Setting the Standard
When you are just starting out it is important for your employers to know they can hold you to a high standard that they themselves would be expected to adhere to. In this post I am going to discuss the different standards that you must adhere to in order to excel in the field. This can then be complemented by my take on both character strengths which stand out in interviews as well as skills that you can develop to stand out. Each of these standards has examples that link to the animal industry so you know how they fit in.
Starting with the first standard attendance and punctuality this for me is really key think about it from an employers point of view how can they trust you and rely on your ability when they cannot expect you to be there on time. Now many employers post Covid might expect you to have a level of autonomy meaning that you may be able to set your own hours. This does not mean you can slack of this simply means you need to be even better at your time management show your employer that you can manage multiple work streams and that the work is presented at a punctual time. Ensure that you are able to juggle your working day around meetings and ensure you are somewhere where you are actively listening. If you are working hands on or the field it’s about thinking of the unforeseen consequences like traffic going to a site, you should plan this in where possible so that your client, employer, or colleagues know you are dependable. There are many resources for planning your route to a given location but remember it is better to be early the earlier you are the more you can prepare for what you are doing therefore the better you come across.
If you are a supplier and your delivery is late how is this going to reflect on you and your business it will slow your client down and are they likely to use you again? Probably not and if this is reversed and you do not pay someone promptly their will likely be consequences and their services are not guaranteed.
With my personal background in the Animal Sector it is important for this standard that people know you are Committed to your Sector you need to remember that unlike other sectors you have something that is relying on you for their survival and welfare. Think what you intend to be and how you come across what I mean by this is everything about you and your brand needs to showcase your approach to the field. Think about your career journey you have your qualifications people need to see how you have been taught is it lab, practical, or theoretical. People will want to know how these experiences have shaped you as a person to allow them to understand you this is where LinkedIn as a tool is invaluable a recruiter, a client or even a competitor may search for you. You want to be found and you want to stand out from the crowd what makes you different how do you shine why you over your peers. Take advantage of every skill, lesson, knowledge, or opportunity.
If you are working in a kennel as an example I would be expecting an employee to take the lead on different elements of the job so that I can see they are dedicated to the role. This could be what if we feed them on this or I found a new product that would relieve boredom in the dogs suggest these ideas show willing and the flexibility to grow.
You cannot get far in your field without Respect. How you come across to other people shapes their opinions of you. So you need it to be a good one it shapes someones perception of you 7% is your spoken word, 38% is how you are saying and 55% is body language but remember this is not a blind test. They already know you they will have searched you on social media, analysed your CV, read your application. Think when you are meeting someone it is what they are looking for not what you like to be seen for. They have an unconscious bias they will be looking for traits they see in themselves once you work for them, or with them this is where your character can shine and you need to see if they fit. You want your views to be heard so you need to listen to their views except criticism your learning, training growing you will gain more from your mistakes then successes it will shape you.
Think about how you want to be perceived if you walk into an interview not really interested in the job having done no reading about the business what is that impression likely to give a business. They will likely think they are not interested in anything we do they have shown little effort in preparation for the job interview so why should we give them a chance.
Accountability this is where the character of respect is applied you need to think how are your actions, behaviours, performance and decisions seen just as employees would be in the work place. Think what do you want your efforts to be seen as do you it to show your effort, intelligence and character to achieve this then you need patience, intellect and effort. Your actions will show you are learning and developing but also think admit when you are struggling self reflection is a lacking trait you will not lose favour by asking for help. You are not expected to know it all but you do need to show the humility of admitting your weaknesses you cannot build on weaknesses if you do not show it. Think how this links to attainment if you cannot complete a task say you need more resources, time etc as you do not want to produce sub standard or be late with your actions. Only you are responsible for your successes this is not something that someone will do for you they can help but not do.
If you have ordered the wrong food which can happen with agriculture as different stages of an animals life may have different bulk feeds and you do not make your boss or manager aware this can have consequences. It can cause a determent on the final balance sheet when the animals sold, it can cause animals to develop behavioural problems due to having high protein or fat continuing through to the finishing stages. This can cause problems in poultry such as welfare issues if you tell someone they can correct it plan something differently. Are they likely to be happy about it no but they will be calmer if they can correct vs if they cannot.
Be Supportive this links with a core soft skill for any business teamwork, you will always need a team around you to excel different perspectives offers innovation it allows you to be different. A network allows you to be lifted up when you fall but this will only work if you do this for others whether they be teammates, your boss, friends and family. You grow through working with people but it is worth remembering to challenge yourself allow people to express their views support them challenge them and give room for growth.
Think about your experiences of working in a team where someone has not pulled their weight or when someone does not let anyone have a view. Did you feel happy and valued? Probably not now, when people work together if someone is struggling they often offer support and see why it is a problem. If a leader is stuck on a problem they often provide a new prospective to the solution.
So Integrity of Character it is important that both you and your employer value integrity as your customer or clients will. You have your strengths, weaknesses when couple with your values that showcases your character. Also make sure that you practice what you preach make sure that the values you say you stand by are shown in your actions if you are passionate about conservation, animal welfare, or other sector specific values make sure this resonates in everything you do. Businesses will appreciate this as your work will be fluid as it will be close to your own values. Remember your weaknesses are not problems they are growth areas for you to improve on.
Think about if you are working as a sole trader like a Veterinary Physiotherapist you tell your client that you are using laser on the horses back to correct a problem they are having when riding. The horse continues to decline you continue focusing on the back but you do not know what the problem is but do not want to tell the owner as unsure of why this is happening. The owner goes back to the vet who finds that the horse has an abscess in its hoof the owner is then likely to not use or trust you as is the vet. Where as if you suggest they go to the vet this issue is avoided.
Treat everyone with Equity whether you are in education, at home, out and about or at work you must treat everyone with equity you may have different views or opinions but they all matter and you need to facilitate an inclusive environment. If its inclusive you will enjoy it more you will be more relaxed and you will succeed. Regardless of someones background they deserve the same treatment be open minded do not judge but provide guidance. If you are working in the veterinary sector people may not know any better it is your job to educate them as to why your actions are right with humility. However, if there is anything your concerned of you should still say something use your team to support you. If you are a lone worker rely on family and friends for advice do not take it all on your shoulders.
If you are working with a client and they do not understand what you mean when you are trying to help advise them on their dogs health and you start talking differently to them they may well get upset, angry, offended, or confused. This can then lead to formal complaints against you or they could ignore your advice causing more harm to the animal unintentionally.
I have personally worked in the animal sector hands on for the last ten years if you want to succeed you must Showcase a High Standard of Welfare whether this is animal care, agriculture, research or conservation you cannot slack off on welfare. In your education you will be shown skills to achieve in your experiences and degrees this will shape your values, in your work showcase it. You gain the best from your animals by providing them with all of their needs this is both a legal requirement for you and good for the business. The animals thrive when they are cared for properly they eat, sleep and work for you when they are not in stressful situations.
Animals in zoos are less likely to show normal behaviours, breed, act as an ambassador for their species if they are in distress. This is because, they will show other problem behaviours if the animal has an environment that allows them to behave normally they will present a greater range of positive behaviours and reflect the animal in the wild more easily. This will start minor and then normally decline rapidly it is your job to spot this and correct it.
