When it comes to filling a job working with animals, it is crucial to pick the right candidate for the position. This is because working with animals requires a unique set of skills, knowledge, and qualities that not everyone possesses. Hiring the wrong person can lead to negative consequences, such as poor animal care, employee turnover, and even legal issues. Below are five factors for picking the right candidate when hiring for a job working with animals:

 

#1—Specialized skills and knowledge

Working with animals requires specialized skills and knowledge that not everyone possesses. For example, a veterinary technician needs to have a deep understanding of animal anatomy, physiology, and behavior to provide effective care to animals. Similarly, a dog trainer needs to have knowledge of animal behavior, learning theory, and communication to train dogs effectively.

Hiring someone who lacks the required skills and knowledge can lead to poor animal care and even harm to the animals. Moreover, the employee may not be able to perform their job duties effectively, leading to low productivity and reduced job satisfaction.

 

#2—Compassion for animals

Compassion for animals is a crucial quality for anyone working with animals. Employees who lack compassion for animals may neglect their care or treat them poorly. This can lead to physical and psychological harm to the animals, as well as legal issues for the employer.

When hiring for a job working with animals, it is essential to assess the candidate’s level of compassion for animals. This can be done by asking questions about their previous experience working with animals, their views on animal welfare, and their approach to handling animals in different situations.

 

#3—Emotional intelligence and self-control

Working with animals can be emotionally challenging, especially when dealing with sick or injured animals. Employees need to have emotional intelligence and self-control to handle these situations effectively. This includes being able to recognize and manage their own emotions, as well as understanding and responding to the emotions of others.

Hiring someone who lacks emotional intelligence and self-control can lead to negative consequences, such as employee burnout, poor job performance, and even harm to the animals. Moreover, employees who lack emotional intelligence may struggle to communicate effectively with coworkers and clients, leading to conflicts and reduced productivity.

 

#4—Communication and interpersonal skills

Effective communication and interpersonal skills are crucial for anyone working with animals. Employees need to be able to communicate effectively with coworkers, clients, and other stakeholders to ensure that the animals receive the best possible care. This includes being able to explain complex medical or behavioral issues to clients, as well as collaborating effectively with other employees to provide comprehensive care to the animals.

When hiring for a job working with animals, it is essential to assess the candidate’s communication and interpersonal skills. This can be done by asking questions about their previous experience working with animals, their approach to communicating with clients and coworkers, and their ability to work collaboratively with others.

 

#5—Alignment with organizational culture

Finally, it is essential to hire someone who aligns with the organizational culture of the company. This includes their values, beliefs, and attitudes towards animal care and welfare. Hiring someone who does not align with the company culture can lead to conflicts and reduced job satisfaction, as well as poor animal care and harm to the animals.

When hiring for a job working with animals, it is essential to assess the candidate’s alignment with the company culture. This can be done by asking questions about their values and beliefs related to animal care and welfare, as well as their previous experience working in similar organizational cultures.

 

Vetevate has the right candidates

The Vetevate website can be an invaluable resource for employers looking to fill jobs working with animals. The website offers a range of tools and resources that can help employers pick the right candidates for their Vetevate:

Job postings

One of the most useful resources on the Vetevate website is the job postings section. This section allows employers to post job listings for their Vetevate, which can be viewed by job seekers who are interested in working with animals.

Employers can use the job postings section to provide detailed information about the job requirements, such as the required skills, knowledge, and experience. This can help to attract the right candidates for the job, who possess the necessary qualifications and experience to work with animals.

Candidate profiles

The Vetevate website also offers a candidate profiles section, where job seekers can create profiles that highlight their skills, experience, and qualifications. Employers can use the candidate profiles section to search for candidates who meet the requirements for their Vetevate.

Employers can use the search function to filter candidate profiles by specific skills, experience, or location. This can help to identify candidates who have the necessary skills and experience to work with animals, and who are located in the same geographic area as the job.

Skill assessments

The Vetevate website also offers skill assessments that job seekers can take to demonstrate their skills and knowledge. These assessments can help employers to assess the skills and knowledge of job seekers who apply for their Vetevate.

Employers can use the skill assessments to evaluate the proficiency of candidates in specific areas, such as animal care, animal behavior, or veterinary medicine. This can help to identify candidates who have the necessary skills and knowledge to work with animals and who are a good fit for the job.

Resources and tools

Finally, the Vetevate website offers a range of resources and tools that employers can use to improve their hiring process. These resources include job posting templates, interview guides, and pre-employment screening tools.

Employers can use these resources to create effective job postings that attract the right candidates, conduct effective interviews that assess the skills and knowledge of candidates, and screen candidates effectively to identify those who are a good fit for the job.

The Vetevate website can be an invaluable resource for employers looking to fill jobs working with animals. The website offers a range of tools and resources that can help employers pick the right candidates for their Vetevate. By using the job postings section, candidate profiles, skill assessments, and resources and tools, employers can improve their hiring process and find the right candidates for their Vetevate.

Veterinary Job Board Vetevate Founders Stacy Pursell

Stacy PursellExecutive Search Consultant

Stacy Pursell, CPC, CERS, is an internationally respected Executive Search Consultant and Recruiter, ranked in the top 1% of search consultants worldwide. Considered the “go to expert” in the Animal Health industry and Veterinary profession for talent centric solutions, Stacy is a workplace/workforce expert, Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) and Certified Employee Retention Specialist (CERS).

Stacy is the founder and CEO of The VET Recruiter, executive search and professional search firm serving the Animal Health industry and Veterinary profession. Stacy has 25+ years of executive search and recruiting experience in the Animal Health industry and Veterinary profession and has placed more professionals in positions in the Animal Health industry and Veterinary profession in the United States than any other recruiter. She was the first recruiter to focus exclusively on Animal Health and Veterinary Medicine.

As a thought leader and key opinion leader, Stacy has been quoted in CNN, Money Magazine, Today’s Veterinary Business, AAHA, NAVC, AVMA, DVM 360, VIN, The Fountain Report, Animal Health News and Views and Veterinary Practice News.

Stacy’s philanthropic experience includes her currently serving as an Advisory Board Member for the Professional Science Master’s programs (PSM) at Kansas State University’s Olathe campus and previously serving on the board of directors of the National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS). She is also on the Kansas Biosciences Workforce Committee. Stacy is also the host of The People of Animal Health Podcast.

Veterinary Job Board Vetevate Founders Dr Aubrey Kumm

Dr. Aubrey Kümm Global Veterinarian

Dr. Aubrey Kümm is a Veterinary Surgeon and Employer Brand Strategist consultant for the veterinary profession. He obtained his veterinary degree from the University of Pretoria, South Africa in 2000 and subsequently worked as a partner in two small animal practices in the United Kingdom. In 2013, Dr. Kümm returned to South Africa to pursue an MSc degree in Developmental and Behavioural Neuroscience, which he earned with distinction from the University of Cape Town in 2018. He is the founder of Guava Ai Ltd, a veterinary technology company specializing in developing AI assisted recruitment and employer branding platforms for the veterinary industry.

Veterinary Job Board Vetevate Founders Bruce L Truman

Bruce L. Truman Technology Consultant

Bruce is a pet technology business executive with expertise in emerging digital technologies, virtual care, and business development. BLT advises both early-stage and channel expansion companies helping them to navigate the companion animal industry and align with the right partners. Bruce has a specific focus on key opinion leader/influencer management and vast business development network.

His volunteer work includes his role as a founding board member of the Veterinary Virtual Care Association (VVCA), along with ten other industry leaders. Bruce is a past president of VetPartners.org - the non-profit association of veterinary business experts, and a member of the Association of Veterinary Informatics, a member of the APPA Industry Advisory Council and a member of the Fear Free advisory group. Bruce writes and speaks nationally on the topic of emerging pet technology and innovation and is a regular contributor for Animal Health News and Views www.animalhealthnewsandviews.com