Veterinarian Interview Questions & Answers

Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to protect public health.

Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Compassion
• Manual dexterity
• Decision-making skills

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for Veterinarian positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!

Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.

Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates

Below we discuss the skills you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.

Communication skills

Why interviewers are interested in your communication skills:

Strong communication skills are essential for veterinarians, who must be able to discuss their recommendations and explain treatment options to animal owners and give instructions to their staff.

Learn more about communication interview questions and how to answer them!

Compassion

Why interviewers are interested in how compassionate you are:

Veterinarians must be compassionate when working with animals and their owners. They must treat animals with kindness and respect, and they must be sensitive when dealing with the animal owners.

Related: What Does a Wildlife Veterinarian Do?

Decision-making skills

Why interviewers are interested in your decision-making skills:

Veterinarians must decide the correct method for treating the injuries and illnesses of animals.

Manual dexterity

Why interviewers are interested in your manual dexterity:

Veterinarians must control their hand movements and be precise when treating injuries and performing surgery.

Problem-solving skills

Why interviewers are interested in your problem-solving skills:

Veterinarians need strong problem-solving skills because they must figure out what is ailing animals. Those who test animals to determine the effects of drug therapies also need excellent diagnostic skills.

Learn more about problem-solving interview questions and how to answer them!

(source: bls.gov)

Veterinarian Job Interview Questions & Answers

During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:

• Employment history
• Skills and abilities
• Accomplishments
• Job qualifications
• Educational background
• Career goals
• Personality

Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.

Examples Of General Veterinarian Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. What interests you about this position?
5. Walk me through your resume.
6. What motivates you?
7. Why are you leaving your current job?
8. Describe your work ethic.
9. What is your greatest strength?
10. How does your experience qualify you for this job?
11. What is your greatest weakness?
12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
13. Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
14. What are your expectations for this position?
15. What are your career goals?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. What did you like most about your last position?
18. What did you like least about your last position?
19. How do you handle stress?
20. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!

Examples Of Specific Veterinarian Behavioral Interview Questions

Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.

1. How would you rate your communication skills? Can you tell me about your approach to make recommendations and explain treatment options to animal owners?
2. What would you do if there are signs of animal abuse on the animal that you are treating? Can you give me an example?
3. Describe a time you had to perform under pressure. What happened, and how did you deal with it?
4. What is the most difficult situation you have faced as a veterinarian?
5. Which do you think are required for a veterinarian to be successful? Can you give me an example of how you have used those skills in work situations?
6. How do you communicate bad news to clients about their animal or pet? Can you give me an example?
7. What is your experience working with large animals? Can you give me an example?
8. Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a coworker. What happened, and how did you resolve this situation?
9. How would you respond to a client who came in to request a healthy pet to be euthanized because they were unable to afford to take care of it?
10. Tell me about a time you made a mistake. What happened, and what did you learn from it?

Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.