7 Vet Job Interview Questions You Should Prepare For

Posted by & filed under Tips from Synergy, Useful advice, Veterinary Job tips.

If you are applying for veterinary jobs or have an interview coming up for a veterinary position, you may be wondering what sort of questions you will be asked. Here, we have put together some vet job interview questions you may be asked, as well as some useful questions for you to ask so that you can be well prepared for the interview.

Vet job interview questions you may be asked:

What makes you a good veterinarian?

Consider what your strengths are based on your previous experience working with animals, or from your studies if this will be your first position. You may have a knack for diagnosis or surgery, but be sure to also talk about your broader qualities that make you a well-rounded vet, such as empathy, resilience, and a genuine passion for animal care.

What made you decide to be a veterinarian?

This is a classic vet job interview question, but there is no single right answer. Did you have significant experience with animals growing up? Are you inspired by biodiversity? Do you understand the significance of pet ownership and companionship for some people’s mental wellbeing? The answer to this will be unique to you, so be honest about what sparked your passion for the field.

What do you think a veterinarian’s role is in the community?

As a vet, animal care is your priority, first and foremost, but you will also be a point of contact for concerned owners who need guidance or comfort. You may also have ambitions outside of the role that could benefit the community, such as getting involved with animal-related charities.

How will you deal with having to euthanise an animal?

This may be one of the trickier vet job interview questions you will be asked. Vet jobs come with some emotionally taxing responsibilities, and one of the worst is having to put animals down. Your answer to this question should demonstrate both your empathy and your mental toughness, while including details of how you will comfort both the patient and the owner during this difficult time.

What would you do if there are obvious signs that an animal you are treating has been abused?

Tragically, vets must sometimes treat animals that are ill or injured because of their owners’ abuse or neglect. If you believe your patient has been abused, then you have a responsibility to keep that animal safe from further harm. 

To answer the question – in these situations, you should make sure you have up-to-date contact information, including an address for the owner, and contact your local law enforcement/animal control agency and report the situation within 48 hours of the treatment or examination.

What is the most difficult situation you’ve been faced with since you got into veterinary medicine?

If you have worked in a veterinary position before, you should have experiences to draw on, such as confrontational owners or patients with an ailment that was hard to diagnose. If this will be your first position, choose examples from any animal-based work experience you have completed.

How do you stay up to date in the field of veterinary medicine?

As a vet, you are expected to keep up to date with the latest advancements in the field, but how do you do this? Do you read articles online, medical journals, or do you attend conferences and seminars? Explain not just what you do, but how you take that information on board and implement it in practice, if possible.

Questions to ask your interviewer

You should always prepare some of your own questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the session to show your enthusiasm for the role and your understanding of the requirements. Not only that, but it will also help to determine whether the role is the right fit for you. Some good questions to ask are:

  • What does a typical day at the practice look like?
  • What will the training be like?
  • What is the rota/ what are the on-call duties?
  • What will career progression look like?

Preparing properly for a vet job interview could well be the difference between getting the job or getting passed over. These interview questions are just a few of the key points interviewers will want to know more about, but be prepared to talk at length about your experience, your familiarity with the field and its developments, and the passion that has brought you to the field in the first place.  If you are currently looking for vet jobs, you can also browse our vacancies or get in touch with us to see how we can help you.