidate, other candidates looked more favorable by comparison. When interviewing, remember there is usually always competition for the job.
Remember, even if you’re not selected for the current position, a positive impression may lead to future opportunities or referrals within the organization. To help you excel in this area, we invite you to access our career resources for Animal Health and Veterinary professionals:
Click HERE for “10 Steps to Take for Experiencing More Job Interview Success.”
Click HERE for “10 Intangible Factors for Achieving Job Interview Success.”
Click HERE for “Helpful Interview Tips: Hints for the Interview and Beyond.”
If you’re looking to make a change or explore your employment options, then we want to talk with you. I encourage you to contact us or you can also create a profile and/or submit your resume for consideration.
We help support careers in one of two ways: 1. By helping Animal Health and Veterinary professionals to find the right opportunity when the time is right, and 2. By helping to recruit top talent for the critical needs of Animal Health and Veterinary organizations. If this is something that you would like to explore further, please send an email to stacy@thevetrecruiter.com.