20 VCA Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to a VCA interview, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience with pets, your knowledge of pet health care, and your ability to provide excellent customer service. You may also be asked questions about your ability to work in a fast-paced environment and to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. To help you prepare for your interview, we have compiled a list of sample VCA interview questions and answers.

VCA Interview Process

The interview process at VCA is very straightforward and easy to navigate. Great communication from the HR department in finding the right location that fit my needs. Other doctors and staff were very welcoming. The process is quick and efficient, with most interviews being conducted within a week of applying. Be prepared to answer questions about your experience with animals and customer service, as well as basic questions about your strengths and weaknesses.

1. How would you handle a client who is upset about the cost of their pet’s treatment?

This question can help the interviewer assess your customer service skills and ability to empathize with clients. Use examples from past experiences where you helped a client understand the cost of treatment or how you helped them find financial assistance for their pet’s care.

Example: “I once had a client who was upset about the cost of their dog’s blood work, which they said was too expensive. I explained that VCA has many resources available to help our clients afford veterinary care, including discounts on services and payment plans. The client ended up enrolling in one of our discount programs and paid less than half of what they were originally quoted.”

2. Do you have any experience working with animals?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience working with animals and can handle any challenges that may arise. If you don’t have direct animal care experience, consider including an example of how you helped care for someone or something else in your life.

Example: “I grew up on a farm where I cared for many different types of animals. I learned how to treat them when they were sick and how to keep them healthy. This experience has given me valuable insight into what it takes to be a good veterinarian.”

3. Are there any tasks that we may ask you to do in this position that you are not comfortable with?

This question is an opportunity to show your potential employer that you are willing to learn new tasks and develop professionally. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific task or two that you would like to learn more about and how you plan to do so.

Example: “I have experience working in a veterinary hospital but not with the VCA system. I am excited to learn more about the VCA software and procedures for collecting samples from patients.”

4. What do you think makes for a good relationship between an animal and its owner?

This question is a great way to show your understanding of the importance of relationships between pets and their owners. It also shows that you understand how important it is for veterinarians to have strong relationships with their clients.

Example: “I think a good relationship between an animal and its owner starts with trust. Trusting your veterinarian means they can provide you with advice on what’s best for your pet, even if it isn’t something you want to hear. A trusting relationship also involves communication. You should be able to talk openly about any concerns or questions you may have.”

5. Can you tell me about a time when you had to solve a challenging problem at work?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you approach challenges. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your critical thinking, communication and leadership skills.

Example: “At my last job, I was working with a client who had two dogs that were both sick. One of the dogs had an ear infection while the other dog had a urinary tract infection. The client wanted me to treat both dogs at once but didn’t want to spend too much money on treatment. I explained to the client that treating one dog without addressing the other issue could lead to further complications for their pet.

I recommended that we start by treating the ear infection first so that it wouldn’t get worse. Then, after a week or two, we would treat the second dog’s UTI. This way, they could save some money on treatment and still ensure that both dogs got the care they needed.”

6. Tell us why you want to work at VCA.

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in working at VCA. They want to know what attracted you to their company and how you can contribute to its success. When answering this question, make sure to highlight some of the aspects that drew you to apply for this position.

Example: “I applied for this position because I was drawn to the idea of working with animals every day. I have always loved animals and would love to be able to help them live longer, healthier lives. I also really like the idea of being part of a large organization where I can work alongside other veterinarians who are passionate about helping pets.”

7. If a customer was unhappy with their service, how would you approach the situation?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle customer complaints and ensure that they’re satisfied with your service. Use examples from previous experience to show that you have a plan for handling these situations, and emphasize your ability to resolve issues quickly.

Example: “I would first apologize to them for their dissatisfaction and ask what I could do to make it up to them. If there was something specific they wanted me to do, I would try my best to accommodate them. If not, I would offer them a discount on their next visit or give them a gift card so they could come back when we were busier and had more staff available.”

8. We always look for team members who will go above and beyond for our clients and patients. Give me an example of a time where you went above and beyond for a patient or client.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for clients and patients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific example where you went above and beyond for a client or patient and how it positively impacted their experience with VCA.

Example: “I once had a client who was very nervous about bringing their dog in for an exam. I noticed they were quite anxious when we first met, so I took some time to talk to them about their dog’s history and what we would do during the appointment. By the end of our conversation, they seemed much more at ease and even said they enjoyed talking to me. During the exam, I made sure to explain everything I was doing and why I was doing it. They left the office feeling much better than when they arrived.”

9. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question is a great opportunity to highlight your skills and qualifications. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list the most important aspects of the job description and explain how you meet those requirements.

Example: “I am an experienced veterinary technician with five years of experience in both emergency care and general practice. I have excellent communication skills and work well under pressure. My ability to multitask and problem-solve make me a valuable asset to any team.”

10. VCA has a culture of teamwork and collaboration. What experiences can you share that demonstrate your ability to be a strong team player?

Teamwork and collaboration are important skills for any role at VCA. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork experience, so you can share a story that shows how you worked well with others in the past.

Example: “I have always been passionate about animals, so I decided to pursue a career as a veterinary technician. In my program, we had to work together on many projects, including group presentations and assignments where we had to collaborate on care plans for different types of pets. I enjoy working with others, and I think it’s important to be open-minded when collaborating with others to find solutions.”

11. Describe a time when you performed exceptionally well on a project or task.

This question is an opportunity to highlight your skills and abilities. It’s important to be honest when answering this question, as the interviewer will likely want to know what you did that was so exceptional.

Example: “I recently completed a project for my current employer where I had to create a new marketing campaign for our company website. The client wanted more information about our services and how we could help their pets with certain conditions. I worked closely with the client to understand exactly what they were looking for in the website. Then, I created a plan of action for creating the website. I assigned tasks to other members of my team and delegated responsibilities. We all met deadlines and exceeded expectations.”

12. Tell me about your experience with handling money.

This question is a good way to assess your financial management skills. It’s important for you to be honest about any challenges you’ve had with handling money in the past, but also highlight how you overcame them and what steps you’re taking to ensure they don’t happen again.

Example: “I have always been very responsible when it comes to managing my finances. I make sure that I keep track of all my expenses and stay within my budget. However, there was one time where I made an error on my bank statement and didn’t notice it until after I paid my bills. I called my bank immediately and explained the situation, and they were able to fix the mistake and refund me the extra amount.”

13. What personal characteristics and qualities do you possess that make you a good fit for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how it relates to the position you’re applying for. When answering, think of a few characteristics that are important for this role and explain why they make you a good fit.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which is why I love working in healthcare. In my previous job as a veterinary technician, I was responsible for administering medications on time and keeping track of all patient information. This helped me develop excellent time management skills and an attention to detail.”

14. Have you ever worked in an environment where you were required to obtain blood from an animal? How did you feel about it?

This question is designed to assess your comfort level with performing veterinary procedures that require you to draw blood from an animal. It’s important for the interviewer to know that you’re capable of handling this task, but it’s also important that they understand how you feel about doing so.

Example: “I have never worked in a facility where I was required to draw blood from an animal. However, I am comfortable and confident in my ability to do so if necessary.”

15. As a veterinary technician, you’ll likely need to restrain animals during treatments. Are you comfortable doing this?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your comfort level with restraining animals. They want to make sure you’re comfortable handling and interacting with pets that might be aggressive or scared during treatment. In your answer, try to show the interviewer that you have experience working with difficult animals and can handle these situations calmly.

Example: “I’ve worked in a veterinary clinic for five years now, so I’m quite used to restraining animals. I find it helpful to talk to them while I restrain them to help calm them down. If they are still struggling after that, I will call for backup if needed.”

16. How do you handle working long hours and dealing with difficult customers?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle stress and challenges in your work. Use examples from previous jobs to show that you have experience working long hours, handling difficult customers and remaining positive under pressure.

Example: “In my last position as a veterinary technician, I worked with a veterinarian who was often late for appointments. This caused me to stay later than usual on some days, which made it challenging to balance my personal life. However, I learned to remain calm when he arrived late and focused on providing excellent care to patients during his absence.”

17. Tell us about a time when you had to provide excellent customer service while under pressure.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you can handle pressure and perform well in high-stress situations. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight how you handled the situation successfully while also highlighting your customer service skills.

Example: “When I worked as a veterinary technician at my previous job, we had an extremely busy day where all of our appointments were booked back-to-back. We had several clients who were upset because they couldn’t get their pets seen on time. I was able to calm them down by explaining that we would do everything we could to see their pet as soon as possible. In the meantime, I offered them water and treats for their pets.”

18. How organized are you? Providing examples of times you’ve used organization skills with success.

VCA is a large company that requires employees to be organized and efficient. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use examples from your past experience where organization helped you complete tasks more efficiently or saved time.

Example: “I am very organized, which has been helpful throughout my career. In my last position as a veterinary technician, I was responsible for organizing all of our supplies and equipment. This included ordering new supplies when we were running low and making sure everything was clean and ready for use. It also meant keeping track of inventory so we didn’t run out of anything important.”

19. We’re looking for someone who has a flexible schedule. Would that be an issue for you?

This question is a way to determine if you’re willing to work nights and weekends. It’s important for veterinary technicians to be flexible because they may need to work evenings or weekends when their employer needs them the most. If you have a family, this could be an issue, but if you don’t, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Example: “I’m happy to work any hours that are needed. I understand that sometimes emergencies happen at night or on the weekend, so I am prepared to do whatever is necessary.”

20. What interests you most about working at VCA?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and company. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific aspect of VCA that you are excited about or relate your answer back to something in the job description.

Example: “I am most interested in working with animals and their owners. I love being able to help pets feel better and improve their quality of life while also helping pet owners understand what’s going on with their animal. I think VCA is a great place to do this because of all the resources available to me as a technician.”