April 05, 2022

11 veterinary grad first job interview questions new grads should ask at job interviews

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Being interviewed for your first job straight out of vet school and university isn’t the same as being interviewed for your second or third job.

Here’re 11 questions for new grads to ask at your first job interview and for clinics to think about when they’re interviewing new grads. These 11 questions apply pretty equally to vets, nurses and techs.

Get yourself an agent to represent you

Someone who knows:

employment law
the veterinary sector in your area
the good and not-so-good vet clinics
how to negotiate
about clinic culture
salary expectations for new grads

If a clinic pushes back and tells you they'd rather invest a recruitment agency's fee into your career ask them what that would look like. I (Julie South) haven't ever seen a new grad earning a salary that's reflective of a recruiter's fee being added to it!

support - what does this look like and mean?
reasonable time - what's their definition of this?
sole charge - when? what does that look like?
roster
surgery and surgical experience / support
other employees' opinions
why the vacancy?
new grad goals?
performance evaluations?
clinic growth plans?
team diversification?

Enter our two surveys and go in the draw to win great prizes:

For New Zealand veterinary sector professionals - Veterinary Sector State of the Nation 2022 Survey

For overseas veterinary professionals looking to work in New Zealand - Vets on Vacation or Relocation to New Zealand Survey

VetStaff
leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Struggling to get results from your job advertisements?
If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic.

The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs

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