An optometry interview isn't a typical job interview. You may be asked to walk through a clinical case on the spot or field questions about production pay before you've even toured the office. Generic interview advice won't prepare you for any of that.
Whether you're a new grad or an experienced OD weighing your next move, here's what to do (and avoid) to walk out of your next interview with an offer you actually want.
Dos: Set Yourself Up for Success
1. Research the practice like a future colleague, not a visitor
Go beyond the "About Us" page. Before you walk in, try to learn:
Practice model: Is it primary care, medical-model, specialty (myopia management, dry eye, specialty contacts), or a mix?
Ownership: Independent, OD-owned group, private equity-backed, or corporate/retail? Each comes with different autonomy, pay structures, and long-term paths.
Equipment: Check their website and Google photos for OCT, topography, widefield imaging, or dry eye tech.
Patient base: Reviews often tell you who the patients are and what they value.
Then connect your answers to what you found. If they run a busy dry eye clinic, talk about your experience with IPL or meibomian gland treatments. If they're mostly pediatric, share your experience with kids.
2. Show how you connect with patients
Practices hire ODs to keep patients coming back. Your clinical skills get you in the door, but your chairside manner is what keeps the schedule full.
Instead of saying "I'm good with patients," show it: "I always explain findings in plain language and show patients their retinal images. Once they see it, they're much more likely to follow through on treatment."
3. Bring specific stories
Interviewers remember stories, not adjectives. Have three or four ready that cover:
A patient you helped through anxiety or a tough diagnosis
A time you caught something serious
A time you handled a busy or chaotic clinic day
A time you worked through a disagreement with staff or a colleague
For example: "I had a patient who was terrified of dilation. I walked her through each step and stayed with her while the drops took effect. She later requested me specifically for her family's exams."
4. Prepare for a working interview
Many practices ask candidates to spend a half or full day seeing patients. Treat it as a two-way audition:
Ask ahead of time what equipment and EHR they use, and how many patients you'll see.
Bring your license, DEA (if applicable), and any required paperwork.
Be kind and collaborative with techs and front desk staff. Owners almost always ask them what they thought of you.
Pay attention to how the day actually runs. Is the schedule realistic? Do you have tech support? Does the team seem happy?
Also, confirm whether you'll be paid for the working interview. Many practices do pay, and it's a fair question to ask.
5. Practice clinical scenarios out loud
Some interviews include a hypothetical case to see how you think. You don't need a perfect answer. Interviewers want to hear a clear, safe thought process.
Take this common one: "A patient presents with sudden vision loss in one eye. How would you proceed?"
A strong answer walks through your steps:
Take a focused history: onset, pain, flashes or floaters, curtain over vision, headache or jaw pain, systemic conditions.
Check acuity, pupils (looking for an APD), and IOP.
Dilate and examine the retina and optic nerve.
Rule out emergencies like retinal detachment, retinal artery occlusion, or giant cell arteritis.
Explain when you'd refer same-day and who you'd coordinate with.
Practice two or three of these out loud before your interview. Talking through a case is very different from knowing it.
6. Ask questions that reveal the real job
Your questions show you're serious, and the answers tell you whether this job fits your life. Focus on what your day-to-day would actually look like:
"How many patients does a typical OD here see per day?"
"How is scribing and tech support handled?"
"What's the split between routine and medical visits?"
7. Treat virtual interviews like in-person ones
First-round interviews are often on video. Test your camera and audio, use a clean and well-lit background, and dress the same as you would in person. Look at the camera when you speak, not your own image.
8. Dress professionally and arrive early
Business professional is the safe choice, even if the practice is casual day-to-day. Plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. For a working interview, ask whether to bring your own white coat.
Don'ts: Avoid These Common Mistakes
1. Don't present yourself as just an exam-runner
It's easy to focus on clinical skills and forget the bigger picture. A practice needs patients who trust their doctor and come back year after year. Make sure the interviewer hears how you build that trust, not just how many exams you can run.
2. Don't lead with money, but don't avoid it either
Asking about salary in the first five minutes can make you seem focused only on pay. But you still need to understand how you'll be paid before you accept.
A good approach: let the interviewer raise compensation first. If it hasn't come up by the end of a second conversation, ask directly about base salary vs. production pay, benefits, CE allowance, and how bonuses are calculated.
3. Don't speak negatively about past jobs
Even if your last practice was a tough fit, keep it constructive. Frame challenges as lessons:
"My last role had a very high patient volume. It taught me to work efficiently, and it helped me realize I want more time per patient in my next position."
4. Don't ramble
Answer the question, give one example, and connect it back to the role. If you're unsure whether you've said enough, it's fine to ask: "Would you like me to go into more detail?"
5. Don't ignore red flags
An interview is your chance to evaluate them, too. Pay attention if you notice:
Vague answers about patient volume, schedules, or pay
High turnover among ODs or staff
A broad non-compete (large radius or long duration) presented as non-negotiable
Pressure to sign quickly
No clear plan for insurance credentialing, which affects when you can start seeing patients and getting paid
Always have a contract reviewed by an attorney who works with healthcare providers before you sign.
6. Don't skip the follow-up
Send a thank-you email within 24 hours. Mention something specific from your conversation, like a patient care philosophy you share or a part of the practice that excited you. After a working interview, thank the staff too. It's a small step that often tips the decision.
Walk In Prepared, Walk Out With the Right Offer
The best optometry interviews feel like a conversation between two sides figuring out if they're a match. Do your research, bring real stories, practice your clinical thinking, and ask the questions that reveal what the job is really like.
At Eye Catching Jobs, we flip the usual job search around. Practices come to you, and your profile stays anonymous until you decide to connect. By the time you sit down for an interview, you already know the practice fits what you're looking for, so you can spend your energy making a great impression.
Ready to let the right practice find you? Create your free profile at Eye Catching Jobs.