Whether you're applying for a corporate role in animal health, a nutritionist position in a growing pet food company, or a diagnostics role with international travel, one thing is certain: competition is fierce.
Global employers are scanning hundreds of applications from talented animal industry professionals—so how do you stand out?
In this article, we dive into practical strategies to give your application an edge, highlight the skills employers really want, and reveal common CV mistakes that could be holding you back.
Employers Want These Skills (And You Might Already Have Them)
The animal industry is evolving rapidly. Employers aren’t just looking for technical expertise anymore—they’re seeking well-rounded professionals who can adapt, collaborate, and lead.
Here are the top skills global employers value in 2025:
- Multi-species knowledge: Professionals with experience across species (e.g., swine and poultry) are in high demand. In fact, this kind of versatility can boost your salary by up to 15%.
- Regulatory and compliance awareness: Especially in diagnostics and feed sectors.
- Digital literacy: Experience with data systems, AI tools, or digital platforms used in animal production or health.
- Commercial thinking: Even in technical roles, understanding how your work impacts business outcomes is a huge plus.
- Cross-cultural communication: As companies grow globally, they want people who can work across borders—both geographically and interpersonally.
❌ CV Mistakes That Could Be Costing You Interviews
We see hundreds of CVs every month, and some mistakes are more common than you’d expect:
- Too species-specific: Narrow CVs that only mention one type of animal (e.g., cattle only) may limit your chances in broader roles. Highlight transferable knowledge.
- Missing metrics: “Managed a sales territory” is vague. Instead say, “Grew my territory by 28% YoY.”
- No localisation: If you’re applying to a global company, tailor your CV to reflect the language and priorities of the region (e.g., APAC vs. North America).
- Overuse of jargon: Avoid internal abbreviations or acronyms unless they’re widely recognised in the industry.
Tailoring Your Application for Animal Health, Nutrition & Diagnostics Roles
Each sub-sector in the animal industry has its own language, priorities, and hiring culture. Here’s how to match your application to the role:
Animal Health
- Highlight your understanding of disease management, clinical trials, or pharmacovigilance.
- Showcase your stakeholder communication—especially with vets, producers, or regulatory bodies.
Animal Nutrition
- Emphasise your knowledge of feed formulation, on-farm outcomes, or species-specific diets.
- Include relevant research, field trials, or product development experience.
Diagnostics
- Detail your familiarity with laboratory protocols, QA/QC, or testing technologies.
- Demonstrate your accuracy, speed, and experience working with cross-functional teams.
Final Tip: Think Like a Recruiter
Ask yourself: Would I interview me based on this CV or cover letter?
Tailor every application, quantify your achievements, and show that you understand the specific needs of the animal industry. That combination of relevance and clarity is what gets you noticed—especially in a global pool of candidates.