How to Interview for Your Dental Practice

Anybody, that has had the responsibility of hiring new team members, knows that it is one of the most important, and most challenging, tasks you will ever be given in a business.  Here are a few suggestions that AMP has to make the process a little easier.

First of all, have your profile ready.  A profile is what requirements you are looking for in that position.  It’s hard to know you found the right employee if you don’t know what you are looking for.  If you do your due diligence on the front end, you won’t need to terminate on the back end.

Secondly, create a more effective interview by digging deep with behavioral questions.  This will give you insight into their attitude and how they reacted in specific situations.  Have some scenarios ready.  Examples of questions might include:

• How did they handle conflict with their past boss/or co-worker?
• Tell me a little bit more about that
• What are your pet peeves and how do you react to them?
• Talk about a time when you had to work closely with someone whose personality was very different from yours.
• Describe a time when your team or company was undergoing some change. How did that impact you, and how did you adapt?

Most people learn how to manipulate an interview after going through a few, so asking behavioral questions allows you to get to know them to a different degree.    You will see if this person can be coached to a higher level that will elevate your practice.

Lastly, watch the person as well as listen to their answers.  Are they making eye contact?  Are they prepared?  Are they asking questions of you as well?

Take your time in the preparation as well as the interview.  It takes a lot of money, time and stress to train a new employee so you want to make the right choice to avoid doing it all over again too soon.