5 Tips to Finding a Dental Job You Love

As many dental job seekers come to discover, finding a dental job is a lot like dating; you ask your friends (or the internet) to match you up, put your best face forward, and hope that your new suitor looks at least somewhat similar to the picture they have online. Unfortunately, it takes a while to find the right match, and sometimes you don’t realize that the other person isn’t right for you until you’ve invested significant time and energy.

However, job-seeking has one clear advantage over dating: there’s a lot of information about your potential new company that will help you sort through the job listings. If you’ve done your research, there shouldn’t be much that shocks you during the interview. In the spirit of love, we’re compiling our best tips for job seekers to ensure that you and your new job “super like” each other.

5 Tips to Finding a Dental Job & Getting Hired

1. Clean Up Your Social Profiles

We’re all guilty of it; a night out turns a little wild, and your best friend tags you in a not-so-flattering photo. In today’s digitally-driven culture, this can be a real stain on your otherwise perfect resume.

According to one recent study, 70% of employers use social media to screen applicants before they pick a candidate. It’s important to consciously audit your social profiles for “red flag” content or potentially damaging posts that would cause concern for a recruiter or hiring manager. Social media is generally your first impression, so make sure it always shows your best side.

2. See What Other Professionals Say

You can use many great tools to empower yourself during an interview or job search. You can learn much from former or current employees by browsing the company’s profile and reviews on Google, Facebook, or Glassdoor. You’ll find unfiltered discussions on everything from vacation policies to the average salary for that position.

It may also be helpful to reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or via email to ask a quick question about the practice — just be sure that you’re considerate and respectful of their time. Also, remember that someone may mention what you say to a boss or coworker, so be careful that you don’t ask anything sensitive or invasive.

3. Dig Into Their Core Values (And Your Own)

Arguably, one of the most important factors in finding a dental job you align with is comparing their core values and your own. “Core values” are a company’s fundamental beliefs that impact nearly every other element of the business.  For example, a corporate dental practice may believe in doing business in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly fashion, which could dramatically change how you treat patients. Alternatively, a private or local business could greatly value community growth, which might require you to volunteer once a month.

Knowing what drives your potential new employer deeper will help you determine if they’re the right fit. Plus, it may teach you more about your core values which will help you beyond the job search.

Here are some core values you may look for in your potential new company:

• Always practice with integrity.
• Go above and beyond for the patient.
• Create lasting relationships.
• Create a stable work/life balance.

It is important to figure out your core values to ensure they align with your own.

4. Know Your Worth

As much as you may want a job, your potential new employer also wants to fill the position. Keep that in mind when you enter into salary negotiations! Of course, it’s important to be realistic; if you can’t back up your offer with measurable experiences, it’ll be hard to convince them. But if the job offer is noticeably low (and they won’t budge), don’t accept the position just to have a job. You’ve worked hard to become a dental professional, and there are many other valuable opportunities out there.

The dental industry is always changing, and you should take some time every few months to see how your salary stacks up with other professionals.

5. Ask The Tough Questions

“Do you have any questions?” 

So you’ve built the perfect resume and profile, got some insider knowledge, compared core values, and now you’ve made it to the interview. It goes without saying that you should come prepared with questions — but what should you ask?

Your interviewers want to know you’re proficient and ready to handle the many types of patients and dental health problems that come through the doors. Some great topics to discuss are related to workflow, culture, and tools in the stations.

Here are some sample questions you might ask:

In today’s competitive market, job seekers quite often feel helpless. But by using these tips to empower your search, you may find yourself with a job that’s a match made in heaven.

At DentalPost, we aim to connect you with the perfect opportunity — head to our registration page, build a profile, and start searching for the perfect dental job in seconds! Want even more job-seeking advice? Download our FREE Ultimate Dental Job Seeker Toolkit to help you find a dental job you love!

Updated May 4th, 2021
Originally Published February 7th, 2018