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For people who are on the hunt for that ideal dental hygienist job, finding the right position with the right company might be an excruciating process. It is important to know what state you want to live and work in, as requirements for licenses vary from state to state, as do salary amounts and benefits. After that other factors come into play, such as working full-time or part-time, and working in a large corporation or a small private practice. With all of these different options and companies to look into, with minimal open positions available, how do you find the right one for you?

That’s where dental temp agencies come to the rescue. Especially when initially starting their careers, many dental professionals choose to work a temporary position rather than a full-time role as they figure out exactly what they want to do and where they want to be. Temporary positions give them the opportunity to learn and grow within different work environments, which helps them to pave their optimal career path. 

Dental temp agencies handle the difficult process of finding open positions with incredible companies, and locking in interviews for you. Once that part is said and done, the rest is up to you… to shine in that interview and land that dental temp job. 

Here is a list of 5 tips to help you succeed:

1. Treat it Like an Interview for a Permanent Position: One of the biggest mistakes a potential candidate can make while interviewing for a dental temp job is slacking off in the interview, or not taking it as seriously as they would for a permanent role. Dress professionally, show up early, and bring your resume. Introduce yourself with a firm handshake, and be sure to keep your body language positive and professional throughout the interview to show your interest in the position, and the respect you have for the interviewer and the company. 

1. Conduct Proper Interview Preparation: It is crucial to go into the interview confident and prepared. Do research on the company, the position, and the person or people who will be interviewing you if you were told their name. Understand the company's mission and their goals, so that you can speak accordingly to how you will benefit the team. It is also helpful to create a list of questions that you would like to ask them during the interview as well. You can ask them company-specific, industry-specific, and a couple personal questions so that you are engaged and knowledgeable throughout the interview. This shows great initiative on your end. 

1. Be Clear About Your Availability: Since most jobs through a temp agency are usually not a full-time 9-5 ordeal, it is important to know your work availability so that you are open and honest about scheduling during the interview process. It is also beneficial to ask during the interview what their ideal schedule is for this position, so that you can ensure you are able to reach their requirements and be a good fit for the role. Be very truthful while discussing work availability if there are specific days or times you are unable to work, so it does not become a serious issue later down the road if you are hired. 

1. Don’t Be Afraid to Follow Up: While hunting for the perfect job is highly competitive, it is important to be persistent while contacting the temp agency, yet not overwhelming. If you applied for or interviewed for a job through a staffing agency, reach out for an update after a few days or a week. Check in with the recruiter that you work with at the staffing agency every week or every other week to show that you are still in the job market and are interested in new opportunities. Even if the job you applied to or interviewed for wasn’t a good fit, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing out there for you. Recruiter’s are constantly receiving new job openings, and your perfect fit might be next. 

1. Be Ready to Move Quickly: The hiring process for temporary jobs moves at a very fast pace, unlike permanent jobs where the interview and hiring process can take months until everything’s official. For temporary jobs, hiring managers are trying to find the best quality candidates to fill their need right away. Make sure that your work availability is open, and that you are able to start work as soon as possible if the company does choose you for the role. 

 

Dental temp jobs are usually short-term, allowing you the ability to try out different positions with different companies. This gives you a great opportunity to find out what you want to do and where you want to be in the long-run. With this being said, temporary jobs sometimes have the opportunity to turn into permanent positions, based off of the employer’s preferences and your work ethic. As with any job, it is important to work hard and put your best foot forward, so that you can turn your dream dental profession into a reality.  

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