if you’re changing careers.
Include a section outlining your experience with dogs. This can include membership in or offices held with breed clubs, professional associations, or dog-sport organizations; titles you’ve put on your dog; pet-related volunteer work, litters you’ve bred, or any other dog-related information.
Cover Letter
Even if you are submitting a résumé electronically, a cover letter is still essential. It’s your introduction to the employer, and writing a standout cover letter can give you a serious edge. Many people don’t send one, so doing so puts you ahead. The other advantage of a cover letter is that you can tailor it to a particular job even more so than you can a résumé.
KISS OF DEATH
Typos, misspellings, and poor grammar in a résumé or cover letter can be the kiss of death. Ask a language-savvy friend to read them over for you. If you mention any breed names, be sure to double check the spellings.
If possible, find out the name of the person who will be receiving your cover letter and résumé. It’s always best if you can address it to an individual rather than the generic “Dear Sir or Madam,” but that will do if you don’t have a name. Don’t use a breezy “Hey there!” or other informal greeting.
Explain why you are writing—in response to a job posting or because you were referred by someone, for instance. Follow by describing why you are a good candidate, with details to show you are familiar with the company and industry. Make the cover letter about how your skills can benefit the company, not about your goals.
The cover letter is a good place to highlight qualities or experiences that don’t fit well in a résumé format, as well as specific achievements. Telling a story about your background, such as how you grew up in a family that was passionate about dogs and learned how to train and care for them at your mother’s knee, can personalize your background.
Close your letter with a promise to follow up and thank the person for taking the time to consider your application, followed by “Sincerely” or “Cordially” and your name. If you’re sending the letter by e-mail, your printed name is fine, but always sign a piece of correspondence sent by snail mail or fax. You can double your chances of an interview by following up an e-mail submission of your cover letter and résumé with a hard copy sent by regular mail. Include a handwritten note saying that it’s a second submission and that you’re very interested in the position.
Your Interview
Books have been written on mastering the interview process and making a good impression. The important points are summarized in the tips below.
Show up with time to spare. Being late can ruin your chances. Give yourself plenty of time in case you run into traffic or get lost.
Dress appropriately. It never hurts to be overdressed, but dressing too casually will work against you. Wear a business suit.
Don’t tell stupid jokes. It’s easy to offend someone when you aren’t familiar with that person’s sense of humor, and it makes you sound nervous.
Be polite to the receptionist. You may not realize it, but he or she is the first person interviewing you. In fact, be polite to everyone you meet.
State your credentials and experience simply. Elaborate on, don’t just repeat, what is in your résumé. Use this information to lead into what you could do for the company and why you would be a good fit.
Explain how your education and dog experience relate to the company and the job.
Be prepared to answer certain questions. Many interviewees will ask how you dealt with a challenging work situation, what you consider your biggest failure, or what your greatest regret is. Make your answers real.
Be sure to answer all questions thoroughly. Answer without talking too much or too little. Be “direct and honest,” says Jackie Brown, editor of Dog World magazine.
Read up on the company and the industry beforehand. “Establish that you did some research about the company and its needs,” says Peter Kraatz, who often makes hiring decisions at EMC Corporation and frequently lectures to college students on interview techniques. “All good hiring managers want to see if people can put forward concrete ideas for getting things done, working on a problem, or making more money.” And ask concrete questions about the position. It shows you are thinking about the realities of the job, Brown says.
Never bad-mouth your current employer, and never claim to be a victim. If asked why you left your previous job, talk about your desire for new opportunities and challenges and your interest in the company you are interviewing with.
GETTING THE JOB RESOURCES
AnimaJobHunter.com, www.animaljobhunter.com
The Elements of Résumé Style: Essential Rules and Eye-Opening Advice for Writing Résumés and Cover Letters That Work, by Scott Bennett. AMACOM, 2005.
Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0, by Jay Conrad Levinson and David E. Perry. Wiley, 2009.
301 Smart Answers To Tough Interview Questions, by Vicky Oliver. Sourcebooks Inc., 2005.
Riley Guide, http://rileyguide.com
Interview-preparation tips and company information, www.glassdoor.com
Salary negotiation aid, www.payscale.com
Training and Behavior
Training and pet-behavior counseling rank among the most essential types of pet-related careers because they help ensure that dogs, cats, and other animals can stay with their families for life—not just until they get to be annoying. Understanding why animals do the things they do is the essence of ethology—the study of animal behavior—but pet behaviorists and trainers must also study and communicate with the human animal to succeed in this field. There are many different opportunities in the field of animal behavior and training, from consulting with pet owners and teaching obedience classes to training guide and service dogs.
