Dilemma

[krimsonviper]

I got to go to a work in interview today and I'm a bit stuck.

Background:
I've gone to school for a 10 months dental assistant program, I have 4 state certifications, and I've done 170 hours of clinical work. One half of my registration is in August to become a registered dental assistant( more capabilities allowed by state than just a DA ), the other has been compromised, due to the written exam leakage to the public, and therefore the test date is unknown.

I have submitted, by now, 40+ resumes/cover letters and received 2 interviews. I am told that's a really decent ratio due to the economy.

The dilemma:
I am pretty much offered a job with the office that I did a work interview. They have agreed to train me for the front desk and back. The problem is, it's more front desk work (the reason why I'm leaving the hotel industry ), less pay, ( other reason why I'm leaving the hotel industry ), and I'm only doing sterilization and tray set - ups. The upside, and it's a big upside, is that I'm being cross trained front and back. Really, really useful, but I don't know if it's worth it.

This job is essentially disregarding my 10 months schooling, and starting me off as a D/A in the long run.

I have 2 options:
A. Should I take this job, which is still hurting me in the pocket, but not as bad as my current POS hotel job and pretty much take the training for the front office and put on hold my actual reason for the school?

B. Continue to search for other jobs? How do I tell this office no thank you, without coming off bad? Keep in mind, dentists are very much networked, and word of mouth can end potential before it's even a twinkle in the eye. I still have more working interview time, beginning tomorrow at 8:45am, so a quick answer is needed.

I think I have my answer, but I'm just curious if it's a good looking answer or not.

[AppleBonker]

Dude, I wish I could help you out, but I'm no good with this kind of stuff. Though it means nothing, I'll continue to wish you good luck in your search. Though, it may be better to just get your foot in the door if you aren't getting any bites anywhere else.

[krimsonviper]

Though, it may be better to just get your foot in the door if you aren't getting any bites anywhere else.

I'm already thinking that, but I feel like I'm still early in the game to settle already.

[Mr1der]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WYHDfJDPDc[/youtube]

[Otto.]

If it were me, I would wait until something better comes along (I know it's not that easy in this economy.). If you take this job, there are no promises that it will lead to anywhere better.

[ADDirishboy]

I don't know, John. I am leaning towards the "take the job" side.

Reason being, while you are with this company, you will be getting hands on training at an actual dentist office. You can keep putting out resumes to other places, and they will like seeing that you have experience in the field.

I'm in the same boat with the whole fire-fighting thing. No, I don't especially WANT to work as an EMT since I get paid s***, but it's getting me a better resume and people like to see that.

[cellardoorv]

I say take the job. Here is my reasoning.

A. Should I take this job, which is still hurting me in the pocket, but not as bad as my current POS hotel job and pretty much take the training for the front office and put on hold my actual reason for the school?

If I understand this correctly, taking this job means you will be making MORE than what your current job is now, but not as much as you were hoping for. While I understand that is sucky, I think you'd be better off with taking this job because you will be making more in a field that you desire to work in. It may not be MUCH more, but it is, AND it is in your eventual field. I think it would be easier to take this job for now, and then explain at a later date when you find something better that you have a better opportunity being offered to you. They will understand, especially being in the same field.

Plus, you may even make a name for yourself in the dentistry field by working closely with some already established in it.

I need to say field one more time.

Field.

[nissangirl74]

I say take the job. Here is my reasoning.

A. Should I take this job, which is still hurting me in the pocket, but not as bad as my current POS hotel job and pretty much take the training for the front office and put on hold my actual reason for the school?

If I understand this correctly, taking this job means you will be making MORE than what your current job is now, but not as much as you were hoping for. While I understand that is sucky, I think you'd be better off with taking this job because you will be making more in a field that you desire to work in. It may not be MUCH more, but it is, AND it is in your eventual field. I think it would be easier to take this job for now, and then explain at a later date when you find something better that you have a better opportunity being offered to you. They will understand, especially being in the same field.

Plus, you may even make a name for yourself in the dentistry field by working closely with some already established in it.

I need to say field one more time.

Field.

x2. Take the job.

[krimsonviper]

Oh man, I don't think you guys understand that I won't be doing assisting work. I'll be working front desk and the more time I spend not bring an assistant, I'll be getting phased out. Which means I won't doing what I went to school for and dropped $13,000 for, and really want to be. I hate desk work. I hate phones...

[nissangirl74]

They have agreed to train me for the front desk and back. The problem is, it's more front desk work (the reason why I'm leaving the hotel industry ), less pay, ( other reason why I'm leaving the hotel industry ), and I'm only doing sterilization and tray set - ups. The upside, and it's a big upside, is that I'm being cross trained front and back. Really, really useful, but I don't know if it's worth it.

I was under the impression that this was a good thing. In the end, it's your decision. If you are uncomfortable with where you think the job will, or will not, lead, then pass it up and keep looking. I'll support you whichever decision you make.

[cellardoorv]

What do you mean. phased out?

While I understand you won't be doing what you want, I still think its better being IN a dental office for the time being, than being at a hotel desk. Who knows, maybe they'll move you to somewhere different after they see/work/talk with you.

To me it sounds like it was either a.) keep the hotel job b.) take the dental office job.

Either way, you should still job hunt for what you want. And I think you should be in a dental office when you find the opportunity to do what you want.

[krimsonviper]

Thanks Bex I luz you!

I'm trying to punch holes in it, but I just can't. I mean, yeah I'll have my foot in the door. Yeah I'll be able to work front desk at a dental office, and I'll be getting paid $1.50 more than now and get a crap ton of more hours than I'm getting, but I don't want to be front before back. I wanna work back to front. I want my months and money to mean something and not accidentally be stuck at the front and start where I could have prior to training. I also heard that the DAs that leave this joint, aren't very strong in the field. Something even the owner kinda hinted to by saying he gets past employees coming back and he denies them rehire.

[nissangirl74]

Thanks Bex I luz you!

I'm trying to punch holes in it, but I just can't. I mean, yeah I'll have my foot in the door. Yeah I'll be able to work front desk at a dental office, and I'll be getting paid $1.50 more than now and get a crap ton of more hours than I'm getting, but I don't want to be front before back. I wanna work back to front. I want my months and money to mean something and not accidentally be stuck at the front and start where I could have prior to training. I also heard that the DAs that leave this joint, aren't very strong in the field. Something even the owner kinda hinted to by saying he gets past employees coming back and he denies them rehire.

After that info, if you aren't desperate for the money, I think I'd pass.

[krimsonviper]

What do you mean. phased out?

While I understand you won't be doing what you want, I still think its better being IN a dental office for the time being, than being at a hotel desk. Who knows, maybe they'll move you to somewhere different after they see/work/talk with you.

To me it sounds like it was either a.) keep the hotel job b.) take the dental office job.

Either way, you should still job hunt for what you want. And I think you should be in a dental office when you find the opportunity to do what you want.

I'll be getting phased out meaning, I am still malliable to habits and the longer I don't work assisting, I'll be forgetting stuff that I've kinda learned from extern and school.

And it's honestly a fat chance of me moving from the front to back. I'm damn good at being front, I just hate it. They'll keep me there because that's where I'm strng at and I will never assist. The back work I'll be doing is sterilization and tray set up. Where's the opportunity to assist there?

Job hunting will be near none existent. I will be working the times I could walk in and drop off resumes. Online hunts are redundant. I've submitted twice the resumes online, than in person and not a single hit.

[Razi]

Since you asked for my input..
Get back on the street and sell your body! I ain't pimpin you for nothin!

In seriousness, it looks like it's a bad deal y0, I'd pass on it and look for a better opportunity to pop up.
Working the front desk after all your training seems like a waste.

[MellowZ32]

Since you asked for my input..
Get back on the street and sell your body! I ain't pimpin you for nothin!

pimp dat ho. Razi!


keep looking for a job that you feel good with.

[infinitgkid]

IMO I say take the job.

It is a chance for you to get your foot in the door. Granted you aren't starting off doing what you want, it will be a chance for you to prove yourself. You just have to work hard at it.

Just keep your eyes focused on your goal and I guarentee that you will get where you want to go.

Take my mom for example. She started as a secretary for Coltene/Waledent doing exactly nothing that has to do with the dental industry. Fast forward 30 years, she is the National Accounts Manager for the same company and she deals with CEO's/CFO's/etc. directly. In fact, she was just ranked by some magazine (can't remember for the life of me ) as one of the top 25 women in the Dental Industry.

I'm not trying to brag on my mom; however, what I am saying is that everyone has to start somewhere and for you to get where you want to go is going to take a few attributes:

Motivation, dedication, ambition, and time.

I understand that the amount of money you are getting paid is an issue, but I believe that the money you forfeit now will come back to you in the long run when you get to that position that you are comfortable with.

Anyway, I trust that whatever decision you make that you are happy and have no regrets... we only live one life, ya know?

I hope I was some help!

Best of luck to you!

[krimsonviper]

Bizzump on my way out the door. All opinions about the subject at hand are greatly appreciated!

[frapjap]

Take the job, but in the interview, stress and reiterate that you want to learn the back. While you're employed there, show more ambition than anyone else ever has, do the jobs and requests outside of your job description when told to do so (and before someone tells you to within reason & your abilties).
Its will be difficult to make a successful person such as a dentist notice you and your effort, but if you kick your a** at this job you will go futher.

[Dittoz7]

Ever think about moving...

[krimsonviper]

Yeah, I didn't take the job. I worked the front the whole day and told them on the way out, I didn't want it. I tried a little to get over the front desk, but I can't. Damn phones. They were completely surprised. They thought I liked the position and I wasn't able to copy the insurance codes.


I let the perfect job slip by! It was for that first place I interviewed at in Concord. In my first interview with them, I mentioned that I want to work in O.S.(oral surgery), which I really do because I don't wanna work with toddlers, and that was my down fall. She asked me if I really care about O.S. and I said yes. She's looking for a person who's going to retire with her, and I can't provide that. I would have stayed with her for at least 5 years, then move to the area I want to move to: Sacramento. With the field I want to be in: oral surgery. I couldn't lie to her and say I'd settle.

Ever think about moving...

Yes! I can't do it with no where to settle for the time being. It's gonna be some months before I can even have a place to stay, if I were to.

A good thing today though, at least I know I'm wanted, and there are jobs out there for me!

[nissangirl74]

I couldn't lie to her and say I'd settle.

Glad you did the stand up thing and was honest. Sorry neither panned out for you, good luck with the continuing search.

[krimsonviper]

Thank you x 2 and yeah, I'm sorry too.

[infinitgkid]

You did what you thought was best. I'm sure another opportunity will present itself... they always do.

Good luck to you man!

[krimsonviper]

You did what you thought was best. I'm sure another opportunity will present itself... they always do.

Good luck to you man!

Thanks man! I'm gonna hit up napa sonoma Monday. Hopefully it's good!