Advice Library.

I have worked at this specialty dental office for over four years and have over thirteen years in the field. It has been a living hell from day one. One woman in particular, decided before even getting to know me that she was going to make me want to quit. It took a lot of hard work to get this position. Numerous staff members have come and gone from our department. I have, on many occasions, tried to communicate to my employer that she is manipulative and causes interpersonal problems.

I made attempts to find another place of employment. I know that she has “friends” or contacts within some of the offices in the area and I believe that she has sabotaged even a possible interview appointment.

I decided I would try and stick it out. I would give my current job another chance that something good would happen. She has said to others that she doesn’t want to make it work. She steals time when the boss is not there, goes in the office when he is not looking, and more. I conveyed this to one of his family members saying maybe I should do this, “If you can’t beat them, join them!” The response I got was, “I wouldn’t try it!” Personally, I wouldn’t do these things.

After four years of being whispered about, left out, and treated like a yoyo (like a friend and then an enemy) I still can’t get myself to say, “Well, if the boss doesn’t care, just do it.” This nasty person is the loudest mouth, she points out other’s imperfections to the boss, is selective in choosing patients, leaves a mess expecting others to clean up after her, which makes us look slow in our procedures, uses the newest employee as her dog, and seems to think she has a doctorate in dental, and on and on.

She fills the new employee’s ear with terrible things about me before I get to even meet the person. I know this to be true from the latest one leaving, who told me so. Even the new gal up front sneers at me. She seems to have something on all the staff.

Now the latest employee has put in a notice of resignation and she has been there only five months. I panicked, thinking I don’t want to train another person, to have the same stuff happen again. I told the boss either she goes, or I go.

I need advice on how to write a cover letter and anything else you can suggest, to get a fair shake and get out of here. I work part-time, because I am taking college classes toward a degree in hygiene. I am a full-time mom to my 22 month old, and the president of our neighborhood association. I don’t want to waste any more energy there unless she leaves. The boss would likely keep her on because she is full-time.

I’ve worked with a number of medical offices (such as veterinarians, dentists, heart surgeons) and a few possible scenarios come to mind.

The dentist just wants to do dentistry and doesn’t want to be bothered with the office problems.

The woman you describe is either the office manager, or someone he doesn’t want to replace because she has some skill he needs.

The dentist doesn’t do the hiring for the office staff, so he isn’t greatly inconvenienced with the hiring or training.

She is manipulating him into thinking she is blameless regarding the turnover.

The dentist appears to care about the bottom line and little else. He doesn’t seem to have any managerial skills or interest.

You need to find a new job now, and stop hoping that things will change.

On your cover letter, focus on your skills and accomplishments. The opening paragraph can say that you are a team player who is interested in a position where you can make a significant contribution. (Obviously, you don’t want to talk about why you are leaving your current employer.)

In the second paragraph, illustrate a few of your contributions and key skills. You can do this with bullet points (see below):

· I am well-versed in all the major insurance plans and I have been successful in collecting on a majority of outstanding accounts.

· I am skilled at taking impressions, pouring models and other lab work.

In the third paragraph, summarize your work experience. The fact that you are going to school for hygiene may be a plus, since a growing practice is always looking for good hygienists and you may be able to transition into that job with your new employer.

In the last paragraph, restate your enthusiasm for the new position and your availability for an interview.

Your resume can be chronological, since you have a long history in the field. Be sure you include plenty of results and accomplishments.

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