Interview Skills Handout: Your Employability Checklist

This handout summarizes the key employability skills we discussed today. Use it to reflect on your strengths and areas for growth as you prepare for your dental assisting co-op interviews. Pay special attention to how your natural communication style (whether you tend to be more thoughtful and reserved, or more expressive and outgoing) can be leveraged or adapted in an interview.

1. Stellar Communication

• Definition: The ability to convey and receive information effectively, both verbally and non-verbally.
• In a Dental Setting: Explaining procedures to patients, listening to their concerns, collaborating with the dental team, answering interview questions clearly.

Self-Reflection:
How do you currently demonstrate strong communication skills? If you are more reserved, how can you ensure your thoughtful responses are heard clearly? If you are more outgoing, how can you practice active listening and concise answers in an interview setting?

2. Polished Professionalism

• Definition: Exhibiting a high standard of conduct, appearance, and work ethic.
• In a Dental Setting: Dressing appropriately, arriving on time, maintaining a positive attitude, respecting patient confidentiality, adhering to clinic policies.

Self-Reflection:
What does professionalism mean to you in the context of a dental office? How will you ensure you present yourself professionally for your co-op interview, regardless of whether you tend to be quiet or more vocal? Consider your demeanor and readiness.

3. Teamwork & Collaboration

• Definition: Working cooperatively with others to achieve shared goals.
• In a Dental Setting: Assisting the dentist efficiently, coordinating with front office staff, supporting other dental assistants, participating in team meetings.

Self-Reflection:
Describe a time you worked effectively as part of a team. How can you highlight your teamwork skills during an interview, showcasing both your ability to contribute ideas and to listen and support others?

4. Problem-Solving Prowess

• Definition: The ability to identify issues, analyze situations, and develop effective solutions.
• In a Dental Setting: Handling unexpected patient needs, troubleshooting minor equipment issues, adapting to scheduling changes, resolving patient concerns.

Self-Reflection:
Can you think of a small problem you’ve solved recently? How did you approach it? How can you articulate your problem-solving process in an interview, whether you prefer to think quickly or deliberate thoughtfully?

5. Empathy & Patient Focus

• Definition: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, particularly patients, and prioritizing their comfort and well-being.
• In a Dental Setting: Reassuring anxious patients, providing comfort during procedures, anticipating patient needs, explaining treatments gently.

Self-Reflection:
Why is empathy important for a dental assistant? How can you demonstrate empathy during your co-op interview or in the dental office, ensuring your genuine concern comes across regardless of your natural expressiveness?

Role-Play Scenarios: Practice Your Interview Skills!

Instructions: Work with a partner. Take turns being the interviewer and the interviewee. Choose one scenario at a time and practice demonstrating the employability skills we discussed (Communication, Professionalism, Teamwork, Problem-Solving, Empathy).

Scenario 1: The Anxious Patient

Interviewer (as Dentist/Office Manager): "We often have patients who are very nervous about dental procedures. How would you approach a patient who is clearly anxious about their upcoming root canal? What would you say or do to help them feel more at ease?"

Interviewee (as Dental Assisting Student):

Scenario 2: Unexpected Equipment Malfunction

Interviewer (as Dentist/Office Manager): "Imagine you are assisting with a patient, and suddenly one of the instruments you need stops working. What would be your immediate steps? How would you handle the situation to ensure patient care isn't significantly disrupted?"

Interviewee (as Dental Assisting Student):

Scenario 3: Working with a New Team Member

Interviewer (as Dentist/Office Manager): "Teamwork is vital in our office. Let's say a new dental assistant joins the team. How would you help integrate them, and what would you do if you noticed they were struggling with a particular task?"

Interviewee (as Dental Assisting Student):

Scenario 4: A Challenging Schedule

Interviewer (as Dentist/Office Manager): "Sometimes our schedule can become quite hectic, with back-to-back appointments or emergencies. How do you handle pressure and maintain accuracy and professionalism when things get busy?"

Interviewee (as Dental Assisting Student):

Scenario 5: Demonstrating Initiative

Interviewer (as Dentist/Office Manager): "We value team members who take initiative. Can you describe a time when you saw something that needed to be done and took the lead, even if it wasn't explicitly assigned to you? How did that turn out?"

Interviewee (as Dental Assisting Student):

Interview Reflection Journal: My Employability Skills Journey

Take some time to reflect on today's lesson and your personal strengths and areas for growth when it comes to co-op interviews and future employment, with a focus on your communication style.

Prompt 1: My Interview Strengths & Communication Style

Based on today's discussion and role-play, what employability skills do you feel are your strongest? Describe your natural communication style (are you more introverted and thoughtful, or more extroverted and expressive?). How do your strengths align with or enhance your preferred communication style?

Prompt 2: Adapting My Communication for Growth

Which aspect of your communication style do you think you need to work on the most for your upcoming co-op interviews? (For example, if introverted, perhaps practicing verbalizing thoughts more readily; if extroverted, practicing concise answers and active listening). What is one specific action you can take to improve this skill and adapt your communication before your first interview?

Prompt 3: The Big Takeaway & Real-World Application

What was the most valuable thing you learned or practiced today that you believe will help you in your co-op interview? How do you plan to apply this learning, specifically thinking about how you will adapt your communication style in a real interview situation to make the best impression?