For most people, interviews can be dreading. During the interview, the candidate goes through the battle of finding the right words to say. Do not get worked up if this happens to you; it is perfectly normal.
So you’ve received an invitation for an interview, congratulations! As an optometrist, your work will be to test the patient’s eye vision. Your task will also include offering treatments. It sounds like a great job. Do you want to ace your interview? I hope you stick with me to find out some of the common questions you are likely to get asked.
1. Why Are You Interested In This Role?
This is a recurrent question asked by most interviewers. Do not get surprised if the interviewer asks this as the first question. The question helps the interviewer know what motivated you to pursue the role.
Sample Answer
The role matches my abilities and skills, and this is an opportunity I see myself growing in. I have strong analytic and communication skills that are necessary for this job. Also, the position allows me to build on my portfolio as I have years of experience in caring for patients.
2. What Are The Roles Of An Optometrist?
No one would want to hire a candidate who does not understand their role. This is a question that helps the hiring manager assess if you are fit to be in their team.
An ideal strategy to use while answering the question is to list the responsibilities on the resume.
Sample Answer
I understand my role requires me to do a thorough eye inspection. I’ll also have to diagnose sight problems and prescribe the proper treatment. I’ll keep medical files for all my patients.
Also, I’ll teach my patients different eye care techniques. I’ll be the one to detect any eye defects. Lastly, I’ll keep a record of all my treatment plans.
3. What Are The Qualities That An Optometrist Need To Be Successful?
The question helps the interviewer assess if the candidate knows what it takes to succeed in their role.
Sample Answer
Being an optometrist requires you to interact with different people. A quality that an optometrist needs to be successful is excellent interpersonal skills.
This skill will make it easier to show empathy while dealing with the patient’s issues. It will also be easy to build trust and tremendous patient-doctor relationships.
4. What Major Challenges Did You Face In Your Last Role? How Did You Manage Them?
The hiring manager may ask this question to assess how well you work under pressure. The question will also help them assess your problem-solving skills. While answering the question, remember to include a real-life work situation.
Sample Answer
A significant challenge I faced in my last role was keeping up with current regulations. It can be pretty challenging being on top of every changing code.
To help deal with this challenge, I sort out to choose a practice management platform and an EHR. Doing this made it easier for me to verify and generate ICD-10. This kept me on the know when regulations would get changed.
5. Describe Your Daily Routine As An Optometrist
When the interviewer asks this question, they wish to assess how well you prioritize your day.
Sample Answer
Once I clock into the office, I catch up with my colleagues and then go and set up my office. Next, I check my patient list as it helps me know how the day will be. Before seeing my first patient, I ensure that all my equipment is working. The equipment I often use is; a slit lamp, retinoscope, visual field machine, and an ophthalmoscope.
No day is ever the same. There are days when I have a couple of patients that want to get eye treatment. Then there are days when only a few patients will walk in. When I’m not busy, I usually take the time to update myself with regulations, as they often keep changing. Also, I check if there are new pieces of equipment that our practice can make use of.
6. Describe Briefly About Your Experience
There are interviews where they specify the years of experience the candidate should have. If this is the case, only apply to interviews where you meet their requirements.
This question may help the interviewer assess if you have the right skills they are looking for.
Sample Answer
I have a ten-years of experience in Optometry. I have worked with renowned practices such as A and X. I have also done some short courses on interpersonal communication. I await the opportunity to showcase my abilities and skills once I get the position.
7. What Kind Of Strategies And Mindset Is Required For This Role?
This question helps the interviewer know more about your personality.
Sample Answer
A strategy I use while practicing optometry is being keen on detail. This is an essential strategy because my role requires me to offer treatment. If I’m not keen on detail, I may end up giving out the wrong diagnosis and treatment.
A mindset that has helped me in my career is embracing my mistakes and moving on. No one is perfect. And one way or another, we are likely to make mistakes. What I do is accept that I have made a mistake, assess how I can learn from it, and then move on.
8. What Is The Biggest Challenge That You Foresee In This Job?
Life presents its own challenges; the same goes for being an optometrist. There are challenges you’ll face, and the interviewer knows this. They may ask this to check how well you handle the hardships.
Sample Answer
In this job, a challenge I foresee is communicating bad news to my patients. It is often the hardest thing I get to do. Before telling them the diagnosis, I’ll first assess if they know anything about it.
The next step I’ll do is give a warning shot. While presenting the bad news, I’ll ensure I use words that the patient understands. Once I deliver the news, I’ll be quiet and listen. While they are talking, I’ll make sure to validate their emotions. If they need more explanation, I’ll give it to them. I’ll also create a follow-up plan for the patient not to feel alone.
9. How Do You Stay Motivated In Your Work?
It is another common question that most interviewers ask. The question helps the hiring manager see what drives you. While giving your answer, do not mention anything to do with money.
Sample Answer
As an optometrist, I get the opportunity to change people’s lives. It is always satisfying to see when a patient is so happy to see better now. Seeing their happy faces motivates me to work harder. This is why I’m always keen to detail, as it will help me identify the problem and know how we can help them.
10. Describe A Time When You Failed In This Role And The Lesson You Learnt?
Mistakes help us learn. The question will help the recruitment manager know if you take accountability for your own mistakes.
Sample Answer
While I was working at hospital A, I made my diagnosis with a particular client, did some tests, and gave her some medication. The error I made was that I didn’t ask if she had any allergies before giving her the medication.
The patient was allergic to the medication preservative in the medicine. After two days she came back, and her eyes had swollen and were teary.
I had to ask if she followed my prescription, which she did. And then, I asked her if she had any allergies. She highlighted her allergies, which made me know why she reacted to the medicine. I expressed my regrets and told her what had happened. My boss learned about the mistake, and he scolded me for it. From that day, I chose always to ask my patients if they have any allergies before prescribing any medication.
11. Why Do You Feel You Are Most Suited For This Role?
When the hiring manager asks this question, please take it as an opportunity to showcase your skills.
Sample Answer
I believe my resume helps defend my case on why I’m the right candidate for this role. I have a strong work ethic, and I’m a hard worker. This has always been the case for me, from growing up on the farm to getting my license. I get along with everyone. With my relevant experience and experience, you’ll delight in me being on your team.
12. Share With Us Your Greatest Achievement
The hiring manager may ask this question as they want to know what makes you stand out.
Sample Answer
My greatest accomplishment happened in my previous role. I took note that the staff had a hard time accessing patients’ files. As a result, the patients would wait in line before calling them in.
I took the first step to install an updated CRM system for them, which I had experience with. I later trained my team on how to use the system. After a few weeks, we noticed a change in how there were no more huge lines. My employer was happy with my work. During that month, I got an award as the employee of the month.
13. Why Do You Want To Work With Us?
This is a common question interviewers tend to ask. The question helps the interviewer make the best choice. While giving the answer, make the interviewer see that you know their brand.
Sample Answer
I love working with a health practice that has excellent customer service. And your health practice is well known for how satisfied patients are with your service. I’d be happy to be part of a team that brings happiness to others. I’ll bring in my great customer service which will certainly help continue to build your brand.
14. Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years?
A recruitment manager may ask this question to assess if the candidate’s goals align with theirs. It would not be ideal for you to tell the interviewer that you will not be in the role in the next five years. Every interviewer wants to hire a permanent candidate. While answering the question, also make sure that the interviewer sees you are ambitious.
Sample Answer
In the next five years, my career plan is to push myself to deal with every challenge in my role. I noticed that your health practice has a mentorship program which is helpful for every optometrist. I’m certain that the program will help me improve my career.
15. Why Did You Leave Your Current Job?
While giving out the answer, it is best that you do not badmouth your previous employer. Hence it is ideal that you are tactful in how you give out your answer.
Sample Answer
I left my job as I recently moved to X. The distance from my workplace to my place is a bit far. I loved working at Y, but I had to leave as the distance was tedious. This is why I’m looking for a health practice that is a bit closer to where I live.
16. Do You Have Any Speciality As An Optometrist?
There are optometrists who have specialized in various fields. It is a plus if you have a specialty as it shows you have an in-depth knowledge of the field.
Before applying for the position, check to see if the employer needs an optometrist who might have a particular specialty.
Sample Answer
I have a specialty in a couple of fields, such as pediatrics, where I treat children who may have vision disorders. I also have a more profound knowledge of the subspecialty of cornea and contact lenses. I have also specialized in neuro-optometry.
17. How Would You Communicate Bad News To A Patient?
This is a great question that may help the interviewer assess the candidate’s interpersonal skills.
Sample Answer
While communicating any bad news, I often avoid using any medical jargon. This will help ensure that I clearly communicate with the patient. I usually ask the patient if they know anything about the condition. Doing this helps me know the type of perception the patient has towards the medical condition.
Next, I deliver the news with a warning shot. I’ll start by saying “I’m sorry I have bad news.” Once I state the warning shot, I take a pause before delivering the news. This helps me evaluate how the patient is processing everything.
I then tell them the diagnosis. I allow the patient to process the information as I usually keep quiet and let the patient talk first. During this time, I’ll console the patient and the family. I’ll provide any clarification the patient may need. I’d not want my patient to feel alone. Once they leave, I’ll create follow-up care and see how my services can be of help to them.
18. Would You Highlight Three Techniques You Can Use To Help Maintain A Healthy Eyesight?
This is a question that tests the candidate’s knowledge on how to take care of their eyes.
Sample Answer
Eating a balanced diet helps maintain the health of our eyes. Foods rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and A are the best to help take care of your eyes. If your body has inadequate antioxidants, it may create a harmful free-radical reaction to the macula. The other technique you can use is wearing sunglasses. This helps protect our eyes from UV light. Also, wearing a hat that has a brim can help protect our eyes.
Lastly, the devices we use, particularly computers, expose our eyes to high-energy blue light. It can be harmful to our eyes. If you have to use your computer for a prolonged time, ensure that you take 20 minutes to break in between.
During the breaks, try to focus on objects that are 20 feet away for about 20 seconds. Blinking frequently can help reduce the damage. Also, adjust the lighting to help protect your eyes.
19. You Have Prescribed Glasses To A Patient. How Do You Know It Is The Right Fit?
The interviewer may ask this question to assess your experience in optometry. This is a great question to evaluate your skills.
Sample Answer
I’m usually confident that the glasses are the right fit when it sits in the middle of their face. It is not the right fit if the glasses are slightly higher or lower than their eyebrows. Also, I ensure that their face’s total width matches that of the glasses’ frames. This helps leave some room on the sides as the patient will not have any marks.
20. Have You Done Any Surgical Procedures?
The recruitment manager may ask this to test your prowess in the industry. Ensure that you highlight some of the procedures you have done.
Sample Answer
I have done a couple of minor surgical procedures, such as laser eye surgery, removing foreign objects in the eye. I’ve also had the chance to provide post-eye surgery care.
Conclusion
The good thing about most interviews is that there are general questions that most if not all interviewers ask. I’m certain that going through the questions will help put you in a better place to deal with the interview. Good luck!
