What Candidates Are Really Looking For in Animal Health Roles

Spending most of my day speaking with people across the animal health sector gives me a decent view of what actually matters to animal health candidates when they’re thinking about a move. It’s often different from what hiring teams expect, and the gap between the two can slow everything down. When my team chats with hiring managers in animal health companies, this comes up quite a lot.

The market is busy, and people know they have options. They aren’t looking for something perfect. They mainly want something that feels stable, clear, and worth investing their time in. That’s what many animal health professionals tell me, even before we get deep into job details.

Clarity makes a big difference

One thing that keeps coming up is how much animal health candidates appreciate straight answers. They just want to know what the job involves, whether it’s in animal health research, pharmaceutical development, or regulatory affairs, without guessing. When the hiring process is organised and the information matches from start to finish, people relax. They trust the company more. When details keep changing or feel vague, candidates back away quickly.

Candidates judge culture by the people they meet

Most of the animal health professionals I speak with care about the work they’re doing and want to join a team that feels grounded and genuine. They don’t judge a company by what’s written on a careers page. They judge it by the tone of the conversations they have.

If the team sounds burnt out or disconnected, candidates pick up on it in seconds. If people speak honestly about their work, whether they’re in R&D, regulatory roles, or animal welfare, and seem supportive of each other, candidates lean in. It’s that simple.

Development matters because people want a future, not just a job

A lot of animal health candidates are thinking long-term. They want to see a path, even if it’s not mapped out formally. It could be learning from experienced colleagues, moving into a slightly different area later on, or just knowing there’s room to grow within research teams, pharmaceutical companies, or animal health consultancies. When employers explain this openly, candidates see the company as somewhere they can settle.

Why it’s important for employers to show this clearly

Right now, animal health companies are competing for the same groups of talented people. Candidates notice which businesses communicate well and which ones don’t. They also notice how they’re treated through the process. Small things influence their decisions more than many hiring managers realise.

How Zenopa helps employers stand out

As a veterinary recruitment agency, we speak to candidates every day and hear the honest feedback. We use this to help hiring teams understand how their roles are landing and what might be pushing great people away. It’s not about rewriting your brand, it’s about making sure the message animal health candidates receive actually reflects what your team is like.

If you want to attract people who’ll stay and grow with you, we can help shape that message and bring the right animal health candidates to you.

For more information of our services, visit our Animal Health Recruitment page or get in touch!