As I’ve stated on multiple occasions during the past year, there is no better time to conduct a job search in the Animal Health industry and the Veterinary profession than right now.
There is a shortage of Animal Health professionals and veterinarians and an abundance of employment opportunities in the job market, which means there are plenty of options, and not only that, but job seekers and candidates also hold the majority of the leverage in hiring situations.
However, that does not necessarily mean that your job search in 2023 is going to be easy. In fact, quite the opposite could be the case. That’s because when you have too many options, it can be difficult to navigate them efficiently so that you can maximize the opportunities they represent.
Helpful tips for your job search in 2023
As an Animal Health recruiter, Veterinary recruiter and Executive recruiter for 25 years, I have extensive experience helping Animal Health professionals and veterinarians with their job search. And with that in mind, below are six job search tips for Animal Health professionals and veterinarians in 2023:
#1—Be open to opportunity.
I can’t stress this enough, which is why I include it in every blog post and article that I can. Being open to opportunity actually means three things.
First, it means being open to hearing about an opportunity if one is presented to you. Second, it means being open to considering an opportunity once you hear about one or uncover one on your own. And third, it means being open to exploring an opportunity if it makes sense to do so.
#2—Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
As I’ve mentioned previously, your LinkedIn profile does not replace your resume. They are separate entities, and you need them both. However, since they contain similar information, it makes sense to update them at the same time.
The best frequency for updating your resume and LinkedIn profile is once every quarter. However, twice per year is acceptable, but that means the beginning of 2023 would be the time to do it.
#3—Research organizations for which you’d like to work.
This includes visiting the organizations’ websites, following them on social media, and doing an Internet search for news-related items. And of course, it also involves investigating whether or not an organization is currently hiring, and if so, which positions are available.
The more you know about these organizations, the better positioned you’ll be to act when the time is right so that you can land a job with one of them.
#4—Be more prepared for video interviews.
The pandemic changed the way in which interviewing is done, probably for good, starting with the fact that employers utilize video interviews more. There is more preparation involved with video interviews, as opposed to in-person interviewing.
First, you must be familiar with the software or platform being used for the interview. Second, practice by conducting mock interviews with family or friends. Third, choose an appropriate setting for the interview, which you can use during your mock runs to ensure suitability. Fourth, dress in a professional manner. Just because it’s a video interview does not mean that you’re able to dress in a casual fashion. And finally, remember to send a thank-you note or email to the people who conducted the interview.
#5—Improve your soft skill set.
It might go without saying that you should acquire as many new skills as you can so that you can provide ever-increasing amounts of value to employers, but what about your soft skill set? Unfortunately, some people overlook the importance of soft skills, but that’s a mistake.
It’s a mistake because employers covet job seekers and candidates who have top-level soft skills. One reason is that these skills are lacking in the employment marketplace, and that includes within the Animal Health industry and Veterinary profession.
Some of the most important soft skills in the job market right now are communication, the art of persuasion (also known as sales), emotional intelligence, and leadership. If you’re able to increase your proficiency in one or more of these areas, then you’ll give yourself an advantage over other candidates.
#6—Seek out and ask for recommendations.
There are two aspects to this tip. First, there are the recommendations that you use during your job search when an employer asks for professionals’ references. You could get a letter of recommendation from someone and also use them as a reference for your job search.
Then there are recommendations and endorsements on LinkedIn. Reach out to as many connections as you can and ask if they will recommend and/or endorse you. They could be the same people from whom you receive a letter of recommendation and use as a professional reference.
Help with your Animal Health or veterinarian job search in 2023
Although I did not include it in the official list above, another tip is to build a relationship with an experienced and reputable recruiter who has a history of placing professionals just like you. The right recruiter can help with your Animal Health or veterinarian job search in 2023.
And don’t forget that no matter how good the job market is and how many employment opportunities are available, recruiters have access to what is known as the “hidden job market.” That’s because, no matter the market conditions, employers never share all of their open positions with the Internet, and by extension, the rest of the world. Instead, for select positions, they prefer to use a recruiter to conduct a confidential search for the right candidate.
This is another reason why the right recruiter can help with your Animal Health or veterinarian job search in 2023. They have the experience, the expertise, and the connections to make sure that you have access to the opportunities that you want most and can transform your Animal Health or Veterinary career in the New Year.
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.