A good number of jobs are found by networking, and one of the best ways to get a job working with animals is to contact everyone you know in your field — from former professors to people you worked with when you volunteered. The next step is to tell everyone that you are looking for a job — even if they are not in your field. You never know if your neighbor has a friend who works in a similar profession.

Be open to all opportunities when looking for a job, whether you want to be a veterinarian, an animal trainer, or an entomologist. If you want to work with primates as a veterinary technician and can only find jobs working with dogs and cats, keep an open mind. Most people who work with exotic animals started as volunteers training dogs or assisting veterinarians at a private office or shelter.

It's important to show a can-do attitude and to take a job as close to your profession as possible. “One of my favorite quotes when it comes to summing up the animal profession is ‘My quality of care is their quality of life,’” says Jodi Carrigan, who works as a zookeeper in the Primate Department at Zoo Atlanta. Carrigan suggests that it is important to be open to all possibilities, and that each position leads to the next.

It also is a good idea to be flexible. The job that you want might not be in your neighborhood. You might have to relocate. It all depends on the job market and the position. While there are lots of jobs at shelters taking care of animals, and a good number of jobs at pet retail shops, working as a zoo director at a leading zoological center will be harder to find. You might have to start as a zookeeper at a local zoo and work your way up.

Searching for a job can be stressful. It's important to know that in time you will find the right opportunity. In the meantime, try to relax and treat yourself to dinner, talk to friends, and take care of yourself while looking for work.