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You landed an interview with a dental practice that seems promising. Good for you! Here are some practical tips to make the experience stress-free so you can make a great impression in your interview. 

1. Understand and define the arrangements. It is customary for the interviewing practice to pay for travel and expenses, but it is a good idea to make sure this is clearly stated in writing. Double check times and dates before proceeding with arrangements. Know which expenses the practice expects to reimburse and what you are expected to cover. Be sure to understand whether you or the practice is making the travel arrangements. A busy dental practice is not a travel agency and may appreciate you being proactive in your travel plans.
2. Be cost conscious. Every aspect of your visit has the potential to make an impression. We’re not recommending you pack peanut butter and jelly for your meals, but showing you value the opportunity and spending the practice’s resources in a reasonable fashion will make a good impression.
3. Eliminate variables. If you are checking a bag, pack a change of clothes in a carry-on in the event your luggage is lost. Plan your travel to arrive in the city of the interview well in advance to allow for time to call an audible should you encounter flight delays or other complications. It is best to plan to arrive a day early. If you get the opportunity, verify the travel time between your hotel and the office where the interview will be held.
4. Even if it is at your own expense, consider adding a couple of “shoulder days” to your trip. Adding a couple of days to your trip can give you valuable insights into the community. If you’re a musician, you can visit some stores and talk to people about the local music scene. If you’re into arts or social causes, you might be able to have coffee with someone in the community who has insights into local organizations. Check out the local cuisine and attractions. Of course, your job will be your priority, but life balance is important.
5. Rest and hydrate to go into your interview fresh. 
6. Carry some cash. Many young professionals no longer carry cash regularly, but there are times it is the only medium of exchange when travelling. In most cases, credit or debit cards and Venmo will work out fine, but we suggest carrying a minimum of $25 cash per day of your stay for unexpected cash expenses.
7. Be considerate to everyone you meet. This is good advice for life, but especially important in interview settings. A person you may interpret as a receptionist might actually be a trusted long-time advisor to one or more of the doctors. Besides, it would be a better world if everyone’s default setting was “nice.”
8. Keep and track receipts and expenses. Submit them promptly and in an orderly way for reimbursement. 
9. Follow up with an e-mail of any questions you might have. You not only get answers to your questions, but you underscore your interest in the position.
10. Follow up with a thank you note to everyone in the practice you met during your trip. We live in a time where the average person receives less than one piece of mail with handwriting on it per week. While most candidates opt for a follow up with an email, a personal note will set you apart. A good idea is to bring notes, stamps and envelopes with you, complete them immediately after the interview, and drop them off at a local post office. At ETS Dental, we arrange interviews for candidates every day. Feel free to reach out to us for suggestions about making your interview travel stress-free