animal-related jobs

Ashes

Ashes

Joined
Aug 2, 2002
Messages
2,490
I've faxed, sent, and personally-delivered resumes to places I would like to work with (mostly animal-related places.) Unfortunately, my responses have so far been: "You are over-qualified", "We do not need help right now, but we'll keep your resume on file (like that ever works out), or "We may be hiring in the spring; please check back with us." All honest and respectable responses, but nothing that actually helps me.

I have had a few people who were actually helpful though, referring me to places and giving me ideas on starting my own business (training, grooming, etc. All of which I have experience with.)

I would appreciate any ideas... I don't think I'm ready to start my own business yet, but have even asked if I could "apprentice" someone, but they can't afford to pay me for stuff like that around here. (Small towns, no money, too many businesses, etc.)

I've even called my former (horse) riding trainers, and apparently they are having just as much trouble finding work. Perhaps this is a dead place to work, but it's my home, and I don't want to leave.

I really am just looking for advice/ideas. Thanks for any help anyone might give...

~ashes
 
It's not called a "job search" for no reason. It can take time. Don't expect to find a new job instantly or get discouraged if your first round of applications come back cold. Keep at it.
 
It's good to have an "ultimate" job goal in mind, but be prepared to take anything over the short haul, unless you can afford to wait for exactly what you want. I had to wait two years for what I wanted, but got through it with three part-time crumby jobs. One of those crumby jobs linked me up with my present employer. :cool:
 
Find someone successful in the trade that you are interested in working and call them and ask if they would allow you to shadow them for awhile. It worked for me. Good luck.
 
How bout a pet-sitting/walking service. Low low start-up costs. If you are in an urban area there will be plenty of demand. Get's you in an animal biz and who knows where you can go from there
 
I don't know where you are but my wife and I are FONZ members( friends of the National Zoo) here in the nations capitol. They are always very short of help at the zoo and just ache for volunteers. These volunteer jobs sometimes lead to real paid positions. We're retired so we ar'nt there for the money.

Try a volunteer job at your local zoo- it may lead someplace.
 
When you're doing a "blanket" search they can tell, and you get a lukewarm response because you made a lukewarm attempt at applying for the job.

Find the place you REALLY want to work and dedicate yourself to getting THAT job. Tailor your resume and letter to that PARTICULAR job; even to that particular manager. Do your homework. Find out about the place and/or manager. Call. Show up. Ask for a tour... If they say they're not hiring, "now", ask them to look at your resume anyway and ask them what they think of your qualifications for future employment. Offer to volunteer with them in your spare time for a while. Ask them for a "trial" period.

Take another job (fast food or something) and keep watching for openings at THE company your targeting. They should start to recognize you when you call and/or show up. I don't mean be a PEST, but LOOK like you REALLY want THIS job.

Instead of making a half-arsed attempt at a BUNCH of places, you need to really FOCUS on the ONE.

.
 
Our pet sitter makes a freaking fortune (probably grosses close to 6 figures). She has some SPCA certification that only a very few pet sitters have, so she's the one everyone tries to book.
 
I just found a job using the shotgun approach, i.e. sending resumes to places I find on the internet.

Many potential openings are not listed anywhere at all.

I graduated August 12th, and accepted the offer last Friday. I would say I sent out maybe 130 letters/e-mails, got maybe 6 places to call back, scheduled two interviews (backed out of one), and got a job, a nice job in a place/state I like (I was lucky).

It's very easy to get discouraged and angry, I have been there too.
 
Ashes,
I'm going to unsubscribe to this thread to lighten my inbox, so if you're further interested in my job-hunting experience/techniques, PM me.

.
 
fulloflead said:
When you're doing a "blanket" search they can tell, and you get a lukewarm response because you made a lukewarm attempt at applying for the job.

Find the place you REALLY want to work and dedicate yourself to getting THAT job. Tailor your resume and letter to that PARTICULAR job; even to that particular manager. Do your homework. Find out about the place and/or manager. Call. Show up. Ask for a tour... If they say they're not hiring, "now", ask them to look at your resume anyway and ask them what they think of your qualifications for future employment. Offer to volunteer with them in your spare time for a while. Ask them for a "trial" period.

Take another job (fast food or something) and keep watching for openings at THE company your targeting. They should start to recognize you when you call and/or show up. I don't mean be a PEST, but LOOK like you REALLY want THIS job.

Instead of making a half-arsed attempt at a BUNCH of places, you need to really FOCUS on the ONE.

.
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Great job! That is absolutrely sound advice.
 
Some very good advice here! Thanks! :)

The one place I would really like to work is our local vet clinic. They know me there as a client (and they remember me because of my gorgeous poodle ;) ) and I faxed a resume and cover letter, then followed up the very same day by showing up with another copy, saying that I wanted to make sure they received it. I think that was a good start...? I also gave a list of references, one of them whom I had called beforehand; I worked as a pet groomer for about five months after college. He had even tried to persuade me to stay by offering me more money, but I had secured a job in my "field" and thought I wanted that. (I should have stayed!) Anyway, he said he'd give me a great reference if anyone called. Same thing with my dog groomer and just about everyone at my local shelter, where I used to volunteer and I still donate money and "animal stuff" to.

In the meantime, yes, I am applying for other jobs that I don't really want, because I NEED a job. Of course I am acting like that is the job I really want, even though I don't, but that's the way it has to be, I suppose.

Thanks again for your advice, and I will always welcome more, if you have any! :)

~ashes
 
If a specific type of job is the most important factor, you may have to relocate to where those jobs are. Or if location is most important, you're pretty much stuck with whatever jobs are in that area.

It seems pet groomers are in short supply around here, but I don't think it pays much.

Something "animal related" that you may not have thought of, working on a farm. I've been a caretaker on a cattle farm in Arkansas and done some ranch work in New Mexico. I love cows! Maybe not the animals that you have in mind, but cows are very nice.

Also, in Albuquerque one of the temp services has a city contract, that includes the Zoo. With a little research you might find out who has the temp contracts for the zoos in your area. Might be a foot in the door.

Best Luck in your search,
Bob
 
Bob W, I grew up on a dairy farm, lol. I like cows too, but I'm not sure I'd want to do that. When I was a kid, I'd make pets out of them and they'd come over to the fence for me to feed them apples from our trees. ;)

There are no zoos around here. The animal shelter doesn't pay enough. Pet groomers can make a lot of money, depending on the groomer. The guy I worked for before I moved back here was certified after taking a training course at some pet grooming school. He made pretty good money. I pay my own groomer 50 bucks a month for my dog ($25 every other week.) I don't know if I could do that on my own though. I'm probably going to start grooming my own dog to save money, although I'd prefer not to (poodles are difficult to groom, and it seems good for her to go to the groomer (whom I totally trust; I went to high school with her and she's great with animals.)

~ashes
 
Larry B. said:
Hey Ashes, what was your major in college?
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I have a BA in English/Communications. Why? I worked in Marketing for a while and was good at it but I hated it.

I wanted to go to an Equestrian school, but my parents wouldn't let me. My art teacher pushed for art school, but I thought I'd never get a job after that. I should have done one of those. I hated Marketing with a passion.

~ashes
 
When I was a kid, I'd make pets out of them and they'd come over to the fence for me to feed them apples from our trees.
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On the Arkansas farm, there was one particularly friendly cow named Lucy. She would follow me around like a puppy and try to 'sneak' the sweetfeed treats out of my pocket.

My cousin has a Master's degree in Equestrian Studies. Now she works for the County Cooperative Extention Service, or someplace like that. That would be interesting at times, but only if you like horses - I don't.

Few people end up in the field they studied in college anyway.

Best Luck,
Bob
 
Ashes said:
I have a BA in English/Communications. Why? I worked in Marketing for a while and was good at it but I hated it.

I wanted to go to an Equestrian school, but my parents wouldn't let me. My art teacher pushed for art school, but I thought I'd never get a job after that. I should have done one of those. I hated Marketing with a passion.

~ashes
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Your young, why don't you try and get something related to your BA. Thats why you went to college, to better your chances of a better paying job. When you have youth on your side you have everything.
 
The coolest animal related job I've seen was a dog handler with the Australian Customs Service. These people have a great time, are well paid and get to spend most of the day training/playing with, their dog. I'm sure their are similiar roles in the US although customs usually means borders, which would require you to move I suppose.
 
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