Fact: There are more dental hygienists than there are dental hygiene jobs today. That often means dental hygiene job searching is all about the small stuff.
Let’s review small areas that can have a big impact for you.
Digital Presence
Yep, employers are checking you out on the internet. They are looking for you on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter… wherever your name pops up. Question is what are they finding?
One could use this as an excuse to unplug your digital presence but that doesn’t necessarily give someone a positive impression about you either. They might falsely assume you are not up with technology or social trends.
You want employers to feel satisfied they found you and you want to make sure that what they see is what you want them to see
Tip: “Google” your name and see what they are seeing then do some “housekeeping” or updating where you see potential problems. Consider getting a website or really strong LinkedIn page to direct their attention to. Having a place to send them to will often satisfy their need to Google your name.
Accessibility
Be extremely intentional about your contact information. Leave no doubt how they can get a hold of you. I’m not saying give three phone numbers, two e-mails, social messaging options, a website, a fax number, a pager… wait (do pagers still exist?) – in fact, limit your communications options to one e-mail and one phone number. But, plaster them everywhere – once on all your materials and also within your e-mail signature line.
Know Employers
Want to really impress an employer? Show them this isn’t just another job application for you and that it isn’t the same thing you send everyone else. Make your potential employer feel special.
When they have the option of hiring four or five really good candidates out of 50-60 applications, they want to see something extra. They want to know you are truly interested in them.
Spend 15-30 minutes getting up to speed on them – visit their website, the social media pages, ask people who might know them about them, and check out their customer ratings and feedback (often easy to find online). Then call attention to one or two things so they can see you’ve done your homework – that you went that extra mile just for them.
Resume
There are lots of little things you can do with your resume. You don’t even have to do them all. You just need to look like you have done more than the average applicant.
I’ve read and written hundreds of dental hygiene resumes and doing just a few small things will really make you shine above most.
Consider the following: A nicer design/layout, a great functional style/format, succinct writing, a little color, and adding your photo.
Interview
This is your first impression I wrote about recently. Make it count by doing all the little things mentioned there.
But also know ahead of time how you will respond to challenging questions. And then a few other things such as, arrive a little early, send a thank you note after, know the number of the office you are going to in case you are going to be late, dress appropriately, and then of course interview etiquette of pacing, eye contact, and firm handshakes.
