vet receptionist interview- help?

Question

i have been applying to vet clinics for quite awhile now, i really want to get my foot in the door in this career. i have 5 years of cashiering customer service experience, and just a tad dog ranch, and dog clinic volunteer work. what can i expect to be asked in this vet receptionist interview? what is the pay for an entry level vet receptionist, that they have to train? any thing i should know or prepare for? i REALLY want to get this job and finally get my foot in the door

Answer 1

Hey there! I am currently a vet tech and my first job at an animal hospital was a receptionist, so I totally feel you. First off, you need to remember important principles that you would for ANY interview.

Basic job interview tips:
1. Don't say anything negative about previous employers.
2. Make sure you interview them too--ask them questions! It makes them feel like you are more interested and that you are intelligent. You also want to make sure that it is a job that YOU want.
3. Try to turn it into a conversation, not just them questioning you and you answering them. You should only do about 50% of the talking.
4. Relax and be yourself. When I have job interviews and I'm really nervous, I seriously tell myself to relax and it helps.

Things that you need to do to prepare in advance is think of answers to typically asked questions, such us "Give us an example of a time you had to deal with a problem customer and how you helped them" or "What are your greatest strengths AND weaknesses?" (By the way, if they ask you about your weaknesses, you should pick a weakness that is actually a strength, for example "Sometimes I get so caught up paying attention to detail that I have to constantly remind myself not to lose sight of the big picture." See how that actually sounds like a strength? This is actually a common question.)

You should come up with answers to all types of common interview questions. That way, when they ask you, you won't be nervous.

What all animal hospitals want to know when they hire you is that you can multi-task, that you are good with people, and that you pay attention to detail. Those are probably the three most important things as a receptionist in this field. Make sure you can sneak in how good you are at these things, especially by giving examples from previous work experience. Also point out how open you are to learning new things and that you think it's really exciting.

As far as pay for a position like this--diddly squat. Virtually nothing in the veterinary medicine field pays as much as it should. You could probably make more money by doing less work at Target or Wal-Mart. (Not to say that people who work at Target or Wal-Mart don't work hard!) In my area, starting pay is typically around $8, but it varies depending on the size and type of the clinic. The reward is really that you get to learn all about animal health and move up in the field after a while.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 2

As someone who has worked as a veterinary receptionist and tech for a number of years...it's best to just give a good first impression. Be willing to learn.

Try and learn about things that will help you inthe job, parasites, heartworm preventive, flea controls, and pet foods.

You'll learn a lot!

I started with no experience in veterinary reception at all, and I moved up very quickly and moved into tech work.

A lot of fun, just please don't be a vet receptonist who just sits at the desk. Be friendly with clients, be compassionate and knowledgeable. You'll go far!

Answer 3

Use the internet and research the qualifications for a vet receptionist. Also, use the interview to your advantage. Ask the question first, "What will my duties be?" Let them know that you are willing to learn.