Keeping up with the Jones’s · 131 days ago
In this edition of my “words to the wise”, I feel the need to restate the important steps leading up to securing employment in the current job market.
Recent statistics suggest the alarming ratio between applicants and available jobs is approximately 6:1. As this ratio increases, your chances of obtaining a position decrease. The ball is in the court of the employer, and they are now able to be even more selective when making the decision of who to hire for a position. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I am still faced with the challenges of assisting potential employees with what I feel are the basics of effective job seeking. Resumes, interview techniques, professional behavior and appearance, and the willingness to make a few concessions, should all be a part of your standard tools and attitudes. Focus in on the job you are applying for, and resist the temptations of wanting to tell your life story in your resume. The only information which will stand out is your related work experience and credentials. If you are offered a position, be willing to accept the fact that you may have to drive an extra few miles, work a different schedule, or be flexible in other areas. There are plenty of folks out there who are willing to make those concessions, and therefore get that job you wanted. If you are offered a position you are interested in, by all means, accept it! Taking the weekend to think it over, or being timid and indecisive, will give the job which you might have wanted to another person.
Negotiating pay with a potential employer can be an art in itself. One of our expertise at Dental Link Services is communicating effectively with both our applicants and potential employers. You will find that by allowing us to successfully spell out the salary, perks, and schedules involved in your new employment will not only get you the most fair and competitive wage, but also put the employer at ease in the decision to hire you. We are here to help all involved with the hiring process, so, please allow us to perform this important part of starting a new job. Many applicants have actually lost the opportunity of getting a job, or not even being considered for the job by attempting to negotiate their own terms of employment.
Even in a perfect world, opportunities are offered to us which might not reach our expectations. At such a point, compromise must come into play in order to achieve a win-win situation. Getting the employer to meet you half way, or make other concessions is a key element in negotiation. Once again, please allow us to present your best impression, and take care of any pre-hire wrinkles which need to be ironed out. You will appear much more professional and we will be doing what we do best, for you.
If you are already one of our applicants, you know that we are very proud of all of you, and send you out on interviews with glowing recommendations. Please do us the courtesy of always being professional. In the event an emergency arises which would cause you to miss an interview, still maintain your professional demeanor. Pick up the phone and advise others of the situation as soon as possible. Take the time to have good directions and travel time to any appointments, but if you will be late, just give your interviewer a call to advise them of the situation. Communication is very important when dealing with an office that has set aside time from their schedules to meet with you. Give them the courtesy of being informed.
One of the tools we use in order to maintain a database of applicants we are very proud of representing, is performing a thorough background check. This allows a potential employer to possess a high level of comfort in meeting you, and hiring you. If you are planning on meeting with us and having us schedule you for interviews, you can be sure that we will check references, verify past employment, and perform a criminal background check. If you received a parking ticket eleven years ago, this will not prevent you from getting a job through us. However, if there is anything on your background, please be forthcoming with any information. It will only help both of us to form an honest and open working relationship. Once again, we are here to help you.
‘til next time…
— Judy
FINDING WORK IN THIS NEW ECONOMY · 301 days ago
Recently here at Dental Link Services, my hands, not to mention my desk, have been overflowing with the abundance of new resumes we’ve been receiving from applicants looking for work, which brings me to today’s topic. “UNENPLOYMENT” – a term many of you are unfortunately entirely too familiar with. So without any further delays and a healthy dose of optimism, let’s get to it…..
I’m sure that many of you who are reading this are asking yourselves,” When will all this economic mayhem end?” Being the eternal optimist, I would like to believe that the answer is soon, but with my crystal ball on the fritz again, I just can’t quite pinpoint exactly when it is that you will be once again be gainfully employed. Incredibly large numbers of people are in the very same situation you are. As of late, it is a common occurrence to interview people with Masters Degrees searching for work and willing to accept a rate of pay which is far less than their credentials should demand. Needless to say, the economy has affected most everyone, and the dental industry is no exception. Let’s take a look on how we can be proactive, and formulate a plan to improve your chances of getting hired.
First, let’s put our egos aside for a bit, and realize you are NOT the only game in town. The employers that are now hiring have their choice of several candidates with quite possibly just as much or even more experience than you do. Besides a positive attitude, you’ll need to bring a new, motivated and fresh style with you to these interviews. Your qualifications make up only a part of what it is that will get you hired. Be prepared to be somewhat flexible with your expected salary until things turn around. Adjusting your salary, or hourly wages slightly, is much better than no pay check at all. The current trend has made it possible for the employer to be very choosey when hiring new employees. With more applicants to choose from, they can be downright picky! Why you ask… Because they can be!
Your calling card, is as I have mentioned several times in the past, is of course your resume. Presenting an interviewer or potential employer with a poorly prepared resume can cancel your chances of getting hired almost immediately. Would you be impressed by a resume that was riddled with misspelled words, improperly set up, or listing too many jobs which make you appear flighty and undependable? The best advice I can offer you is to Clean up your resume. If you do not know how, there are plenty of articles, templates, and guidelines available free on the internet. By all means, take advantage of these free tools!
As always, the rule of thumb is to arrive at your interview, on time, prepared, and looking professional without going over the top. The majority of today’s work places are business casual. Do some research, ask questions, and find out before going. Be positive, express your interest in their business, but do not seem desperate. Do your best to get a working interview scheduled before you leave. You will increase your chances of getting that job when you are allowed to show your skills in a working environment. Be enthusiastic about the position. Employers want to know you really have the desire to work there.
An easy method to remember these important points is with a simple acronym: RISE
R – Resume
I – Interview
S – Skills
E – Enthusiasm
It’s a very simple plan which will produce great results.
Job availability is tight, so now more than ever, you must be on the top of your game. Avoid listening to negative economic feedback. It will not change anything except your attitude. I am not recommending that you ignore current events or what is going on with our country, just do your best to absorb the information without allowing it to affect your goals in employment, or the positive attitude needed to achieve those goals. Positive thinking brings positive results. If nothing else, you will feel better.
There is work out there! So, get your tools in order, and your attitude in the right place, and I can assure that you will find a markedly different response the next time you go on a job interview.
Till next time!
— Judy
First Impressions · 547 days ago
If you have been in the job market recently, you have become aware of the fact that quality jobs and working situations are at a minimum. What can you do as a business professional to give yourself every advantage at your disposal in order to get the job which you both want and deserve?
Let’s take a moment to consider what it is that will actually get you hired. I’m quite sure you have spent a considerable amount of time on a resume, or at least spent a bit of time mentally reviewing your past work experience and qualifications. Your resume, references, and diplomas will only serve to get you to the next, and probably the most important phase of securing a job – the interview.
Let me take a moment to talk to about your resume first. I have seen a lot of resumes, some so exquisite and so well done, you would almost want to hire them just from the resume. And then there are some that look like an elementary student did it. It does not reflect their qualifications and is very poorly done. This is the first piece of information Employers see. If you are unable to put this together yourself, find someone that can assist you. There are also a lot of resources on the web that give you formats and correct ways of setting up a professional resume. Take the time to do it correctly.
A positive and successful interview is not a matter of any secret technique, or some mystical form of magic. Plain and simply, a personal interview allows you the chance for your prospective employer to see and talk with you, and decide if you will bring the skills, professional attitudes and methods they need for their business. They want to see you as an answer to their needs.
Let’s take a minute to consider some facts. Communication statistics reveal that in only five to thirty seconds, three things are decided about you, whether they are true or false. 1) Your economic status 2) your education level, and 3) your desirability. Most people like to be associated with winners. Therefore, well dressed and well groomed individuals are always granted more opportunities for success. This one is a no-brainer! The phrase “First Impression” definitely applies to this portion of the interview as many interviewers have already set an impression of you, right or wrong. Its human nature to draw a semi conclusion; be proactive and make the best impression you can knowing this.
Dress professional at each interview even if you know the dress code is casual. Making a grand entrance in a tank top, flip flops, or other such inappropriate clothing, and snapping your gum, will almost certainly send a negative message to the interviewer. They will go through the motions of conducting a half interview with you, say thank you for your time and dismiss you quickly with a “We will let you”. Look your best! Good grooming, tasteful appearance, and a general well kept appearance will help to make you feel confident and self assured.
Know what you are saying before even speaking a word. The use of slang, inappropriate language, or muttering a lot of “umms”, “errrs”, and “you knows”, will turn off the interviewer almost as quick as the flip flop/tank top outfit, so be conscious of how you are presenting yourself through your words. Try not to answer with simple a yes or no. Take the opportunity to explain whenever possible with out going into long dissertations. The interviewer wants you to be convincing. Be honest with the interviewer. If you do not understand a question, or need time to think about it, say so! It is much better to give a quality answer, than to blurt out anything that comes to mind.
Finally, don’t let yourself fall into the trap of being too friendly or too personal. I had an applicant go out on an interview with one of my clients. She was qualified for the position and fit the profile. While on the interview she became too comfortable and told the client “Your so nice that I feel more like friends that employee and employer. At that point the potential employer put the brakes on. This very qualified candidate was not asked back. Be personable without crossing the line but always remember to maintain a level of professionalism.
Lastly, let’s not forget the basics.
• Arrive on time. Leave yourself an extra 10 minutes or so when you get there to fill out any required forms.
• Don’t leave any blanks and only attach your resume if requested. Please, please, please do not write on the application “see resume”. We see some applicants write that on a forms and it drives me crazy. There is a reason questions have been put on the form – complete the application in full.
• Do not bring children or friends with you to your interview. Believe it or not I have had applicants bring children, mothers, fathers and best friends. If you are old enough to work you are old enough to go on an interview alone. If you need to have someone take you please have them wait outside; I can assure you this is a big red flag. We have refused to see candidates that do this and even hesitate to reschedule them. Not being able to attend an interview alone is very unprofessional.
• Refrain from making negative comments about previous employers. Everyone has had a bad experience with an employer and there is not a single prospective employer who wants to hear you bash someone. If asked why you are no longer with a previous employer, answer in a dignified, respectful and positive tone. Provide factual information and avoid speculation.
• If you absolutely must cancel an appointment, do so in a timely fashion. Be aware that the office you are scheduled to interview with has set aside time reserved for the explicit purpose of possibly hiring you. Canceling ten minutes before your scheduled appointment, or having a friend or family member call to cancel for you is not only rude – it is clearly unprofessional.
This information should give you a better view of the interview process and prepare you to go out, put your best foot forward and get that job. If you need any other tips, advice or have any questions, you can always call us to lend a helping hand. We have several resources for more interview tips and techniques which are yours for the asking. Exude confidence, look successful, talk successful, act successful, and guess what? You will be a great success!
Till next time!
— Judy
DUE DILIGENCE · 701 days ago
These days we at Dental Link Services are continuously faced with the challenges of verifying information submitted to us by our prospective dental staffing applicants. Our quality screening process has become more valuable than ever. Here at Dental Link Services, we explore all avenues available to us, so that you may feel secure and confident that the candidates we present are of the highest caliber.
It is absolutely necessary to follow through with confirmation calls with regard to each and every one of their professional references.
Work history is another pertinent piece of the screening puzzle, providing information can tell a larger story. For example, having many employers listed and all of them are short term that is a red flag to me – we then have to ask the question, “why are they job jumping?” I would rather see a candidate that has held only two positions that are long term than an applicant with several short term jobs. Unless they have good verifiable reasons for this, they would not be a candidate for Dental Link. My reason for this is clear; one, I feel the chances of them staying anywhere I place them is questionable and two I would not feel this would be in the best interests of our clients. Also it is mandatory that we verify their employment references with a direct report. This doesn’t mean a coworker they had some beers with on Fridays night, this means a supervisor or their present or previous employer.
Background checks are a routine part of the process of acceptance. We realize that people make mistakes and have the ability to move beyond them, so when the problem is a very minor offense, many times a candidate can be acceptable (as long as our client is comfortable with all details). On the other hand there are certain offenses that there are no exceptions for.
Recently, we have noticed an increased level of applicant information which can not be verified and discovery of many assorted personal and even criminal records, which could be disastrous to any honest business. So where do we go from here? Well I can tell you where Dental Link services goes. WE STOP at this point. Rest assured that the employment standards at DLS are equal to or more often will exceed your own. We could not in good conscience refer anyone to you that wouldn’t measure up to our own high standards.
Credentials are another issue. We also verify all Hygienist licenses for any suspensions and make sure it is active, the same with all the Dentists we place. Dentists registered with us have to have a current Texas license and DEA number along with liability insurance. With regard to dental assistants this is a completely different set of tasks that we could go on and on about, but I will keep it short and sweet. If the dental assistant is fresh out of school they have to have completed an accredited program, an externship and have taken their RDA test and passed. For those assistants who have been in the industry a while and do not have their RDA but do have there CDA, they can still work under a Dentist’s supervision while they are obtaining their RDA. If they are from out of state they fall under the same guide lines as a CDA, but also must take the RDA. We encourage all assistants to get their RDA.
The interview process is where we really get to know our applicants. You cannot tell much about a person other than what their qualifications state on their resume unless you meet with them first. To be able to match our applicants’ skills and personalities with the specific culture and requirements for your practice means that it is mandatory we meet with each prospective applicant face-to-face. And we NEVER sign up any one without meeting them. This benefits both the applicant looking for employment and the dental practice seeking employees. Our interviews cover their work history in detail, their skill levels and what they are looking for in a practice. We get a feel for their personality and their goals. All of this aids us in finding that perfect match. Our goal is to ensure your comfort level, trust and satisfaction in your newly found employee.
We look forward to assisting you in your pursuit for that next team member. SUCCESS IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT, YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR GOAL!
Till next time!
— Judy
ASSISTING TRAINING · 797 days ago
WHAT IS GOING ON??? I know I have written about this subject in the past but I have to tell you I feel compelled to write about again. Am I missing something? What is going on with the training courses that are being offered out there for dental assisting programs? Ever since I opened Dental Link Services I have encountered the same problem over and over. I know for a fact that other agencies are encountering the same problem by the feed back I receive from my clients. So let me say it again” WHAT IS GOING ON”
There are a lot of excellent schools out there along with allot of insufficient training programs, I can not bring myself to even call them schools. It seems that because of there cheaper rates they are able to sign up allot of students looking to go into the dental field. Let me tell you what I feel the problem is with that. I would like to take you through one of my interviews. First all applicants applying with Dental Link Services must fill out an application including questions regarding there skills, most of it is basic dental assistant questions, the more detailed questions comes into play during the one on one interview process. When the application has been completed we then will go into the interview with them. When I review there skills I notice on there application they do not know what the term “four handed”, or restorative” means, at that point the interview comes to a stop. If I were to ask a medical nurse if she took vital signs” and her response was, “What is a vital” I would portably begin looking for a new nurse. Some of these questions asked of an assistant applying for a position are entry level questions, and they have no idea what I am asking them. At that point I sit back and begin asking them further questions about there training. In the end I find out they had little to no externship have no idea how to assist on basic procedures let alone fabricate a temporary. But they have there RDA. I feel for them, this is not there fault. They went into a program thinking they were receiving the training they needed to obtain a job in the dental field. They express to me there dissatisfaction with the skills they have learned and can not afford another program. They ask me what they should do. My heart goes out to them, most of them had to borrow the money or obtain loans to pay for it. I can only tell them to try to find a private practice on there own that will allow them to do an externship. I also instruct them to make sure they are being allowed to learn and have hands on training with four handed procedures along with expanded duties. This will at least give them the opportunity to practice and sharpen there skills. This also will give them the confidence they will need to go out there and obtain a position with a good practice. After they have completed an externship I ask them to call us back and Dental Link would assist them in finding a permanent position. Be careful, allot of externships are using these assistance for sterilization and x-rays only. The outcome from this type of training is that they are completing there hours with no more knowledge then when they started. I feel the schools need to have a check off list with all the required procedures the assistant need to learn. The school also needs to make at least one appearance at the externship site to check on students progress and make sure not only is the student doing what is required of them but the practice that is offering the externship is following the schools guidelines. The practices do not pay these assistance, this is a extension of there schooling and training, so they should receive the proper externship.
Most of the complaints that we hear from dentist when they call us is, please make sure they have some experience or training. They express there concern for the lack of training for allot of these assistance coming out of these schools. We are not expecting you to be as experienced as an assistant with several years, but we do expect you to have the basic knowledge required for this field. You hold the certifications they say you do, right?
So as I have said in the past and I will say it again. When looking for schools check the school out. Make sure it is not a quick course. Just because you have passed your test for the RDA does not mean you are ready or even have the skills to apply it. Anybody can memorize terminology and pass a test. Ask questions about the curriculum and definitely about the externship, the outline for it and the hours required. You need a min of 250 hours of externship. Don’t be shy about asking questions. You need to know the qualifications of the instructors also. It is our job at Dental Link Services to provide good assistance to all our clients, and make sure our applicants are qualified in there field. This is a great field you have chosen to be in so be the best you can.
Dental Link is always here to assist you!
Till next time
— Judy