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Dental residents or students on the tail end of their curriculum may find themselves overwhelmed by the daunting task of searching for a job. After all, there are so many variables to contemplate. What practice type should I choose? How large or small do I want the practice to be? Where do I want to live and work? Without a strategy, you could be spending time unnecessarily on some questions or failing to put enough time and consideration into others.

Not to worry! ETS Dental recruiters have the experience and know-how to help guide you as you begin your search. Below are three areas of focus that you should be aware of as you start to plan your dental job search.

Job Search Planning

It all starts with your CV.

When planning your job search, focus your initial efforts on crafting your curriculum vitae (CV). Unlike a resume, a CV is focused on your accomplishments. Gather up your entire kitchen sink of awards, honors, publications and other proof-of-excellence achievements so that you can begin to whittle them down to the most relevant. Our recruiters recommend you design your CV for the job you want. If you are attracted to research and want to pursue a career focused on discovery, then focus on your research involvement in your CV. If your focus is on landing a job with a technologically advanced practice, focus on next-generation techniques and be sure to hype the surgical technology you’re certified in as you develop your CV.

• Cover Letter Sample
• Composing a CV

Learn from your calls.

When you first begin your job search, always cast a wide net, and be open to talking to a lot of different practices. You can learn so much more about an organization by speaking to members of the practice, rather than simply scanning a job posting. Oftentimes, practices are very flexible in what they require and can be even more accommodating when it comes to compensation. Plus, you’ll be gaining experience with every conversation you have. As you begin to make these calls, you will become more comfortable with the process and learn to anticipate the questions coming your way. You’ll also feel more at ease asking your own questions. What you learn from a telephone conversation with one practice may very well inform your conversation with the next.

Look outside of the big city.

Take a drive one or two hours outside of the city that you would like to call home and begin your search there. Going suburban or rural can offer great opportunities with successful private practices. Many owners in these areas are doing well, trying to keep up and looking for new partners interested in future ownership. The challenge for these practices is often that dentists are not looking in these locations.

Be friendly.

If you have your eye on a particularly saturated region, be sure you convince the practices you interview with that you extremely personable, outgoing and willing to work hard to achieve the goals of the practice. Busy practices in saturated areas experience a great deal of pressure in the market. That means new associates will be required to do more referral building in a competitive market. Go out of your way to demonstrate a friendly, pleasant persona that would be comfortable selling the benefits of the practice in the communities you serve.