Interview Tips


The Telephone Interview
  1. Return your phone messages and E-mails promptly. It speaks to your motivation, interest, and courtesy and also plays a part in getting an interview. Even if you don’t think you will be interested in an opportunity, return the call. You never want to "burn bridges."
  2. Your main goal in a telephone interview is to get a face-to-face interview.
  3. Ask for the interview. Take the initiative to set a time. Say something like, "From what you have told me, I would be very interested in meeting with you and coming to see your practice. When would be good for you?"
  4. Smile––even on the phone. You really can hear when someone is smiling.
Personal Appearance

You only get one chance to make a first impression. Great job skills or personality will be looked over if you are not dressed and groomed in a positive and professional manner. Please be prepared to come to your interview dressed according to the guidelines below. Clarify what the practice dress code is during your interview so you will know what is expected as an employee.

Dress Guidelines
  • No tank tops or sleeveless shirts
  • Dress shoes- preferably close-toed. No tennis shoes or flip-flops.
  • Conservative and well-kept hair style
  • No perfumes, colognes or fragrances. Many people are allergic or turned off by strong scents
  • No facial piercings
Specifics for Women
  • Business suit- pants or skirt with coordinating blouse. If you choose to wear a suit with a skirt, the hem should be at least knee-length.
  • No low-cut sweaters or blouses
Specifics for Men
  • Business suit with coordinating dress shirt
  • Groomed facial hair, if present
What to Bring to the Interview

Being prepared for your interview shows your potential employer that you think ahead, are organized and are genuinely enthusiastic about their job opportunity.

  1. Two (2) copies of your resume
  2. Two (2) copies of your references. They can be former employers, co-workers, or teachers. Contact them to let them know to expect some calls. Have all their contact information in one place.
  3. Proof of any certifications, program completions or awards
  4. A list of questions for the employer
  5. NOTE: DO NOT lead off with questions about compensation.
  6. What would be expected of me as an employee; what role would I be expected to fill?
  7. Tell me about your patient base: families, geriatric, pediatric, etc.
  8. Do you actively market patients or depend on referrals?
  9. What kind of equipment do you use?
  10. What about your practice are you the most proud of?
  11. Where do you see the practice in five or ten years?
  12. What are your goals for the practice?
  13. A RELAXED ATTITUDE! Interviews are sometimes extremely stressful. While it is important to be friendly and personable, make sure that you maintain composure and avoid laughing too much or too loudly, talking fast or any nervous movement like playing with hair or repeatedly adjusting clothes.
The Face-to-Face Interview
  • Treat the staff with courtesy and respect. A practice owner often feels like his or her staff is like family and will listen to their opinion, especially if it is negative. On more than one occasion, we have seen excellent candidates not offered an opportunity because they treated a staff member poorly.
  • Smile and show some enthusiasm. More candidates are hired because of their personality and positive attitude coupled with specific clinical skills rather than by their skill set alone.
  • Let the office manager or owner know if you are interested in the position. At the close of the interview say something like, I just wanted to let you know that I am very interested in this opportunity and I am ready to learn about the next step. How should I proceed from here? This doesn’t mean that you will accept the job with no further discussion. It simply shows that you have a genuine interest.
After the Interview
  • Thank you notes. Always send a Thank You note within 24 hours after an interview. Make sure you get a business card from everyone you speak with so you can verify the spelling of their name, their title and the correct address. Even if you do not want the job, it is professional and impressive to thank your interviewer for his/her time.
  • Immediately after the interview, call me and let me know how things went! We need to know what your feedback is and what further arrangements have been made between you and the Hiring Authority. ETS Dental is a neutral party, so please candidly convey any positives or negatives about the experience. It is always your AE’s desire to positively affect the situation, although the Hiring Authority makes the final decision.
  • Call the practice in two or three days. If you don’t hear anything from the practice after a few days, call them and let them know you are still interested.