02 September 2024
Writing and reviewing CVs: Best practices for dental professionals and practice owners
In the competitive landscape of the dental industry, a well-crafted Curriculum Vitae (CV) is crucial for standing out. Whether you're a dental professional seeking new opportunities or a practice owner looking for suitable candidates, understanding best practices in CV writing can make a significant difference.
For dental professionals
1. Structure and layout
Do: Use a clean and professional format
A clean, well-organised format enhances readability. Use a professional font (e.g., Arial, Calibri) and maintain consistent font sizes and spacing. Include clear headings for each section: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Education, Work Experience, Skills, Certifications, and Professional Affiliations.
Don't: Overcomplicate the design
Avoid overly complex designs, excessive colours, or elaborate fonts. While creativity can be appealing, in the dental industry, professionalism and clarity are paramount.
2. Content and clarity
Do: Tailor your CV
Customise your CV for each application. Highlight relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments that align with the job description. Use specific keywords from the job posting to improve the chances of passing through applicant tracking systems.
Don't: Use generic descriptions
Avoid vague statements and generic descriptions. Instead of saying you are a "dedicated professional," provide concrete examples of your dedication, such as "Managed a patient load of 50+ per week while maintaining high patient satisfaction rates."
3. Professional summary
Do: Write a compelling summary
Your professional summary should be a brief, impactful statement that highlights your qualifications, experience, and career goals. For example, "Experienced dental hygienist with over 10 years of practice, specialising in preventive care and patient education."
Don't: Write a lengthy paragraph
Keep it concise. A summary that is too long can overwhelm the reader and obscure your key points. Aim for 3-4 sentences that encapsulate your professional identity.
4. Experience and achievements
Do: Focus on achievements
When detailing your work experience, emphasise achievements over duties. Use bullet points to list accomplishments.
Don't: List every job duty
Avoid simply listing job duties. Employers want to see how you made a difference in your previous roles, not just what you were responsible for.
5. Skills and certifications
Do: Highlight relevant skills
List skills that are pertinent to the dental field, such as proficiency in patient management, and specific dental procedures. Also, include any certifications.
Don't: Include irrelevant skills
Exclude skills that do not apply to the dental industry. For instance, mentioning unrelated software proficiency or hobbies may distract from your professional qualifications.
6. Professional affiliations
Do: Include memberships and associations
Being part of professional organisations like the ADA, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), or other relevant bodies demonstrates your commitment to the profession. List these affiliations prominently.
Don't: Forget to mention leadership roles
If you hold any leadership roles or have participated in significant projects within previous employment, highlight these contributions to showcase your leadership and involvement in the dental community.
Recommendations for practice owners when reviewing CVs
As a practice owner, reviewing CVs is essential for recruiting top talent. Here are some key points to consider:
1. Emphasise leadership and management skills
Do: Highlight practice management experience
Look for detailed experience. This may include in managing/ leading a dental practice, including team leadership, patient care standards, and any innovations introduced.
Don't: Overlook business acumen
Ensure the CV highlights achievements in growing a practice, managing budgets, and improving patient satisfaction. The ability to run or contribute to a successful practice is crucial, particularly where you are looking to recruit for more senior roles.
2. Showcase professional development
Do: Include continuing education
Check for a list of continuing education courses, workshops, or seminars attended. This demonstrates a commitment to staying current with dental advancements and improving skills.
Don't: Skip industry contributions
Look for published articles, lectures given, or contributions to dental research. These accomplishments establish expertise and thought leadership in the field.
Writing an effective CV is an essential skill for dental professionals, while knowing what to look out for and how to effectively review CVs is essential for practice owners. By following these best practices, you can create a compelling, professional CV that highlights your qualifications and sets you apart in the competitive dental industry.
For more information on this article please call the ADA HR Advisory Service on 1300 232 462.
