Growth Hacker Central's :The ULTIMATE Guide for Getting Your Dream Dental Job" (Basic Version) contains key information that prospective Dental employees (Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienists, Dental Office Managers and even Dentists) will benefit from when looking for and interviewing for their Dream Job. The ULTIMATE Guide for Getting Your Dream Dental Job (Basic Version) contains information that will prepare and equip you like no other resource can. To access the The ULTIMATE Guide for Getting Your Dream Dental Job (PREMIUM VERSION - Includes Audio Training, Video Training, and several powerfully scripted answers to the toughest interview questions on the planet) - Visit http://www.growthhackercentral.com/getting-hired-system-premium/ ‎ To access the Definitive Guide for Hiring Peak Performing Dental Employees (Every time) Please visit this link: http://www.growthhackercentral.com/definitive-guide-hiring-peak-performing-employees-premium/

1.  These questions reflect the most common
interview questions you will face while
interviewing for a job.
 Knowing how to answer them is important. You
should think of interviewing as a skill. Mastering
any skill requires practice.
 Not all these questions reflect the type of
questions Growth Hacker Central suggests
dentists use when interviewing, but they are
considered to be the most commonly asked
questions.

2. What do you like about working in a dental office?
Or…Why do you want to work at a dental office?
Good Answer:
 “I’ve been blessed by having a nice
smile. I realized quickly that a smile
can really light up a person’s day, so
as a kid I always tried to smile as much
as possible. My interest in dentistry
really started when my Mom took a job
working as an office manager in the
local dentist’s office where I grew up. I
was in and out of the office constantly.
Taking my first job as a dental
assistant gave me a whole new
perspective on dental care. I found I
loved educating patients about new
dental products. For example when the
BreathRX products came out, our
office decided to sell their kits and
educate patients about breath control. I
sold more BreathRX kits than anyone
in the office! It felt good to contribute
positively to the oral health of patients,
and I won a small prize which I thought
was fun. Later I went on to become a
hygienist since I felt educating patients
was really one of my strengths.”
Generic Answer:
 “I love to see people smile after
they have had cosmetic dentistry.
It feels good to have helped
someone feel confident about
his/her smile.”
Don’t just say something
generic like this. You won’t
stand out in the pack with a
generic answer of this nature.
Focus instead on your history
with that particular industry,
and if you can, tell a success
story.

3. Tell us about yourself.
Good Answer:
 “I’m really energetic, and a great
communicator. Working as an
assistant for 4 years taught me the
importance of outstanding customer
service. It really is a key to
increasing patient loyalty. As a
hygienist I’ve used the skills I
learned as an assistant to build a
track record of success in terms of
patient retention. In my last role, I
helped the office manager
implement a system for tracking
patient retention. I’m sure there were
other factors involved, but I know the
hygiene program saw a 10%
increase in revenues each year
while I worked there. I also
implemented some new patient
education techniques that resulted in
the office selling over 200 Sonicares
in 1 year!
Generic Answer:
 “I worked as a dental assistant for 4
years in Dr. ----’s office. Then I
decided to go to hygiene school.
After I graduated, I worked for Dr. ---
-- for a few months until I found a
more permanent position closer to
my home so I wouldn’t have such a
long commute. I worked there for 3
years, but found the office lacked
some of the technology I was hoping
to use day to day. I’m looking for a
new position where the office is
more proactive and uses more high
technology equipment.
Instead of giving a chronological
work history, focus on your
strengths and how they pertain to the
role. If possible, illustrate with
examples.

4. What do you think of your previous
boss?
Good Answer:
 “My last boss taught me the
importance of time management.
He did not like to keep his
patients waiting and I know
patients really appreciated that
fact. He expected excellence
when it came to the level of
dental care he delivered, so we
were always on the same page
in that regard.
Bad Answer:
 “He was very critical and a
complete nightmare to work with,
which is why I’ve moved on.”
Remember: if you get the job, the
person interviewing you will
some day be your previous boss.
The last thing they want is to hire
someone who they know is going
to bad-mouth them some day.
Instead of trashing your former
employer, stay positive, and
focus on what you learned from
him (no matter how awful he/she
really was).

5. Why are you leaving your current
role?
Good Answer:
 “I’ve learned a lot working for
Dr.----, but now I’m looking for
a new challenge. I’d like to
broaden my horizons by
having access to using new,
high-tech dental equipment
and products. I looked at your
office website before this
interview, and I see working
in this office as a wonderful
opportunity for me to grow by
having access to use some of
the high tech dental
equipment I’ve been excited
to try using.
Bad Answer:
 “I can’t stand my boss, or the
work I’m doing.”
Again, stay away from bad-
mouthing your job or
employer. Focus on the
positive.

6. Where do you see yourself in five
years?
Good Answer:
 “I always want to keep growing in my
knowledge as a hygienist and as an
individual, so taking CE’s will always
be a priority for me. The dental
industry changes fast, and I want to
stay current so I can provide my
patients with the best care possible.
Also, I really love working with patients.
I enjoy getting to know each patient
and their families so creating lasting
relationships with patients is a priority
for me. Essentially the things I love
about my job today I see as being the
same things I will love in five years. I
hope to have a family of my own
someday as well. This is the career I
have chosen for my life, and I know I
have made an excellent choice. I feel
good about being able to educate
patients and help them to establish
good oral health habits.”
Bad Answers:
 “Relaxing on a beach in Maui.”
 “Being a stay at home Mom.”
There’s really no right answer
to this question, but the
interviewer wants to know that
you’re career-oriented, and
committed to a future with the
office. So instead of sharing
your dream for early
retirement, or trying to be
funny, give them an answer
that illustrates your drive and
commitment.

7. What’s your greatest weakness?
Good Answer:
 I was never very good at giving
painless injections when I was in
hygiene school, and I think it carried
over into my first position. I asked my
previous employer if I could enroll in
a CE class that specifically dealt with
injections. He said “yes.” I took the
class, and discovered my lack of
confidence and fear of hurting the
patient was actually fueling my
inability to deliver a stellar injection.
Patients feed off your energy so I
have found if I worried about hurting
them then they tend to be worried
too. I worked on faking my
confidence, and utilized some of the
techniques I learned in the class.
Over time I’ve been able to overcome
that weakness. I found the old
saying, ‘Fake it till you make it’ really
works.“
Bad Answer:
 “I work too hard.”
This question is a great
opportunity to put a positive spin
on something negative. Make
sure you use a real example of a
weakness you have learned to
overcome, and use examples to
illustrate how you overcame that
weakness. If you don’t illustrate
how you have overcome the
weakness, then the employer
might think you are not
coachable or will think you have a
negative attitude that is hindering
you from overcoming the
weakness.

8. What salary are you looking for?
Good Answer:
 “I’m more interested in the
role itself than the pay. That
said, I’d expect to be paid the
appropriate range for this
role, based on my five years
of experience. I also think a
fair salary would bear in mind
the high cost of living here in
New York City.”
Bad Answer:
 “In my last job I earned
$35,000 – so, now I’m looking
for $40,000…”
If you can avoid it, don’t give
an exact number. The first
person to name a price in a
salary negotiation loses.
Instead, reiterate your
commitment to the job itself. If
you have to, give a broad
range based on research
you’ve conducted on that
particular role, in your
particular city.

9. Why should I hire you?
Good Answer:
 “I’ve been a Dental Assistant for the past
eight years – my boss has said
repeatedly that without me, the office
would fall apart. I’ve taken the time to
educate myself on some of the best
sterilization techniques as well as how to
order dental products from our Patterson
Rep. to realize the biggest savings for the
office in terms of free goods. I’ve been
able to streamline the process for
sterilizing instruments to save time, and
keep the team members from bumping
into each other too much in our small
sterilization area. By learning about the
process for ordering dental supplies, and
creating a tracking system, I’ve been able
to save the office $4500 over the last 2
years. What’s good enough for most
people is never really good enough for
me.”
Bad Answer:
 “I’m the best candidate for the
job. I have 8 years of
experience as a dental
assistant.”
A good answer will
reiterate your qualifi-
cations, and will
highlight what makes
you unique.

10. What is your greatest failure, and
what did you learn from it?
Good Answer:
 “When I was a senior in high school
I wanted an easy “A” so I decided to
take wood shop. All the least smart
people in school took wood shop
classes so I thought it would be a
walk in the park. By midterm I was
literally getting a “D”, and my wood
project looked horrible. I knew I had
to get my act together. I asked
someone I hardly knew to help me
with my project. I offered to help him
with his math homework as a trade.
By the end of the semester I had a
new found respect for kids who took
shop classes, and I ended up getting
a decent grade thankfully. I realized
I should always strive to do any task
to the best of my ability, and never to
assume anything will be easy.”
Bad Answer:
 I never finished college. I’ve
learned that just because the going
gets tough, it doesn’t mean you
should give up. It was a huge
mistake.”
Don’t highlight a significant
regret. Exposing your overall
dissatisfaction with your life is
not going to help you get this
job. Focus on a smaller, but
significant, bump in the road
instead. Make sure to show
how it has made you better in
your current position.

11. How do you explain your gap in
employment?
Good Answer:
 “I don’t want to accept just
any old job. My work is
important to me so I want
to take my time and be
selective about choosing
the right position. Rushing
to accept the first thing that
comes my way doesn’t
seem very smart to me."
Bad Answer:
 "I was so tired of working,
and I needed a break,” or
“I just can’t find a job.”
Employment gaps are
never easy to explain. The
last thing you want is to
appear lazy or un-hireable.
Extended periods of
unemployment can be
made to look like a choice
you made based on the
right reasons if you phrase
your answer properly.

12. When were you most satisfied in
your job?
Good Answer:
 “I’m a people person. I was
always most satisfied and
happiest when I was interacting
with patients and delighting them
even in the smallest ways. When
I am able to meet patients’ needs
and give them the best possible
patient experience – that is when
I feel good about my job. It’s one
of the reasons I love working in
dental offices. I read some of
your reviews online and your
patients seem to love their
experience here. Being a part of
a superior patient experience is
one of the factors that attracted
me to applying for a position
here.”
Bad Answer:
 "I was most satisfied when I was
being praised for my good work.”
Avoid giving vague answers.
Instead, think about something
you did well and enjoyed. The
best answer will incorporate
something relevant to this new
job. Think of this as an
opportunity for you to prove that
you’re a great fit for the position.
It’s also a wonderful opportunity
to showcase your positive
attitude, energy, and enthusiasm.

13. What did you like least about your
last job?
Good Answer:
 “There was nothing about my last
job that I hated, but I guess there
were some things I liked less
than others. My last position had
no lunch hour which was difficult
for me to get used to, but over
time I figured out ways to sneak
a bite of food between patients
during my breaks. We also
started at 7am which meant I
was home earlier than usual so I
could easily pick up my kids from
school. I saw online your office
opens at 7am 3 days a week so
that works well for me since I’m
used to starting early.”
Bad Answer:
 “I felt like I had no job security. The
dentist was experiencing financial
troubles, and I often felt like the place
might close its doors any day.”
Remember this employer is thinking
he/she might be your next “old
employer”. They will consider an
answer like this as negative gossip that
can spread like wildfire in a small
industry like dental. Try to avoid topics
like politics, the office culture, or the
financial health of your previous
employer. Even if your comments are
true and honest, they will be construed
as too negative. Also, if you focus on
something that might be an issue in
your next role, then the employer will
think you will leave for the same
reason. Ex.) I have to drop my child at
daycare in the morning so starting at
7am was not optimal for me. Maybe this
new position starts at 7am as well?

14. Describe a time when you did not
get along with a coworker.
Good Answer:
 “I worked with a woman one time
who never seemed to like me, yet
she seemed to get along great with
everyone else at work. She was
much older than myself and had
kids, but I put a lot of effort into
getting to know her during lunches
and break times. I found she liked to
hike and we did have some similar
interests. I asked her to go on a hike
with me. We hiked 15 miles that day.
It was a crazy long hike, and we
were exhausted at the end. I really
got to know her well that day though,
and we never had any problems
after that hike. I was glad I took the
extra time to get to know her outside
of work. Some people are just
harder to get to know than others so
it was a valuable lesson for me to
learn.”
Bad Answer:
 "I’m easy to get along with, so I’ve
never had any kind of discord with
another coworker.”
This is an “easy out” response that
makes you look untruthful. It’s
great to be easy-going at work, but
come on! Think of a relatively
benign example, and always use
your example to your advantage by
illustrating what steps you took to
turn this negative experience into a
positive learning experience.
Remember the action steps you
took to overcome the situation or
turn it around are pivotal to making
your answer believable. You can’t
just say you turned the situation
around – you have to show how
you accomplished it.

15. What motivates you?
Good Answer:
 “I’ve always been motivated by the
challenge of a busy, fast-paced
office. I thrive on what other people
might consider stressful situations.
When I worked at the front desk at
Dr.----’s office, I was in charge of
checking in patients, billing,
answering phones, and even getting
video testimonials from patients. I
was also asked to fill in for
assistants when the doctor was
short handed, and sometimes I was
asked to do patient consultations as
well. Those crazy days go by so fast
though. I actually like them better in
that regard. After a super busy day
you come in to work thinking, ‘Wow,
my regular tasks are easy compared
to yesterday!’ I think it’s exciting to
see what the group can accomplish
when we work as a team.”
Bad Answer:
 "Doing a good job and being
rewarded for it.”
This answer is not wrong – it’s
just wastes an opportunity for
you to highlight your positive
attributes. If you give a vague,
generic response – it reveals
nothing about yourself. Use
this question as an
opportunity to give the
interviewer some insight into
your character. Always use
examples when possible.

16. How would your friends describe
you?
Good Answer:
 “My friends would probably say that
I’m extremely persistent – My friend
Elaina and I decided to run a full
marathon one year to support a
charity she was involved with. We
trained for a whole year. I had never
run more than 1 mile prior to this
marathon but we stuck with our
training plan and we both finished
the marathon in under 5 hours. She
wanted to quit many times, but I kept
rallying her spirits each week. It’s
just not in my nature to give up once
I’ve committed to something. If I
know something is possible, I have
to keep trying until I do it. She
admitted to me after the marathon
that she chose me out of all her
friends to do the marathon because
she knew I wouldn’t let her give up.”
Bad Answer:
 "I’m a really good listener.”
While being a good listener is a great
personality trait, your employer
probably is looking for something
that will be a benefit to him/her if you
were to become an employee. It’s
likely this answer will give them
visions of you spending too much
time lending your ear to elderly
patients who can talk your ear off for
2 hours if you let them. Not the most
profitable way to spend a day at the
office! You’ll want to keep your
answer relevant to the job you’re
interviewing for. Using a specific
example will help illustrate to your
prospective employer that you are
telling the truth.