While it is not often spoken about explicitly, it is well known that every dental professional looking to hire or be hired has a secret list written down in their mind. For the employer, they know what the desired characteristics the best employee for the job will have. You come to a consensus with the others responsible for making this decision and bring on the person best suited for the position because let’s face it: an employee is an investment. You are spending your hard-earned money on an employee you think can not only execute the particular tasks required but one that can also be a contributor to the growth of the office.
But what about the other side of the coin? What should a potential employee look for in a future boss or company? With what seems like a million dental practices out there they are not all created equally. You will spend more time at work with the doctor and staff than you will your own family so it is essential you are careful when you choose to accept a job offer. When you are interviewed for a job make sure you have the mindset that you are interviewing them as well because you want the best working environment for you.
Below are some of the most important things you, as an employee, should look for in your potential future employer:
-Upstanding Reputation: Even though online reviews can sometimes end up telling a lot or sometimes absolutely nothing about a practice, we know that simply Googling a doctor’s name won’t tell you everything. Dentistry has a long history of maintaining itself through high ethical and professional standards, which often can go beyond the word of mouth. Check with your state professional dental association or licensing board to make sure the office is on the “up and up” and compliant with all the licensing credentials. Don’t be turned off by one negative review you find online- they usually come from a disgruntled patient who either didn’t want to pay their bill or had pain after a procedure and chose to “get back” at the office by placing a bad review.
-Clear Policy and Job-Description: You only have the ability to start out doing your best work if you understand what is expected of you! Make sure that your duties as the new assistant, hygienist, etc are clear. Most offices will allow a working interview and even a period of time where you can work to make sure they feel comfortable with you. But take this opportunity to make sure you are comfortable with them! You want to work in an office where communication is welcome and encouraged, and work in an environment where they understand you are new and may require some time to get up to speed.
-Progress and Leadership: Speaking to the individuality of the office, make sure you understand the Mission Statement of the practice and that it is delivered by a strong leader. You want to make sure the office is well organized and everyone around you is committed to doing their job right. Ask potential co-workers what it is like working in the office. You will find that some are just there for a paycheck and don’t care much for the practice itself, and you will find others that truly care for the office and its patients and will go the extra mile to help one another. Obviously, the latter situation will not only allow you to enjoy your job and look forward to going to work every day but will allow you to progress as a worker more successfully over time.
-Incentive: Also related to your progress as an employee, make sure the office shows they care about their staff and is willing to invest in them. Of course, questions about vacation and sick time will be one of the most common ones that come to mind at first, but also make sure to look beyond that. Younger staff don’t always consider things like savings, 401(k)s or insurance but should all be considered in some way. Also, see what your employer’s view is on things such as continuing education, joining societies, attending conferences or meetings and more. All of these can indicate the level of commitment this employer may or may not have to help you develop further in your career. If the employer is not willing to invest in their staff it’s a good indication they don’t care much for their welfare and just want warm bodies to keep the office afloat.
-The “Sell”: Even though we all can dream about getting hired the day we walk in to what we think is a perfect job for our situation, that in itself might be troubling in reality. If an office is just looking for “someone” to do “something” where they will hire almost anyone that walks through the door that day, it may not be worth your time. You want to work for someone or some place that is looking for the best fit for their office. The right employer will take the time to look in to your background, education and qualifications and probably schedule you for several interviews or meetings to make sure you are the right one for their business. It’s a process to get to the paycheck that not only pays but also allows you to grow in your career and be happy day after day in what you do.
Even though you may not always be able to get 5 out of 5 of the above with your new job- they are all extremely important circumstances and situations to consider before signing your employment papers. Although you should feel honored that anyone is willing to pay you for your job after all those years studying, training and preparing- you also have to know that reaching your full potential and next level can only be achieved if the RIGHT person is signing those checks for you.
Find the job that that is perfect for you! Keep up to date with all of the latest dental career postings by visiting DentalGrind.com today!