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Have an interview coming up soon, but not sure how to prepare? We’re here to help! We’ve put together 10 tips for new dental graduates and experienced dentists alike on how to find the best job opportunities, prepare for the interview, and land the position even when competition is high. Check out Part 4 of our video series below!

If you missed Part 1 of the series, you can watch it here.
Or if you missed Part 2, you can get caught up here.
You can get caught up on Part 3 here if you missed that one as well.

Tip #8: Assemble a Proof Book

A proof book is an organized binder or padfoilio that you will take with you to the interview. It contains the following items:

1. A current CV/Resume
2. Case presentations
3. Before and after photos
4. Production numbers or equivalent
5. Accomplishments
6. Treatment plans
7. Letters of recommendation
8. References
9. Blank paper for notes
10. Questions for the practice
11. Blank thank you notes

You may not need your proof book during your interview, but having one demonstrates preparedness and professionalism that may set you apart from other candidates who are interviewing for the same position. Once you have your proof book assembled, you’re ready to go to the face-to-face interview, which brings us to our next tip:

Tip #9: Remember the Basics

We all know you know how to shower, dress professionally, arrive 5-10 minutes early for the interview, silence your cell phone, smile, and make direct eye contact, so we’ll skip to some you might not have thought of.

First, treat all staff members with respect and courtesy. Most owners view their staff members as family, and they value their opinions (especially if it’s negative). We’ve seen candidates miss out on an opportunity who are otherwise great candidates to be considered because they treated a staff member poorly, so don’t let that happen to you.

Second, show some enthusiasm! Often times candidates are hired because of their personality and positive attitude more so than their clinical skills. While working with a high-end cosmetic practice, who had interviewed 6 qualified candidates for a position, they ended up hiring the one who was the most personable and seemed to enjoy doing dentistry the most over more experienced candidates.

Third, show sincere interest in the owner dentist’s situation and understand they have a problem to solve. For example, did they recently lose a key associate or partner? Or is the practice growing so rapidly that they can’t keep up with demand? Once you have a clear understanding of their situation, you can mutually determine if you’re the solution to the problem.

Finally, if you’re interested in a position, let the owner know. Don’t be afraid to say something like “I’m very interested in the opportunity. What are next steps or how should I proceed from here?” It doesn’t mean you’re going to accept the position without further discussion, but just shows that you’re interested in the opportunity and that you’re ready to discuss contract terms, meet with a consultant, other team members, or a key partner.

We hope the above tips will give you the insight you need to interview confidently!

In the next few weeks we’ll be covering the remaining tips on our list, so be sure to keep checking back for more helpful interview tips and career advice in the near future! In the meantime, if you’re looking for an associateship, partnership, or ownership opportunity, don’t hesitate contact us today! We’d love to help connect you with the right opportunity.