Interview Question For New Grads

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DrTooth0805

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I am a recent dental grad and just got my license a month ago. Due to the bad economy, jobs are very hard to get. If granted an interview for a dentist position, what would be a proper response if they were to tell you "Why would we hire you if you just graduated dental school and have no clinical experience outside of school while other applicants seeking this position have 5 to 10 years of experience or more?" Any advice on how to answer this? New grads like myself have a hard time finding jobs because most if not all require at least 2 years of experience. In my opinion, I do not think practicing for 2 years is not much of a big gap as compared to new grads. We are just as competent in doing the procedures.
 
In my opinion, I do not think practicing for 2 years is not much of a big gap as compared to new grads. We are just as competent in doing the procedures.
I'd be interested in hearing what you think after you've been practicing for two years. Even after just a year of GPR, I was at least twice as fast as when I finished dental school.
 
New grads like myself have a hard time finding jobs because most if not all require at least 2 years of experience. In my opinion, I do not think practicing for 2 years is not much of a big gap as compared to new grads. We are just as competent in doing the procedures.

Unfortunately, 2 years experience and no experience out of school is a big gap.

I faced the same problem as you so I solved it by opening my own practice. I'd recommend you accepting a job far away from home for two years to gain that experience if the job market is so tough.
 
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you may be competent, but a practicing dentist has to know how to manage patient flow, the staff (even if they are not your employees), etc. upon etc. - a ton of things you don't learn in school. i've heard its bad out there for jobs, you might do an aegd/gpr and wait it out - plus have great experience 🙂
 
I am a recent dental grad and just got my license a month ago. Due to the bad economy, jobs are very hard to get. If granted an interview for a dentist position, what would be a proper response if they were to tell you "Why would we hire you if you just graduated dental school and have no clinical experience outside of school while other applicants seeking this position have 5 to 10 years of experience or more?" Any advice on how to answer this? ...


You: So why exactly are you interviewing me if you have someone with 10 years experience who wants this job? You'd be stupid to hire me. Are you?

Or
Did you read my CV I sent you about being a new grad? Why don't you read it and I'll be back with Starbucks- you look like chai guy?

Or
Do you think the guy with 10 years experience knows I'm here..? wow. eeeks. was that him who just walked out of here. He did look about 10 years older.

Or
...You get the point.

Anyone who wants you with your limited experience wants you because you'll work for less...they already know your resume because they've invited you in...they know you're slow, they were once fresh out of school too. All they want to see if you've got personality enough to handle a question you were not expecting. I might make a joke about my inexperience and then say "I'm a confident graduate who is willing to put in the time and effort to be a smooth addition to your practice. Maybe I could tell you specifically some of the things that I could bring this job?" And you can start listing your clinical stronger points...externships...extra courses...clerkships...favorite area of dentistry.. Now you've handled their dumb question and turned it around to something interesting to both of you.
 
You: So why exactly are you interviewing me if you have someone with 10 years experience who wants this job? You'd be stupid to hire me. Are you?

Or
Did you read my CV I sent you about being a new grad? Why don't you read it and I'll be back with Starbucks- you look like chai guy?

Or
Do you think the guy with 10 years experience knows I'm here..? wow. eeeks. was that him who just walked out of here. He did look about 10 years older.

Those are gutsy answers lol
 
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