What Veterinary Clinics Actually Look for in Entry-Level Vet Tech Candidates (And How to Stand Out)

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Veterinary clinic “hiring managers may look for technical proficiency in animal handling, nursing skills, laboratory sample collection and preparation, diagnostic imaging, and surgical prep and anesthesia monitoring,” said Penn Foster Veterinary Academy Instructor, Abbey Sarringhaus, BS, RVT, CERP. In many states, they’ll also want to see that a vet tech is credentialed and can signal that they’re ready for the job, even if they’re completely new to vet med.

In this blog, we’ll talk about the skills entry-level vet techs should have, how to stand out when you’re applying for jobs, and how to be job-ready when you’re training to become a vet tech.

Key takeaways

• Entry-level vet techs need both technical skills (animal handling, lab work, imaging, anesthesia monitoring) and strong soft skills like communication and empathy.
• Job readiness matters because it helps new vet techs adapt faster, provide better patient care, and reduce clinic stress and burnout.
• Most states require vet tech credentials, meaning graduates usually need an AVMA-accredited degree and must pass the VTNE exam.
• Clinics value professionalism, adaptability, teamwork, humility, and willingness to learn just as much as clinical ability.
• Networking, volunteering, interview preparation, and continuing education (like Fear Free certification) can help new vet techs stand out when applying for jobs.

Why job readiness matters more than you think

Job readiness matters, especially in veterinary medicine, because it can ensure quality of care for patients and help reduce burnout for you and other staff. If you have the skills and knowledge that equate to “job-readiness” then you may need less hands-on training on your first day and adapt more quickly to processes at the clinic.

If you’ve never worked in a clinic outside of your externship in school, you’ll want to emphasize how your education, externship experience, and any other relevant work have helped make you job ready.

Technical skills clinics expect from entry-level vet techs

Veterinary clinics may often expect entry-level vet techs to have at least a few basic technical skills before starting the job, especially in states where vet techs are required to be credentialed before working in the field. Some of these skills include:

• Animal handling and restraint
• Nursing skills
• Laboratory sample collection and preparation
• Diagnostic imaging
• Surgical prep and anesthesia monitoring

If you’re in a state that requires credentials, you’ll likely also need to prove that you have all the necessary licensing or certifications needed as part of the application or interview process.

Read more: Real Student Stories: How Kelsy Found Her Path as a Mom, Military Spouse, and Future RVT

Animal handling and restraint basics for vet techs

New veterinary technicians should build a strong foundation in safe, low-stress animal handling to protect both patients and staff while creating a calmer clinical experience. Focus on staying observant, gentle, and efficient, and always prioritize the least amount of restraint necessary.

• Use proper restraint positions: the right restraint position is dependent on the procedure being performed, so proper training is especially important here!
• Use tools appropriately: muzzles, E-collars, cat bags, leashes, and towels when needed.
• Practice low-stress handling: keep sessions short, use gentle control, and offer comfort or treats when appropriate.
• Communicate with your team: coordinate movements and speak up if unsure
• Prioritize safety: keep hands away from the mouth, avoid face proximity, and ask for help when needed.
• Adapt by species: support small mammals’ hind ends, control birds’ wings carefully, and restrain reptiles properly.

When thinking about handling and restraint, it can often be helpful to know and mention Fear Free techniques. While not every clinic and hospital is Fear Free, it’s becoming more popular, so being knowledgeable about it is definitely a good thing. Even better, getting Fear Free certified can be an additional credential that can be great to have on your resume.

Read more: Fear Free Certification for Penn Foster Vet Tech Students

What soft skills should vet techs have?

Vet techs should have soft skills that allow them to be adaptable, work well with their team, and work well with patients and their families. Other soft skills vet techs should have include:

• Communication
• Empathy
• Critical thinking
• Emotional resilience
• Detail orientation

“While this career field focuses on treating animal patients,” Abbey said, “people – owners, coworkers, and industry professionals - are an integral part of the picture as well, requiring daily integration of these competencies.”

Do you need a degree to get a vet tech job?

Generally speaking, yes, you’ll need a degree to get a vet tech job, even an entry-level one. While there are some states that don’t require vet techs to have credentials to get a job in the field, more and more are moving to require certification, licensing, or registration before you can call yourself a vet tech or work in that role. To be able to qualify for those designations, you’ll need to sit for and pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and, potentially, whatever additional exams or applications that are required by your state. To be eligible to take the VTNE, you need to graduate from an AVMA-CVTEA accredited veterinary technician program.

So, basically, if you live in a state that requires credentials to work as a vet tech, then yes, you need a degree to get a job. If you live in a state that doesn’t require credentials, you don’t need a degree, but a degree can be helpful if you’re trying to stand out when applying for jobs.

Read more: How to Become Certified as a Vet Tech (State by State)

Do vet clinics care if you get an online vet tech degree?

“While educational format may be discussed during the hiring process, the most important aspect is the accreditation status of the institution that you attend and, often, clinical experience,” advised Abbey.

If your vet tech degree is AVMA-accredited and allowed you to sit for the VTNE, then vet clinics may not really focus on which college you graduated from. That’s not a guarantee that some employers won’t have an opinion on in-person versus online vet tech programs, but overall, how you earned your degree shouldn’t be a roadblock.

What makes an entry-level vet tech candidate stand out positively

There are a few things you can do to stand out as an entry-level candidate both when you’re applying for the job and after you’re hired.

Standing out when you’re applying for a vet tech job

To stand out when you’re applying for vet tech jobs, you want to combine both the standard things any employer would appreciate with the specific traits and skills a veterinary hospital or clinic would want to have. During the application and interview process, you’ll want to consider doing things like

• Being proactive without overstepping
• Demonstrating confidence with humility
• Asking thoughtful questions
• Showing respect for your interviewer/hiring manager and their time

You’ll also want to find ways to emphasize your soft skills alongside your technical skills in your resume and cover letter, and during any interviews.

“Exhibit adaptability, problem solving, and compassion,” Abbey advised, “not just for the patients, but the people too. Most of the applicants can draw blood and trim nails – something that sets you apart is your understanding that people are just as big a part of veterinary medicine as the animals. A lot of the time, the animals are the easy part!”

Standing out when you’re the new vet tech in the clinic

When you’re a new vet tech in general and the newest employee at a clinic or hospital, you definitely want to make sure you stand out in a positive way. Not only can that be beneficial for your career, but it can help you build trust with your bosses and coworkers.

Just like in your interview, you want to lean on your soft skills to have smooth relationships with your coworkers and clients. As a new vet tech, you also want to show that you understand that there’s still a lot to learn and be willing and open to advice and feedback from those with more experience than you. While it never feels great when someone questions your skills or knowledge, remember that you’re still learning, even after you’ve graduated, and accept constructive criticism with grace.

Besides that, you want to adapt the good habits that work in any job to impress your employer and coworkers:

• Always be on time
• Be respectful of your coworkers
• Carry your weight
• Always offer to help when you can
• Be kind

Read more: What Do Veterinary Technicians Do?

Common mistakes new vet techs might make

As a new vet tech, you’re going to make mistakes. It happens and it’s not really avoidable. However, if you have an idea of what some common mistakes are, you can be prepared!

Common vet tech interview mistakes

“Mistakes are part of the learning curve when we begin a new career, and they often begin in the interview process. Preparation prior to your interview or shift in a new position will help mitigate some of these errors,” Abbey said. “Remember, everyone makes mistakes. The most important part is that we learn from them moving forward!”

Some common vet tech interview mistakes Abbey mentioned include:

• Coming to the interview unprepared. Research the practice, bring your resume, be prepared to discuss clinical experience, and arrive on time!
• Not having any weaknesses. A large part of an interview is selling your strengths and the ways you can impact a new team, but nobody is perfect! Everyone has weaknesses – choose something that you can practically strengthen and will exhibit measurable growth.
• Neglecting to emphasize the importance of soft skills.
• Painting previous employers or positions in a negative light. Focus on the things that you learned from previous experiences that will positively impact your next opportunity.

Watch: Penn Foster College Grad Jo Pursues Vet Tech Dreams (2025)

Tips to prepare for your first interview as a vet tech

Even if you’re confident in your skills, interviews are nerve-racking. Here’s some things to think about and prepare for so you can be as confident as possible!

What to wear for a vet tech interview

For an interview for a vet tech job, what you wear depends on the type of interview you’re having. This is a common question new vet techs usually have because they aren’t sure if they should come to the clinic looking like they already work there or if they should dress like they would for an interview at any other type of job. As a vet tech, you’ll generally either have a standard interview or a working interview. Depending on the hiring process of the clinic you’re interviewing with, you may have both.

Abbey advised that “dress will be highly dependent on the position you are interviewing for, but it is always better to over-dressed than under-dressed. For example, what you wear to a non-working interview in a small animal hospital will be very different than an interview for a position in a bovine field service. If you are unsure whether you will be on the clinic floor during your interview, reach out and professionally inquire about the nature of the interview so that you can be appropriately prepared.

For working interviews, scrubs should be clean, wrinkle free, and free of logos from other businesses, if possible. If you will not be participating in clinical tasks, or are unsure, business casual attire is recommended. No matter what you wear, always ensure that your appearance is clean, professional, and modest.”

What questions will they ask at a vet tech interview?

When you’re interviewing for a vet tech job, you’re likely to get a lot of the same questions you would at an interview for any other job. That includes things like:

• Tell us about yourself and your background.
• Can you describe a time when you were placed in a situation that had no clear right or wrong answer? How did you handle it?
• What strengths will make you a good fit for this role? What weaknesses do you anticipate?
• Why do you want to work here?
• What do you value most in an employer?
• What are your long-term professional goals?

You’ll also likely have more industry and job relevant questions, too, that go into your education, work background, skills, and knowledge.

How to find a vet tech job

Finding a vet tech job is often the easy part. As of 2026, there’s still pretty high demand for skilled vet techs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It’s landing the job that can be a bit more difficult.

While having your vet tech degree and credentials is an important first step, that alone doesn’t guarantee you a job. Some employers may want to see more experience in the field or may be more critical of your skills and employment background. When you’re a new graduate looking to get your foot in the door, things like volunteering and networking can be helpful.

“Networking and relationship building will be a huge advantage as a new graduate looking for employment opportunities,” Abbey said. “Seek out volunteer openings and get involved in initiatives that are important to your desired place(s) of employment. Join your local veterinary technician association to help build a network of professionals who can help you get to the right place.”

There are some areas where there aren’t a lot of vet clinics or hospitals so job openings are limited.

“If you can’t find a job as a veterinary technician in your area, consider seeking out positions that will allow you to gain professional experience and grow your transferrable skills,” Abbey advised. “This way, when a veterinary technician position does become available, you still have ways to emphasize the value of your experience and how you can positively impact the veterinary team.”

And, at the end of the day, it’s important to not give up hope and stay persistent. “Finding a job is important but finding a position and team that fits your personal and professional goals will provide many benefits throughout your career,” she said.

Read more: How Online Vet Tech School Helped Madison Take Control of Her Future

Advice for new vet techs

Working in veterinary medicine can be a stressful, but rewarding, field. As a veterinary technician, you’ll do good work that makes a difference to animals and their families. That doesn’t mean that there won’t be hard days or you won’t question whether or not doing the job is even worth it. You may even think, some days, that it’s just not something you’re good at because, honestly, it’s a tough job. But Abbey shared some good advice for new – and current – vet techs:

“Give yourself grace! Medicine is both a science and an art. It takes time to perfect skills and understanding. Keep a “reference book” with you during your shift. A small notebook allows you to make notes of things that may be challenging for you to remember or help you retain new information that you are learning as you go. Maintain an open mind and a willingness to learn. We are all still learning even after many years in the field.”

Become a vet tech online with Penn Foster

New to the veterinary technician field or want to know more about a career as a veterinary technician? Considering enrolling and preparing for a new career? You can request more information or reach out to our Admissions Specialists today at 1-800-275-4410.