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How to Create the Perfect Dental Hygiene Resume

June 4, 2014 By Doug Perry, Dental Hygiene Resume Coach

Nobody is perfect, but given the tight job market, your resume should be close to it.

To begin, let’s talk about your first decision when creating a resume – the format (how it’s organized).

There are two basic types of resumes and a third that is really just a hybrid of the first two. They are called Chronological and Functional.

Even between the two styles, there isn’t a lot of difference. The key distinction is in how you list your work experience. In a chronological resume you detail specific things you have accomplished or are skilled at beneath your listing of each employer worked for (usually 3-5 bullets). In a functional resume you simply lump all those bullets together into their own section.

I generally recommend the functional style for the clients I work with. I just believe it puts a more distinct and higher emphasis on differentiators – things that make you unique – near the top of the resume. I don’t have a study to prove it, but I am betting 99 percent of employers start at the top of your resume and work their way down.

The Header
The most important information is your name and contact information, right at the top, called a Header. Make your name bigger so it really stands out (24-30 pt font). Add some color and graphics (possibly your picture) to really make it pop.

About Me
Next, I advise clients to create a section header called “About Me” or something similar. Traditionally, this has been labeled “Objective” – but that’s antiquated. Everyone knows your objective – it’s to get a job. About Me, has you telling them in one (maybe two) sentences what the employer will get when they hire you – your personal brand (another differentiation). Some might also call it your “elevator pitch.”

Experience
The next section is your Experience section – some will label it Skills or even Competencies. This is where you detail out and back up what you said in your About Me section. The tendency is to use this section to tell them you know how to do scaling and root planing or take x-rays. But this is a mistake, you really need to focus as much of this section on results you have achieved, things you have accomplished.

You can also use it to list specialized training not every hygienist has that is useful to a potential employer. For example, if you have been trained to use lasers, then include that (not every hygienist has). If you have training and experience working with people with special needs, include it. Could be lots of other things, too.

But the thing dentists really want to see is that you made a difference somehow – that you weren’t a hygienist that simply showed up every day. As your career moves along I would suggest keeping a running record of your successes, accomplishments, and positive feedback because it makes awesome resume material. It also helps you in interviews, because employers will ask you for specific examples related to your experience.

Work History
The next section, (Work History) is where you list your employers. Start with the current. List the practice or doctor name, type of practice (pediatric, general, etc.), city they are located in, and your job title (so they know it wasn’t a dental assisting or other job), then finish with the years you worked there (2000 to Present or 2008 to 2011). Then repeat for every job you list.

You can list dental assisting jobs. In fact, I believe any dental industry job can be helpful to list, unless you have worked as a hygienist for say 20-30 years.

Education
The next section is your education. Similar to your work history, you should list your education history in reverse chronological order. List the institution name, program name (Dental Hygiene Program) and then the year you graduated. I believe it’s optional whether to include the actual name of the degree, but if you have a Bachelors or Masters I would for sure mention it.

If you are right out of school you could list a couple bullets, if you choose. This might include if you were chapter president of your student hygiene association or if you graduated with honors, or if you received any awards.

If you got your hygiene education then, years later, went back and received significant other training (I’m mostly thinking of anesthesia), then you should add that too.

Service or Related Participation/Recognition
If there’s still room you can create a final section called Service or Related Participation and Recognition. Here you would list things like volunteer service or work you have done as a member of your local or national association. Or maybe, you’ve published industry articles or been honored with some recognition.

What NOT to Include
Unless you are really desperate to fill up space, don’t bother with the following:

References available upon request
License and certification information
Hobbies or information about your family situation or where you grew up

Get Hired RDH #32: The Great Picture-On-Your-Resume Debate

May 30, 2014 By Doug Perry, Dental Hygiene Resume Coach

One of the most frequently asked questions I get from hygienists has to do with putting their picture on their resume.

It makes sense on a lot of levels – many feel a measure of vulnerability by doing so.

Let me be clear – putting a picture on a resume is a personal decision. I give hygienists I work with my thoughts on it and then encourage them to decide without another word from me.

I’ve read lots and lots of articles about it and heard most (if not all) of the reasons for and against, so my approach is based on not just actual experience but also many opinions.

Based on what I’ve written, and what many of our products at GetHiredRDH.com indicate, you can probably guess I favor putting your picture on your resume.

Let me acknowledge some of the arguments against. These include privacy concerns, fears of age discrimination, cost or time involved in getting professional pictures taken, and some simply don’t like how they appear in pictures.

Why You Want Your Picture on Your Resume
Before I address those concerns, let me start with the main reason to include your picture on your resume. When you market anything (product or person) you need to create differentiators – things that make you stand out or appear different.

Since not very many hygienists put a picture on a resume it’s a great way to differentiate yourself. Additionally, it makes the document look sharp and professional – like you put extra time into it. As an employer, “do I want to hire the person that looks like they put the least amount of time, effort or expense into their resume or the most?”

Translation: “If they put this much into their resume, maybe they will put extra effort into their job, too.”

When a resume has those qualities of standing out – it will for sure get extended attention and time from the employer. They will look at it longer and (hopefully) notice other things about you – your skills, experience, etc.

Privacy Concerns
Privacy is a serious issue today, but I believe a picture on a resume you give to a select number of people doesn’t rise to the same level as other things we do to – almost without even thinking. We create social media pages and plaster pictures and information about ourselves that potentially anyone could get their hands on if they had the skills and interest to do so (remember, nothing is 100% secure online).

We also routinely give bank tellers, hotel computers, and restaurant servers our credit card information. And most of us use WiFi connections to transmit all kinds of data. Security breaches of these kinds happen all the time and can be very disruptive and distressing.

However, yes, there are legit privacy concerns for some. I had a co-worker that had a restraining order against a former boyfriend who just wouldn’t leave her alone. As a result, she had to take lots of measures to protect herself – I would imagine a picture on a resume would at least make her feel uneasy and I understand that.

Discrimination (Based on Age or Appearance)
Unfortunately this, too, is real. For sure, there are some who will have it set in their head what the ideal hygienist looks like.

First question: Do you really want to work for someone that wants you because your hair, how old you are, or some other physical feature that has nothing to do with your ability to connect with patients or skill as a hygienist? Even if you ARE what they are looking for – you wouldn’t want that because it could be a red flag for what’s to come.

If a dentist hires exclusively for cosmetic reasons there is likely a pattern of many bad decisions in their practice that will ultimately hurt both themselves and everyone working for them. Who would want to be in THAT practice?

I don’t believe that the vast majority of dentists are discriminating based on age or beauty. I think there’s a larger segment who are overly-focused on wealth, which is more understandable from the perspective of them being small business owners and needing a profit to stay in business.

Point number three, they are going to see what you look like eventually. So if they are the discriminating type they are saving you the trouble of coming in where they will cast their judgment on you in person.

CareerBuilder.com found in their research that 90 percent of all hiring managers will “Google” the names of people there are interested in interviewing. They want to know what you look like, maybe a little bit about your personality, and if there are any red flags – simple as that.

Adding your picture to your resume may take some of the curiosity out of searching for you on the Internet. Not entirely, which is why I advise creating online profiles on sites like LinkedIn and possibly Facebook, too. But it does help you control better what employers see.

It also helps prevent mistaken identity. There are other Doug Perry’s in the world – in fact my sister recently sent me an article about one that is a convicted serial killer in Washington (I grew up in Oregon, but now live in Utah). I hope no one mistakes me for pictures they find of that guy!

Cost, Time and “I Don’t Like”
I think everyone is capable of having a nice, professional picture taken of them. Find a good photographer (not necessarily Target or Sears). If you need to save money, make look for a photography student or someone just starting out and just have them take lots of pictures to choose from.

Yes, it can cost some dollars, but this is your career you are talking about. This the place where you will be spending enormous amounts of time and hopefully making a great financial living – isn’t something that is such a big part of our life worth the investment in things like this?

One final recommendation is that you get some shots in both business formal dress and clinical attire. I often opt for the clinical attire because it, psychologically, helps the dentist more clearly envision you as their hygienist.

Wrapping it Up
Again, using a picture on your resume is a personal decision and there are legitimate reasons you may not want to, but in my opinion those that do have the advantage.

In the end, this is your career, your life and your resume, and you have to do what’s best for you.

Get Hired RDH #30: 5 Extreme Job Hunting Tactics that Work

May 16, 2014 By Doug Perry, Dental Hygiene Resume Coach

I’m always on the lookout for things that will help you land a job interview – which of course greatly improves your odds of getting a job!

If more than half of all job openings never get advertised and offices are getting between 40 and a 100 hygienists applying for openings they do advertise – you really have a slim shot and sometimes need to do some extreme things improve your odds.

These strategies aren’t really for mass duplication (like some of the other things we share). These are targeted things you can do when there’s an office you really want to work for – whether they have a current opening or not.

So this week I’m going to share some simple, but extreme things you can do to stand out in a big way.

Sweeten the Deal
Hand-deliver your resume or (better yet) postcard with a dozen (or maybe just a few) cupcakes or cookies. Dental sales reps do this. Why? Because it’s a nice thing to do and it gets you to remember them. There’s also some psychology behind it as it compels people to want to return a favor. In this case the favor you hope is returned is an interview.

Create a Personal Message
I know many of you absolutely hate the thoughts of creating a video resume – either because you don’t like the way you look/sound on camera or because it’s too much work. I totally get that. But here’s a quick and easy solution to the latter. Most cell phones have video cameras that are pretty good quality. Just have someone in your family shoot a quick (30 second) video clip of you saying something like:

“Hello All Smiles Dental! Michelle Jones here. I know you may not have a dental hygiene opening right now. But when you do, I hope you’ll remember me. I love dental hygiene and have two years of experience. And, I’m really good at relating to and creating trust with patients. Give me a call at 503-895-4340 – I’d love to talk with you more.”

Customer Support
Almost all doctors listen to their patients, right? If they are a good doctor, they want to know that their patients are happy (patients that pay their bills anyway). And, most are happy to do them a favor even.

So what you should do is find out from all of your local friends where they go to the dentist. Make a list and either decide to cash-in on those relationships now or hold on to them for the future (maybe when an opening comes up). Either way, I would find that information out and see if they would be willing to go to bat for you in the form of letter or note of support to the doctor (or maybe even a phone call).

Honestly, this is one of those reasons that most jobs go unadvertised – people who know people.

Happy Birthday
Okay, so you only want to do this if you sorta know the dentist or front office manager. But you could send or drop off a birthday card with just a quick note in it – “Wishing you a happy birthday – Michelle Jones, RDH”.

It’s a small gesture but it does tend to get remembered. I would not include your business card, so that it’s more genuine and, again, I would definitely not give one to a doc you haven’t ever met as that might appear kinda creepy.

Targeted Networking
People love to help people – because most believe what goes around comes around. So I would suggest you send a personalized e-mail to some offices. Tell them you know they are not hiring now, but would love it if you could meet with them for even just five minutes (or maybe over coffee or lunch) to know what it is they look for in a great job candidate. And then also ask them to share your information with other offices they hear might be looking.

And here’s an extra one that’s related. Do this same thing with some dental sales reps that service offices in your area. They visit them all the time and often will know when jobs are opening – they can help you as both a contact and possibly reference. Remember, they will see it as an opportunity to gain or retain a new customer if they can help you land a job.

Get Hired RDH #29: 5 Simple Ways to Handle Group Interviews

May 9, 2014 By Doug Perry, Dental Hygiene Resume Coach

I’ll never forget my first group interview. I was shocked when I was led into a room and there sat five people – two “bosses” and three support staff.

I didn’t know it was going to be that way. I’ve since been part of many group interviews – on both sides of the table.

As if a one-on-one interview isn’t intimidating enough. Group interviews are a positively worse – if you aren’t sure how to handle them.

As an interviewer I like them because you can see how the prospect will react to different people and questions. As an interviewee they are intimidating but there are some really simple techniques you can use come out the winner on them.

This week we’re going to share five ways to do just that.

1. Irrigation Technique

Think of your eyes/head as a gear-driven sprinkler that is hitting an open field in front of you. You want to make sure you are watering each area systematically. Begin by focusing on the person asking the question then, sequentially, acknowledge (with eye contact) everyone in your response and then go back in reverse order and rest on the person who asked the question. Sometimes if it’s a lengthier response you can go through a couple times, but just make sure everyone can see you are making contact with them as you go through. Be sure to pace each run through differently – pause for different lengths of time as you are moving through the group so you don’t look robotic (practice it).

2. Positive Affirmation

If someone asks an interesting or good question, say it. Before you begin a response say something like “Good question” or “Interesting question” or “I’m glad you asked that” then answer it. Those little statements are a huge way to score points because you are acknowledging it in front of that person’s peers. Everyone likes praise. But everyone LOVES praise in front of peers.

3. Win-Over the Group Leader

Every group interview has a person that is the spokesperson, or dominant personality. Honestly, that’s the main person you want to win over the most. The good thing is you can often tell who that person is in under a minute, so you can key in and make sure you are connecting with them. Give them a little extra eye contact/attention. This will flatter them (subconsciously) that you are viewing them as the “leader” and they be more likely to favor you.

After interviews, groups talk about candidates. They talk about what they liked (or maybe didn’t like) or how that person might work well (or not work as well). Lots of people are simply content to defer to the group leader on this discussion and often times it is that person’s opinion that carries the most weight.

I’ve been in group interview situations (as an interviewer) where I was not the dominant person, and was swayed by who that person connected the most with. I expressed my opinion about who we should hire, but in the end, the dominant one was more convincing to the rest of the group and their choice got the job.

4. Turn the Interview into a Discussion

One of the cool ways you can move a group interview in your favor is to gently guide it into a discussion, as opposed to a simple Q & A. At certain points (maybe 2-3 times during the interview), respond to their question with a question of your own.

For example, someone asks a question about servicing difficult patients. You give a great response with a specific example and then you ask, “How does YOUR office handle them?” or “Have you ever had an experience like mine?” This should draw them out into a discussion about the question and this will give you a chance to build common ground with them.

Sometimes group members are seeking a certain answer or response to a question and it’s not always apparent what they want to hear. A back-and-forth discussion allows for both sides to merge together on a single view point become better connected.

5. Memorize Names

The single most important word everyone likes to hear is their own name. Memorizing names in larger groups can present a challenge, but I’ve found that for most dental offices it’s just a small group (say two or three).

A great way to do this is to say them out-loud two or three times while meeting with them – beginning, middle, and end of the interview. The more you say a name out-loud the more likely you are to remember it. And one more tip – address the dentist by their title and last name, unless they tell you otherwise. See these examples:

Beginning: “Nice to meet your Sydnee, that’s such a pretty name” or “Karen! Oh my best friend from hygiene school is named Karen.”

Middle: “That’s a good question, Dr. Haden, because…” or “Cheryl, how does this office handle no-show patients?”

End: “Thank you, Sara – it was great to meet you.” Or “Dr. Miller, thank you for inviting me here to discuss my qualifications…”

Get Hired RDH #28: 4 Ways to Make it Easier for Employers to Find YOU

May 2, 2014 By Doug Perry, Dental Hygiene Resume Coach

A couple Summers ago, me and a few other dads in our neighborhood took our sons on a 50-mile hike up into the High Uintah Wilderness area, located in northeast Utah – about 45 minutes east of Park City.

It’s a popular place to camp and hike, but very large and easy to get lost in. And we can count ourselves among those who were lost for a short time. On our second day hiking we had planned a 20-mile day hike from our base camp. Unfortunately, due to some miscalculations it ended up being more like 30 miles!

No shortage of great tasting water in the High Uintas Wilderness. That’s me taking a break.

During those 10 extra miles I felt very similar to how I had felt just two weeks earlier during the final six miles of my first marathon. It was agony! And when we finally stumbled into our campsite, I literally fell into my tent. Even though I was starving (only had eaten about 900 calories all day) I slept and then after an hour continued to lay in my tent as I cooked dinner just outside the front entrance.

It got me to thinking about being lost and how sometimes when you are searching for a job it can feel much the same way. There may be a wilderness full of dental offices but none or very few of them know you, and you don’t know of any that need you.

You may recall in the classic German fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel, that the young boy Hansel uses the tactic of leaving a trail of small white pebbles (and later bread crumbs) to lead he and his sister back home.

Flipping the story around, this weeks tip is 4 simple “bread crumb” strategies that will lead employers to YOU. In other words, creating a path or a way for people to know you exist in your local dental industry.

1. Business Cards

This first one is really pretty old-school, but still important. Wherever you go, take with you a few of your business cards. Hand them out freely – to people you meet and talk to in all different settings (professional, casual or chance meeting).

2. Post Cards

I’ve talked lots about post cards and the difference they make for folks. Some of their success is due to timing – they get them on or about the same day they need a temp or to hire someone new. But the hidden secret to their success is that they have a long life.

In the Hansel and Gretel story, one problem Hansel discovered was that birds had come along and eaten the bread crumbs and they were lost. While it’s true some of those post cards will end up in the trash right away, a large number of them will hang around and employers will eventually find their way to you.

3. Online Profiles

92% of all employers Google the name of the person they are considering for an interview. Two of the top sites that often come up when you Google someone’s name are LinkedIn and Facebook. These are great virtual bread crumbs to get back to you. Take advantage of that by creating a LinkedIn profile (make sure you fill it out completely – shouldn’t take longer than 10 min.).

But also consider creating a Facebook business page – different than your personal page. It’s set up much the same way and you can control both your personal and business pages very easily without even logging out. With your Facebook business page you can like the business pages of offices you would potentially work for. Once you do that, you can (sincerely – not just because) watch their feeds of information they post and comment, like and share it. Let’s say you name your business page, Mary Clean, RDH. Well, when they get notice that Mary Clean, RDH liked their post or made an interesting comment that will get them curious and lead them to more information about you (again, virtual bread crumbs).

4. Conferences

Nothing can replace an in-person chat in the hallway at a conference, or sitting at a table with a dentist or office manager during the lunch of a conference. Those unplanned encounters are why 72% of all job openings that get filled are unadvertised (according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

This bread crumb may not lead someone to you for years and years, but the repetition of leaving them over and over again (year after year) will eventually lead someone to you.

I was invited to play golf at a tournament where I happened to meet someone from an accounting firm. I wasn’t really planning to do ANY business that day, it was just an excuse to get out of the office. That one meeting and exchange of business cards has led to tens of thousands of dollars in revenue (to the company I work for and ultimately me).

Hopefully after reading this you will be moved to do two things: 1. Leave lots of bread crumb trails back to the professional you; and 2. Make sure you have a good map and plan before you go for a hike in the High Uintah Wilderness range.

How to Create the Perfect Dental Hygiene Resume

Get Hired RDH #32: The Great Picture-On-Your-Resume Debate

Get Hired RDH #30: 5 Extreme Job Hunting Tactics that Work

Get Hired RDH #28: 4 Ways to Make it Easier for Employers to Find YOU

Creating a Transitional Resume for a Dental Hygienist

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Passive vs. Active Writing

Positive Personality Adjectives

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