32 Veterinary Technician Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Veterinary Technician interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view six answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
Behavioral
1. How do you handle making difficult decisions when it comes to the care of an animal such as euthanasia?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to hear that while you enjoy working with animals, you also understand that there are difficult aspects of animal care. The interviewer is attempting to determine if you are able to make the best decision for an animal, even if the decision is a tough one.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about times when you had to make difficult decisions when it came to the health of an animal. Talk to the interviewer about how you determine the best plan of care for an animal when times are tough. The interviewer is looking to hear that while you do not favor this aspect of your position, you understand that it is part of your responsibility and that you will always put the needs of the animal over your own feelings.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"It is never an easy decision to put a pet down. It is always so hard for families and that is why is it a last resort after exhausting all other options. When evaluating if putting a pet down is the best decision, I always ask myself what choice I would want to make if it were my own pet and also what choice is medically necessary for the pet so that he or she is not struggling. I then speak to the family about all options and usually a veterinarian is part of those conversations. It is not an easy part of the role but it is absolutely necessary at times."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Behavioral
2. At times, veterinary work can be stressful. How do you handle stress?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to determine if you are able to handle the stress that comes along with working in a veterinary clinic. The interviewer is looking to hear that you are able to work well under pressure and that you handle stress well.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about the work that you have done in your previous roles. Talk about how you were able to stay on track and manage the stress in your fast-paced positions. Describe to the interviewer any techniques that you utilize to assist you in managing the stress in a veterinary role.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I work really well under pressure and in stressful environments. I manage my stress by doing things that I enjoy outside of work like hiking, baking, and swimming. I try to make sure that I come into work each day with a clean slate and that I keep my personal and professional life separated."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
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Behavioral
3. Tell us about a time that you had to make a difficult ethical decision in the workplace and how you handled that.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to know that when presented with an ethical concern, you will make the right decision to be sure that the concern is addressed. The interviewer is trying to determine if you are comfortable confronting a difficult situation and if you are willing to bring ethical concerns to the attention of your management team.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about a time that you witnessed an ethical concern in the workplace. Discuss what steps you took to be sure that the concern was properly brought to the attention of your management team and addressed.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"In a previous role, I had a coworker who was frequently calling off sick on the weekends. It often meant that others had to come in last minute on the weekend to fill in for this person. I happened to follow this coworker on social media and could see that he was out at the bar on days that he had called off sick. The first few times I did not say anything but then it became pretty frequent and I ended up speaking to my manager about it. He did not end up losing his job and my manager did not tell him that I was the one who said anything. I felt that it was handled professionally and I still had a good working relationship with him."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Behavioral
4. What do you believe is your greatest weakness?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to know that you are aware that you have areas that could use improvement. The interviewer also wants to hear that you are actively working towards these growth opportunities.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about your previous roles and areas that may have been pointed out to you in one on ones or performance appraisals as needing improvement. Talk about what steps you have taken or plan to take to make the necessary improvements and why you feel that it is important for you to work on this weakness.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I think that my biggest weakness is that sometimes I take on too much. Sometimes I will take on a lot at once and it can get a bit stressful. I generally work really well under stress and pressure but sometimes I do feel that I could cut myself some slack and not take on so much at once. I am actively working on this so that I can make sure to prioritize my time so that I am able to be the best version of myself."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Behavioral
5. What do you believe is your greatest strength?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to hear you describe what you feel is the best thing about you. Your answer to this question will help the interviewer to determine what assets you might bring to the team that you will be working with if hired for the role.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about your previous roles. If there is a particular area that was pointed out to you during a performance appraisal that you excel in, speak about that now. You can also use an area of expertise as a strength.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I would say that my greatest strength is that I am very compassionate. I always try to put myself in the shoes of others to get a sense of how they are feeling. I feel that this is such a helpful trait to have in my line of work because it really helps me to be understanding of both the feelings of my customers and the needs of the pets that I am working with."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Behavioral
6. Tell us about a time that you made a mistake in your career and what steps you took to correct the mistake.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to hear that you know that it is only human to make mistakes in your career. The interviewer also wants to know that if you make a mistake, you will take responsibility and take the necessary steps to correct your error.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about a time that you made a mistake a work. Talk about what you did when you realized that the mistake had been made and what steps you were able to take to correct the mistake. Discuss what you learned from your error and what you will do differently moving forward to be sure that you will not make the same work mistake.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"In a previous position, it was a particularly busy workday and our schedulers had overbooked the day. I made the mistake of grabbing the wrong chart not realizing that an additional pet visit was scheduled that day. I quickly reviewed the chart and reason for the visit and entered the room. I started the visit by greeting the customer and pet and stated that I realized that the dog was there because he was not feeling well and that there was a suspected tick bite. The customer quickly corrected me and told me that the dog was actually there to be seen for repeated vomiting. I realized my error and was embarrassed. I immediately apologized to the customer and explained that I'd grabbed the wrong chart and he was very kind and understanding. Moving forward, I always double-check to be sure that I have the chart that matches the pet visit by comparing to the schedule and double checking when greeting the customer."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Behavioral
7. If a vet asked you to do something that was outside of your scope of responsibility, how would you handle that?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is trying to determine if you are willing to work outside of your scope of responsibility and if you would be willing to go above and beyond your normal duties. Your answer lets the interviewer know if you are willing to grow your skillset and also if you are willing to express if you are unable to complete certain tasks.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about times in your previous roles where it was requested that you step outside of your regular position requirements to complete a task. Talk to the interviewer about how you handled these requests and if you were successfully able to work outside of your normal responsibilities.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"In the Pet Emergency Clinic, I often have to step outside of my normal duties and responsibilities. It is unpredictable how many animals we will need to care for in one shift and sometimes, we end up having very busy days and I will need to step in and complete some tasks that I am not usually required to do. I have no problem stepping outside of my normal duties to assist and be sure that animals are getting the best care. Ultimately, any experience that I can get is beneficial to both me and my employer."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Behavioral
8. Talk about a time that you went above and beyond your duties and responsibilities.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is trying to determine if you will go above and beyond for the animals and clients that you work with. Your answer to this question should demonstrate that you are compassionate and attentive to the animals that you care for in your work roles.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about your previous roles in providing veterinary care. Discuss a time that you went outside of your normal position responsibilities for an animal or a client and why you chose to do so.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"One day at the Pet Emergency Center, we had a dog come in that was severely dehydrated and had a viral infection. This dog needed to have overnight monitoring but we were full at the time and unable to accommodate an additional animal for that night. I worked with another vet tech to move some animals around so that we could monitor the dog overnight. We ended up putting another pet that did not need to be on any IV fluids into a clinic room for the evening where he was still closely monitored. Normally, we do not keep pets if we do not have the staff or room to care for them but I really did not feel comfortable sending this pet home and I knew that the customer felt most comfortable at our center so I did what I could to make it work."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Discovery
9. What do you enjoy most about being a veterinary technician? What do you enjoy least?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is trying to get a feel for what aspects of your role you really enjoy and what pieces of your job you enjoy the least. Your answer to this question will help the interviewer to determine if you will enjoy what you would be doing in your role if you were hired for the position that you are interviewing for.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about your responsibilities in your most recent role. Discuss what pieces of your role you really enjoyed doing each day and why. Then, talk about what responsibilities you do not look forward to in your role and why you felt that way.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I most enjoy working with the animals and making sure that they are getting the best possible care to keep them happy and healthy. What I enjoy least is when keeping the animal happy and healthy is not an option and the decision to put the animal down needs to be made. No matter how long I work in the field, that part of the job never gets easier."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Discovery
10. What made you pursue a career as a veterinary technician?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is attempting to learn about what initially made you want to work in the veterinary field. The interviewer wants to see you be passionate about your career path at this time and your work with animals.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about what made you want to work with animals. Discuss what ultimately led you to develop your career as a veterinary technician. You will want to demonstrate that you have a real passion for animals when responding to this question.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have had a passion for animals since I was fairly young. I grew up on a farm and was pretty well educated on animal care. I knew that working with animals was what I wanted to do and I would eventually like to be a veterinarian when I complete schooling. In the meantime, veterinary tech work has given me so much exposure and experience to prepare me for my future."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Discovery
11. Have you ever been involved with any animal related fundraising?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to determine how passionate you are about animals and if you are willing to use your free time to advocate and do some fundraising for them. Your answer will help the interviewer to understand what specific animal-related causes are important to you.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about any animal-related advocacy that you have done or any fundraising that you have been a part of that benefitted animals. Provide the interviewer with specific examples of any fundraising efforts that you have performed.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have participated in many fundraising events that benefit animals. I have done fundraising for local zoos, I have participated in several 5K events, and I organize an annual charity event for a local humane society and manage their donations."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Discovery
12. Please describe your ideal supervisor.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is trying to get a feel for the type of leader that you would work well with. Your answer to this question will give the interviewer a sense of how well you'd work with the leader that you could potentially be working under.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about your prior supervisors. Describe the leadership styles that you have worked well with in the past. Maybe you work well with someone who is approachable. Maybe you prefer to work for a leader that is very direct. Whatever type of leadership you work best with, discuss that with the interviewer now.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I work well under most leadership styles. I prefer a leader who is willing to mentor me and assist me in learning and growing. I also enjoy working for a leader who is approachable and willing to answer my questions and values his or her employees."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Discovery
13. If you were not working as a veterinary technician, what type of role do you believe that you would be working in?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is trying to understand your interests. Your answer to this question will let the interviewer know what you are passionate about. If you are more interested in the scientific aspect of your role, your answer might be geared more towards a scientific role. If you are more passionate about working with animals, your answer might be geared more towards a career in zoology.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think back to when you were deciding on your major for college. If there were other majors that you considered, talk about that at this time. Discuss any other career interests that you have had and thought about pursuing. Your answer may be that you would still want to work with animals in some capacity, or it might be a completely different field of interest.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I think that if I was not working in the veterinary field I would likely be working with pets in another way. I would most likely be working in zoology or doing animal advocacy."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Discovery
14. What makes you look for a position outside of the company that you currently work for?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is trying to understand why you are looking for a position outside of the company that you are currently employed with. The interviewer wants to know that if they offer you a position of employment, you will be looking for longevity with their company.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Discuss your reasoning for wanting to part ways with your current employer. You will want to be careful to not speak poorly of your employer or the management team that you are working with. Express your reasons for looking for employment outside the company that you are working with while maintaining a professional attitude.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I really enjoy the company that I am currently working for but I am currently working third shift and there are no openings for being on first shift. I am still taking classes, and I feel that working days would be a much better fit for my school schedule."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Discovery
15. How do you think your coworkers would describe you?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is trying to gain some insight as to how you are viewed by those that you work with. Your answer to this question will help the interviewer to determine if you will be a good fit for the team that you would be working with if you were hired for the role.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Talk about how you feel your coworkers might view you. When answering this question, it is helpful to highlight traits that the company is able to benefit from. The interviewer wants to hear that you can be a team player and that your coworkers are able to depend on you.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I think that my coworkers would say that I am very hardworking, caring, compassionate and that I am always a team player. My teammates know that they can depend on me and that I take my work seriously."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Discovery
16. In your opinion, what is the most important skill for a veterinary technician to possess?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is trying to determine what you feel is the most important skill for a veterinary technician to have. Your answer helps the interviewer to understand what your skillset is and what skills you have that you feel are important to your role.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about the skills that you possess and utilize in your role as a veterinary technician. Discuss with the interviewer, the skill that you feel is most important to have in the veterinary technician role and why you feel that this particular skill holds such value in the position.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I feel that the most important skill for a veterinary technician to possess is compassion. In this role, you have to have compassion for the pet and the pet's owner as well and be willing to understand what they are feeling to determine the best plan of care for the pet."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Discovery
17. What do you look for in a company culture when looking for a new role?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to know what is important to you when deciding if you would like to work with a new company. Your answer will let the interviewer know if their company would be a good fit for you.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about what draws you to a company and gets you excited about working with them. Think about the values that need to see in a potential employer to accept a role with them. Some individuals look for a company with flexible scheduling, growth opportunities, educational assistance, regular communication with employees, or simply an open door policy. Whatever your values may be, whatever attracts you to an employer, discuss that with the interviewer.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I look for a company to be very pet and customer-centered. I feel that the families of the pets that I am caring for are equally important to their pets. These families need to speak for their animals and it is important for them to be heard. I enjoy working for a company that shows appreciation for their employees as well and takes the time to do team building activities."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Discovery
18. What types of animals have you worked with in your previous roles?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is trying to get a feel for what types of animals you have worked with in your prior roles and what animals you have not worked with. Your answer to this question helps the interviewer to know if you would be comfortable working with the animals that are treated by the role that you are interviewing for.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about your previous roles and the variety of animals that you have worked with. Discuss what animals you have worked with and tell the interviewer which of those animals you have most worked with and feel most comfortable treating.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have had the chance to work with a variety of pets due to working in both a vet clinic as well as a pet emergency center. I have worked with dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, pigs, horses, rabbits. I have worked with most household pets as well as farm animals."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Discovery
19. What makes you the best veterinary technician for our company?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is attempting to determine what sets you apart from other candidates that are interviewing for the same role that you are. The interviewer wants to hear about any skills that you possess that may differ from others in the field.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Talk about any skills and qualifications that you have that would make you a good fit role the role that you are interviewing for. Discuss any certifications or additional training that you have obtained that the company could benefit from if you were to be employed with them.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I think that I would make the best veterinary technician for your company because of my prior background working in the pet emergency center. I gained a wide range of experience throughout my employment relationship there and I don't feel that it is the type of experience that you obtain in a clinic. I also have the passion that it takes to work with animals and I am working towards becoming a veterinarian."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Discovery
20. Where do you see yourself in your career over the next five years?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to understand what your plans are for the future. Your answer to this question will let the interviewer know if you are looking for longevity with their company or if you view this role as a stepping stone in your career. The interviewer is looking to hear that you plan to stay with their company for a while.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about what your career goals are and where you see yourself in your career over the next five years. Discuss the steps that you have taken or plan to take towards your goals at this time.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I really enjoy helping sick and injured animals in emergency situations. Right now, I am refining the skills that would help me work in critical care."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Discovery
21. Are there any animals that you are uncomfortable working with or will not work with?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to determine if there are any animals that you are unable to work with. Your answer to this question will help the interviewer to know if you would be uncomfortable or unable to work with any of the animals that would be in your scope of responsibility if you were hired for this role.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about your previous roles and if there are any animals that you have worked with that you would be uncomfortable working with going forward. You will want to be honest when responding to this question. Discuss any animals that you would not be comfortable working with or would be hesitant to work with.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have not had any encounters with any animals that I was not comfortable working with. I have had to work with some aggressive dogs and that can be tough but I am trained for those scenarios. I have also worked with animals who were in a great deal of pain and their reactions can be unpredictable but I am not uncomfortable working with those pets."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Education
22. Please provide us with an overview of your educational and professional work experience.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to understand what your educational and professional qualifications are. The interviewer is trying to determine if your background will be a good fit for the role that you are interviewing for and if your prior experience will be an asset to the company.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Provide the interviewer with a brief history of your educational and professional background. Begin by talking about where you graduated from college and what your major was. Next, discuss your work history by beginning with your first position relating to the veterinary field and work your way to your most recent employer. You will want to provide the interviewer with a summary of your duties at each of your former employers.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I graduated with my associates and began working as a veterinary technician about six years ago. I am currently in school part-time to become a veterinarian. I have held two full-time positions as a vet tech. I first worked at PetVet and held that position for three years. I ended up leaving that role to work for a clinic closer to home that takes more emergency care needs. I have worked for that employer, Emergency Pet Care, for nearly three years now."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Leadership
23. Talk about a time that you demonstrated leadership skills in your role.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to know that if necessary, you are comfortable taking charge and leading your teammates. The interviewer is looking to determine if you would be a good fit for a leadership role in the future. Your answer to this question will also let the interviewer know what areas you excel in as an employee and how you would be able to contribute your knowledge to the team that you may be working with.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about a time that you needed to step up and lead your team in a project or assignment. Talk about how you were able to successfully lead your peers and why you were the best person to lead the team at that time.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"When I began working for my current employer, they were in the process of moving over to an electronic scheduling system and electronic charting. My previous employer had used a very similar platform so I did a small training on the system and its abilities for my peers and two of the schedulers. I was able to answer a lot of their questions and I was available as a resource for our team while they were learning the new system."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Operational
24. How do you best learn the tasks of a new position?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is trying to understand how you best learn the tasks of your position. Your answer to this question will help the interviewer to determine what training methods will be most beneficial for you and what techniques will be most successful when you are being taught the tasks of your new role.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about your previous roles and the new tasks that you learned when beginning those roles. Discuss how you were best able to learn the tasks of those positions. Some people learn best through demonstration, some learn best by reading and having notes to refer to, and others learn well if they are able to take a more hands-on approach. However, you are best able to learn new tasks, discuss that with the interviewer.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I always learn best by working hands-on. As long as I know what tasks I am to perform, I am usually able to figure it out and complete those tasks successfully. It is helpful for me to have a mentor or someone who is familiar with those tasks that I can utilize as a resource when I am in the learning phase of my new position."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Operational
25. How do you determine the best treatment for an animal?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is trying to determine the process that you use to decide what the best treatment for an animal is. Your answer to these questions lets the interviewer know if you would be a good fit for the clinic that you are interviewing for.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Talk about what process you utilize when deciding on the best care for an animal. Discuss any steps that you take to be sure that you are providing the best care for the particular animal that you are working with.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"A lot of times I am determining a pet's care alongside a veterinarian. When deciding the best plan of care for an animal, we always take the comfort of the pet into consideration first. We then will think about long-term effects that can be had with different plans of care, and then we also take the customer into consideration and their budget. The health and comfort of the pet are always top priority."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Operational
26. Veterinary clinics can be very fast paced at times, how do you stay on task and manage your time?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Because veterinary clinics can be very busy, it is often necessary to multitask in your role as a veterinary technician. The interviewer is trying to determine how well you multitask and how you are able to manage your time and complete your tasks in a timely manner when working under pressure.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about your previous roles in a veterinary clinic, specifically on days that were quite busy. Discuss how you were able to stay on track and complete your tasks. Talk about any time-management techniques that you have learned and utilized when working in fast-paced environments.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I work very well in fast-paced environments and I tend to work best under stress. I stay on track by keeping a log of what needs to be done each day and making sure that those tasks get completed in between appointments. There are days that I need to reprioritize and possibly move a task to the following day if something of higher importance comes up unexpectedly. I do not have an issue completing all of my work and managing my time with customers and my daily tasks."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Situational
27. Talk about a time that you disagreed with a veterinarian that you were working with and how you handled the disagreement?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to know that if you have a disagreement in the workplace, you will handle yourself professionally. The interviewer is also trying to determine if you are comfortable approaching your superiors in the workplace if you disagree with a decision that they have made.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about a time that you disagreed with a decision that was made by a veterinarian that you were working with. Discuss how you approached the situation to express your concerns and how you were able to come to a solution for the disagreement. Talk about what you learned from this situation and what you might do differently going forward.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I had previously worked with a veterinarian that would get incredibly upset if the vet techs took more than a certain amount of time when seeing pets. On one particular day, he entered the room and yelled at me in front of a customer for taking too long. During my lunch break, I asked him to please, in the future, wait until I was not with a customer to discuss any concerns that he had with me. I also explained that the customer was having a hard time understanding some of the vaccinations that we were planning to give his pet at the visit and that I needed to spend some additional time providing clarification. Going forward, I never had an issue with him regarding my time spent with customers."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Situational
28. Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a team member. How did you handle it?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to know that you are faced with a conflict with a member of your team, that you will handle it professionally. The interviewer wants to hear any problem-solving skills that you utilize.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about a time that you had a conflict with one of your teammates in a previous position. Talk about the actions that you took to resolve the conflict. If you have had any prior problem resolution or conflict resolution training, provide an overview of those pieces of training now and discuss how you utilize those training techniques when a conflict arises with a coworker.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my previous role, I had a coworker who started working after me and would frequently talk about how the clinic was doing things incorrectly and then talk about how her previous employer did things in their clinic. It felt like she was constantly bashing our employer. Eventually, I spoke up and just told her that my previous employer also did things differently but that I felt that it was beneficial to learn things in different ways and that it was nice to know multiple ways to complete a task. After that, she seemed to keep her negative comments to a minimum and it was nicer to work with her."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
The action I took was
1. I spoke to him privately
2. Had an open communication
3. Give some examples of when it was happening
After speaking, he was shocked and apologized straightaway. From that day forward, he involved me more in the group meeting and considered my ideas more. We also had good friends in school and outside of work.
Would this be a good answer to this question?"
Marcie's Feedback
Situational
29. Talk about a time that you identified a safety concern in your workplace and what steps you took to correct this safety matter.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Safety is always a top priority in the workplace, especially when working with animals. The interviewer is trying to determine what prior safety training you have had and if you are comfortable addressing safety concerns or bringing them to the attention of your management team.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about a time that you recognized that there was a safety risk in your workplace. Talk to the interviewer about what steps you took to address the safety concern and what you learned from that process.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"At my previous employer, we had a very open waiting area and at times we would have very sick pets alongside animals that were just there for routine checkups and annual vaccinations. This was a potentially dangerous situation for animals that had contagious viral infections. I spoke with the management team and we were able to keep a small area for 'well pets' to safely wait to see their veterinarian."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Situational
30. Talk about a time that you had to make a tough decision when it came to an animal and how you handled that.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to know that while you enjoy working with animals, you understand that making tough calls that are not always easy is part of your role. The interviewer is trying to determine that you can put your emotions aside and be professional and make the best call for an animal under all circumstances.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about your prior roles in veterinary care. Talk about a time that you had to make a decision involving animal care that was difficult for you. You will want to demonstrate that you were able to maintain professionalism in this situation and that you ultimately put the care of the animal before everything else.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I had a dog that was just shy of two years old come into the emergency center and the dog had been having seizures at home and difficulty breathing. We kept the dog for a few days to monitor his breathing and during that time he had two more seizures even with medications. The dog's oxygen levels were extremely low and after consulting with our veterinarian, we determined that the dog was under a great deal of medical stress and was suffering and in pain. We called the family in and discussed what we felt was really the only option, to put the dog to sleep. It was such a difficult decision to make because the pet was incredibly young and we were having a hard time determining what was causing such illness but there really did not seem to be anything that was providing relief and we ultimately did what we felt was best for the animal."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Situational
31. Talk about a time that you had a difficult experience with a customer/client and how you handled the situation?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is looking to determine how well you handle conflict with customers and clients. There are times when pet owners may disagree with a plan of care or your professional opinion. There may also be times that a coworker may disagree with a decision that you have made. The interviewer wants to hear that if faced with this type of conflict, you will handle it professionally.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about a time that you had an experience with one of your coworkers or a customer that was difficult, talk about how you handled that situation and what steps you took to resolve the issue. Tell the interviewer what you were able to learn from this particular experience.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my first role as a veterinary technician, I had a customer who was extremely upset with me because her dog's annual vaccinations had run out and she was planning to board him for a week while on vacation. The resort that she wanted to board her dog at would not allow him to stay without up-to-date vaccinations. I explained to her that the clinic does do several reminder postcards, emails, and phone calls before any vaccinations run out. I was able to fit her dog in for vaccinations so that he could be boarded in time for her vacation and she put a reminder in her calendar so that the vaccines did not lapse again."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Situational
32. Have you ever been in a situation with an animal that became dangerous or a safety concern? How did you handle this situation?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to know that while you enjoy working with animals, you understand that the role can at times, be dangerous. The interviewer is trying to determine how you react if there is a safety concern involving an animal and how much animal safety training you have had in previous roles.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
What You Should Say
Think about a time that you were working with an animal and felt like the situation became a safety concern or dangerous to yourself, coworkers, or even other animals. Discuss what you did to address the safety issue to be sure that everyone involved was out of danger. Talk about what you learned about the situation and what you would do differently in the future.
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have been in a situation where a dog was brought into the Emergency Clinic for a potential broken bone. He was in a great deal of pain and was rather aggressive. I realized pretty quickly that I needed to remove myself from the room so that he could calm down and I asked that the pet owner muzzle the dog. When I entered the room for the second time, I was able to give him medication that quickly eased his pain and made him more comfortable which eliminated his aggression."
Written by Lindsay Williams Ortega on March 7th, 2022