If you’re an OD student, resident, or new grad and you’re starting to look at job opportunities, we just want to say this:
You’re not “behind.” You’re right on time. And you’re also doing something very wise.
Because even though it can feel tempting to take the first “good” offer that comes your way… your first job is more than a first paycheck.
It’s your clinical foundation.
It’s your confidence builder.
It’s your pace-setter.
And in many ways, it can set the tone and trajectory of your career.
We’ve spent 17 years helping optometrists find their best-fit practice match coast to coast, and we’ve learned something important:
The offers that look great on paper aren’t always the best jobs.
And the best jobs usually reveal themselves through a few key questions.
So here are our top five.
1) “What does mentorship look like here — day to day?”
This one matters so much.
A practice can say they support new doctors… but you want to know what that actually means in real life.
Helpful follow-ups:
- “Who would I go to with clinical questions early on?”
- “Is there a doctor who enjoys teaching?”
- “What does training look like in the first 30–60 days?”
✅ Green flags:
- clear onboarding plan
- doctors who talk about teaching with enthusiasm
- room to ask questions without feeling rushed
🚩 Red flags:
- “You’ll be fine, you’ll figure it out”
- no clear training structure
- pressure to immediately perform at full speed
A strong mentor early on can change your entire career journey.
2) “How is the schedule structured — and what’s a normal patient load?”
This is where you learn what the job actually feels like.
Ask:
- “How many patients per day is typical for your doctors?”
- “How long are appointments?”
- “What does a busy day look like?”
You’re not asking because you’re afraid of being busy.
You’re asking because the best jobs balance:
✅ patient care quality
✅ learning and growth
✅ sustainable pace
And you deserve that.
3) “What kind of optometry will I actually be practicing here?”
Job listings can sound the same. Interviews help you get clarity.
Ask:
- “What’s the breakdown of routine vs medical?”
- “What do patients come to you for most often?”
- “Are there specialty services I’ll be involved in?”
If you’re hoping to grow medically, build dry eye confidence, fit specialty contacts, or expand disease management experience—your first role should support that.
Your early years are where your skills grow quickly. It’s okay to be intentional.
4) “How do you measure success for a new grad OD?”
This question is a hidden gem.
Because it tells you if the practice is:
- realistic about ramp-up
- patient-centered
- supportive of learning
Ask:
- “What does a great first 90 days look like here?”
- “How do you support a new grad’s confidence and growth?”
- “Is productivity expected right away, or is there a runway?”
✅ Green flag: “We build you up first, allow you to see patients at a pace that’s comfortable to you, then the ramp up comes naturally.”
🚩 Red flag: unrealistic volume expectations with little support.
5) “Can we walk through the full compensation package together?”
We’re big believers in transparency.
For many new grad ODs, compensation often falls in the range of:
$120,000–$170,000+
depending on location, schedule, and patient volume.
But base pay is only one part of the compensation and benefits picture.
Ask about:
- signing bonus
- relocation support
- PTO + paid holidays
- CE allowance
- insurance contributions
- malpractice coverage
- bonus structure
- licensure fees covered
Sometimes a job with slightly lower base has:
✅ Strong mentorship
✅ Healthier pace
✅ Better benefits
✅ More aggressive productivity bonus structure
✅ Better long-term satisfaction
And those factors matter.
A gentle encouragement if you’re feeling overwhelmed…
If you’re in training and you’re thinking: “Everyone else seems to know what they’re doing and I don’t…” We promise you — that’s normal.
This is a big transition, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.
At OjO Recruitment Agency, we help ODs in training with:
✅ interview prep
✅ resume reviews
✅ understanding employer expectations
✅ identifying mentor-based practices
✅ negotiation guidance (PTO, salary, bonuses, benefits)
✅ 1-on-1 support and honest perspective
We’ve been doing this for 17 years, and we genuinely love helping young doctors take this step with confidence.
To read the full article on Finding Your First Optometry Job go here. https://ojorecruitment.com/https-ojorecruitment-com-your-first-optometry-job/
Browse current optometry opportunities:
https://ojorecruitment.com/job-center/
Email us anytime:
info@ojorecruitment.com
OjO is one of the nation’s most established eye care recruitment services. We’ve been helping ophthalmologists and optometrists find great jobs and partnership positions with practices nationwide for 17 years. We’d love to help you too!
