CAREERS IN DENTISTRY

RESUME & COVER LETTER WORKSHOP

FOR NON-PASS STUDENTS

Career Resources Center

Student Affairs
January 23, 2015

RESUME WHAT IS IT?

A

first impression
A summary
A reflection
A foot in the door

CRAFTING YOUR BEST RESUME

Build

your case
Edit well
Focus on Distinction
Tell Your Story
Be E-ffective
Clarify career goals and objectives
Put yourself in their shoes

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Full name should be bolded and centered at the top of

the page
Include:
Current

mailing address
Contact number
Professional e-mail address (if checked regularly)
Citizenship status (only if foreign-born US citizen or
have permanent residency status)

Do not include:
Date

of Birth
Marital status
Social Insurance Number
Picture
Visa Status (save for interview)

HEADINGS

Chronological Format
Objective

(optional)

Education
Honors/Awards
Professional

Experience
Teaching Experience
Research Experience
Community Outreach/Service/Volunteer Work
Professional Memberships
Professional Meetings

WRITING IT

Use active words and include words that pack a verbal

punch

Assist

Accomplished

Conducted

Consult

Contributed

Coordinated

Enhance

Evaluate

Examined

Facilitate

Gained

Gathered

Implemented

Improved

Lobbied

Maintained

Managed

Observed

Obtained

Organized

Participated

Performed

Prepared

Promoted

Provided

Published

Quantified

Received

Represented

Reorganized

Revised

Selected

Strengthened

Supervised

Taught

Tested

Trained

Utilized

Validated

Wrote

COMMON MISTAKES

TIPS

Poor spelling or grammar

1 to 2 pages MAX

Overstating your experience

10 pt to 14 pt, non-decorative
font

TMI

Generic

Narrow margins

No graphics or shading

Joseph Smith
1234 Sesame Street, Anytown, MA, 01111 | jsmith@gmail.com

| 555-555-0123

Education
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
August 2012 Present
Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.); Anticipated Date of Graduation May 2016

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

August 2008 May 2012
Bachelor of Sciences (B.S.) in Biology

Professional Experience
Boston Healthcare for the Homeless, Boston, MA
October 2015 December 2015
Completed a 10 week externship providing dental care to Bostons homeless population in a face-paced, dynamic environment; treatment planned
for medical complex patients, perform extractions, cleanings and denture fabrications

Pediatric Dental Associates of Brookline, Brookline, MA

May 2012 August 2012
Applied Professional Experience (APEX)
Worked hands on in a fast-paced pediatric office as a dental assistant.; Weekly literature reviews pertaining to all aspects of dentistry with
preceptor.; Participated in radiographic analysis, treatment plan creation and behavior management techniques.
Volunteer Experience
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
January
2012 Present
Community Health Programs Volunteer
Volunteer at various events and health fairs in the Boston-area; performed dental and oral health screenings, flouride varnish application, and oral
hygiene education for the citys underserved populations.
Teaching Experience
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
August
2013 April 2014
Teaching Assistant, Pre-Clinical Removable Prosthodontics
Assisted students in taking preliminary and final impressions for complete dentures., Demonstrated how to take intermaxillary records using record
bases.; Provided methods in waxing up monoplane and anatomical tooth set-up for complete dentures; Aided students in survey and design for cast
partial dentures; Helped students retro-fit existing complete lower denture to a root-retained over denture.

Research
Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
May 2012
September 2012
Department of Oral Biology and Periodontology
Performed independent research relating to salivary protein analysis and oral microbiology in the lab of Dr. Oscar D. Grouch; Executed multiple
statistical analyses comparing optimal living conditions for a variety of oral microorganisms.
Leadership
Boston University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
Special Olympics Special Smiles: Team Leader
June 2012 Present
Organize both teams and events/games for special Olympics; Worked closely between the event organizers and athletes.

Professional Meetings and Conferences

Yankee Dental Conference
2013 to present
American Student Dental Association National Leadership Conference
November 2013

Professional Memberships
American Association for Dental Research (AADR)
American Dental Association (ADA)

THE COVER
LETTER

ANATOMY OF A COVER LETTER

Entices
Stands
Connection
Articulates
No

more than one page

GENERAL FORMAT INTRODUCTION

Why you are writing?

Clearly state which job you are applying for,

or type of work for which you are applying.

State how you learned about the position and

include the date that you discovered the
posting.

Show you know about the practice/organization.

If you are inquiring about position availability

and not applying for a particular position that
was posted, state this in this paragraph.

GENERAL FORMAT - BODY

Demonstrate - Provide specific information
about the skills & qualifications
Sell yourself!
Use keywords
Two paragraphs
Indicate why you would like to work for this
employer
What value to you bring?
Show parallels

GENERAL FORMAT - CLOSING

Respectfully

request an interview
- I look forward to the opportunity to
meet with you to further discuss
State where (i.e. phone #, email) and
when you can be reached
Thank the employer for his/her
consideration
Closing
Sincerely
Best Regards (if youve met before)
Warm Regards (if a friend or close

connection)

Leave

3-4 spaces for signature

123 Anywhere St., Apt 1

Boston, MA 02118
January 23, 2015
Dr. Thomas Tooth
Bright Dental Practice
999 Molar Road
Cambridge, MA 01234
Dear Dr. Tooth,
My name is Sally Smiles and I am writing to express interest in the position of Associate Dentist at Bright
Dental Practice, as posted from Career Resources Center at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of
Dental Medicine (GSDM). I am currently a fourth year dental student at GSDM and will be graduating with
my DMD degree in May. I feel that I would be an ideal candidate for the associate position because of my
clinical skills, my experience with digital dentistry, and my excellent oral and written communication skills.
Through my clinical and didactic coursework, externship experiences, and participation in dental
organizations, I have used my time in dental school to gain as much experience in all aspects of dentistry.
From October 2014 to December 2014, I completed a 10 week externship at Boston Health Care for the
Homeless, where I performed extractions, cleanings and denture fabrications, in face-paced, dynamic
environment. In January 2015, I traveled to Mexico as part of a dental mission trip where I provided dental
and oral health screenings, flouride varnish application, and oral hygiene education in a small, rural village.
I am an active member of GSDMs Chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) and serve on
the Community Outreach and Dental Education Committees. Before entering the field of dentistry, I earned a
masters degree in public health from the University of Massachusetts.
I strongly believe that my positive attitude and a passion to provide excellent patient care would make me
an asset to your practice and your patients. I am organized, enthusiastic, and pride myself on being calm
and collected in faced paced environments.
Attached please find my resume for your consideration. I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to
discuss my qualifications and experiences in more detail. If you have any questions, please feel free to
contact me at (555) 555-5555 or via e-mail at sallysmiles@gmail.com
I thank you for your time and consideration and hope to hear from you soon.

TIPS
Unique

cover letter for each

application
Create electronic signature
Use same font as your resume
Use the job description and
qualifications to tailor your letter
to each job for which you are
applying.
Keep a record of your cover letter
Proofread. Proofread. Proofread
again.

EMAILING COVER LETTERS &

RESUMES
Send

both in PDF format

Email text should include:
Brief

explanation of the fact that youre

applying for the job.
That youre really excited for the
position and thank them for considering
your application.
That youve attached your resume and
cover letter and whatever else you have
attached.

COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

Long

winded
Repetition
Duplicate letters
Noting experiences and skills that do
not match the goals or needs of the
position.
Indicating what the employer can do
for you rather than what you can do
for them.
Starting all sentences and paragraphs
with I.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact Information:
Career Resources Center
Student Affairs, G-305
gsdmcr@bu.edu
http://www.bu.edu/dental/students/caree
rs/