Finding an Associate Dentist Job - It’s not Just What You Do, It is How You Do It

Dentistry is a highly technical field requiring extensive training to hone clinical techniques and skills, yet it is often not these technical skills that determine who get the best jobs after dental school. Generally, the “soft skills” are what will make or break your chances of landing an ideal associate position. To separate yourself from other associate candidates, it is important to recognize what these skills are and why they matter.

What are “Soft Skills?” Soft skills, or people skills, are what inspire trust from patients. They make someone an effective communicator and a productive part of a team. There are many soft skills needed to be an effective dentist, but here are the leading soft skills requested by the practice owners for whom we consult.

Communication skills

Patients will take it for granted that the “Dr.” in front of your name means that you are qualified to drill a tooth or seat a crown. They do not become long-term patients because your margins are perfect. They come back to you because you are a pleasant person who understands your patient’s apprehension and takes the time to answer his or her questions. When interviewing a potential associate, a practice owner will look for these characteristics to determine the quality of your communication skills:

• Clear articulation: Can you convey ideas so that others easily understand?
• Expressiveness: Do you use voice inflection and descriptive language to avoid sounding “dry?"
• Empathy: Do you inspire trust by accurately reading the emotions of others and respond appropriately?
• Confidence: Do you exude self-assurance in your abilities?

 

Attitude and Outlook

Practice owners need their associates to be an asset to their practice. Most genuinely want the associate arrangement to be a “win-win” arrangement where everyone profits. Hiring a clinically exceptional but emotionally-taxing associate will not be sustainably beneficial to the practice. To avoid this, practice owners will look for the following:

• Positive Attitude: Are you generally optimistic or are you overly critical? Will it be fun to work with you?
• Willingness to learn: Are you accepting of feedback and helpful criticism or do you become defensive?
• Flexibility: Can you adapt to changing circumstances and new challenges?
• Work ethic: Will you exceed the minimum expectations? Will you go above and beyond for your patients when necessary?
• Motivation: Will you continuously strive for improvement? Do you set challenging personal and professional goals? Will you be satisfied if you fail to achieve those goals?

Professionalism

Even the freshest new dental school graduate is a doctor and so has earned the respect of the dental practice staff and the larger community. With this respect comes the demand of maintaining a professional demeanor. Beyond that, you are a highly compensated professional with a public profile. You are a pillar of the community who will be a leader in the office. Can a practice owner trust you to maintain this esteem? Here is what he or she will look for:

• Time Management: Can you be trusted to be ready to see patients as soon as the practice opens?
• Team Player: Will you be cooperative and respectful when working toward greater group goals?
• Leadership: Will you lead the office staff by example? Will you avoid petty squabbles? Will you have the courage to address problems and work towards solutions?
• Problem Solving: Will you apply your training in a creative manner to drive innovation and improvement?
• Work under pressure: Can you be trusted to maintain decorum under deadlines and through difficulties?

The more of these skills you display, the more comfortable a practice owner will be in choosing you for his or her practice. Remember - it is not what a practice can do for you, it is what you can do for a practice.
 

Posted by Morgan Pace, Vice President and Senior Dentist Recruitment Consultant with ETS Dental. To find out more, call Morgan at (540) 491-9102 or email at mpace@etsdental.com.

 

Six Ways To Stay Positive During A Difficult Job Search

This is a great post from Lindsay Olson on the Brazen Careerist.

Rejection, especially in this job market, is an unavoidable reality. You won’t win every time. It’s okay be be disappointed, for a minute, but set a limit and move on. Part of job search success requires self-evaluation. It’s important to recognize the possibility you might be doing something wrong and, if so, to be open to positive change.

If you’ve been on the hunt for awhile and you feel like you’re getting nowhere, consider asking your recent interviewers and peers for constructive criticism. Be prepared for the sugar-coated version, but at least you will gain some perspective on what you may be able to change for future interviews.

I find the most frustrated job seekers are those who walk blindly through their job searches. Recruiters and hiring managers are keen at sniffing out those with chips on their shoulders. Not being aware of negative feelings or the inability to control emotions throughout a difficult job search process will quickly send a job seeker to the depths of job search hell, and we all know that is not a pretty place to be.

I know it’s easier said than done, but keeping your chin up and sending out positive vibes throughout every step of an interview process is critical to your success. Here are 6 ways to stay positive during your job search:

1. Take responsibility for your happiness.

Too often we let other people determine our happiness. When you let a potential employer, or anyone else for that matter, control your feelings, you’ll never end up very happy. Happiness, bitterness, or frustration are all choices. How you decide to react to any situation in a job search is up to you. There are a many issues you won’t have any control over. The key is knowing what is within your power (yourself) and what is out of your hands (everyone else).

2. Reward yourself for the small successes along the way.

Celebrate when you get a phone interview or second-round interview. Ok, it’s not a job offer, but it’s a step in the right direction. Even if you aren’t selected for the job, it means your resume is communicating the right things to a potential employer.

3. Find a job search partner and surround yourself with positive people.

Networking should play a huge part in your job search, however, if you find yourself surrounded by “Debbie Downers”, find another group! This goes for a job search partner, too. While finding someone to talk to who’s in the same boat as you and who understands the frustrations is very helpful, make sure you help keep each other motivated and positive.

4. Set goals. Get up and get out.

Don’t allow yourself to sleep in and lounge around. Take your job search seriously and search every single day. Set daily goals and track your progress so you have a good idea of where you are heading. Setting a job search schedule will give you a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day.

5. Find time to do things you enjoy.

Keeping your life balanced will help you stay positive and keep things in perspective. Explore a new hobby. Catch up on your reading list. Eat right and exercise! Stay engaged with your family and friends.

6. Consider exploring a cause you are passionate about through part-time volunteer work.

Not only can volunteering lead to possible job leads and new connections, but it’s a good way to add structure to your days and feel like you are contributing to a positive cause.
How do you stay positive when life gets you down?