Introduction
The veterinary profession is evolving rapidly, with remote work opportunities expanding like never before. This shift offers exciting prospects for veterinary professionals seeking new challenges, improved work-life balance, or alternative ways to apply their expertise.
As someone who’s successfully made this transition, I understand firsthand how daunting it can be to move from the hands-on world of clinical practice to a remote career. This guide will walk you through the process, sharing my personal experiences and practical tips to help you navigate the change with confidence.
This guide provides a high level overview of the transition process. If you would like to take a deeper dive into specific paths and more detailed review of the steps laid out here, be sure to check out our Comprehensive Guide.
Your Roadmap to Remote Work an 8-Step Guide
Step 1: Self-Assessment – Rediscovering Your Professional Self
Before diving into the search for remote work, it’s crucial to understand what you want from your career. If you’re like me, you probably think that your skills are so limited to clinical settings that they won’t apply anywhere else. It wasn’t until I started following career transition pages on social media, particularly Badass Careers on Instagram, that I realized how transferable my veterinary skills could be and my mindset began to shift.
Action Items:
- List your skills, including soft skills like communication and problem-solving
- Identify your passions within veterinary medicine
- Define your ideal work scenario (e.g., fully remote, travel opportunities)
- Take online career assessments to uncover new potential paths
Do: Be honest with yourself about what you enjoy most in your current role and what you’d like to change.
Don’t: Don’t underestimate the value of your veterinary knowledge in non-traditional roles. Your understanding of animal health is an asset in many industries!
Step 2: Research – Broadening Your Horizons
With your self-assessment complete, it’s time to discover the remote opportunities available to veterinary professionals. Definitely check out the job boards but also search directly for companies that you may want to work for. Most places have a careers link at the bottom of their websites to take you directly to their job board.
Action Items:
- Review job boards for remote veterinary positions
- Follow veterinary technology companies on LinkedIn
- Join veterinary professional groups focused on non-clinical careers
- Attend virtual career fairs or webinars about remote work in veterinary medicine
Do: Create a spreadsheet to track potential career paths, required skills, and how they align with your goals. You can find different career options in our post here.
Don’t: Get overwhelmed by the options. Focus on roles that align with your skills and interests.
Without a doubt, it can be easy to feel desperate for something different, especially when you are unhappy in your current workplace but taking the steps to truly get real about what you want will help ensure long term happiness in your new role.
For me, I knew I wanted flexibility, I wanted to travel more, and I wanted opportunity and ability to grow within my new workplace. I only looked at roles that fit these criteria and only applied when it truly felt like the best fit for me.
Step 3: Skill Development – Bridging the Gap
Once you’ve identified potential remote career paths, assess any skill gaps and start filling them. This does not mean that you HAVE to go back to school or spend money to do this. It certainly can, depending on what you want to do but I remember feeling like it was a necessity. I am here to stress to you that it is not!
Action Items:
- Identify skills gaps for your chosen remote career(s)
- Utilize free trials on online learning platforms to explore courses
- Focus on high-demand skills like digital marketing, data analysis, or medical writing
- Don’t neglect soft skills like time management and written communication
Do: Many online learning platforms offer free trials. Use these to explore different courses before committing or utilize a simple YouTube search to find videos teaching things you would like to learn.
Don’t: Neglect soft skills!
For a detailed look at the in demand skills for remote veterinary work, be sure to check out the comprehensive guide!
Step 4: Networking – Build Connections in Your Target Field
Networking is crucial when transitioning to a new career path. Start building connections in your chosen remote field. One thing we know about the veterinary field is that while it is large many of us are connected in one way or another.
During a software transition prior to leaving my clinic, a group from the corporate team came in make the switch. I worked with them and asked questions. In doing so, I created a relationship with them and was offered the option to join them in future transitions at other clinics. All of this to say, when the time came where a spot opened up on their team, I was on the list of people they called to ask about applying for it. Networking and putting your best foot forward always, is one of the strongest ways you can make things happen.
Action Items:
- Join professional associations related to your target remote career
- Attend virtual industry conferences and networking events
- Reach out to professionals already working in your desired role for informational interviews
- Engage actively on professional social media platforms like LinkedIn
Do: When networking, focus on how you can provide value to others, not just what you can gain.
Don’t: Spam your new connections with job requests. Build genuine relationships first.
Step 5: Building Your Online Presence: Your Digital First Impression
In the remote work world, your online presence often serves as your first impression. If you are wanting to jump into the freelance world then this especially rings true for you. One thing I did prior to landing my job was volunteering to write blog posts for a pet travel website. While I didn’t maintain it long-term, it provided valuable content for my portfolio.
Action Items:
- Optimize your LinkedIn profile for your target remote career
- Create a professional website or online portfolio
- Start a blog or contribute guest posts to relevant industry websites
- Engage actively in professional online communities
Do: Tailor your online presence to your target remote career, highlighting relevant skills and experiences. Gain inspiration from sites that are doing the things that interest you.
Don’t: Don’t neglect privacy settings on your personal social media accounts. Keep your professional online presence separate.
Step 6: Remote Job Search: Casting a Wide (Yet Focused) Net
Now, with your foundation set, it’s time to start your remote job search in earnest. Dedicate the time to researching the job and then really examining how you can apply your skills to it.
Action Items:
- Set up job alerts on remote job boards (e.g., We Work Remotely, Remote.co)
- Use LinkedIn’s job search function, filtering for remote positions
- Research companies you’d like to work for and check their career pages
- Customize your resume and cover letter for each application, highlighting remote-relevant skills
Do: Don’t just focus on veterinary-specific companies. Many tech, education, and wellness companies value veterinary expertise.
Don’t: Apply to every remote job you see. Focus on roles that truly align with your skills and career goals.
Step 7: Preparing for and Acing Remote Job Interviews
Remote job interviews often require different preparation than in-person interviews.One thing that is so important to remember here is to be patient and do not get discouraged if you do not hear back or receive no’s after seemingly great interviews. Landing that dream role can take time but when it is meant to happen it will. I applied to 15-20 jobs and had 5 interviews before I ever even got an interview with my dream role.
Action Items:
- Practice video interviewing with a friend or mentor
- Prepare your interview space (quiet, well-lit, professional background)
- Test your technology (camera, microphone, internet connection) before the interview
- Research the company thoroughly, especially their remote work culture
- Prepare stories that demonstrate your adaptability and self-motivation
Do: During the interview, maintain eye contact by looking at the camera, not the screen. Be prepared. Do some research to try and determine what kind of questions may be asked during the interview and prepare some answers. Follow up with a thank-you email reiterating your interest and fit for the role.
Don’t: Don’t respond negatively. A no is not necessarily a no forever, it may just be a not right now so keep making that good impression. And definitely don’t accept a job and then ghost! Things happen and change but be mature and handle it appropriately.
*Bonus Tip* I used resources like the Badass Careers Instagram page to prepare for interview questions and feel more confident.
Step 8: Managing the Psychological Aspects of the Transition
Transitioning to remote work can be a significant psychological adjustment. I underestimated the psychological adjustment of moving from a busy clinic to remote work. Creating structure and maintaining connections were crucial.
Action Items:
- Establish a daily routine to create structure
- Set boundaries between work and personal life
- Join online communities of remote workers for support
- Practice self-care and stress-management techniques
Do: Get regular exercise and outdoor time as it can help combat the sedentary nature of many remote jobs.
Don’t: Isolate yourself. Make efforts to maintain social connections, both professionally and personally. Consider working from co-working spaces or cafes occasionally to combat isolation and maintain social interactions.
Looking Ahead: Remote Veterinary Trends in 2024
As you embark on your transition, keep an eye on these emerging trends:
- Increased integration of AI in veterinary telemedicine
- Growing demand for veterinary expertise in sustainable pet product development
- Expansion of virtual reality in veterinary education
- Rising opportunities in pet wearables and health monitoring technologies
Conclusion
Above all, the switch from clinical veterinary practice to remote work is a journey that requires careful planning, skill development, and persistence. It is a journey filled with learning, growth, and exciting possibilities. Remember, your veterinary background is a unique asset – the key is learning how to apply it in new, innovative ways.
As you navigate this transition, refer back to our comprehensive guide for detailed information on specific remote veterinary careers.
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