📣 What You Really Want… But Haven’t Said Out Loud

You don’t need to hate your job to start thinking about your next one. In fact, some of the best career moves begin with a vague feeling… that there might be something better, something more aligned with how you want to work and live. But before you start scrolling job boards or replying to recruiter DMs, it’s worth pausing to ask: what are you actually looking for? Because “not this” isn’t enough.

Whether you’re gently testing the waters or actively looking for a change, there’s huge value in getting clear on what really matters to you right now, in this phase of your career. This isn’t about overthinking or making a 10-year plan. It’s about asking the right questions early so that when a great role does show up, you’ll recognise it… and more importantly, know if it’s worth pursuing…

✅ Find Your Next Career Step

🕵️‍♀️ Where Are You Actually in Demand?

Before you start picturing your dream role, take a moment to reality-check the market. Are your skills in demand where you want to work? Are there practices actively hiring for your level of experience, or is the market saturated with similar candidates?

This isn’t about settling. It’s about aligning your goals with what’s actually out there. For example, ECC vets in regional Australia are being offered generous relocation bonuses. Experienced GP vets in parts of the UK are seeing slower movement unless they bring niche skills. In the US, specialist roles may be clustered around referral hubs, not evenly distributed across the country.

Sometimes, it’s not just about where you want to go, but what you bring to the table. Polishing up your skills in a particular area or topping up your Continuing Education or CPD with something relevant, such as dentistry, ultrasonography, or fear-free handling, can shift you from “maybe” to “must-interview.”

Start here: Search for your ideal job title in your preferred region and scan the common requirements. Then, shortlist one skill or certification you could update this month to boost your appeal.

I kept applying in my local area and getting ghosted… then realised there were five practices advertising in the next state who were actually offering sign-on bonuses – Carlos M., Small Animal Vet, Tucson, Arizona, USA

🧭 How Far Are You Willing to Go – Literally?

Geography can make or break a role. You might find your ideal clinic, with your ideal team, but if the location drains your energy, strains your relationships, or stretches your commute beyond what you can reasonably manage, it won’t be sustainable.

Some professionals draw a tight radius around home. Others see a role worth relocating for as an opportunity to reset. A new city can offer a different pace, a more affordable cost of living, or access to a lifestyle that better suits your priorities. Relocating can open doors to better mentorship, faster career progression, or more rewarding clinical work. But it also comes with hidden costs: housing, licensing transfers, support networks, and the challenge of starting fresh.

And if you’re in a relationship, have children, or rely on support from extended family, that “how far” question quickly becomes “how far can we go together?” There’s no right answer. But it’s best to ask now, not after you’ve fallen in love with a role on the other side of the country or even overseas.

Try this: Often when we’re on vacation, we momentarily think “Could I live here?” Think about your favourite holiday destination ever, and add that location as your “moonshot” option.

I nearly turned down a role because it was four hours away. Then I realised the clinic was everything I wanted, and my partner was happy to shift jobs too. It ended up being the best decision we ever made – Amelia P., Veterinary Nurse, Christchurch, New Zealand

🏖️ Life…Work…Finding That Balance

It’s easy to focus on the job title, the salary, or the scope of clinical work. But how that role fits into the rest of your life can make the difference between thriving and just coping.

Some practices offer four-day weeks or alternating weekends. Others are rigidly Monday to Friday or operate on unpredictable rotas. Some give you time and headspace to enjoy your life outside the clinic. Others drain your weekends, dominate your evenings, and leave you with little energy for anything else.

Then there’s the location itself. Are you the kind of person who recharges with nature, family dinners, or ocean swims before shift? Or do you need access to nightlife, culture, dog parks, gyms, or even just decent public transport? Life outside work is often undervalued in the decision-making process until it becomes the thing that makes a role unsustainable.

Think about your ideal week, not just your ideal job. Where does work sit in that picture? What needs to be protected, and what’s up for compromise?

Try this: Without thinking too hard, write down three non-work things that make your week better. Then ask yourself honestly: will your next role give you the time, location, and energy to do them, and perhaps even more?

I used to think I wanted a busier, higher-paying clinic. Then I realised I was happiest when I had two mornings a week to surf, and a team that didn’t blink when I left on time
– Josh D., Veterinary Surgeon, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia

🤝 The People You Work With Matter. A Lot.

One of the biggest contributors to long-term job satisfaction isn’t the equipment or the pay. It’s the people you’re working alongside every day. The ones who check in when you’re quiet. The ones who teach without making you feel small. The ones who don’t disappear when the last consult runs late.

If you’ve felt unsettled in a previous role, culture may have played a bigger part than you realised. That might have looked like cliques forming, support breaking down under pressure, or subtle dynamics that made it hard to speak up. Even when everything on paper seems fine, a mismatch in communication style or team energy can leave you feeling like an outsider without ever knowing exactly why.

Now is the time to figure out what good looks like for you. Do you prefer a small, tight-knit team or a larger structure with more defined roles? Do you thrive with hands-on leadership, or do you want autonomy without micromanagement? There’s no universal ideal. But there is your ideal, and this is the moment to define it.

Try this: Think back to your best day at work in the last year. Who was there? What made it feel easy, rewarding, or fun? Write down three qualities those people shared.

I was halfway through drafting a resignation email when a new vet joined the team. Within a week, the whole dynamic changed. That’s when I understood how much the right people matter – Dana S., Veterinary Nurse, Portland, Oregon, USA

🏥 What Size and Type of Practice Actually Suits You?

Some people thrive in the buzz of a big, busy hospital. Others feel more at home in a quiet, two-vet clinic where everyone knows the clients and nothing happens without a team huddle. The size of a practice affects more than just how many staff are on the roster. It shapes your daily rhythm, your access to support, and your opportunity to influence how things get done.

Then there’s the type of practice. Emergency work offers intensity, variety, and a certain kind of adrenaline. It also comes with long shifts, emotional extremes, and weekend-heavy schedules. Referral or specialist centers attract cases that challenge your clinical mind but often require tight protocols and narrower scopes. General practice can offer balance and continuity, while holistic or integrative clinics appeal to professionals who want a different kind of connection with clients and patients.

None of these are better or worse. They simply suit different people and different seasons of your career. The key is knowing what energises you, what drains you, and how much structure or autonomy you actually want day to day.

Try this: Look back at your last two roles and list the top three things you liked and didn’t like about the way the practice functioned. Were they size-related? Scope-related? That’s your clue.

I always thought I wanted to work in referral, but I realised I missed continuity and follow-ups. Now I split my week between GP and acupuncture consults, and it finally feels right – Claire B., Integrative Veterinarian, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

🧠 What Stage Are You Really At?

Some moments in your career feel driven. You’re learning fast, feeling confident, and open to the idea of more. More complexity. More responsibility. Maybe even a new environment. Other times feel quieter. You’re doing the job well, but coasting a little. You’re not unhappy, but something feels off. Then there are the in-between phases. The ones where your job still fits on the outside, but doesn’t quite match what matters to you anymore.

Recognising what kind of phase you’re in doesn’t mean you have to act on it. It simply gives shape to those background thoughts that creep in during quiet moments. If you’ve started wondering whether something else might suit you better, it helps to first understand where you’re coming from. Not just what you think you should be aiming for.

Are you in a season of building? Or of protecting your energy? Are you searching for purpose? Or just hoping for stability? The answers might surprise you. But they’ll give you a clearer filter before any opportunities even come into view.

Try this: Describe your current work life in five words. Then write five more that capture how you want it to feel. What’s the gap between them?

I didn’t realise how much I’d changed until I put it into words. I wasn’t tired of vet med. I was tired of trying to force myself into the same goals I had five years ago – Morgan T., Veterinarian, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

💰 What Is It All Worth to You?

You don’t have to be thinking about a new job to take stock of your financial reality. Sometimes it’s just about reconnecting with what your work is actually worth…to you, and to the kind of team or employer who might value it down the line.

Start with a simple exercise. Use the building block method to sketch out three tiers of your working life. First is Getting By. That covers the basics: housing, bills, groceries, fuel, loan payments. Next is Comfortable. That’s where you add in savings, some flexibility, the ability to take time off without stress, and the money to keep learning or growing. Then comes The Sweet Life. That might include fewer hours, more travel, better gear, paid parental leave, or just never thinking twice about ordering the good wine on Friday.

Each level is valid. The goal is to work out where you are now, and where you would like to be.

Then consider what doesn’t show up in your payslip but still holds value. A team that supports your CE goals. A manager who respects your time. An extra week of leave that lets you rest properly. These benefits and intangibles don’t pay the rent, but they often shape whether you feel valued.

Try this: Map out your three tiers: Getting By, Comfortable, and The Sweet Life. Write down what’s included in each, in your world. Then be honest about which tier reflects your current situation and whether it still feels right.

I used to think money was the main issue. But when I broke it down, I realised I was willing to stay in a slightly lower-paying role if it gave me the time and energy to live the rest of my life properly – Taylor H., Veterinary Technician, Austin, Texas, USA

🧠 Gut Checks That Actually Work

Still not sure if you’re just having a wobble or if something deeper is shifting? Try this.

Take five minutes. No distractions. Just answer these five questions honestly, without overthinking.

1. How do you feel on Sunday night?
Not what you tell your friends. How you actually feel in your body, mind, and soul when Monday is getting close?

2. Do you still care about doing the work well?
Not perfectly. Just well. Enough to take pride in it.

3. Is your worst day the exception or the norm?
Everyone has rough ones. But if the low points are starting to feel like the baseline, that matters.

4. What would you tell a friend in your exact position?
Sometimes we give better advice than we are willing to take.

5. If you won the lottery tomorrow, would you still show up for work next week?
You don’t have to love every shift. But if the thought of walking away brings only relief, it’s worth exploring why.

This is not a scorecard. There is no right mix of answers. But if one of them hits harder than expected, do not ignore it. It might be time to start browsing. Not because something is wrong, but because you are finally clear on what is worth looking for.

I had convinced myself I was just tired, or maybe ungrateful. But when I pictured losing my job and didn’t feel even a flicker of panic, I knew I was done – Jordan R., Emergency Veterinarian, Chicago, Illinois, USA

👣 Closing Thoughts…

You don’t need to make a decision today. You don’t need to have a plan. But if you’ve read this far, you probably know something’s been simmering. Not always loud. Not always urgent. Just enough to make you wonder if your current role is still the right fit for who you are now.

This isn’t about walking away from a job. It’s about walking toward clarity. Maybe that means staying, with a better understanding of what you value. Maybe it means making small changes in how you work, who you work with, or what you ask for. Or maybe it means realising that something else might suit you better…and now you’ve got a way to find it.

Whatever the outcome, you’ve already done the hard part. You’ve paused. You’ve reflected. You’ve given your future self something to work with.

And when you are ready to take the next step, you’ll be doing it with your eyes open and your values intact.

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