As a dental recruiter for the past three years, I've learned a few things along the way that will help you land that dream job (and maybe even help you avoid becoming the subject of office gossip).
Tips for creating a standout résumé
- Spell-check is your friend, and so is your voice. First, use spell-check, obviously. But also read your résumé out loud. You'll catch mistakes that spell-check won't (unless you're spelling "tooth" as "toothh," in which case, I'm afraid spell-check won't save you). Also, if you're aiming for a front-office gig, being detail-oriented is a must. So, if you misspell "dental," it's a hard pass from me.
Lisa Newburger. - No pictures, no crazy fonts, and no party. You're applying for a dental job, not a high school prom. Stick to a clean, professional résumé without pictures, funky fonts, or colored text. Trust me, we care more about your skills than your aesthetic choices.
- Volunteer experience is gold. Get any leadership experience you have onto that résumé! It doesn't matter if it was a church bake sale or organizing a neighborhood scavenger hunt -- anything that shows leadership counts. Also, leadership and cake, so it's a win-win.
- Google is your résumé's BFF. Ever heard of Google? Yeah, it's that thing we all use to look up "funny cat videos." But you can also Google résumés for inspiration. Borrow some of that fancy terminology for your résumé. "Proficient in patient care" sounds much cooler than "good at talking to people while they're in a chair."
- The first bullets are like job-description gold. Read the first few bullet points of any job description. They tell you exactly what the employer wants. Then, steal those words (ethically, of course) and incorporate them into your résumé. The office leader will love you. Trust me.
- Indeed's résumé generator is like that friend who tries to help, but ...Sure, uploading your résumé to job platforms like Indeed is important. They'll generate one for you, but it's like that friend who offers to help with your project and then hands you something that looks like they Googled "how to make a résumé" 10 minutes before. It might get the job done, but your résumé should be sharp, tailored, and ready to impress -- no shortcuts allowed!
Pro job-seeking strategies
- Facebook Groups are your secret weapon. If you're not already stalking Facebook groups for dental professionals, what are you even doing with your life? Join local dental groups (because national groups don't care if you're in Ohio) and post your job search. Someone out there is ready to hire you, and you didn't even have to leave your couch.
- Research like you're about to date them. Before you apply, be a serious creeper (in the best way). Check Glassdoor for reviews, snoop on their social media, and see if they're trending on X for any reason. Do they look fun? Are they into flossing? Do they have five-star reviews? You need to know this before you swipe right on them.
- Strategize your search like a pro. Start with practices close to home and slowly expand your search radius. It's like dating. You wouldn't marry someone who lives three states away without at least checking if they have a good sense of humor first.
Tips for creating a memorable interview
- Answer the phone like a human, not a zombie. When we call, answer with an upbeat tone, OK? No one's hiring someone who sounds like they've just woken up from a 12-hour nap (unless you're interviewing to be a sleep therapist). Show us some energy!
- Ghosting is for Halloween, not job interviews. Do not, I repeat, do not ghost your interview. I will remember that. And trust me, the last thing you want is a reputation as a phantom candidate. (See what I did there?)
- Life happens. Don't leave us hanging. If you need to reschedule, call ahead! If you must cancel, we'll still be cool as long as you communicate. Just don't leave us wondering if you've been abducted by aliens.
- Thank-you emails are not just for thanking. A thank-you email after your interview is like bringing a gift to a party. It's polite, classy, and it makes you stand out. Also, who doesn't like being thanked?
- Answer questions fast. When we ask you questions, keep it short and sweet. We have a limited time to talk to you, and we have other candidates to interrogate. Answer in full sentences, but let's not dictate a novel.
- Do not badmouth your last employer (even if they deserved it). Here's the thing: If you talk smack about your last practice, we're worried you'll do the same about us when you leave. So keep it classy, even if your last job was like the "Jaws" of dental offices.
- Questions at the end are your time to shine. Have at least five questions prepared. It shows you're serious and that you've thought about the job. "Do you have a 'bring your pet to work' day?" might be cute, but try something like, "What do you like most about working here?"
- Know your salary range, but don't drop your current salary bomb. Be ready to discuss your salary expectations. But don't tell them how much you currently make. This could blow your chances if you're making too much. If you're overpaid, you might get an "I'll call you" instead of an offer.
- Don't leave us guessing on schedule flexibility. If your schedule is tricky, just let us know upfront. Being mysterious about your availability doesn't help anyone. We just want to know if you're free or if we need to start looking for a clone of you.
There you go! With a little humor, you'll stand out and show off your personality while still being professional. Good luck out there. Go get that dental job!
Lisa Newburger, is a talent acquisition specialist with Your Partner in HR, where she puts her superpower of connecting people to work. She has a master's degree in social work from Loyola University and a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University. Newburger is a licensed independent social worker supervisor. She has published more than 300 articles and has earned awards such as Toastmaster of the Year and Distinguished Toastmaster.
The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.
