by Demi Taylor
Being accepted into Veterinary Science can be a lengthy process. The course offers limited positions per year and involves an extended process of work experience and placements, a lengthy application and a face-to-face interview.
If you have made it to the interview phase- congratulations! Here are some handy tips to assist you with your interview.
1. Boast about your achievements!
You’ve only got one shot at telling the interview panel how great you are and why you deserve to be accepted into the course, so don’t hold back.
Boast your achievements… but remember to remain humble.
2. Practice
Have a few practice runs interviewing with a family member or friend!
Write down what you did on placements and other experiences because they will quiz you on it. Talk about the ethical values of the experiences and the impact different procedures have on the animals. Don’t forget to talk about matters including what influenced your decision to study vet, what features of the course particularly interest you and what challenges you think you may face as a newly graduated veterinarian.
3. Be cool, calm and collected
Remain confident, calm and talk slowly.
Remember to make eye contact, try not to fiddle and fidget and speak slowly and fluently as if you are speaking to a client. The panelists want to see that you can remain calm and self-assured in nerve wracking situations.
4. Dress the part
Don’t show up in stilettos. Whilst they may be flattering, it’s not what you are there for. Dress smart, but comfortable. You want to be a Vet? So dress like it.
5. Be honest
The veterinarians and personnel on the interview panel have special training to determine when people are lying. They may ask about what your least favourite subject was and why, or about the challenges you have faced in your life and how you overcame them.
So be raw, authentic and honest. If you don’t know something, don’t lie. They will not judge you for not having all the answers. That is what University is for… learning!
And an extra tip!
Make sure that Veterinary Science is what you definitely want to study.
Take it from a first year vet drop out. It’s a lot of time, effort and money if it is not what you truly want to pursue. Don’t follow the vet pathway because it may be ‘prestigious’.
Do it for the passion, because you’re in it for the long haul!
