The Dos and Don’ts to Remember for Your Next Job Interview

a female dental assistant wearing scrubs and standing with her arms crossed

Do you know how to properly prepare for a dental assistant interview? Knowing what to do and what not to do can be the difference in landing the job or missing out on a potentially ideal opportunity. Fortunately, while attending dental assisting school, your instructors can provide you with the necessary tools and knowledge to feel confident about the process and officially enter the workforce as a qualified, professional, and capable dental assistant. Read on to check out the dos and don’ts before walking into your first interview.

Interview Dos

As you approach the prospective employer, make sure you keep in mind the following points that will help you make a great first impression:

  • Exude Confidence: Employers like seeing individuals who are confident in their abilities, skills, and talents. When you arrive, make sure you hold your head high and shake hands firmly to show you are ready to begin the interview. While answering questions and sharing your experiences, emphasize your accomplishments, and maintain a positive attitude.
  • Be Realistic: If you walk into an interview expecting a six-figure income, you’ll likely be disappointed. You should have realistic expectations when it comes to a salary. When the interviewer asks about what you expect to make in this type of position, make sure you are honest. If you are willing to negotiate, you can make this known as you continue with the interview and better determine the direction it is going.
  • Know Your Worth: Dental assistants are vital to the success of a dental office, but you need to be able to explain and show your potential employer how you can be a benefit to their practice. By identifying highlights of your qualifications, experiences, and advanced training received in dental assisting programs, you can make sure you stand out among all other candidates.

Interview Don’ts

If you want to make sure you walk away with an offer on the table, do your best to avoid these interview don’ts:

  • Don’t Dismiss Your Weaknesses: If you spend all your time focusing on your strengths, your potential employer might think you believe you have no weaknesses. Since everyone has areas they can develop and strengthen, it’s best to be honest about things you want to improve, but don’t go overboard. Mentioning 1-2 is fine.
  • Don’t Forgo Professionalism: Just because your day-to-day outfit will likely consist of scrubs doesn’t mean you show up to your interview wearing them or a slouchy outfit. Instead, take the time to plan your outfit and ensure it looks professional. Your experience and multiple degrees/certifications will get you nowhere if you do not make a good first impression, which is often formed by the way you sound and appear.
  • Don’t Complain About Waiting: Even if you have a scheduled time for an interview, things can happen that can cause the employer to be late. If this should happen to you, do not complain about having to wait. Remember, staff members are watching you, so if you remain calm, smile, and appear to be unphased by the delay, this will create a positive impression among your potential colleagues.

About Dental Assistant Pro
For more than 25 years, Dental Assistant Pro has been providing aspiring dental assistants with essential knowledge and hands-on skills learning. Our philosophy is the best dental assisting training should be taught in a dental office at an affordable cost, so why not take a chance and enroll in our 10-week course schedule? It’s now more affordable than ever to become a dental assistant! To learn more about us, visit our website or call (614) 202-3919.

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Reviews From Our Students

Kenzie Clark
Kenzie Clark
13. August, 2022.
Great experience!!
kaitlyn mcgarvey
kaitlyn mcgarvey
13. August, 2022.
Quick easy way to get a dental assistant certificate. Quick way to get into the dental field. More job opportunities opened after I received the certificate. Also received radiology license from class. Instructor is easy-going & bubbly personality.
Kaitlyn Waits
Kaitlyn Waits
13. August, 2022.
Enjoyable, quick program to get into a dental office. I'm looking forward to starting my new career
Sydnee Burgess (Syd)
Sydnee Burgess (Syd)
13. August, 2022.
It was a great experience! I was very nervous about dental and wasn’t sure how much I’d like it but through this experience I feel a lot better about going into the field. Jeanie who is the instructor is also a very warm person and truly cares for each of her students and their growth in the field.
Abby Morehouse
Abby Morehouse
11. May, 2022.
Such an amazing program! Would recommend this to anyone looking for a career in dentistry.
Lilly Collins
Lilly Collins
7. May, 2022.
Had an amazing experience as a student in the Lebanon program! The instructors Abby and Jeanne are amazing and have taught me so much from skills to job search, i will be forever grateful for their help and this experience.
Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn
7. May, 2022.
Dental Assistant Pro is a wonderful program! The instructors, Jeanne and Abby, are very welcoming and do a great job at teaching their students. This program teaches you all of the basics and allows you to enter at an entry level dental assisting position at any Office. It was very convenient having classes only on the weekends and was so much fun!
Megan Sellman
Megan Sellman
7. May, 2022.
I went to Dental Assistant Pro from 7:30am-12pm, Jeanne and Abby made the program very fun and enjoyable! I learned a lot from this program and they made it easy to learn.
kiranpreet kaur
kiranpreet kaur
7. May, 2022.
I am only 18 and a Dental assistant now. I went to Dental Assistant Pro at Lebanon. It was a wonderful and thorough program. Jeane and Abby made it so easyyy to accomplish my goal. I learnt a lot in this program- X-rays, impression, diagnostic caste model and a lot of other things. Hands on training, awesome experience!!!!! Loved it 😊