Finding a job as a dental assistant doesn’t have to be difficult. Whether you’re looking to obtain your first job or you’re just looking for something new, your job hunt will be easier with an outstanding resume.
To improve your chances of getting hired, use these 7 tips to get your resume noticed.
Use dental resume templates for ideas
Writing a resume from scratch isn’t easy. Just formatting a resume can take the time you don’t have to waste. Most people use resume templates to ensure they use a professional format. However, you can also use templates to get ideas for wording your job experience.
For example, dental resume templates from Resume Supply will give you great ideas for how to word your experience, or if you’re new, the experience you hope to gain.
The wording you use on your resume matters. While it’s important to use proper industry terms to let hiring managers know you’re competent, it’s also important to be concise and direct. Also, make sure to use impactful words so you aren’t just listing your position but showing how you can add value to a team.
Using resume templates will help you craft the ideal wording to explain your objectives, your past experience, and your accomplishments.
Take advice from resume professionals
Did you know there are people who specialize in writing resumes? These people are a wealth of information. You’ll learn more from professional resume writers than random articles online.
For example, expert resume writers use different formats for different purposes. There are three different resume formats that benefit different types of job seekers:
- Chronological. This format is ideal for job seekers who have worked in the same industry for a long period of time. It’s also great for job seekers who have a steady employment history.
- Functional. This format is designed to highlight your skills and achievements. The structure doesn’t present your work history chronologically and is ideal for job seekers with employment gaps.
- Combined. This format combines both functional and chronological elements, which is perfect for entry-level job seekers who don’t have a long work history. Job seekers with several industry or career changes will also benefit from a combined resume format.
For the most part, hiring managers want to see a chronological resume, but this may not be right if you’re just starting your career as a dental assistant.
If your previous work history has nothing to do with working as a dental assistant, you may want to use a functional format to highlight your skills and achievements.
A dental professional will want to know you have experience working with people, but a long history of working for retail stores won’t catch their attention.
Include hands-on training in your resume
Are you looking for your first position as a dental assistant? Make sure to include hands-on training in your resume.
For example, if you completed a dental assistant internship, potential employers will want to know about this experience. It will tell them you’re new, but not entirely inexperienced in the real world.
Take notes on what dental professionals want
Hopefully, you’ve taken an internship. During this time, you will have learned what dental professionals want and expect from their assistants. For example, punctuality and attention to detail are critical. Knowing answers to questions patients will ask such as what options they have for braces, or what are the best Invisalign Alternatives can go a long way in impressing a potential employer.
Once you know what dental professionals expect from their assistants, find ways to demonstrate, on your resume, that you possess these qualities.
Get feedback on your resume from your instructor
When you’re still enrolled in a school or an internship, get feedback from your instructor to find out how you can make your resume better. They’ll have a good eye for spotting weak and strong points in your resume.
Match your resume in person
When you finally get some interviews, make sure you match your resume. For instance, if your resume sounds completely professional, don’t show up in jeans and a t-shirt. If your resume projects you as a serious, experienced professional, don’t be too casual with your speech.
Hiring managers and interviewers will notice a disconnect right away. If there is a large disconnect, it might become obvious that you didn’t write your resume, or they might suspect dishonestly.
There’s nothing wrong with having someone else write your resume, but you don’t want it to seem like it was written to present a fabricated image.
Have someone proofread your resume
Proofreading your resume sounds easy, but when you’ve written something, it’s easier to miss mistakes like typos and missing words. Ask at least three people to proofread your resume.
If your resume is short, it shouldn’t take more than ten minutes for someone to proofread and make notes of any errors.
Land more interviews with a stellar resume
Your resume is your ticket to generating interviews with the dental professionals you want to work for. When you strengthen your resume, you also strengthen your chances of landing your ideal dental assistant position.