As a graduating optometry professional, you must prepare for the next chapter! What do you have to offer? What distinguishes you from other graduates? What have you done before and during OD school? Your Optometry Curriculum Vitae allows you to display your achievements concisely and polishedly. The Optometry Curriculum Vitae is a “must have” for every graduate searching for their best position and bright future.
Remember that finding your ideal “fit” in the Optometric world takes initiative and planning. Listed here are fundamental topics necessary for a top-notch Optometry Curriculum Vitae.
- Professional memberships and Student Leadership: Potential employers want to know how you have been involved in the profession. Organizations such as the American Optometric Association, American Academy of Optometry, and local state chapters are memberships when searching for employment. This is especially true when a doctor is searching for an associate.
- Personal information: This is an easy topic to overlook, as many don’t view it as particularly important or that sharing this information with a company or boss may be unnecessary. On the contrary! For example, listing your children may entice an employer to hire you simply because you have access to a large group of children through their school, PTA meetings, etc., which is viewed as a practice builder.
- Awards and Recognition: If you have received any awards or merits during your time in OD school, certainly bring attention to it. Also, briefly list the reason why you were chosen.
- Interests: An excellent way to promote your personality, the “interests” section can include local memberships, book clubs, church activities, organized sports, etc. This section is particularly about where you network and spend your time outside the office, which is also considered a practice builder.
- Research/Specialized Training/Residency: If you have done specialized work in any Optometric field, you are an asset to practice seeking expansion. Numerous offices are looking for graduating OD’s who specialize in Pediatrics, Low Vision, Vision Therapy, and many other disciplines within the profession to increase patient flow and patient retention.
Other topics to include in your Optometry Curriculum Vitae and keep up to date are teaching experience, grants, fellowships, languages, special skills, and publications. Remember that your optometry curriculum vitae is to be kept current throughout the duration of your career and is proof of your hard work! Therefore, it is suggested that you take time and patience to make it stellar!
Want to post your CV for potential employers? Visit AOA Exel, Optometry’s Career Center, or Eyes On Eyecare jobs for further professional development!
