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Are you trying to land a job at a veterinary clinic? Veterinary medicine is a competitive industry that grows larger and larger each year. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA), there are over 118,000 licensed veterinarians operating in the United States. Of course, veterinary clinics have other job positions. Along with licensed veterinarians, they have veterinary technicians, technologists, assistants, managers and more. Regardless of which position you are seeking, you should consider the following tips when applying for a job at a veterinary clinic.

#1) Work on Your Resume

Most veterinary clinics require applicants to submit a resume. This formal document provides employers with a deeper understanding of your education, work experience and skills. To improve your chances of getting hired, you should work on your resume. Go through your resume to see if it’s missing any essential information. When adding information about your education, work experience and skills, use a reverse-chronological order. Proofreading your resume a few times can also help you catch and fix typos.

#2) Create a Professional Cover Letter

While a complete and typo-free resume is important, you shouldn’t discount the value of a professional cover letter. A cover letter is a supplemental single-page document that provides additional information about who you are and why you are applying for the job. Some employers require applicants to submit a cover letter with their resume. With a cover letter, they can find highly qualified applicants more easily. Even if an employer doesn’t require it, creating a professional cover letter will enhance your resume, making it well worth the time and effort to create.

#3) Express Passion for Animals

If you’re applying for a veterinary clinic, you are probably passionate about animals. By expressing this passion, you’ll have a better chance of getting hired at a veterinary clinic. Employers want to know their clinic will be run by passionate employees. When you are passionate about animals, you’ll provide a higher level of service to clients and their pets. You can express your passion for animals in your resume and during the interview.

#4) Stay on Top of Communications

A veterinary clinic may contact you several times after you’ve applied for a job. Maybe an employer wants to verify your credentials, or perhaps an employer wants you to come in for an interview. To show employers that you are punctual, you must stay on top of communications such as these. When an employer contacts you, respond as soon as possible. You should typically use the same method of communication the employer used. If you received an email, for example, reply back to the employer with an email. If the employer calls you, call him or her back.

#5) Search Classified Ads

You don’t have to drive around to local veterinary clinics to determine whether they have a job opening. An easier and more effective way to find job openings is to use classified ads. Online classified ads are particularly useful because they allow you to refine your search. If you’re trying to get hired as a veterinary technician, for instance, you can search for veterinarian technician job openings. That way, you won’t have to sift through job openings for other veterinary professions.

You can also search for veterinary jobs in a specific geographic region using online classified ads. Unless you enjoy long commutes, you may want to limit your search to veterinary clinics within a 20-minute drive to and from your home. With online classified ads, you can search for job local job openings in specific geographic regions. This is just one more reason to use online classified ads when searching for a veterinary job.

#6) Dress Professionally

When it’s time for an interview, dress professionally. The clothes you wear to an interview can affect your chances of getting hired. Unless otherwise requested, it’s typically best to follow a business casual dress code. Business casual is a mix of formal and casual attire, with a greater emphasis on the former. It’s a professional-looking style that shows employers you are serious about getting hired. At the same time, business casual isn’t excessively formal; it’s a blended style that’s considered appropriate for veterinary clinics.

#7) Follow Up

You may not get hired on the spot — and that’s okay. You can still follow up with an employer. Employers are hardworking and busy professionals, so they may forget to call or email you back after the interview. If you don’t follow up, you may not get hired.

When should you follow up with an employer exactly? While there’s no universal rule, you should typically wait at least one week. If it’s been longer than one week since you conducted the interview and you haven’t heard back from the employer, you can follow up with the employer. A quick follow-up call or email could mean the difference between getting hired or being forced to continue your job search.