Veterinary Resume Examples
Find helpful veterinary resume examples that offer complete, step-by-step guidance with LiveCareer. Our Resume Builder is the top tool for ease of use and comprehensive writing tips.
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Veterinary Assistant
Popular Templates in the Veterinary Space
Veterinary Nurse
Veterinary Technician
Veterinary Receptionist
Veterinarian
Table of Contents
Veterinary Resume
Veterinary Cover Letter
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Veterinary applicants have to prove their experiences match up with this demanding industry. Aspiring veterinary workers need to demonstrate a suitability for working with animals. They should address their accuracy, knowledge about anatomy and a thorough background working with medications and treatments for animals. The best way to do this is with LiveCareer’s simple Resume Builder. Read these examples provided by our certified resume writers:
- Reviewed pet health history, examined animals, conducted tests and prescribed treatments for diagnosed conditions
- Performed both scheduled and emergent surgeries, including exploratory surgery and C-sections
- Collected specimens from patients for laboratory analysis for parasites, blood analysis and culture
- Evaluated incoming patients to determine treatment needs and urgency of care
- Followed all pet care instructions, including dietary needs and medication regimens
6 Dos and Don’ts for Writing a Veterinary Resume
Do
- Do give details about experience with animals. At the heart of a veterinary resume is a detailed, extensive history caring for and working with animals. Veterinary applicants should list experiences working with farm animals, household pets, zoo animals and any other animals from their professional careers or volunteer experiences.
- Do showcase research skills. Since this field is also part of the sciences, employers appreciate applicants who have strong research skills. Collecting data, performing an analysis, using biological specimens, and communicating findings are all essential parts of caring for and treating animals in a veterinary setting.
- Do stress information that gives an idea of your ability to provide medical care. Another big part of a job in the veterinary field is the capacity to deliver effective medical care. Detail your history conducting or assisting veterinary surgical procedures, administering medications, and treating animal patients.
Don’t
- Don’t discount internship experiences. If you don’t have a long history of professional experience, it is acceptable to include internships in the veterinary industry. Use these experiences to show off skills in caring for animals.
- Don’t overlook details about animal-related problems you found solutions for. Take advantage of opportunities to show off value to an employer by giving examples of veterinary problems you helped solve. For example, educating pet owners about healthy pet food diets, referring owners to training programs for problem behaviors, and diagnosing and treating tough cases.
- Don’t forget to customize your resume for the type of position, whether a small practice or large organization. There are many different types of veterinary jobs, so be sure to customize your resume for the specific employer. Veterinary jobs may be part of a small, family-owned practice, a large research-oriented university, the federal government and corporate practices.
Beat the ATS with These Veterinary Resume Skills
According to the American Veterinary Association, there is an applicant shortage. Veterinary practices use an applicant tracking system to find skilled workers in this field. Job seekers should craft a resume that caters to the ATS to ensure they get a chance to land the job.
One tool that helps job seekers get through the tough ATS stage for a veterinary job is our comprehensive Resume Builder. LiveCareer’s Resume Builder offers complete ATS-friendly phrasing for resumes to attract employers to talented job seekers. Here are some examples of the language the ATS looks for in this industry:
- Animal-handling experience
- Demonstrated animal surgery skills
- Experience with animal rehabilitation medicine
- Certified veterinary technician
- Current veterinary license from the state board
- Skills in safe restraining techniques for animals
- Ability to prepare and dispense veterinary medications
Veterinary Resumes for Every Professional Level
Entry-Level Veterinary Resume Template: Veterinary Intern
The entry-level applicant for a veterinary intern should consider a functional style resume to highlight their skills and downplay a lack of work experience. The resume example above begins with a focused professional summary that indicates an interest in a career in the veterinary industry. The applicant lists an internship and his experience working with animals at a pet store and leadership skills in his work history. The skills he focuses on for his resume are problem-solving, communication and compassion. He gives examples of his proficiency in each of these areas from a previous internship experience.
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Mid-Career Veterinary Resume Template: Veterinary Surgeon
The mid-career applicant seeks a position as a veterinary surgeon. With more than nine years of experience in the field, a combination resume format is a great choice for showing her work history and the skill set she has gathered. The applicant lists prior jobs in veterinary medicine, including a vet technician assistant and two other positions as a surgeon.
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Executive-Level Veterinary Resume Example: Veterinary Officer
Executive-level job seekers need to show a high level of expertise in the field and a strong career trajectory. This applicant demonstrates both of these competencies through the use of a chronological resume format that includes plenty of details. The applicant’s leadership skills are on display here, with experiences developing pet ownership classes and administering financial systems in a practice. He also has knowledge and experience working in a medical lab and treating patients.
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Resume Success Stories
Statistics and Facts About Veterinary Jobs
Median Annual Wages for Veterinary Workers 2018
| Veterinarians | $93830 |
|---|---|
| Veterinary technicians | $34420 |
| Veterinary assistants | $27540 | 050K100K |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Popular Job Titles in Veterinary Services
| Health Support technicians | 29.4% |
|---|---|
| Veterinarians | 18.4% |
| Veterinary Assistants and Animal Caretakers | 15.4% |
| Receptionists and Office Support | 9.7% |
| Managers | 3.86% | 02550 |
Source: Data USA – U.S. Census Bureau
Percentage of Veterinarians Working With Types of Animals 2018
| Pets | 75.3% |
|---|---|
| Unspecified | 6.9% |
| Food Animals | 5.9% |
| Multiple Types | 5.7% |
| Horses | 5.6% |
| Other | 4% | 04080 |
Source: American Veterinary Medical Association
Job Outlook Data for Veterinary Workers 2018-2028
| Veterinarians | 18% increase |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technicians | 19% increase |
| Veterinary Assistants | 19% increase | 012.525 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Diversity of Veterinarians 2017
| White | 91.5% |
|---|---|
| Asian | 3.14% |
| Two or More Races | 2.2% |
| Black | 1.97% |
| Other | 1.21% | 050100 |
Source: Data USA – U.S. Census Bureau
Types of Doctorates Earned by Practicing Veterinarians
| Biology | 51.5% |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | 19.3% |
| Health | 16% |
| Interdisciplinary studies | 5.46% |
| Psychology | 5.32% |
| Engineering | 2.34% | 03060 |
Source: Data USA – U.S. Census Bureau
Types of Physical Therapy Specialties
- Veterinarian: Doctorate or Professional Degree
- Veterinary Technologist or Technician: Associate Degree
- Animal Care Worker: High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Veterinary Assistants or Laboratory Animal Caretaker: High School Diploma or Equivalent
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Largest Employers of Veterinarians 2018
| Veterinary Practices | 78% |
|---|---|
| Self-Employed | 14% |
| Government | 3% |
| Social Advocacy Organizations | 1% |
| Educational Services | 0% | 04080 |
