Finding the best Optometry Job. Helpful resources for young ODs in Training.
If you’re an OD student, resident, or new grad, we just want to say this upfront:
You’re in a really exciting season. You have picked a profession with a very bright future and the purpose and fulfillment that comes along with helping patients improve their lives means long-term job satisfaction.
There’s a lot ahead of you — and also a lot of opportunity. And if you’ve been quietly thinking, “I should probably start looking soon…” you’re right.
Now is a great time to start looking for your first optometry job.
Even if graduation feels far away.
Starting early gives you the one thing every new grad deserves: options.
Options for mentorship, a good schedule, finding the right culture, learning about market compensation, location — and long-term fit.
After 17 years of helping optometrists connect with practices across the country, we’ve seen it again and again:
The right first job will strengthen you — clinically, professionally, and personally.
This guide will help you find your ideal job opportunity.
Why starting early is a smart move (even if you’re still in training)
When you begin your search early, you can:
- Compare positions instead of rushing into the first offer
- Find the best mentor-based environments
- Avoid “panic decisions” close to graduation
- Choose a schedule that supports your whole life (not just your job)
- Negotiate from confidence — not pressure
We’re big believers in a calm, thoughtful process. It’s not about intensity. It’s about making a choice you’ll feel proud of a year from now.
Step 1: Focus on fit… not just geography
Location matters — of course it does. But your first job is also about something deeper:
What kind of optometrist do you want to become?
A few helpful questions:
- Do I want primary care, medical optometry, or a blend?
- Do I want a role that’s fast-paced and high volume, or longer visits and deeper casework?
- Do I want to grow in ocular disease management, specialty contacts, dry eye, or pediatrics?
- Do I want a team-based practice or more independent flow?
- What schedule helps me thrive (not just survive)?
There’s no one perfect answer — but clarity here makes your job search so much easier.
Step 2: The biggest predictor of a great first job is culture fit and mentorship
We’ll say it plainly:
A strong culture match and mentor early on can change your entire career trajectory.
A great first job should feel like a place where you can ask questions, grow quickly, and feel supported as a young doctor.
Look for:
✅ training and onboarding (not just “jump in”)
✅ someone willing to review cases with you
✅ a culture that encourages learning
✅ support without judgment
✅ a steady ramp-up
You deserve to learn in a healthy environment. And we love helping you find practices that truly value that.
Step 3: What employers are actually looking for in a new grad OD
A lot of young ODs feel pressure to prove they already know everything. You don’t.
Most employers are looking for an OD who is:
- Coachable and eager to keep learning
- Warm and relational with patients
- Consistent, professional, dependable
- Possesses an excellent work ethic
- A strong communicator (with staff and patients)
- Team-oriented and reliable
- Clinically thoughtful and careful
They’re not hiring a résumé. They’re hiring a future teammate.
Step 4: The interview questions that reveal the truth
Interviews aren’t just about being chosen. They’re about choosing wisely. Here are some of our favorite questions for ODs in training:
Mentorship & support
- “How do you support new grad ODs during the first 90 days?”
- “Is there a doctor I can go to with questions early on?”
- “How do you measure success for a new OD?”
Schedule & patient flow
- “How many patients per day is typical here?”
- “How long are routine vs medical visits?”
- “What does a busy day look like?”
Clinical mix & growth
- “What’s the general breakdown of routine vs medical?”
- “Are ODs here encouraged to grow clinically in certain areas?”
- “What kinds of cases do your doctors see most often?”
Culture & expectations
- “How would you describe your team culture?”
- “What kind of OD thrives here?”
- “Why did the last OD leave?”
These questions help you understand what life will look like after the offer — and that’s what matters.
Step 5: Compensation (and what a strong offer really includes)
We believe young doctors deserve transparency. Many new grad OD offers fall in the range of:
$120,000–$170,000+
depending on location, schedule, volume, and responsibilities.
But don’t stop at base salary. A strong offer may include:
- signing bonus
- relocation assistance
- production/performance bonuses
- PTO + paid holidays
- Optical bonuses
- health insurance contributions
- 401(k) / retirement
- CE allowance
- malpractice coverage
- licensure fees covered
- paid sick time
- schedule flexibility
Compensation is important, but finding the right group of people to work with is a higher priority.
Step 6: Negotiation tips (without feeling awkward)
Negotiation doesn’t have to feel pushy. It can be kind, professional, and confident — and most employers truly respect it.
Here’s a simple script:
“I’m genuinely excited about the role and I can see a great fit here long-term. Would you be open to walking through compensation, bonuses and benefits together to ensure the offer reflects the market and the expectations?”
Things that are often negotiable:
- base salary
- signing bonus
- PTO (sometimes)
- CE funds
- schedule structure (4-day option, weekends, etc.)
- relocation support
- ramp-up expectations
You can advocate for yourself in a way that still feels like you.
How OjO supports ODs in training
At OjO Recruitment Agency, we love helping young doctors navigate this moment with confidence.
We offer:
✅ resume reviews
✅ interview prep
✅ insight into what employers are looking for
✅ 1-on-1 job search guidance
✅ negotiation support (salary, PTO, bonuses, benefits)
✅ access to our nationwide network of practice owners & hiring managers
We’ve been doing this for 17 years, and we genuinely care about helping you find a first job that supports your growth, your goals, and your life.
Ready to explore opportunities?
“Just as you find joy and purpose in changing patients’ lives through better vision, we find fulfillment in helping you discover the right career opportunity with a supportive, exceptional team. As personable, nationally connected experts in optometry recruitment, our goal is to help you find the role you’ve been looking for. One thing we hear time and again from candidates is how much they value our consultative, educational approach—no pressure, just thoughtful guidance. We believe you’ll like that too.”
– Drew Caldwell, Founder
Browse current optometry openings here:
https://ojorecruitment.com/job-center/
Email us anytime at:
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!