Tips for Interviewing Potential Dental Employees

Every dentist hopes to open their own practice, hire a staff of great employees, and retain them for decades. While we certainly hope this is the case, it’s unlikely that you’ll never have to interview new employees. And while some people come off very well during the interview process, they may actually be disastrous as dental employees.

Interviewing Potential Dental Employees

No matter what the position is that you’re trying to fill, there are plenty of people who know how to interview very well but are not great employees. Luckily there are a few ways you can make sure that you hire the right fit for your dental office:

• Casual Conversation – Engage the potential staff member in casual conversation to help put him or her at ease. This will offer a better view of your interviewee’s personality.
• Possible Scenarios – Go over a few possible scenarios that the potential employee may run into during the course of the job position they’re applying for. Make sure they would handle these situations properly.
• Job History – Ask about the potential employee’s job history and why they left their previous job. This will allow you to see if the interviewee focuses more on the positives of previous employers or the negatives.
• View on Dentistry – Obviously it’s important for those working in the dental field to have a positive view of dentistry. If the potential employee admits to avoiding the dentist or neglecting their own dental care, it may not be a good fit.
• Role-Playing – Lastly, you can suggest a role-playing scenario. It’s normal for the interviewee to get flustered, but if they’re willing to try, you may have a winner.

In the end, the best thing to keep an eye out for is your prospective employee’s communication skills and overall attitude. It’s important that they’re upbeat, enthusiastic, and positive. Additionally, make sure to follow up with any references listed by the employee and run basic background checks for anyone who will be working with insurance companies or handling money.

For help with making proper hires or any of your other dental office needs, please contact CTC Associates today. We are a transitions dental company specializing in dental transitions, established dental practices for sale, etc.