Resume help!

[Southpaw]

Question about what's appropriate to include on my resume...

When I'm applying for vet tech jobs I of course want my internship experience on there, where I was used as a fully functional tech.

However at the moment there are more boarding kennels than vet clinics hiring, and since I really NEED a better job, I am willing to apply to those as well. The internship experience is relevant in that I was working with animals and there was some level of customer service as well--but on the other hand a boarding kennel doesn't really care that I can perform lab work or assist during surgery.

I don't know if I should remove that completely for these boarding kennel jobs, or how I should include it so that it doesn't look irrelevant/"overqualified"??

[blue]

Pad the internship as "First Aid" experience maybe, as well as customer service. Its something that the boarding facility could sell as well.

First!!!

[lizzybeth727]

Originally Posted by blue

Pad the internship as "First Aid" experience maybe, as well as customer service. Its something that the boarding facility could sell as well.

^^^This.

Also, I'm not sure if you're doing this, but you should really write a separate resume for each type of job you apply for. For example, you should have one resume for vet tech positions, and a separate one for boarding positions. If different facilities provide different services, you can even write in experience for those specific jobs. For example, if the job you're applying for at one boarding kennel includes light grooming (bathing, nails, etc.), you should include any grooming experience you have (even if it's just doing nails at the vet clinic); but if another facility doesn't require you to do any grooming, then don't include grooming, but add in other relevant skills.

[Zoom]

It's a huge asset for a boarding kennel to have someone with vet tech experience working for them, so definitely include that! Put down any certifications you may have, American Red Cross First Aid, etc. Just the fact that you can more easily recognize signs of distress over your average worker is going to count heavily in your favor.

[Southpaw]

Cool thanks guys!

Originally Posted by Zoom

Just the fact that you can more easily recognize signs of distress over your average worker is going to count heavily in your favor.

See that's what I assume, but I've had no luck getting interviews at kennels! Which is why I'm addressing the issue of the resume.... sometimes I think it might be a curse that I just graduated; they probably don't think I'm going to stick around long. Which is kind of true, I just need something to hold me over until I find a job at a clinic, but who knows how long that will take!

[Saeleofu]

We've been in the hiring process at work (a vet clinic) and the doctor throws out any resume of anyone he thinks would ask for too much pay (vet techs and basically anyone with experience, sigh) So you might consider a follow-up call if you put it on there, or filling out an application in addition to the resume and putting down a salary range.

[Zoom]

It's also hard getting hired in that field right now, it seems, because owners want to pay the lowest amount possible and it's harder to justify that to someone who knows they have skills worth more than Betty Blonde who just wants to play with puppies all day.

I mean, where I'm working now is paying me the exact same starting wage I got a handful of years ago doing the same work. Difference is, I've got enough experience now to be management. I feel I could easily command a much higher rate, but, at the same time, this place is $1.50/hr higher than any other boarding place I'd applied to since moving to CO. And, it's PT extra income, so I'm not complaining too hard.

[Southpaw]

Yeah that's probably true. Which sucks because I certainly don't expect to make more money.

Okay my final question since I have the document open now and am getting to work lol.

So my format is pretty standard I think, like this:
INTERNSHIP PLACE
-Cool thing I did
-Another awesome thing
-Skill I should be hired for

Now when I'm applying for tech positions, I want that section to be very heavy on the medical procedures, so places can see that I have experience with it all (taking xrays, doing dentals, collecting patient history etc etc).

Since it's been established that yes, I should keep the internship section, I'm going to be highlighting the things that would be most relevant and beneficial for boarding (grooming, animal comfort, customer service, administering medication blah blah blah).... should I completely get rid of the medical mumbo jumbo...?

I don't know why I'm struggling with this! I just feel like so much of it is irrelevant.. and yet, it's not, but it feels so out of place on a resume for this position... lol. There is an application to fill out so I'm just including the resume as extra fluff, but I definitely want it done so that it HELPS my chances.

[milos_mommy]

I would have your vet tech resume look like:

INTERNSHIP INFO
stuff you did
medical mumbo jumbo
"
important skills

and the boarding one look like

INTERNSHIP INFO
first aid and medical experience (be general. write something like "experienced in animal first aid and behavior" and possibly "CPR training")
any experience with boarders (cleaned cages, walked dogs, etc, stuff you'd do at the boarding place)
any secretarial work (which I would also include on the clinic resume)

[lizzybeth727]

^^^That. Don't be too heavy on the medical experience (x-rays, dentals, etc.), because they'll be afraid they'll have to pay you too much.

Plus, you want to think about what would be valuable experience for a boarding kennel. Boarding kennel workers don't have to do x-rays or put animals under sedation. What they need to know is how to spot signs of medical emergencies in the animals in their care, and the safest course of action to get them the help they need. Essentially, first aid. You want your resume to show that you have the skills to be able to handle the specific problems that come up in a boarding situation... and nothing more.