Job interview - moving job questions

RE: Job interview - moving job questions

Bob Russell — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 15:57:29 GMT

[quote user="vs0u "]

My ideal job would be: somewhere where other vets are around most days, there are qualified nurses at least sometimes, the building has plenty of windows, they have either 15 min consults or several breaks during the day, a reasonable likelihood of an hour for lunch and leaving on time at least 4/5 of the time, somewhere I got at least 2 ops days a week, somewhere with a sensible OOH arrangement eg. at least overnight nursing care for any hospitalised patients but preferably doing own OOH cover, working no more than 35 hours per week daytime hours, payment or time off in lieu of extra hours worked for all staff so that they don't mind staying late when required, commute less than 20 minutes, a building that is reasonably clean and well maintained, no sales targets or aggressive marketing, sensible prices for routine stuff so that clients aren't shocked when their animal is ill, decent standard of care for the animals including offering house visits, happy, polite, helpful and efficient reception and nursing staff, a boss who will back you up if any complaints, management who know and care about all staff, equipment I don't mind about too much as long as they have xray and gaseous anaesthesia, however a decent dental machine with good drill is essential. Also, it's good if the place is nearby to cafe/shops/pleasant park to spend your lunch break occasionally.

I'd second locuming for a year if you can - a good way to find out what places are really like and the massive variety there is.

[/quote]

Pretty much what we offer here!!

Ops a bit on the light side as the budget practices fight to offer the cheapest possible deal to neuter pets!

We seem to be valued when a patient is actually ill and needs proper vets!

My requirements - ability to know their way round an ultrasound machine better than me! New toy about to go on order.

More enthusiastic surgeon than I am!

We don't do much out of hours though!

Nice place to work, fantastic area. CV to ......

RE: Job interview - moving job questions

vs0u — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 14:11:52 GMT

[quote user="Sarah Keir"]

vs0u let me know when you find a job that offers all that!

[/quote]

I did locum somewhere like that recently - I had a great time. The vets have all been there at least 5 years and were showing no signs of leaving though

RE: Job interview - moving job questions

vs0u — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 14:09:58 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]

vsOu: all good aims I'd say, and hope we achieve most of these but

[quote user="vs0u "]working no more than 35 hours per week daytime hours[/quote]

that's 9-5 mon-fri with no evenings or saturday mornings?

[/quote]

No - which exact hours they are wouldn't be an issue - it's the total that matters to me. Evenings and weekends are expected.

[quote user="robloxley"]Also what salary you want to be earning has to reflect in some way how many hours you work, what you charge clients during those hours and how busy you are during those hours[/quote]

Completely agree. I didn't mention anything about salary in my list! (but I think you can earn more with 15 min consults, having done both)

RE: Job interview - moving job questions

Rob Loxley — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 13:32:45 GMT

vsOu: all good aims I'd say, and hope we achieve most of these but

[quote user="vs0u "]working no more than 35 hours per week daytime hours[/quote]

that's 9-5 mon-fri with no evenings or saturday mornings?

Also what salary you want to be earning has to reflect in some way how many hours you work, what you charge clients during those hours and how busy you are during those hours

RE: Job interview - moving job questions

Sarah Keir — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 12:53:08 GMT

vs0u let me know when you find a job that offers all that!

RE: Job interview - moving job questions

Virginia Campbell — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 11:41:16 GMT

Take your predecessor out for lunch.

RE: Job interview - moving job questions

Stephanie Wellings — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 10:15:48 GMT

I would ask to see the wording in the contract re hours, overtime, weekends (never take what they vaguely say in the interview as gospel!)

I would also make sure to do a trial day or few days before accepting the job (or even better go in as a locum for a bit) as you won't hear about the negatives of the job in an interview, no matter what questions you ask.

RE: Job interview - moving job questions

vs0u — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 21:36:59 GMT

I'd second locuming for a year if you can - a good way to find out what places are really like and the massive variety there is.

RE: Job interview - moving job questions

J G Wray — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 21:25:09 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]

What is a realistic salary expectation? Full time with no OOH work.

What are the questions that other people didnt ask at interview which became relevant after they had started the new job ?

Thanks in advance

[/quote]

A quarter to a fifth of your personal turnover

What is in my contract?

RE: Job interview - moving job questions

Jill Butterworth — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 20:55:35 GMT

Congratulations, you can now market yourself as an 'experienced vet' and should find yourself in demand.

If you can be flexible, consider locum work. It will open your eyes to how different practices are run/managed etc and clarify what you like and what's a deal breaker. Call an agency, but the salary should equate to about £50K pro rata, but you have to be self employed, so you must save quite a bit for accountancy fees/NI/tax, so it's not quite as good as it sounds.

Take your time, this is an important step. Lots of things to consider:

Are you thinking of settling down?

If so, check you the locality, schools, recreational opportunities.

Check that you like the lay staff and other vets, ask to see practice for a day/week, to see if there are hidden problems. Be nice to the nurses and you may get to know the problems, so you can decide if they are insurmountable.

In permanent positions you may find the salary has possibility of good bonuses.

Maybe go for the odd interview for jobs you don't care about, for practice, so you will be relaxed. Don't moan about how crap your last place is, have a good answer for why you are leaving.

Find out if there is chance of a partnership or salaried partnership, if this interests you.

Have you considered setting up your plate yourself...? That's the only way to control every aspect of your job (kind of!)

Way above all the fancy equipment, for me, personalities are really important and sometimes very difficult to predict or influence...and can suddenly change anyway.

You are likely to have to make compromises somewhere. Good luck!