By Shalin Patel
The average income for a salaried employee in the US is $56,516. I am in a unique position: I only interview dentists who make anywhere from $120,000 and upwards of $300,000 per year. I interview hundreds of candidates every year for a very small number of open positions in our company and the interview is the by far the most important part of deciding who will get the position to join our team.
Many people earning a six-figure salary have gone through years of education only to end up with a job that offers earnings that do not meet their expectations. We all take the similar exams, go through rigorous schooling, yet only select candidates get offers to join the best companies in their fields with the highest salary and best reputation in the industry. Why?
Just because you have completed competitive school admissions criteria and finished the years of education, the job interview is still the most important factor leading to your overall success outside of school. So how do you really nail the interview for a six-figure job? Here's how:
1. Do your research.
Nothing surprises me more than when I ask a potential dentist if he or she has heard about us, and they say “no” or “I have heard a little about the company.” Oftentimes, a company’s website has more than enough information you need, so go in feeling prepared. There is no better way to learn about a company’s culture than to look up their social media page. We link our social media pages to our homepage and keep the content very up to date, so the more you know about us, the more you will stand out and make a genuine connection with the interviewer.
2. Look the part.
From head to toe, you should dress to impress. Treat your job interview as if you were about to see a good friend after a long time — take extra effort on your hair, nails and clothes. Every detail counts and it does not go unnoticed by the interviewer. It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed.
3. Observe the waiting area.
This is something many people never think to do. Use your time in the waiting room wisely by looking around. Are there any plaques on the wall, magazine articles or community service mentions? Study these and bring them up during the interview. It shows a great level of attention to detail and a genuine interest in how you can contribute to a company’s goals.
4. Avoid snacks and refreshments.
Avoid gum, coffee or snacks when offered. If you want something, just stick with water. You do not want to deal with spills, stained teeth or bad breath (as a dentist, I know). Asking for water can be very helpful as you can use it as tool: If you get a tickle in your throat, persistent cough or dry mouth because you are nervous during the interview, take a sip and regroup. Also, if you are asked a question you are not ready for and need a moment to think about an answer, take a sip of water, collect your thoughts and then answer with confidence. You never know when you will be called, and spitting out gum or chewing on a snack is not an ideal first impression.
5. Take a tour.
Even if it is not offered, ask for a tour of the business. This gives you a quick glimpse of the working environment and an overall assessment of the people who work there. Is everything clean and organized, do employees look happy and dress well, are people smiling, does everyone look busy working or sitting around on cell phones – just a quick look around can give you a great idea of the culture in the office.
6. Be personable.
At the end of the day, no matter how hard you try, your resume, education and even job experience will look like many other applicants. Personality makes all the difference. Be prepared to stand out from the rest, and make sure your personality shines during the process. This may mean saying something the average candidate would not talk about – remember why you chose your profession and give it a unique twist that will leave a lasting impression.
7. Be able to answer basic questions.
- “Tell me a little about yourself.” Nothing is more surprising to me than when someone is not prepared for this first question. Do not verbalize your resume; instead focus on highlights and tell me something that can spark a unique conversation.
- “How did you hear about us?” Do not just say, “I found your ad online.” Mention something about the company that impressed you enough to apply. Was it the company's reputation? Community involvement? Referrals?
- “What is your greatest strength/weakness?” This is a given to know, and a question I always ask in conjunction with this is, “We have over 20 candidates just like yourself applying for this one open position; why should I choose you?” Be ready to answer what makes you different from your colleagues.
8. Ask questions of your own.
You should always have at least one additional question of your own. If you are uncertain what to ask, a great topic to ask about is the company’s long-term vision, and be prepared to explain how you can help achieve these goals.
9. Showcase your community involvement.
It is always refreshing to meet people who want to give back. The key here is to be specific – do not just tell the interviewer you want to “give back.” Take time to research community events the company or office may be currently involved in and how you would be love to get more involved -- you will surely stand out.
10. Follow up.
Send a thank you email the same evening and, later, a personalized, handwritten thank you card. I have gotten a lot of thank you emails, but surprisingly, in eight years, I have had only two out of over 400 applicants deliver a hand written thank you card: Both of these applicants got the job.
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Shalin Patel is the CCO and owner of DECA Dental.