I recently connected with an old friend on LinkedIn whose wife is a veterinarian. I am almost a registered veterinary technician - I finished school and passed my test (unofficially) and just need to apply for my license. Without saying anything about the fact that I planned on starting to look for a new job when I have my license, said old friend sent me an email that said “hey give me your resume, the practice my wife works at is hiring.” Cha-ching! I sent it along today and told them when I’m available, so I’m going to keep my fingers crossed.
My only real reservation is that this is a 24-hour clinic, and I just don’t want to work funky hours. I like being home by 5:30 most days (7 at the VERY latest), and only working every other Saturday 8-12. Plus, it kind of makes me wonder what the turnover is like there that they’re SO EAGER to talk to me ASAP. Cautiously optimistic I shall be!
I don’t know about vet techs, but based on my sister’s efforts to find a job as a vet this past summer, everyone is hiring. She walked out of every interview with a job offer, which varied from “yeah, right…really? Cheapskate!” to “holyshitthatsalotofmoney!”
It might be coincidence, or it might be a general sign of the market that they want to see your resume right now. Start applying everywhere and see what comes of it!
I won’t say you’re wrong to be cautious, but it might just be that your friend is thrilled to have an opportunity to help you – I’m sure I would be. Or, they might have just had someone leave / give notice, so the opening is fresh and they’re excited it may not have to last long.
All of the decent jobs I’ve had were recommended to me via personal contact, rather than something I applied for unsolicited (even if the job opening is publicly listed somewhere, getting a recommendation / referral is a big plus). My current job was a completely unexpected one that came in my last few weeks of school and was formally offered literally the day after my graduation ceremony.
Just be up-front about the hours you’re willing to work, and make sure whoever you talk to understands you want only day shifts. I work at a 24-hour ER and specialty center, and there are decidedly daytime people who only work days, but who might sometimes be asked to fill in a later shift (maybe 4pm to midnight) once or twice a month. The “overnight” staff (8pm to 8am) is pretty exclusive, there’s a defined bunch who do it, and daytimers are rarely, if ever, asked to do that shift. Instead they may volunteer to fill a shift for someone in trade, but that’s about it.
There’s plenty of turnover. I see most of it with people who are either new to being techs, or are new to ER work. Mostly it’s within 3 months to a year that they leave, and honestly it’s because they seriously can’t hack it. It’s stressful, demanding work, and even certified techs can have trouble. It seems to me about 30% of them haven’t done real “work” before in the veterinary industry, and come to us straight out of school with little practical experience. If they can’t get the hang of how quickly and efficiently things need to be done, and basic essentials like venipuncture, to draw blood samples or to place an IV catheter, they don’t pass their 90-day review.
If you’ve done work in veterinary hospitals before, and can already successfully restrain animals for procedures, place IV’s and run lab equipment, you can pretty much call the shots for your hours, and you’ll probably like the 24-hour place. The other fun thing about the bigger 24-hour businesses is that they have their own full labs so you get to learn so much more and keep up with that part of your training better. Where I work, the only real difference between the CVT’s and the non-CVT’s is ability in the lab, and there’s almost always a certified tech running things in there except during the wee morning overnight hours.
And yeah, I don’t have a formal application on file for either of my current jobs. While I was interviewed, I was referred through others and booked the interviews without going through the application process.
Asking about turnover is a legitimate question, but as others noted, since it appears you have a field that is in demand, don’t just grab the first offer. They probably wanted you right away, because they realize, they can make you an offer and no one is likely to give you an interview before the new year. So go in knowing what you want, and make sure you get it.
Well, I talked to the tech manger today. She needs someone who has no schedule restrictions and can work either 1-9PM or 3-11PM, plus pick up the occasional day shift, PLUS holidays and weekends.
Well, that ain’t gonna work! I already don’t see my husband two or three nights a week. Not to mention I would still have to be up at 7AM to get the kids ready for school/daycare. Bleargh. Oh well … I’ll wait until I get my license and then start shopping my resume around. The annual conference is in early February, so I’ll talk to people there
When I talked to the tech manager, she was very understanding, and offered to forward my resume to the local specialty hospital, which is building a new 35,000+ square foot facility. They handle everything from cardiology to dermatology to emergency medicine to neurology and oncology. Very excited!