Are You Searching for Vet Jobs Online? Don't Miss These 3 Key Things

Coaches, not recruiters... here to help!

Let's be clear from the start - we're not a recruitment company.

We're coaches who've walked in your shoes and worked with hundreds of vets navigating career decisions.

We see you there, scrolling through job boards and searching for vet jobs online at midnight, feeling fed up and ready for change.

Maybe you're desperate for better pay that actually reflects your worth.

Maybe you're burnt out from impossible caseloads and need somewhere that values work-life balance.

Maybe you've had enough of feeling undervalued and are ready to find a practice that appreciates what you bring.

Or maybe you're just so done with your current situation that literally anywhere else feels like it would be better.

We get it. We hear you. And honestly? We've been there too.

When anything feels better than this

There's something about being really unhappy at work that makes us want to grab the first lifeline we see. When you're drowning in a job that feels to be sucking the life out of you, any other opportunity can look like salvation. It's completely human to want to escape when things feel rotten.

But here's what we've learned from coaching hundreds of people in veterinary medicine: sometimes when we're running away from something, we don't take the time to run toward something better. We just run. And while that might give you temporary relief, it can also mean you end up in a very similar situation a year down the line, wondering why you're feeling exactly the same way.

We're not saying don't make a change - we're saying make sure it's the right change for you. Before you hit 'apply' on that job posting, we want to share three key things that could save you from jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire.

1. A question that changes everything

Before you start sending out your CV, we want you to sit with this question:

What would need to change about where I am now for me to stay?

Really think about it. Not the surface-level stuff, but the deep, meaningful changes. Maybe it's having your caseload reduced from 25 appointments to 18. Maybe it's getting support with difficult euthanasia cases. Maybe it's having your expertise recognised and valued. Maybe it's working four days instead of five, or having protected time for lunch breaks, or getting CPD opportunities that actually interest you.

Could any of these things actually change where you are now?

Is that a conversation worth having?

Here's something we hear all the time: people share incredibly actionable feedback in exit interviews that could have been addressed months earlier if they'd just had the conversation. Practice owners and managers often have no idea that small changes could make the difference between keeping a valued team member and losing them.

Now, we know this conversation can feel scary. That's why we created our Confident Conversations CPD session - it's completely free and designed to help you navigate these crucial discussions with confidence. You can access it here.

Because sometimes the job you want is the one you already have, with a few key changes.

But here's the reality check: some things genuinely can't or won't change. Some practice cultures are too unsupportive, some managers too inflexible, some situations too far gone. And that's important information too. If you've had the conversation and nothing changes, or if you know deep down that the fundamental issues can't be addressed, then at least you're making your next move from a place of clarity rather than desperation.

2. Pull Factors vs Push Factors: What you're actually moving toward with your Vet Jobs Online search

When we're miserable somewhere, it's natural to focus on what we're trying to escape. But here's what we want you to consider: what are you actually moving toward?

Push factors are all about what you're being pushed away from - the colleague you can't seem to get on with, the hours that are longer than your agreed, the equipment that never works, the financial stress, the long commute. These are valid and important, but if they're your only focus, you might end up anywhere that promises to be "not that."

Pull factors are different. They're about what you actively want, what lights you up, what aligns with your values and goals. They're about the positive vision of your ideal work life.

Here are some points to reflect on:

• Looking at past jobs: Which moments made you feel most fulfilled? Was it the complex medical cases that challenged your problem-solving skills? The relationships you built with long-term clients? The mentoring of new graduates? The variety of species you worked with? The collaborative team environment where everyone supported each other?

• Is there anything that has piqued your interest over the last few years? An area of practice you've been curious about, or even a non-clinical role? What do you love doing?

• What matters most to you right now in this phase of your life? Is it financial security, work-life balance, professional development, autonomy, variety, prestige, location, team culture, or something else entirely? There's no right answer - just your answer.

  
  

When you're clear on what you're moving toward, you can evaluate opportunities against these criteria rather than just accepting anything that promises to be different.

You'll ask better questions in interviews, negotiate for what matters to you, and make decisions that align with your actual values rather than your immediate desperation.

3. Look after yourself in this process

Job searching while you're already stressed and potentially burnt out is like trying to make major life decisions while running on empty. It's hard to think clearly, evaluate options objectively, or present your best self when you're exhausted and overwhelmed.

This is where your support squad becomes crucial.

Who are the people who can help you through this process? Maybe it's a trusted colleague who can be a reference and sounding board. Maybe it's a mentor who's navigated similar transitions. Maybe it's friends or family who can remind you of your worth when imposter syndrome kicks in. Maybe it's a professional coach or counsellor who can help you process your feelings and make clear decisions.

Don't try to do this alone. Job searching is vulnerable and challenging even in the best circumstances. When you're doing it from a place of burnout or frustration, having people in your corner becomes even more important.

Also, please remember to breathe and take a step back. Yes, your current situation might be difficult, but rushing into the wrong opportunity won't solve anything. Take time to really think about what you want. If possible, give yourself some space between making the decision to look and actually starting the application process. Sometimes a weekend away or even just a good night's sleep can give you the clarity you need to approach this strategically rather than reactively.

Moving forward with intention

Whether you decide to have that conversation with your current employer, start seriously job searching, or take some time to figure out what you really want, remember that you have more power in this situation than you might feel right now.

You're a qualified professional with valuable skills and experience. You don't have to take the first thing that comes along, and you don't have to stay somewhere that's making you miserable. But you also don't have to make decisions from a place of panic or desperation.

Take your time.

Be strategic.

Think about what you really want, not just what you want to escape. And remember - whether that perfect opportunity is a conversation away at your current practice or waiting for you somewhere new, you deserve to feel fulfilled and valued in your veterinary career.

The right opportunity is out there. Let's just make sure you recognize it when you see it.

Ready to have that difficult conversation with confidence? Check out our free Confident Conversations CPD session here. At Vet Empowered, we're here to support you in creating the life (and veterinary career!) you actually want.