Career Elevation PodCast

What’s worse: a candidate who no-call/no-shows, or one who shows up 20 minutes late like nothing happened? 😳

In this episode, Wendy Aldhamen and Destiny Childress are putting themselves in some of the most frustrating (and surprisingly relatable) recruiting situations and forcing themselves to pick their poison.

From candidate red flags to awkward interview moments, they’re tackling questions like:

-Would you rather have a candidate no-call/no-show or show up 20 minutes late?

-Would you rather have a candidate accept an offer and disappear, or start the job and quit after three days?

-“My biggest weakness is I work too hard” or “I don't have any weaknesses”?

-One-word answers or a 10-minute life story for every interview question?

- “Um” every three words or “like” every three words?

-A perfect candidate who wants more money or a candidate who fits the budget but you're trying to convince yourself they're perfect?

-“I can start tomorrow” or “I need to give my current office six weeks' notice”?

And this is only Part 1! We have plenty more recruiter nightmares to get through.

Whether you're a dentist, office manager, recruiter, HR professional, or someone who's been on the candidate side of an interview, you'll probably recognize a few of these scenarios.

🎧 Listen, watch, and play along. Which one would YOU pick?

Streaming on: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Audio-only version: Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Podbean

🔗 Learn More About Career Elevation

🌐 Website: https://careerelevationce.com/

👍 Don’t forget to:

✔️ Subscribe for bi-weekly dental hiring and career conversations

✔️ Like this episode if it helped you

✔️ Share with a dentist, office manager, or dental professional who needs better hiring solutions

✔️ Drop your questions or topic ideas in the comments

Let’s elevate your dental world — and have a little fun while doing it. 🦷🚀

#DentalRecruiting #DentalHiring #DentalPodcast #RecruiterLife #Recruiting #DentalIndustry #HiringTips #ThisOrThat

Would Your Dental Job Ad Get Swiped Right? 💘🦷

What if a dental office job listing was a dating profile? Would candidates be excited to apply, or would they keep scrolling?

In this episode of the Career Elevation Podcast, Wendy and Destiny do something they’ve never done before: they review real dental job ads and decide whether they’d “swipe right” or “swipe left” based on what today’s candidates are actually looking for.

Using their experience in dental recruiting and hiring, they break down what works, what doesn’t, and how small changes in a job ad can dramatically improve the quality of applicants you attract.

In this episode, we discuss:

-What makes a dental job ad stand out immediately

-Common mistakes that turn great candidates away

-Why formatting and readability matter more than most offices realize

-How to use AI tools effectively without sounding robotic

-The difference between describing your office and selling the opportunity

-What candidates notice in the first few seconds of reading a job listing

-How to create a stronger first impression before an interview even happens

Whether you’re hiring a dental assistant, hygienist, office manager, front office team member, or another key role in your practice, this episode is packed with practical recruiting advice you can use right away.

Ask a Recruiter Anything

Upcoming Sessions:

• Friday, August 29

• Wednesday, September 23

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1718780156422924&set=pb.100048728687038.-2207520000&type=3

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What’s the biggest mistake you see in dental job ads? Tell us in the comments below.

Streaming on: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Audio-only version: Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Podbean

🔗 Learn More About Career Elevation

🌐 Website: https://careerelevationce.com/

👍 Don’t forget to:

✔️ Subscribe for bi-weekly dental hiring and career conversations

✔️ Like this episode if it helped you

✔️ Share with a dentist, office manager, or dental professional who needs better hiring solutions

✔️ Drop your questions or topic ideas in the comments

Let’s elevate your dental world — and have a little fun while doing it. 🦷🚀

#dentalpodcast #DentalHiring #HiringTips #DentalPractice #Recruitment

What separates an amazing hire from one that becomes a costly mistake?

In this episode, Wendy and Destiny share real stories from their recruiting experience, including the best hires they've made, the hiring decisions that didn't go as planned, and the biggest lessons they've learned along the way.

They discuss:

-The qualities their best hires had from the very beginning

-Red flags that shouldn't be ignored during the hiring process

-Why personality alone isn't enough

-How to tell when a candidate is too good to be true

-Why trusting your instincts matters

-The importance of hiring for the right fit, not just filling an open position

-How leadership and onboarding can make or break a new hire's success

Whether you're hiring a dental assistant, hygienist, office manager, front office team member, or any key position in your practice, this episode offers practical advice to help you make better hiring decisions and build a stronger team.

💬 We'd love to hear from you! What's the best hiring lesson you've learned? Share your experience in the comments below.

Streaming on: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Audio-only version: Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Podbean

🔗 Learn More About Career Elevation

🌐 Website: https://careerelevationce.com/

👍 Don’t forget to:

✔️ Subscribe for bi-weekly dental hiring and career conversations

✔️ Like this episode if it helped you

✔️ Share with a dentist, office manager, or dental professional who needs better hiring solutions

✔️ Drop your questions or topic ideas in the comments

Let’s elevate your dental world — and have a little fun while doing it. 🦷🚀

#dentalpodcast #DentalHiring #HiringTips #PracticeManagement #DentalLeadership #Recruitment #DentalOffice #CareerElevation

Some of the most valuable lessons in dentistry aren't found in a textbook. They're learned through real experience.

In this episode of the Career Elevation Podcast, Wendy and Destiny share the lessons they wish someone had told them before they started their careers. From navigating different leadership styles and communicating with patients to handling insurance challenges and building confidence on the job, they discuss the realities that every dental professional eventually encounters.

Whether you're a dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, office manager, front office team member, or student entering the field, this episode is packed with practical advice and relatable stories that can help you feel more prepared and confident.

In this episode:

• What new dental professionals often aren't prepared for

• Working with different doctor personalities and office cultures

• Insurance realities every dental team should understand

• How to communicate confidently with patients

• Small skills that make a big difference over time

• Why empathy is one of the most important skills in dentistry

• Practical advice for new dental assistants and dental team members

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a comment sharing one lesson you learned the hard way in your career. We'd love to hear your story.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:00:41 Every Doctor Is Different

00:02:41 Insurance Isn't Always Straightforward

00:09:00 The Skills That Take Time to Learn

00:11:32 Why Taking Notes Matters

00:16:10 The Most Important Lesson We Would Teach Every Dental Professional

00:19:08 Final Thoughts

Streaming on: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Audio-only version: Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Podbean

🔗 Learn More About Career Elevation

🌐 Website: https://careerelevationce.com/

👍 Don’t forget to:

✔️ Subscribe for bi-weekly dental hiring and career conversations

✔️ Like this episode if it helped you

✔️ Share with a dentist, office manager, or dental professional who needs better hiring solutions

✔️ Drop your questions or topic ideas in the comments

Let’s elevate your dental world — and have a little fun while doing it. 🦷🚀

#DentalPodcast #DentalCareers #DentalProfessionals #DentalAssistant #DentalHygienist #PracticeManagement #DentalOffice #CareerDevelopment #DentalLeadership

What makes a great dental team? How do you recognize workplace red flags? And why does continuing education matter beyond earning CE credits?

In this episode of the Career Elevation Podcast, Wendy and Destiny share an honest conversation about the realities of working in dentistry. From office culture and career growth to patient interactions, team development, and lifelong learning, they explore the challenges—and opportunities—that dental professionals encounter throughout their careers.

Whether you're a dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, office manager, or front office team member, you'll find practical insights and relatable experiences to help you grow personally and professionally.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:00:32 Dental Office Red Flags to Watch For

00:03:32 More Workplace Red Flags (Patients, Equipment & Office Culture)

00:06:52 Patient Habits Dental Teams Never Get Used To

00:08:39 How We Ended Up in Dentistry

00:14:20 Should You Shadow Multiple Dental Offices?

00:18:27 What Great Dental Leaders Understand About Their Teams

00:23:45 Why Continuing Education Matters for Every Team Member

Resources Mentioned

🦷 If Saliva Were Red (Infection Control Training Video)

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68MBFYMjTe4

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a comment letting us know your biggest takeaway. We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Streaming on: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Audio-only version: Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Podbean

🔗 Learn More About Career Elevation

🌐 Website: https://careerelevationce.com/

👍 Don’t forget to:

✔️ Subscribe for bi-weekly dental hiring and career conversations

✔️ Like this episode if it helped you

✔️ Share with a dentist, office manager, or dental professional who needs better hiring solutions

✔️ Drop your questions or topic ideas in the comments

Let’s elevate your dental world — and have a little fun while doing it. 🦷🚀

#DentalPodcast #DentalCareers #DentalProfessionals #PracticeManagement #DentalOfficeCulture #ContinuingEducation

One toxic employee can impact your entire team more than you think.

In this episode, we talk about the difficult reality of letting someone go when you know they’re no longer the right fit for your practice. From toxic workplace culture and team burnout to accountability, leadership, and retention, we share honest conversations and real stories from dental offices we’ve worked with.

We discuss:

• How one bad hire can affect the entire team

• Why good employees leave toxic environments

• The meaning behind “hire slow, fire fast”

• The difference between needing support vs. not being the right fit

• How leadership and accountability shape office culture

• Why avoiding difficult conversations usually makes things worse

Whether you’re a dentist, office manager, dental assistant, hygienist, or team leader, this episode offers practical insight into building a healthier, stronger workplace culture.

Streaming on: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Audio-only version: Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Podbean

🔗 Learn More About Career Elevation

🌐 Website: https://careerelevationce.com/

👍 Don’t forget to:

✔️ Subscribe for bi-weekly dental hiring and career conversations

✔️ Like this episode if it helped you

✔️ Share with a dentist, office manager, or dental professional who needs better hiring solutions

✔️ Drop your questions or topic ideas in the comments

Let’s elevate your dental world — and have a little fun while doing it. 🦷🚀

#DentalPodcast #DentalLeadership #DentalOfficeManagement #Hiring #TeamCulture #DentalRecruitment #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #DentalTeams

In this episode, Wendy shares the story behind her DEW (Dental Entrepreneur Women) blog, “Culture Didn’t Just Save My Business. It Saved Me.”

She opens up about burnout, postpartum depression, and the breaking point she hit while trying to keep her business running. What carried her through wasn’t just strategy—it was culture, leadership, and a team that showed up when it mattered most.

We talk about what was really happening behind the scenes and how those challenges reshaped her as a leader.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed as a leader, parent, or human trying to keep everything together, this one will resonate.

Read the blog: https://www.dew.life/2026/05/culture-didnt-just-save-my-business-it-saved-me/

Streaming on: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Audio-only version: Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Podbean

🔗 Learn More About Career Elevation

🌐 Website: https://careerelevationce.com/

👍 Don’t forget to:

✔️ Subscribe for bi-weekly dental hiring and career conversations

✔️ Like this episode if it helped you

✔️ Share with a dentist, office manager, or dental professional who needs better hiring solutions

✔️ Drop your questions or topic ideas in the comments

Let’s elevate your dental world — and have a little fun while doing it. 🦷🚀

#LeadershipInDentistry #WorkplaceCulture #PostpartumDepressionAwareness #WomenInLeadership #DentalEntrepreneurWomen

Think your social media doesn’t impact hiring? It does—more than you think.

Before a candidate ever applies (or even shows up to an interview), they’re already doing their research. They’re checking your website, reading your reviews, and scrolling through your social media to decide one thing: “Do I actually want to work here?”

In this episode, we break down what candidates are really looking for—and what might be turning them away without you even realizing it.

You’ll learn:

✔️ The difference between A, B, and C candidates (and why it matters)

✔️ What top-tier candidates check before they apply

✔️ The biggest red flags on social media and online presence

✔️ What actually makes an office stand out (hint: it’s not perfection)

✔️ Simple, practical ways to improve your online presence this week

If you’ve ever struggled with candidates ghosting, low-quality applicants, or just not attracting the right people—this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in and start seeing your practice the way candidates do.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

01:20 – Do candidates really check your social media?

03:19 – A vs B vs C candidates

05:05 – Why candidates ghost

08:15 – What candidates actually want to see

13:26 – What makes an office stand out in a good way

18:05 – Easy ways to show team culture

21:22 – Quick improvement this week to improve your presence

Streaming on: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Audio-only version: Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Podbean

🔗 Learn More About Career Elevation

🌐 Website: https://careerelevationce.com/

👍 Don’t forget to:

✔️ Subscribe for bi-weekly dental hiring and career conversations

✔️ Like this episode if it helped you

✔️ Share with a dentist, office manager, or dental professional who needs better hiring solutions

✔️ Drop your questions or topic ideas in the comments

Let’s elevate your dental world — and have a little fun while doing it. 🦷🚀

Not all “good” dental offices are actually good… and candidates can tell faster than you think 👀

In this episode, we’re breaking it down from the candidate’s perspective—what really matters beyond pay, the red flags you might be missing, and the subtle signs that tell people if your office is a great place to work… or one they should run from.

Because let’s be honest—no paycheck is worth a toxic environment.

We’re sharing real stories, real experiences, and the things candidates actually pay attention to during interviews (hint: it’s not just the money). If you’re hiring—or job hunting—this episode will change the way you look at a “good” office.

🎧 Tune in and find out what makes people stay… or leave.

What we cover:

-What candidates notice immediately in an interview

-Red flags that signal a bad office (even before day one)

-Why culture and leadership matter more than pay

-The role of team dynamics and respect in retention

-How to tell if an office is the right long-term fit

Streaming on: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Audio-only version: Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Podbean

🔗 Learn More About Career Elevation

🌐 Website: https://careerelevationce.com/

👍 Don’t forget to:

✔️ Subscribe for bi-weekly dental hiring and career conversations

✔️ Like this episode if it helped you

✔️ Share with a dentist, office manager, or dental professional who needs better hiring solutions

✔️ Drop your questions or topic ideas in the comments

Let’s elevate your dental world — and have a little fun while doing it. 🦷🚀

Part 2 is here, and we’re getting even more real about what actually makes or breaks a virtual interview.

In this episode, we go beyond what to wear and talk about confidence, communication, and the subtle details that recruiters pick up on right away. From how you present your experience to the small habits that can distract or hurt your chances, this is the side of interviewing most people don’t think about.

We also get into:

• How to balance personality with professionalism

• What recruiters notice that candidates often miss

• Common mistakes during Zoom interviews

• How to handle things like tattoos, distractions, and interview setup

• Why “fit” matters just as much as experience

If you want to feel more confident, come across more polished, and avoid the mistakes that cost people offers, this episode is for you.

Streaming on: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Audio-only version: Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Podbean

🔗 Learn More About Career Elevation

🌐 Website: https://careerelevationce.com/

👍 Don’t forget to:

✔️ Subscribe for bi-weekly dental hiring and career conversations

✔️ Like this episode if it helped you

✔️ Share with a dentist, office manager, or dental professional who needs better hiring solutions

✔️ Drop your questions or topic ideas in the comments

Let’s elevate your dental world — and have a little fun while doing it. 🦷🚀

#InterviewTips #VirtualInterview #CareerAdvice #JobSearchTips #DentalCareers #ProfessionalDevelopment