Job Search Apr 23, 2014
Bits of Wisdom
In speaking with Dental Practice Owners and Dentists who are seeking employment or other practice opportunities, we find ourselves, as recruiters and consultants, saying a lot of the same things. ETS Dental’s team would like to share with you some top bits of advice.
For Dental Job-Seekers
- Don’t compare your offer to your friend/colleague’s offer or contract. He or she will likely inflate or lie about it.
- Don’t move to Southern California.
- 4 out of 5 practices pay on collections. It’s just a fact. Don’t limit your options based on this factor alone.
- High compensation percentages are great, but always remember that 40% of zero = ZERO.
- When considering geographic location, think about what you’re really looking for. Do you need to be in “x” (major city) everyday, or just have access to that major city?
- Never pay to find a job, unless you’re a professional athlete.
- Be responsive to potential employers when they reach out to you.
- Keep track of the practices, groups, and companies to which you apply. It’s embarrassing when you’re called and you don’t know who you are talking to.
- The grass will always appear greener on the other side, but very often it is not the case.
- Don’t pretend to be a contract expert. Get advice from experienced professionals when needed.
- Practices are not good or bad because they are “corporate” or “private.” Individual office management is mostly the reason practices are good or bad places to work.
- Do you want to be a little fish in a big pond or a big fish in a little pond?
- What is more important to you? Location or opportunity?
For Hiring Practices/Practice Owners
- Don’t hire an associate to allow yourself more time off or fewer days per week and expect to make the same (or more) money.
- Great associates or partners are not found or hired in a matter of days. It takes at least a few months.
- Listen to your office staff when making new hires. If your team can’t stand your prospective associate, it will not go well very quickly.
- Don’t pretend to be a contract expert. Get advice from experienced professionals when needed.
- The best talent is not necessarily local talent. Be open to out of town prospects.
- Old dogs can learn new tricks. It just happens differently.
- The hardest associate to hire and keep happy is your very first associate.
- Hire the best for your practice, not the first available.
- You get what you pay for.
- Personalities can’t be changed, but clinical skills can be learned.
Posted by Carl Guthrie, Senior Dentist Recruitment Consultant with ETS Dental. To find out more, call Carl at (540) 491-9104 or email at cguthrie@etsdental.com.