Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, scan resumes for keywords and structure. They rank resumes and often filter out ones that look unreadable to the system.

For a Veterinary Technician, ATS look for skills like patient handling, anesthesia monitoring, IV catheterization, radiography, dental prophylaxis, lab testing, cytology, and certifications like CVT, RVT, or VTNE. They also look for software terms like Avimark, Cornerstone, or ImproMed.

• Use standard section titles: Work Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications.
• List core clinical skills and tools: anesthesia monitoring, dental scaling, jugular venipuncture, fecal flotation, blood chemistry analyzer.
• Include relevant certs: CVT, RVT, state licensure, CPR certification.

Avoid fancy formatting like tables, columns, text boxes, headers, footers, images, or graphs. Those elements often scramble when ATS parse the file.

Use clear, readable fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Save your file as a .docx or a simple PDF. If you use PDF, keep the layout simple and text-based.

Write bullets that start with action verbs and include measurable outcomes. For example, note how many anesthetic procedures you monitored or how many lab samples you processed per week.

Common mistakes include swapping exact keywords for creative synonyms. If the job asks for "radiography," don’t only say "imaging." Avoid putting vital info in headers or footers. Don’t omit key tools or certs the job lists.

Follow these tips and you’ll get past filters and into a human reviewer’s hands.

Pick a clean, professional template that highlights clinical skills and hands-on experience. Use a reverse-chronological layout so your recent vet hospital roles appear first. That layout helps hiring managers and ATS parse job titles, dates, and skills quickly.

Stick to one page if you have under 10 years of experience. You can use two pages if you have long clinical experience, certifications, and teaching roles. Keep each bullet tight and focused on measurable outcomes.

Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text to 10–12pt and headers to 14–16pt. Keep consistent spacing and at least three lines between sections so your content breathes.

Use standard headings such as Summary, Experience, Certifications, Clinical Skills, Education, and Continuing Education. Lead with clinical skills like anesthesia, venipuncture, and lab work if they match the job ad. Put certifications and license numbers near the top when they matter for the role.

Avoid complex columns, embedded images, and text boxes that break parsing. Keep color minimal and use bold or caps for headings, not decorative fonts. Run your file through an ATS-friendly PDF save or submit a .docx when the employer requests it.

Common mistakes include inconsistent dates, long dense paragraphs, and vague bullet points. Use action verbs and quantifiable results, like “administered anesthesia to 200+ surgeries per year.” Proofread for alignment, spacing, and header styles before sending.

Writing a tailored cover letter matters for a Veterinary Technician role. It helps you explain how your hands-on skills match the clinic's needs. It also shows you care about this specific team.

Keep the letter simple and structured. Use short paragraphs. Stick to one clear point per paragraph.

• Header: Put your contact info, the date, and the clinic's contact if you have it.
• Opening Paragraph: Say the exact Veterinary Technician position you want. Show real enthusiasm for the clinic. Name your top qualification in one line.
• Body Paragraphs: Connect your experience to the job. Mention clinical tasks like anesthesia monitoring, lab work, or patient restraint. Highlight soft skills such as calm communication, teamwork, and problem solving. Use numbers to show impact, like patient load or error reduction. Pull a few keywords from the job posting and mirror them.
• Closing Paragraph: Reiterate interest in this clinic and role. Ask for an interview or a conversation. Thank them for their time.

Tone matters. Keep your voice professional and warm. Write like you talk to a hiring manager, not a robot. Use active verbs and short sentences. Customize every letter. Don’t send generic text.

Before you send, proofread for clarity and errors. Check that each sentence shows how you will help the clinic or team. That focus makes your letter memorable.

Hiring managers for Veterinary Technician roles look for clear proof you can handle animal care, lab tasks, and client communication. Small resume errors can cost you interviews. Pay close attention to wording, credentials, and how you present hands-on skills.

Below are common mistakes vets techs make on resumes. Each item shows a bad example and a short fix you can use right away.

Writing a Veterinary Technician resume means showing clinical skill, animal handling, and client care. These FAQs and tips help you highlight hands-on experience, certifications, and soft skills that clinics and hospitals look for.