In the event you’re ready to start working as a dental assistant, you might have applied to a few job postings. Which means that the next step is to prepare for interviews. Making a good impression in an interview is usually the important thing to getting hired for any job, and understanding how to interview for a role in dental care will provide help to put your best foot forward.
Dental assistants are expected to have experience with a combination of technical and administrative responsibilities, or give you the option to pick them up quickly. Learn the way to speak about your work experience to make one of the best impression in your interviewer.
We’ll cover preparing on your interview, common interview questions you may expect, what to ask to get a higher understanding of the job, and aspects to consider when it’s time to make a decision.
How to prepare on your dental assistant interview
When it’s time to prepare on your interview, listed below are a few steps you may take to help ensure every little thing goes as easily as possible.
1. Do your research
Going into your interview, it’s essential to learn concerning the company you’re applying to work for. Interviewers want to see that you simply’re curious about their specific job opportunity and should ask you questions related to the corporate’s values, mission or culture. By reviewing the job posting in addition to the corporate’s website and social media, you’ll give you the option to tailor your answers to fit the corporate. You’ll also give you the option to exhibit your familiarity with the corporate when it comes time to ask your personal questions.
2. Plan for the content of the interview
Think concerning the questions you’ll be asked and those you would like to ask them. Interviewers will want to learn more about your experience, skillset and personality, which is usually done by asking variations on a few common questions. Researching what sorts of questions come up in dental assistant interviews and serious about the way you’ll answer them will prevent time and stress.
At the identical time, consider carefully about what you’d like to ask your interviewer. Asking questions is a possibility to learn more concerning the role and your potential employer, but it may possibly also convey messages about your understanding and interests.
3. Prepare for the day itself
When it comes to the day of the interview, there are a few things you may do to set yourself up for achievement. First, plan an appropriate business casual outfit. This implies chinos or dress pants with a button-down shirt, cardigan or sweater. Women might also go for a skilled dress or skirt within the place of pants. Avoid athletic clothes, jeans, sneakers, flashy jewelry and robust scents, which can distract out of your overall presentation.
Second, bring copies of your resume. It may possibly be helpful to have a copy to reference for yourself. If there are multiple interviewers, bring a copy for every one in order that they don’t have to share.
Finally, show up early. You don’t want to be so early that you simply run the chance of rushing your interviewers, but getting to the interview location 5-10 minutes ahead of schedule conveys professionalism and offers you time to settle in.
Common interview questions for dental assistants
During your interview, you’ll be asked a number of questions on your skilled and private experiences. These questions may take a variety of forms, but your interviewers are generally trying to learn specific details about you. Listed here are some common questions you ought to be prepared to answer during your dental assistant interview.
What dental experience do you will have?
Your dental experience is some of the essential aspects to potential employers. Interviewers want to hear about your work experience, skills and technical knowledge. You’ll be able to expect to be asked about your education and any certifications you will have, your familiarity with dental procedures and tests, and your experience with administrative tasks like keeping records and scheduling appointments. You might be asked specifically about your computer skills, your understanding of HIPAA guidelines, and your experience with radiology and expanded functions.
Why do you would like to work at this dental practice?
You might be asked this query by itself, or it might be paired with a query about why you would like to work as a dental assistant usually. Either way, that is where researching the corporate beforehand pays off. Framing your answers across the vision or values you present in the corporate’s materials shows that you simply’ve done your homework and might be a good fit.
What’s your best strength and weakness?
With these sorts of questions, your interviewer wants to see the way you evaluate yourself. Your answers ought to be kept to the context of the job you’re applying for: a strength could be a skill or knowledge area from the job description that you simply already excel in.
As for a weakness, you don’t want to give a solution that makes you seem unqualified. Consider speaking about an area within the job description where you’re competent but perhaps less experienced or comfortable.
It’s also essential to emphasize your ability to learn in your answer. Interviewers are in search of individuals who’ll take the initiative to improve their skillsets without having to be asked.
How do you approach working with dental patients?
Dental procedures may be a source of hysteria for each adults and youngsters. Your interviewer will want to see that you will have the empathy and interpersonal skills mandatory to help patients be more comfortable during their appointments. If you will have experience with this from past positions or clinical training, that is the time to share it. Highlighting your experience working with different patient populations can be beneficial.
What was a difficult work situation you’ve been in, and the way did you handle it?
Your interviewer may even want to see the way you approach problem-solving. Your answer could possibly be technical like creating a fix for a widespread scheduling issue. But generally, probably the most helpful examples are interpersonal, akin to resolving a difficulty with a coworker. Talking about interpersonal relationships can show that you understand how to collaborate well with others and maintain your professionalism within the face of conflict.
What questions to ask your interviewer
Towards the tip of your interview, you’re often given the possibility to ask a few questions. That is a beneficial opportunity to learn more concerning the job and company you’re applying to. However the questions you ask may even tell your interviewer a lot about you. Avoid asking questions that make you sound unfamiliar with the job duties. As an alternative, try a few of those possibilities.
What’s a typical day like at this practice?
This query can offer you insights into what you’d be doing in a routine day. You might give you the option to learn concerning the flow and timing of the work, where your responsibilities would intersect with others’ and the way the dental practice is structured.
What challenges do recent dental assistants at this practice typically face?
It’s very helpful to know what to expect at a recent job, including the areas where you would possibly struggle. Knowing where previous dental assistants have had trouble means those areas won’t catch you by surprise, and it gives you a probability to refine any relevant skills.
How do you measure success?
Similar to it’s useful to know what could also be difficult, it’s also helpful to know the way your supervisor will evaluate your work. That is one other query that may offer you a head start on focusing your energy where it should make the most important impact.
What do you want about working here?
At the tip of the day, it’s ideal to work at a place you want. This query and your interviewer’s readiness to answer it may possibly offer you an initial sense of the practice’s tone and culture.
Other aspects to consider when selecting a dental assistant job
As you propose your questions and prepare on your interviews, take into consideration what might influence you to take one opportunity over one other. Are you in search of a specific type of work culture? Do you wish robust insurance coverage? Do you finally want to move from dental assistant to dental hygienist? In the event you’re a strong candidate, you might end up with multiple offers, and these sorts of questions can determine which one is probably going to be one of the best long-term fit for you.
At HealthPartners, we wish to be one of the best place you’ve ever worked. We pride ourselves on having teams who care about one another as much as their patients. To assist our dental assistants deal with providing exceptional care, we provide excellent health and dental coverage, competitive pay, generous PTO and sick leave, and plenty of other advantages. Plus, should you’re curious about advancing your profession, we provide continuing education reimbursements and versatile scheduling to support you thru the method. Join our team today.