Job Hunting after DAT

[fayevalentine]

Hey guys,

I quit my last job to study for the DAT, and now I'm applying for a new position. Those of you who have work experience - would you mention in your cover letter that the reason you were unemployed was due to DAT studying? I'm sure it's going to come out if I land any interviews, but do you think this would help or hurt me to get it right out there so they don't wonder?

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[clutchfans]

Just make sure that when you are interviewing that their company is the most important thing and not dental school.

 

[clutchfans]

But to answer your question, only talk about it if they ask.

 

[okiedokeartichoke]

If it were me, I wouldn't mention the break on the cover letter. If they bring you in for an interview and they raised the question, then I would proceed to answer it.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

If only there were employment options that took dat scores into whether or not you get the job

 

[fayevalentine]

Thanks all! I will leave it off . I appreciate the help.

 

[fayevalentine]

If only there were employment options that took dat scores into whether or not you get the job

haha when I was searching for answers to this question I did come across 2 people asking where they should put their MCAT scores on their resumes (these were for non-medical jobs) lmao!

 

[NoMorWastedTime]

After graduating with my masters I realized only much later that by, stating in my interviews, that I was applying to dental school I was killing my chances. I started being ambiguous and stating eventually I would look into dental school, as it is extremely expensive. I landed a job about 2 weeks later, and just got promoted after 6 months saying the exact same thing .

 

[fayevalentine]

After graduating with my masters I realized only much later that by, stating in my interviews, that I was applying to dental school I was killing my chances. I started being ambiguous and stating eventually I would look into dental school, as it is extremely expensive. I landed a job about 2 weeks later, and just got promoted after 6 months saying the exact same thing .

That's not a bad idea. I just don't know how to explain why I left my last job though if not for the DAT. Would it sound weird to just say something generic about taking some extra classes or focusing on higher education?

 

[fayevalentine]

Depends on the field. If you're looking at dentistry-related employment, it's totally fine to mention that you were studying for the DAT. However, any other unrelated field, especially if it's full-time/salaried at a corp, I would not mention it, especially if it's something like biotech or sales. I'd come up with a generic excuse.

Thanks! Right now I'm trying to get something dental (DA, dental lab tech) but I'd really love to get into a research lab. Do you have any experience with getting into a research position?

 

[NoMorWastedTime]

Thanks! Right now I'm trying to get something dental (DA, dental lab tech) but I'd really love to get into a research lab. Do you have any experience with getting into a research position?

I interviewed for multiple. The pay is subpar, and some want to give you a beeper for on call work. Its hard to get into any science field, however, without experience. Research as an entry assistant, however, is more probable. I think the slave hours, work and pay outweighed the benefits of putting it down on a app.

 

[okiedokeartichoke]

For the research positions, I'd make sure those jobs don't have a full 2 year contract if you're looking into matriculating into DS next year. I have a friend who's in a research position and had to sign the 2 year contract to stay. I'm not sure if that's the same for other research positions though, but just wanted to mention that anyway Have you applied this cycle?