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Dental CVs and Interviewing
VCU University Career CenterDivision of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services
Virginia Commonwealth University
Erin Lowery
Agenda
• CVs– Content– Format and appearance
• Interviewing
CVs: Content
Core Content• Name & Contact Information• Objective (optional)• Education• Experience
Additional Content
Name and Contact Information
• Do not write “Curriculum Vitae” or “Resume” on the top of the page
• List name and contact information on top of page• Middle name unnecessary unless you go by this
name• Address (local and permanent if applicable)• Phone number(s) (cell?, voicemail)• Email address (remove hyperlink, professional)
• Do not include personal information such as birthdate, marital status or social security number
Name and Contact Informationexamples
Jamie T. Student907 Floyd Avenue ▪ Richmond, VA 23284 ▪ 804.123.4567 ▪ [email protected]_______________________________________________________________
Jamie T. StudentCurrent Address: 907 Floyd Avenue ▪ Richmond, VA 23284Permanent Address: 123 Lovely Lane ▪ Fairfax, VA 32145
804.123.4567 ▪ [email protected]_______________________________________________________________
Jamie T. Student Current Address: [email protected] Permanent Address: 907 Floyd Avenue 804.123.4567 123 Lovely Lane Richmond, VA 23284 Fairfax, VA 32145
Category Headings
• Be consistent
• They should be easy to find
• Use all caps or bold
• Left side of the page
Objective
• Less common on CVs
• If you have one, be specific
• Avoid clichés or general statements
• Focus on how the employer would benefit, not on how they can help you
• Target your objective for each resume or CV you send out
Objectiveexamples
OBJECTIVETo obtain a general practice residency position
Objective: To pursue post-doctorate education in the specialty of endodontics
Education
• List all degrees in reverse chronological order
• Abbreviating degrees is appropriate; writing them out looks more professional
• Include thesis or dissertation topic if applicable
• GPA optional for graduate school
• Do not include high school graduation
Educationexamples
EDUCATIONVirginia Commonwealth University, School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA(in the tradition of the Medical College of Virginia) D.D.S., expected May 2009
The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VAB.S. in Biology and Physics, magna cum laude, May 2005GPA: 3.84
Education: Doctor of Dental Surgery Expected: 05/2009Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VASchool of Dentistry
Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude 05/2005University of Virginia Charlottesville, VAMajor: Biology, Minor: Psychology
Experience
• Include clinical and rotation experiences gained in program, paid & unpaid experience, internships, externships and volunteer work
• Focus on relevant experience• Begin descriptions with action verbs• Include complete but succinct descriptions• Avoid the use of personal pronouns• Focus on accomplishments and skills rather than
job duties• Quantify accomplishments whenever possible• Use bullet points, not paragraph form
Experience: Action Verbs
• Use strong, descriptive action verbs to describe your experience
• If you are presently in the position, use the present tense
• If you have completed the position, use the past tense
• Avoid gerunds (-ing)• Vary your action verbs (refer to action verb list in
resume guide)• Avoid “duties include” or “responsible for”• Refrain from using “handled” or “dealt with” when
referring to people
Experience: Headings
Relevant Experience
Research Experience
Community Service
Dental Experience
Teaching Experience
Volunteer Service
Additional Experience
Experienceexamples
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Externship, December 2005 – January 2006
Dental Clinic, Veteran Affairs Hospital, Washington, DC
▪ Performed crown and bridge work, extractions with
general anesthesia, and endodontics
Teaching Oral Pathology, Student Teacher 09/2005-12/2005
Experience: VCU, School of Medicine Richmond, VA
• Taught oral pathology to first year medical students.
Research Experience
• Institution or organization and department
• Principal investigator or supervisor
• Research topic or title
• Your title/role
• Dates (months and years)
• Short description of project
Research: Action Verbs
Analyze Assess
Clarify Collaborate
Collect Compare
Conduct Determine
Consult Disprove
Document Evaluate
Examine Extract
Formulate Gather
Identify
InventInvent InvestigateInvestigate
Locate Locate ManageManage
MeasureMeasure MonitorMonitor
OrganizeOrganizePerform Perform
ResearchResearch ReviewReview
SolveSolve SummarizeSummarize
SuperviseSupervise SurveySurvey
StudyStudy TeachTeach
TestTest
Other Headings
• Organizations• Professional Affiliation• Leadership Experience• Professional Development• Publications• Presentations• Honors• Committees• Language Skills• Conferences
Organizationsexamples
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCEPresident, Delta Sigma Delta International Dental Fraternity, Omicron Omicron Chapter, 2008
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONSStudent National Dental Association, member since 2005
Professional Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity 2005-present
Development: Treasurer, Omicron Omicron Chapter 2007
American Dental Association 2006-present
Annual Conference, Houston, TX 04/2007
Honorsexamples
HONORS & AWARDSVirginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Foundation, Merit Scholarship, School of Dentistry, 2005 – presentDean’s List, VCU School of Dentistry, 2005 – 2008Commendation from the Department of General Practice, 2007Phi Beta Kappa, 2005
Honors & Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Society 2006-presentRecognition: Hinman Scholar 2007
Commendation, Department of Endodontics 2006School of Dentistry Admissions Committee 2006
Presentations/Publicationsexamples
PUBLICATIONContributing writer, MOUTH Magazine, Journal of the American Student Dental Association, January 2007.
Presentations Williams, J.A., The History of the Development of Sargenti & Publications: Method. MOUTH Magazine, Journal of the American
Student Dental Association, March 2007.
The American Endodontic Society, Annual National Conference, Las Vegas, NV, January 2007, Poster Presentation.
Appearance & OrganizationGoal: Skim in less than 10 seconds
• Avoid templates and tables• Consistent organization • Use horizontal space• Balanced page • Fill the page• Resumes should be one page
in most cases, CVs can be longer
• If you do go onto the second page, include “Name, Page #” & avoid stragglers
• Use bold and caps strategically
• Be consistent with heading style and margins
• Use one font style and size (except for your name)
• Font: no smaller than 10 point• Margins: no smaller than 0.5
inches• Paragraphs vs. bullets• Use bullets, not dashes
Proofread
• Use all periods or no periods at the end of sentences
• Dashes used in dates – consistent size, consistent spacing
• Check for spelling and grammatical errors• Spellcheck does not check words in all
caps• Avoid personal pronouns and personal
information
Interviewing Research
• Employer, field/specialty, post-doctorate education: specialty program
• Interviewing trends, formats, common questions
• Your skills, qualities, accomplishments, weaknesses, strengths, failures, goals, experience, philosophies
Interviewing Formats
Formal:▪ One-on-one▪ Panel
Informal:▪ Lunch ▪ Tour ▪ Attend meetings
▪ Expect the unexpected▪ Every interaction with anyone from organization is part of
interview
Interviewing Questionspersonal questions
• Questions about your goals, interests, qualities, strengths, and weaknesses
Sample Questions:• Tell me about yourself.• Why did you choose dentistry/this specialty?• What are your strengths and weaknesses?• Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?• What challenges do you anticipate in balancing a professional and
personal life?
Tips:• Discuss real weaknesses & explain how you improve them• Take responsibility for failures & explain what you learned from them• Focus on relevant personal information
Interviewing Questionsquestions about organization
• Questions about your knowledge of and interest in the employer/organization/program
Sample Questions:• What problems will dentistry/our specialty face in the
next 10 years?• What do you know about our practice?• Why are you interested in the program?• What can you contribute to our organization?
Tips:• Do your research – specific employer/program/specialty
Interviewing Questionseducation and experience
• Questions about your experience, education, skills, organizations
Sample Questions:• Elaborate on …(a particular part of your CV or application).• Explain…(a poor grade or another failure).• Tell me about your research experience.• What leadership experience do you have?• What is the most interesting case you have been involved in?
Tips:• Anticipate difficult questions• Know your CV and application and be prepared to elaborate on
everything• Give specific examples to support your answers
Interviewing Questionscase and technical
• You are given a scenario or problem and asked how you would respond.
• What would you do if…
Sample Question:• Tell me how you would answer X question from a patient if you were
unsure of the answer.
Tips:• Ask questions to gather additional information, if appropriate• Demonstrate your resourcefulness and problem solving skills• Don’t say “I don’t know.”
Interviewing Questionsbehavioral
• You are asked to provide an example of a particular experience or challenge you faced.
Sample Questions:• Describe a particularly satisfying or meaningful experience during
your dental training.• Tell me about a time when you experienced conflict with a
supervisor.
Tips:• Give specific examples• Avoid general responses• Use STAR Technique – Situation, Task, Action, Result• Offer examples to support any answer
Interviewing Questionsatypical
• Unusual questions; hard to predict.
Sample Questions:• If you were a tree, what kind would you be and
why?
Tips:• Demonstrate your creativity, flexibility and how
well you think on your feet
Illegal Questions
• Questions about age, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion or creed, family and relationship issues
Tips:• Answer the real question behind the question• Ask yourself what the question tells you about
the workplace. Was it just an effort to get to know you better?
Tips for Answering Questions• Pause before answering• Listen to the question • As a general rule, keep your answers under one minute• Stay focused – avoid tangents• Be succinct, but offer appropriate, relevant detail• Be very specific – provide examples • Avoid vague or general responses• Be honest• Don’t be defensive• Don’t make excuses• Don’t be surprised• Don’t be afraid to discuss your weaknesses• Be aware of interviewer’s strategy• Give a definite ending to your response
Questions to Ask
• Be prepared with lots of informed questions
• Let the interviewer run the interview – don’t ask questions until the appropriate time
• Don’t ask anything that is answered on the website or printed materials
• Ask questions that demonstrate your research and interest
Positive, Professional, First Impression
• Professional appearance• First impression: firm handshake, smile,
greeting, use names• Be prepared: arrive early, bring copies of
CV, turn off cell phone• Non-verbals: open posture, body
language, facial expressions, eye contact, smile
• Send thank you notes
Common Mistakes• Not practicing• Reluctance to discuss weaknesses, failures• Appearing arrogant/know-it-all• Not listening• Forgetting/not using names• Trying to take over the interview• Providing general, rather than specific answers• Behaving too casually during lunch or other informal parts of
interview visit• Sounding rehearsed/memorized• Being afraid to reveal personal information• Ruminating on poor answers• Not treating every interaction with site as part of interview• Not communicating your excitement and motivation • Not sending a thank you note
Reflect on your experience after the interview
…and learn from it
