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How to search for a new dental job

Are you relocating to a new area, hoping to find a practice that better suits your preferred work culture, looking for more money or shifting into a part-time role? Here are some tips to help you land in the perfect office to advance your career goals.

Define what you’re looking for

Make a list of the attributes you’re looking for in a practice and rank them according to priority. Then, make a second list, outlining must-haves and deal breakers. While few jobs will tick every single box, it’s good to have a well-defined framework to help you compare positions according to your own unique criteria.

Put out feelers to your network

Referrals are a great way to get leads on available jobs, sometimes before the positions are even listed. Reach out to colleagues, dental school classmates and other industry professionals you’ve met at conferences or seminars.

Relocating to an area where you don’t know anyone?

LinkedIn can be a great resource for building a network in a new location before you get there. Start connecting with professionals in the area where you’re looking to relocate to as far in advance as you can.

Scour the job boards

Just like any other field, many available jobs will be listed online. Search both the big job sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, Monster and LinkedIn, plus niche dentistry sites such as iHireDental or DentalPost. You can also find listings via local, state, or countrywide dental associations, including the ADA Career Center.

Work with a recruiter

It doesn’t cost you anything to work with a recruiter. Hiring fees are paid by the dental practice, not by the candidate. Speak to recruiting agencies that specialize in dentistry. Many practices prefer the convenience of paying a recruiting fee when they need new staff instead of doing all the legwork on their own.

Always interview at multiple practices

No matter how perfect a job looks from the outside, you won’t know if it’s the right fit for you until you go through the full interview process and meet the team. Interview at multiple practices to keep your options open.