Using this question allows you to see how competent the optometrist candidate truly is. Instead of just asking them to list their schooling or training, it lets them show you how well they put that education to use. A candidate who can properly answer this question is someone who understands the diagnosis of common eye problems and is aware of multiple treatment options for the issue. What to look for in an answer:

• Knowledge of various corrective lenses
• A lack of hesitation when answering
• The ability to explain reasoning behind choices

Contacts are increasingly popular, so you need to know how well the candidate works with them. Asking this question gives more information than you would get by just asking whether the optometrist can fit contact lenses. It encourages the applicant to tell you about both their training and experience with contact lenses. This question also helps you see how much care the optometrist is willing to provide their patients. What to look for in an answer:

• Confidence in contact lens fitting abilities
• Interest in educating patients with lenses
• Knowledge of the many contact lens applications

This question is important because an optometrist’s duties should include more than helping patients with exams and fittings. Bringing up this topic in an interview lets you know what other roles the candidate is comfortable filling. Their answer also tells you a lot about their initiative to work. You can learn whether they come up with tasks on their own or wait for instructions. What to look for in an answer:

• Self-motivated workers
• A desire to stay busy
• Interest in responsibilities besides patient care

Optometrists spend a lot of their days interacting with patients, so you need to ask them this question to learn how well they would manage customer service at your office. Their answer tells you whether the applicant is likely to be abrupt and rude to patients or if they are likely to go out of their way to help people and ensure they are happy. What to look for in an answer:

• Strong customer service skills
• Confidence without being arrogant
• Enthusiasm about educating and pleasing patients

A good optometrist is more than just a person who can treat patients and bring new business to your clinic. Using this question tells you whether or not they would also be a good fit in your office. Asking them this lets you see how they deal with disagreements. It also lets you learn more about where the candidate expects to fit in office hierarchy. What to look for in an answer:

• Tact and politeness
• Focus on the well-being of the clinic
• The ability to be firm without being argumentative

Any workplace can experience conflict at one point or another. When hiring an optometrist, you should ensure that they have the medical knowledge to treat patients and that they're also capable managers. Asking this question can help you determine whether the candidate has the necessary leadership skills for the job. A good answer should include:

• Recognition of the value of leadership skills
• Specific steps for settling disagreements
• An example from a past experience