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Land Your Dream Job by Cari Callaway-Nelson, DDS

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It may have been a few years since I went on my first job interview after graduating from dental school, but I can still remember it like it was yesterday. I felt so nervous and inadequate, thinking about the fact that I just graduated and this doctor I’m interviewing with has nearly 4 0 years of experience. How can I possibly convince him that I know what I’m doing? Now I am the practice owner, and the shoe is on the other foot. I am the one conducting the interviews and hiring new graduates. If I can give all new dental school graduates one bit of advice it would be this: relax. You’ve made it through the difficult part, finishing dental school. The good thing to remember is that the people interviewing and hiring you know exactly what you’ve been through. They are your comrades, and even though you are still inexperienced in “real world” dentistry, you are still the “doctor.” Smile, you’ve earned it. With that in mind, I’d like to offer the following tips for success throughout the job search process.

Get noticed
The first step in landing an associate position is making yourself stand out from all the rest. Here are some simple ways to grab the attention of owner dentists:

Network
Seek out as many opportunities as possible to engage with experienced dentists. Even if the dentists you meet aren’t currently looking for associates, they may know of opportunities with their peers, and nothing is more valuable than a word-of-mouth referral. Ask a lot of questions and don’t hesitate to request a shadow day or tour of an office. Not only will it show your dedication, but it will also help you to learn what you like and don’t like about different practice environments.

Enhance your LinkedIn profile
It is important for you to have a LinkedIn profile, as it serves as an online résumé. A strong LinkedIn profile will help you create a positive image on the web for potential employers to see. Many online job applications now have “quick apply” features that parse the information from your LinkedIn profile. Your profile should include:
  • A professional picture
  • Credentials
  • Work history
  • Accomplishments
  • Clubs and associations
  • Leadership and special activities

The more content you include in your profile, the easier it will be for recruiters to find you. LinkedIn now allows you to make your contact information public so that recruiters and potential employers can get in touch with you.

You should also use LinkedIn to start building your network. LinkedIn is a great forum to connect with other dentists and join any applicable dentistry groups that might provide helpful message boards and connections with experienced dentists. When applying for a position, you can also search for the owner dentists and see if you have a shared connection. This could prove a great way to make an initial introduction.

Master the résumé

Make an impression
Your résumé is often your first opportunity to make an impression, so it is important to not just list your credentials, but tell the story of who you are and what you have accomplished. Use your résumé to highlight what makes you stand out among the rest, such as recognition awards or leadership activities you have engaged in. Include a cover letter detailing why you would be an ideal candidate for that practice.

Organize your skills
Your contact information should include a professional email address for employers to use. The top of your résumé should include a brief profile summarizing the characteristics and accomplishments that set you apart. Always use both month and year when indicating dates of employment and keep the formatting consistent throughout the document.

Ensure that your work history and accomplishments are organized and ordered in such a way that you show the progression of what you have achieved. Include any recognition you have received, noteworthy projects, leadership activities, etc. Also, include all work history, even if it was waiting tables or working retail. All experience translates somehow into what has shaped you and will make you a better dentist. Think about what you gained from each experience and use that to build your character on your résumé. For instance, if you worked part-time during school, it shows that you can multitask and are driven enough to help put yourself through school. If you waited tables, you might highlight the customer service skills you developed.

Perform an exhaustive job search

General job boards:
  • Indeed.com
  • CareerBuilder.com
  • Monster.com
  • SimplyHired.com
  • Glassdoor.com
  • Beyond.com
  • Craigslist.com
  • LinkedIn.com


Dentistry-focused job boards:
  • DentalPost.net
  • DentReps.net
  • MyDentalJobs.com
  • HealthcareJobsite.com
  • DentalJobs.com
  • DentalJobs.net


Other sites with job boards:
  • Dental Support Organizations
  • Dental Associations
  • Dentaltown.com


Applying for the job

Show your interest
Submitting an application is how you get a job at McDonald’s. You may need to make more of an effort to show your interest in an associate opportunity to get asked for an interview. Try reaching out to the owner dentist to introduce yourself and ask about visiting the office. You may want to try connecting with them on LinkedIn or seeing if you have a mutual connection who can introduce you or serve as a reference.

Prepare for the interview

Do your research
Find out as much as you can about the practice and the owner dentist. Familiarize yourself with the doctor, the office hours and the number of clinicians currently working in the office. Visit their website, blog, etc. Become familiar with the surrounding area and patient demographic. These factors will determine the patient flow, the type of patients you will be seeing and the dentistry you will be doing. Discover if they utilize modern technology and if so, be prepared to discuss the use of that technology.

If the doctor is a solo practitioner, be prepared to discuss the need for an associate to the practice. Ask questions about any previous associate and what made them successful or unsuccessful. Is the purpose of taking on an associate to allow the owner dentist to transition in some way, cut back hours or grow the practice? Be prepared to discuss how you will be an asset to the practice and the owner dentist.

Define what has shaped you
Character is almost always more attractive to employers than skill. Spend some time thinking about who you are and what motivated you to become a dentist. If I am going to hire you, allow you to work on my patients and put my business in your hands, I want some insight into your personality. I want to know the why behind your work. I call it your “why-dentity.” What drives you? What gave you the strength to survive dental school? It must be something. Search yourself and find it.

For me, it was the dream of owning my own business and creating my own work environment. I always had an interest in health care and helping people. Dentistry was the vehicle for me to do what I am passionate about and be happy in my day-to-day routine. My friend’s mother was a dentist. She owned her own practice and was also able to be the Girl Scout leader, soccer coach, and be home to cook dinner for her girls every night. Work-life balance was appealing to me. I wanted to be a wife and mother and still own my own business.

Share this “why-dentity” in your interview. Let them see you for who you truly are. If we can see who you are as a person and understand what you are passionate about, then we can serve you better as an employer, mentor and colleague.

Define your professional goals
Determine what type of opportunity you are seeking. Are you looking to become a long-term associate at the practice or are you looking for ownership potential? Ask about any opportunity or expectation for ownership. It is important to be honest and transparent from the outset.

Determine your financial expectations
Don’t avoid a conversation about money during your interview. It is much more difficult to have that conversation later. Be honest about what you want to make and talk about it in terms of the total income you would like to earn. You may want to frame it in a question. “If I want to earn $X per year, what would I have to do to accomplish this goal?” It would be helpful to come with a thorough understanding of your financial obligations, including any student debt. What do you need to earn to cover your monthly expenses?

Ace the interview


Demonstrate interview etiquette
Arrive for your interview 10 minutes early and dress to impress. Bring an extra copy of your résumé, references and the list of questions you’ve prepared. Take notes during the interview and ask for a tour of the practice and to meet other team members. You should also engage with the team members and ask questions where possible.

Show that you are humble
Convey that you are confident with your abilities and the education that you have received, but acknowledge that there is still much to learn. Indicate your willingness to learn from others and to develop as a clinician. Share with the interviewer what you are interested in learning. Ask your potential employer what they are expecting from you as an associate. Ask the owner what kind of CE he or she attends regularly and what recommendations the doctors would make to a new graduate.

Show that you are hungry
Demonstrate that you are inspired by others, but are self-motivated. Share any large or complicated cases that you may have treated in dental school. Share what you have learned from these experiences and how that garnered you clinical confidence. Show that you can be a source of optimism, passion and energy even when those around you are lacking in these areas. Let the owner dentist see that you can be a leader in the practice.

Follow up
Value any opportunity that might be extended to you for a working interview. It is a great way to show what you have learned both in clinical skills and your ability to communicate with patients. Even if you are not asked to do a working interview, ask to spend some time shadowing the practice. It is important to observe the practice environment first-hand to ensure it is a good fit for you. Always remember to write a thank you note to the owner dentist and anyone else who you may have interviewed with.

Conclusion
Always remember that you are evaluating the practice and owner dentist just as much as the owner dentist is evaluating you. The massive amounts of student debt new dentists face can make it easy to accept the first offer they receive. Ask yourself whether you would accept this opportunity if money were not an issue. If you have serious doubts about the practice environment or the owner dentist, they will only grow stronger when you are working there every day and could compromise your job satisfaction or ability to succeed. Take the time to evaluate your options and which opportunity is the best fit for your goals and the way you want to practice dentistry. It will save you a lot of headaches in the long run and bring you much closer to realizing your true potential as a dentist.

Dr. Cari Callaway-Nelson is a 1999 graduate from University of Southern California School of Dentistry. She has been affiliated with Pacific Dental Services (PDS) since 2006, becoming an owner dentist in 2007, and multiple office owner in 2010. She currently is a partner in two PDS-affiliated offices and serves as a lecturer and mentor. She is an active member of the PDS Dental Advisory Board and completed her AGD Fellowship in 2011. Dr. Callaway-Nelson can be reached at callawayc@pacden.com.

Dentaltown Magazine
September 2025
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