Your resume serves as your first impression to prospective employers in the field of dentistry. A well-crafted resume not only highlights your qualifications and experiences but also showcases your passion for dentistry and commitment to patient care.
Your resume should be a sales document, and it should sell you as the best candidate for the dentistry job you are applying for. It should be the trigger to getting you invited along to an interview for that role. Your resume should compete and win in the race to get you that all important first interview.
Where do resumes go wrong?
If you want your resume to be the first choice for that dream employer, you must first make it easy for the reader to see that you are indeed the ideal candidate for them. Your resume needs to emphasise the skills and experiences you hold, that make you the first-choice applicant.
The way your resume is presented will also be subject to scrutiny upon first reading. Many candidates profess, in their resumes, to have a great attention to detail, and to be supreme communicators, whilst the resume contains grammatical errors, and isn’t succinct and clumsy in its construction.
If you want your resume to be the first choice for that dream employer, you must first make it easy for the reader to see that you are indeed the ideal candidate for them. Your resume needs to emphasise the skills and experiences you hold, that make you the first-choice applicant.
The way your resume is presented will also be subject to scrutiny upon first reading. Many candidates profess, in their resumes, to have a great attention to detail, and to be supreme communicators, whilst the resume contains grammatical errors, and isn’t succinct and clumsy in its construction.
Whether you’re a recent graduate entering the workforce or a seasoned dentist seeking new opportunities, here are some top tips to help you write the best dentistry resume:
1. Tailor your resume to the job description:
Carefully review the job posting and identify the key qualifications and skills sought by the employer.
Customize your resume to align with the specific requirements of each position you apply for, emphasizing relevant experiences and accomplishments.
2. Highlight your education and credentials:
Begin your resume with a clear and concise summary of your education, including any degrees, certifications, and specialized training in the dental field. If you hold industry-recognized credentials such as RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist), CDA (Certified Dental Assistant), or state licensure, be sure to feature them prominently. Highlighting these qualifications demonstrates your expertise and commitment to excellence in dental care.
3. Showcase clinical experience and skills:
Highlight your hands-on experience, including internships, externships, and relevant training in dental settings. Emphasize key skills such as assisting with procedures, dental radiography, patient education, treatment planning, and infection control. Additionally, showcase transferable skills such as communication, time management, teamwork, and problem-solving, demonstrating how you will contribute to the dental team and enhance the patient experience.
4. Quantify your achievements:
Where possible, quantify your accomplishments to demonstrate the impact of your work. For example, include statistics on patient satisfaction rates, successful treatment outcomes, or productivity metrics. Use action verbs such as “implemented,” “developed,” and “achieved” to convey your contributions and results effectively.
5. Emphasize continuing education and professional development:
Showcase your commitment to ongoing learning and professional growth by including any continuing education courses, workshops, or conferences you have attended. Highlight any specializations or areas of expertise that set you apart from other candidates.
6. Include relevant volunteer and leadership experience
If applicable, include volunteer work or leadership roles within professional organizations, community groups, or academic institutions. These experiences can demonstrate your leadership skills, teamwork abilities, and dedication to serving others.
7. Use a clean and professional format
Keep your resume format clean, organized, and easy to read, using a professional font and consistent formatting throughout. Using colour is optional but if you make use of colour, be sure to keep it to neutral colours. Use bullet points to break up text and make your achievements stand out.
When applying online, your resume is scanned by the recruitment software before human eyes even see it. The software will often re-format your resume into a generic version, and this is where overly formatted resumes fall foul of the system. Formatting options like shaded boxes and columns interfere with the system’s ability to store your information correctly.
Ensure your resume is as plain as possible in relation to formatting. If you are uploading a PDF file, ensure it is compatible with the web portal being used. Recruiters will also use key word searches to match the best candidates to jobs, make sure your resume contains the key words and statements likely to be used.
8. Proofread carefully
The use of jargon, clumsy expression or clichés will sabotage the chances of even the most capable candidates. Before submitting your resume, carefully proofread it for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. Instead of the first person “I” pronoun, “I did this….” “I did that…” use positive action statements to lead bullet points.
Developed communication skills whilst …..
Improved my rapport with patients when …..
This will look much more dynamic and is easier to read and digest. The bullet points give an energetic feel to your resume and help to reinforce the message that you are an upbeat “can do” type of candidate.
Consider asking a trusted friend, family member, or mentor to review your resume for feedback and suggestions.
9. Tailor your cover letter
Accompany your resume with a tailored cover letter that highlights your interest in the position and explains how your skills and experiences make you a strong candidate. Use the cover letter as an opportunity to express your enthusiasm for dentistry and your commitment to providing exceptional patient care.
10. Be honest and authentic
You be honest and authentic in presenting yourself on your resume. Highlight your genuine passion for dentistry and your dedication to making a positive impact in the field.
Finally, don’t get disheartened.
If you are not being called for interview to jobs that you know you know are a good fit for, seek some sort of guidance from a recruitment consultancy or similar organisations that operate in your chosen career field. You may be making a basic error that is easily corrected.
Our specialist dentistry team are here to help.
Contact our dentistry team on (941) 8678833 or email us at [email protected] to discuss your current situation and allow us to show you how best to pitch your resume for that all important role as a qualified dentist.
