Dentist Cover Letters

Popular opinion varies on the importance of cover letters in the hiring process. Fewer than 25% of Dentists include a former cover letter when applying for a job, yet this is often the only way for a job seeker to tailor his or her achievements to suit the hiring practice. It is important to remember that CVs and resumes highlight achievements but do not tell the whole story. Cover letters can add a touch of personality and humanity to help a job seeker stand out among the pile of CVs.

When writing a cover letter, keep in mind that all cover letters should:

• Explain why you are interested in the position and why you are looking for a job

• Include how you became aware of the position or why you contacted them if you are not aware that they have a position to offer.

• Express your personality, communication skills and motivation.

• Highlight components of your background that would be particularly suited to the practice or the particular position.

• Convince the hiring dentist to take another look at your CV.


Brevity is important. While you want to effectively highlight your best qualities you must keep in mind that the reader likely has little time to dedicate to sifting through applicant information. Your cover letter must never exceed one page in length and is generally most effective if confined to three to four paragraphs.

This first paragraph should be a general introduction. This is where you should explain your interest, reveal how you came to be aware of the position, and summarize why you could be a good match.

The second paragraph should be all about you. This is where you highlight your accomplishments, tell your story, explain your motivation and add personality. Don’t be afraid to get somewhat personal as long as you remain generally professional. This can be a tricky balance. If you cannot keep this to one paragraph, you can consider splitting into two.

The third paragraph is all business. This is where you ask for the job interview. Explain the follow up steps that you indicate to take. If you will be visiting the area soon, include the dates here. Be sure to close by thanking the hiring dentist for his time.

While drafting a cover letter, keep in mind that the hiring authority will judge your communication skills. Be sure to abide by the format of a formal business letter. Also, have a friend proofread your letter.

A sample cover letter is available at this link to our earlier blog on dentist cover letters.

Written by Morgan Pace, Dental Recruiter for Southeast states. You can reach Morgan at (540) 491-9102 or mpace@etsdental.com.Find out more at www.etsdental.com.

Stand Out In The Crowd!

You are at a point in your life where your world is getting ready to change in a huge way. Whether it is your final year of dental school or you are finishing a long successful career in private practice and contemplating a move into a more clinical setting, you are about to embark on one of the biggest challenges to date….the employment search.

You have studied hard and spent many hours in the lab or taking care of patients and should be very proud of your accomplishments. It is time to pull everything together and insure that you are able to secure that dream job with the practice of your dreams. In order to land that job you have to show that you are more than just another in, what may be, a large pool of candidates. You have to show that you are THE one that they need.

Before you even start the dialogue with a practice, you need to sit down and formulate a list of questions to ask the hiring authority. Know what you need and want out of the practice relationship both professionally and personally. Without knowing these things, you cannot possibly know the right practice opportunity when you find it.

You will also need to have a very strong CV or Resume put together that is current, easy to read and contains all relevant education, work history experience, certifications, contact information, etc. The CV is quite often the one thing that will have the most influence on whether or not you will get further consideration for a position. Do not cut your chances by having an incomplete CV or by not having the right information in there. The CV is your “face” to the hiring authority, and it needs and deserves the time and effort to make sure that it is as good as it can be. There are a number of sites on the web that offer info on how to write a strong resume. I strongly recommend you put in the effort to make this the best document that you have ever written.

Once you land that interview, it is time to show that you are more than just another candidate. Arrive at the interview a little early. I have heard it said before that when going to the interview to be “early is to be on time”, to be “on time is to be late” and to “be late is to be forgotten”. Be a little early. This is one of the practices' first impressions of you, and you want it to be a good one.

Standing out in the crowd also means doing the research on the practice that you will be interviewing with and being more prepared than the other candidates. Being prepared will allow you to ask better questions than the other guy/girl, thereby, being more engaging than your competitors. They will have more interest in you if you show that you have a true interest in them. You should also be able to show your potential to deliver results rather than just fill a position. Be able to communicate your ability to deliver desired value and benefits. This is what the practice is really trying to figure out during the interview process. Make it easy for them and show that you truly do stand out in the crowd!

For tips to help be better prepared for your employment search and interviews visit the ETS Dental Website at:

http://etsdental.com/candidate/interview.htm

Written By Gary Harris, Dental Specialist Recruiter, ETS Dental. You can reach Gary at 540-491-9115 or gharris@etsdental.com.