SmileSystems School of Dental Assisting Blog

These are difficult times and dentists are feeling the economic pinch all over the country. If you are a newly trained dental assistant and want to get a head start on getting that dream job, here are a few tips that may help

During your first phone contact…

1. SMILE while speaking. The person on the other end will get the right tone in your voice. Be enthusiastic. Your “telephone” voice will be your initial handshake and business card when you talk to a dental office representative for the first time. You want to sound happy and positive, no matter what is happening otherwise.
2. Do not ask pointed questions about benefits, vacations or other self-oriented concerns. Those questions can come up during an actual interview session.
3. Be available. Be flexible. Be interested.

That should get you in the door for an interview. When you do get an interview appointment, try the following:

1. Be on time! Work out the travel and direction arrangements beforehand. Know where you are going and think about traffic and rush hour demands.
2. Dress appropriately. Wear business casual attire or if you are comfortable, scrubs. Avoid anything low-cut or open in the front, as that sends the wrong message.
3. Smile. Your personality and demeanor are being evaluated as much as the content of your interview answers. Sit up straight, maintain eye-contact with the interviewer when speaking and never interrupt the office representative. Looking off to one side, glancing at the ceiling or walls during the interview makes you appear disinterested.
4. Don’t play with your hair, use excessive hand gestures or slap the table or your leg when making a point. Interviews can make people quite nervous, so do try to settle down.
5. Ask the right questions. Find out a few things about the dental practice that you are interested in (not just “What is the benefits package?” and “How many weeks of vacation will I get?”). Those questions can come at the end if you’ve gotten positive feedback from the interviewer. Example: "Does the doctor treat children here? I love taking care of children!"
6. Finally, SMILE as much as you can. Show them how happy you are to be given an opportunity to enter their workplace!

Hopefully, you will have demonstrated your professionalism, a happy & positive personality and great listening skill during your interview. If you are not hired on the spot and you really like the people and office, take the time to send a handwritten thank you to the interviewer. It doesn’t need to be long or wordy, just sincere. This is a touch of refinement and professionalism that few other applicants will offer.