Happy New Year!
Happy New Year and welcome to a new semester here at UF CVM. We are focusing this spring on educational events and have some great things planned. We encourage you to keep up-to-date by following our Facebook page and watching emails for dinners, workshops, and more!
Student Tip - Illegal Interview Questions
Interviewing can be difficult as it is. Although you are putting yourself in a position to be evaluated by your potential employer, there are some topics that are off-limits by law. So that you are empowered to respond to these potential questions, here are some tips to know your rights, set your boundaries, and respond appropriately. By Florida law: "The Florida Civil Rights Act prohibits employment practices that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, age, and disability. As a general rule, it would be unlawful for a covered employer to ask questions about any of these characteristics, either on an application form or in a job interview, unless there is a job-related reason for needing the information. The Act covers private employers with 15 or more employees (FL Stat. Sec. 760.01 et seq.)" (source).
When an employer asks either directly or in-directly about these topics you have the choice to:
- Inform the employer it is an inappropriate question and potentially harm your chances to progress through the hiring process.
- Answer the question, overlooking your privacy and right to not be discriminated against.
- Redirect the question and bring the focus back to the position - a win-win!
Remember, the topics above are legally prohibited as interview questions but you as the interviewee can decide to share as much or as little as you'd like with your prospective employer. Decide before the interview what you feel comfortable sharing and practice your responses. However, if an employer asks you a potentially illegal question on the subjects above, regardless of the intent, you can redirect your response to a different topic or you can politely ask how that questions relates to the position and attempt to address their underlying concern. Some examples are below:
Q. Do you plan to start a family?
A. I plan to pursue a career in veterinary medicine as a competent and caring doctor regardless of my family decisions. (This response addresses the interviewers potential concern of commitment to the position and organization without disclosing personal family matters, pregnancy plans, and marital status.)
Q. How old are you?
A. I am old enough to have earned my DVM from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine with a certificate in Food Animal Medicine after having worked as a veterinary technician in a small animal practice for 2 years and I am prepared to share why I will be the best candidate for this position. I'm curious as to why you'd ask that question… (This response addresses the concern of having experience without responding with a number while providing the interviewer an opportunity to give insight as to why they were asking the question.)
Q. Does your partner/spouse work?
A. Yes, and they are very supportive of my career and are looking forward to me securing a position that will start me on the path to becoming the best veterinarian I can be. Is there a reason you're asking? (This response addresses the concern of flexibility of relocation, commitment, and any perceptions that an employer may have about a dual-career couple while also attempting to unearth the reason behind the interviewer's question.)
If you have any questions or would like to practice schedule a career planning appointment with Katelyn Jerles
Looking Ahead to Events
Learn more by clicking the links and don't forget to RSVP for food events!
NVA Networking, Beers & Careers - 1/8 7pm, Swamp Head Brewery, 3rd and 4th years welcome RSVP here
BluePearl Lunch & Learn: Illness Scripts: How to think like a doctor - Wednesday 1/10 12:20pm, UF CVM VAB New Auditorium, Lunch provided, sign up here
Ocala Equine Alumni Reception (Students & Faculty Welcome!) - Friday 1/19 5:30pm-7:30pm, Belmont Room Hilton Ocala (3600 SW 36th Avenue, Ocala FL)
VMX UF Alumni Reception (Students & Faculty Welcome!) - Tuesday 2/6 7pm-9pm, Hyatt Regency Orlando
Emotional Intelligence: How to increase your EQ - Wednesday 2/21 5pm-7pm, UF CVM VAB New Auditorium, Dinner provided, sign up coming soon
Practice Ownership: Case Study of a New Owner's Path to Success - Thursday 4/12 5pm-6:30pm, UF CVM VAB New Auditorium, Dinner provided, sign up coming soon
Highlighted Gator CareerLink Job Postings
We have over 95 jobs currently listed on our job widget, below are the three most recent. Click on the button below to view all of them.
Associate Veterinarian Full-Time
Southern Veterinary Partners (Gastonia, North Carolina)
Posting Date: Dec 04, 2017
Veterinarian Full-Time
Alachua County Board of County Commissioners(Gainesville, Florida)
Posting Date: Dec 04, 2017
Associate Veterinarian in Beautiful Flagler Beach, FL! Full-Time
National Veterinary Associates(Flagler Beach, Florida)
Posting Date: Nov 29, 2017
For the full list of all current job postings, please click the link below
UF CVM Careers Facebook Page
Interested in staying up to date with career opportunities and other career related information that is accessible to you? Consider following us on our Facebook Page!
For requests to receive this newsletter or include information or events in this newsletter please contact KatelynJ@crc.ufl.edu
