Considering a Career Transition as an Established Manager
Several years ago, I was at a professional crossroads, deciding which career direction to take. I have a specialty dental practice manager background with over 30 years of experience.
However, I felt a deep-seated curiosity to take on a new endeavor of a larger general practice. This decision was both daunting and exhilarating at the same time.
To be realistic, I knew I would meet unique challenges and opportunities that come with seeking a new professional avenue. Outlining a specific path can help one navigate this transition successfully.
Take Inventory
Begin by evaluating your professional skills. You want to embark on this journey prepared to shape your career trajectory. I enrolled in classes at the local technical college to sharpen my computer software and supervisory skills.
Approximately 136,200 new jobs for dental office managers are projected over the next decade, and extensive experience and transferable skills can optimize opportunities.
Bringing updated technology skills, dental knowledge, leadership, organizational management, budgeting, and team coordination will bolster your confidence as you begin the job search. These items are assets in various industries and can be leveraged to secure positions of higher responsibility.
Creating Your Resume
As you create a resume, focus on your achievements, not just your duties.
I crafted a “personal brand” that I integrated into my resume. I spent time on Pinterest and Google researching ways to design my resume that would strategically highlight my unique skills, experiences, and accomplishments.
I wanted to showcase my passion for the dental field, commitment to lifelong learning, ability to lead a team, and adaptability to change successfully. I wanted my resume to stand out amongst other applicants by having a logo, a specific color palette, and a font representing my style.
I recommend keeping your resume concise with a professional layout, making it easy to navigate.
Keywords
Once your resume is complete, look to define your target job. Tailoring the resume for each job application by closely aligning your skill requirements to the particular role is essential.
In my community, I opened connections with people I knew in this field and started an online presence on social media.
There is a magnitude of online job search options that can be utilized. The most effective tools were Indeed and Zip Recruiter.
Highlighting critical words from a job description can ensure your resume passes through applicant tracking systems and catches the attention of potential employers.
It is essential to check recruiting sites daily with a prompt reply to any correspondence.
Do Your Homework
When you get an interview scheduled, research the office and prepare for this like you are studying for a test. It should be your time to shine while optimizing your abilities and accomplishments.
I created a portfolio that allowed me to showcase projects I completed, explain my personal and professional goals, and include tangible information about my abilities.
It is an excellent opportunity to learn about the office culture and the suitability between you and the new potential practice.
Crafting a Contract
The opportunity will come when a position is offered, and it will be time to discuss a contract. The contract details are a personal preference.
Recommended items to consider while negotiating a contract include:
- start date
- salary
- job duties
- work schedule
- benefits
- paid time off
- non-compete clause
Take time to review the contract details. A written and signed contract between the two parties is the first step to success.
This particular journey unfolded as I reshaped my career trajectory. I arrived at my new position with significant work to do. They had an offsite manager, broken equipment, a low supply of clinical necessities, the need for a project manager for a complete renovation, evaluation of team dynamics, and implementation of protocol. This practice specifically sought an experienced manager to navigate the project list.
I get goosebumps as I reminisce about the details of this adventure. Our team culture is unbelievable, and the success we achieve daily is unstoppable. This office is my fit, my team, and my culture. Without the years of experience, I would have missed this wonderful opportunity.
Use Your Experience to Your Advantage
ln conclusion, the growth potential for an experienced dental office manager contemplating a career shift is welcomed in the field.
Seek professional development, enroll in technology courses that strengthen your knowledge base, network strategically in the area you desire, and embrace new opportunities. Each of these elements is key in ensuring a seamless transition. The success of landing in the right office culture is up to you.
A quote from Howard Farran, DDS MBA, “An ordinary dental office with an extraordinary team will always be infinitely more successful than providing extraordinary dentistry delivered by an ordinary team.”
When you decide to make a change, be the leader who creates an extraordinary team. Show the practice that they have a leader who believes in their career, the team, and the dental practice.
About the Author
Dawn Klobucher, MAADOM
Dawn Klobucher started her dental career 35 years ago. The majority of her work in dentistry was in the orthodontic specialty, transitioning to a large, private general dentist practice four years ago.
She received her CDPMA from DANB in 1999, is a lifetime AADOM member, her FAADOM in 2023, and MAADOM in 2024.
