For vets, there is nothing more important than keeping your CV up to date and accurate. Your CV is most likely going to be the first encounter you will have with potential employers so you want to put your best foot forward with a relevant summary of your skills and strengths. Here are a few simple guidelines and tips to help you ensure your veterinary CV is the best it can be:
- Express yourself
Don’t be afraid to demonstrate who you are, your character and what makes you great, both in the way of experience and personal skills.
- Keep it simple
Don’t over complicate things or go into more detail than needed. It isn’t necessary to include every bit of work experience in your CV, especially if it’s not relevant to the position you are applying for. Employers don’t want to spend a long time reading your CV so keep it succinct and to the point – no more than two sides of an A4.
- Be job specific
Following on from point two, it is so important that your CV is tailored towards the job you are applying for rather than a generic CV that includes all skills and experience. It is good to have a more generic version as a point of reference but a veterinary CV should be focused on the veterinary profession and your relevant experience in that industry.
- Demonstrate interpersonal skills
Clinical expertise and your passion for working with animals is a vital aspect of any veterinary CV, but so is an awareness of the commercial pressures many practices face. Use your CV to demonstrate how you can contribute in this regard.
- Do your research
Experience isn’t the only vital factor in a veterinary CV; when applying for new jobs, research your new employers and demonstrate your understanding of the new role, what makes you passionate about the job and why you would be a valuable addition to their team.
- Check your work
Last but not least, make sure everything is spell- and grammar-checked! It is also important to note that age, date of birth, marital status or references are not necessary additions to a veterinary CV. You can save space by simply adding a line stating that references will be provided upon request.
Good luck with the job search and drop us a line if you have any further questions about how we can help you jump-start your veterinary career!