What to bring to on your
dental interview day
It's your Dental Interview Day and you have several things to carry: your cell phone, car keys, resumes, mints, and maybe an extra bandage or two if you're wearing new shoes. You need to make sure you look professional while managing all of these items, so here are some suggestions.
Resumes
You may have submitted part of your resume on your Primary and Secondary applications, but you'll still want to bring a copy for EACH INTERVIEWER on the Dental Interview Day. By giving each individual a resume, you're leaving behind something for them to remember you by long after the day is done. Look online for different formatting styles. I would definitely suggest printing the resume on Resume Paper as this gives the paper a bit of extra weight and an ivory background.
PADFOLIO
These are really good $15-$30 investments that you will use for the rest of your professional life. I was probably one out of the twenty people who brought one on our Dental Interview Day. They are extremely good looking and a nice accessory to carry.
Inside the typical padfolio you'll find:
-A pocket on one side designed to hold resumes and other letters
-A legal pad on the other side so that you can take notes about what each interviewer discussed. (This is helpful in How To Write a Thank You Note To your Dental School Interviewers.)
As for the color, I would suggest a navy blue or black so that future outfits will match well. Definitely do not pick a bold pattern or color as this will distract from your person during the interview.
Inside the Padfolio you will place:
1. A pen (try to get a nice one to add a professional touch)
2. Multiple copies of your resume
3. Letters of service you received that you would also like your interviewer to have a copy of
4. A legal pad to take notes after each session
Inside the typical padfolio you'll find:
-A pocket on one side designed to hold resumes and other letters
-A legal pad on the other side so that you can take notes about what each interviewer discussed. (This is helpful in How To Write a Thank You Note To your Dental School Interviewers.)
As for the color, I would suggest a navy blue or black so that future outfits will match well. Definitely do not pick a bold pattern or color as this will distract from your person during the interview.
Inside the Padfolio you will place:
1. A pen (try to get a nice one to add a professional touch)
2. Multiple copies of your resume
3. Letters of service you received that you would also like your interviewer to have a copy of
4. A legal pad to take notes after each session
Cell phone and car keys
The cell phone is alright to bring, as long as you properly store it. I kept mine in the jacket pocket (turned off) and only accessed it in the restroom or when I was finished with the Dental Interview Day and out of eyesight from the dental school.
You will have to bring your car keys, so just make sure you only bring the one you absolutely need. Otherwise, they'll jingle very loudly in your pocket and be too bulky to look professional. I believe I kept mine in the jacket pocket as well.
You will have to bring your car keys, so just make sure you only bring the one you absolutely need. Otherwise, they'll jingle very loudly in your pocket and be too bulky to look professional. I believe I kept mine in the jacket pocket as well.
Bottom line: Dress the part and look professional. Remember, you are trying to impress an older audience who has high expectations for you. Stay classy and don't let your personal style opinions detract from what you are trying to tell your interviewers.
Now that you know what to wear, make sure you also check out
What to Wear on Dental Interview Day.
What to Wear on Dental Interview Day.