When candidates engage with a recruiter, one of the most common and important questions that arises is: How are candidates evaluated?
This is a valid and critical question, especially for professionals in the Animal Health industry and Veterinary profession, where the talent market is competitive and the standards are high. At The VET Recruiter, we’ve had the privilege of working with top-tier employers and exceptional professionals for close to three decades.
From this experience, I can tell you that there is a clear set of criteria that recruiters use to determine if a candidate is not only qualified for a position, but also likely to be successful in the hiring process and ultimately on the job.
If you are actively or passively exploring new career opportunities, understanding these criteria can greatly enhance your chances of making a successful move. Here is what recruiters are looking for:
1. You Are Qualified for the Job
This is the starting point, and it’s non-negotiable. Recruiters begin by evaluating whether you meet the basic qualifications for the role: do you have the necessary education, certifications, licensure, and hands-on experience? For positions in Veterinary medicine, this could include a DVM or VMD degree, state licensure, and clinical experience in relevant species or specialties.
But qualifications go beyond a degree. Recruiters also examine your work history. Have you worked in a similar setting? Do you have leadership experience, if the role demands it? Have you shown progression in your career? Employers want someone who has been successful in similar environments and who has the skill set to contribute on day one.
At The VET Recruiter, we work closely with our employer clients to understand exactly what they’re looking for and we assess candidates against those specific benchmarks. If you are not a fit for one role, you may be a strong candidate for another, but it all starts with qualifications.
2. You Have a Valid Reason for Making a Move
Recruiters also look at your motivation for considering a new opportunity. Are you running toward something, or are you just running away from your current situation? This distinction matters. Candidates who are simply looking to leave a bad situation without a clear idea of what they want next are often less compelling than those who have thoughtful, career-focused reasons for making a change.
Valid reasons for a move might include:
- Seeking more growth or leadership opportunities
- Wanting to relocate for family or lifestyle reasons
- Looking for a better cultural fit or work-life balance
- Desiring to work with a specific type of patient or caseload
- Wanting to join a mission-driven organization aligned with your values
What recruiters don’t want to hear are vague or overly negative answers. “I just don’t like it here” or “I need a job that pays more” might be true, but they don’t demonstrate strategic thinking. A recruiter is more likely to advocate for you with a client when you can clearly articulate why this next step makes sense for your career path.
3. You Are Transparent and Forthcoming
Trust is the foundation of every strong recruiter-candidate relationship. Recruiters need to understand your situation to help you make the best move. That means being honest and upfront about your background, salary expectations, potential obstacles, and any concerns you may have.
If you have had a gap in your employment or changed jobs frequently, let’s talk about it. If you are unsure about relocating or still have interviews pending elsewhere, share that information. The more open you are, the better we can support you.
A red flag for recruiters is when a candidate is evasive or withholds important information, only for it to come up later in the process. That can jeopardize the opportunity and erode trust with both the recruiter and the employer.
Recruiters are your career partners. We are not here to judge; we are here to advocate for you. But we can only do that effectively when we have all of the facts.
4. You Are Responsive
Responsiveness is often the difference between landing a great job and missing out on it. In today’s hiring market, particularly in the Animal Health industry and Veterinary profession, employers want to move quickly. When a recruiter reaches out, timely responses matter.
This doesn’t mean you need to reply to emails at midnight, but it does mean acknowledging messages promptly and letting your recruiter know where things stand. Are you interested in the role? Can you make the interview? What did you think of the hiring manager? Are there delays on your end? The more communicative you are, the smoother the process will be.
Being responsive signals professionalism, enthusiasm, and reliability, and these are traits that employers value highly.
5. You Are Engaging
This may be considered a “bonus” criterion, but in my experience, it can make a lasting impression. Candidates who are engaging and who show personality, curiosity, and a genuine interest in the conversation stand out in a positive way.
When you ask your recruiter how they’re doing, share a quick story about your weekend, or show interest in the company and team you might be joining, it creates rapport. And rapport is powerful. People want to work with people they like. This applies to recruiters, hiring managers, and future colleagues alike.
Engaging candidates make connections that go beyond a résumé. They show emotional intelligence, social awareness, and interpersonal skills. These are all qualities that are increasingly important in collaborative, client-facing roles in the Animal Health industry and Veterinary profession.
What Employers Are Ultimately Looking For
Evaluating candidates is not just about checking boxes. It’s about identifying professionals who not only can do the job, but who are also motivated to do it, trustworthy in their dealings, reliable in their communication, and pleasant to work with.
If you are looking to grow in your career, keep these five areas in mind. Do you meet the qualifications? Can you articulate why you’re exploring new opportunities? Are you open and honest in your conversations? Do you follow up and stay engaged throughout the process? And finally, do you show up as someone people want on their team?
At The VET Recruiter, our mission is to connect top talent with top employers in the Animal Health industry and Veterinary profession. We are not just filling positions. We are building careers and adding value to organizations. When you understand what recruiters are looking for, you empower yourself to stand out and succeed in the job market.
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.