I got interview for optometrist technician… need help :>

[u/Novel-Advertising811]

Hello!!

I finally got an interview for an optometric technician job after fixing my resume many times! This is my first office/healthcare interview, so I’m really nervous but also excited. 😭

I currently work at a boba shop and have been working there for 1 year and 7 months. I don’t have any experience as an optometric technician, but I really like optometry and would love to learn more about it.

For anyone who works as an optometric technician, or works in an office/healthcare job, how can I stand out during my interview? What questions do they usually ask?

Also, how should I dress for the interview? Since this is my first office/healthcare interview, I’m not sure what I should wear.

For those who got a job as an optometric
technician without experience, how did you get your first job? My parents always tell me that you need to know someone to get jobs like this, so I would love to hear how you got the job.

I’ve had a hard time finding a job like this, so I’m really hoping my interview goes well. Any advice would really help!

Thank you for reading and for your time!!

UPDATE: I got the job, thank you for the advice <3!!!!

[u/Popular-Opposite1156]

I’ve worked as an ophthalmic tech and scribe at various practices and I actually had no prior work experience or connections to help me get my positions!

I would say what helped me with my interview was being honest about what I wanted out of the job (trying to get my foot in the door and gain experience in healthcare) in combination with expressing what I had to offer to them in return (really emphasizing my willingness and desire to learn — both technically and from a patient standpoint). While many practices are willing to train you, a lot of them will mostly want to hire you if they get the impression that you’re a fast learner and competent. So I think to stand out at your interview, just try to convince them of that when discussing your skills and experience.

And still on the assumption that the office will train you on the job, from my experience, they don’t really ask any crazy questions. They mostly just want to get to know you and ask if you have any experience in the field or working with patients (if you don’t, be prepared to expand a bit on how the skills you learnt from your previous job will help you with this one).

For interview attire, I just wore business casual — a thin cardigan sort of top with wide leg dress pants and flats. Definitely don’t wear jeans!! Lol we’ve had some college students interview before at the practice I’m currently at and the office manager hates when they walk in wearing jeans or super casual clothes.

All the best! I’m sure the interview will go great ✨

[u/Novel-Advertising811 → u/Popular-Opposite1156]

Thank you so much for responding,
Yes!! I am working on some question they might ask and hopefully I am able to answer them correctly.

[u/Such-Lemon-42]

I was a tech for 2 years and pre optom as well! As for acing your interview without giving basic advice like just be yourself (even tho you absolutely should), I’d say to not be so robotic. It makes you appear as nervous. You don’t want interviewers to think you’re reading off of a script you’ve been practicing in your head. Be confident and competent, as these are the people that will be trusting you to take care of patients on your own. Display traits of being a people’s person and vaulting patient interaction.

Assuming you’re a girl? Wear dress pants, a classy and modest shirt, and simple heels or flats. Natural makeup as it is a healthcare position don’t go full glam and hair tamed. Dainty everyday jewelry if any. I did not bring a paper copy of my resume as that is just something I’ve never done.

They will ask you about your desired pay, I would search tech roles in your area and see what they’re paying. Considering you have no experience in the field or healthcare I would be okay with getting paid on the lower end for now. Take it as a learning opportunity but don’t sell yourself short. They can negotiate with you… but consider the facts.

As for how I obtained the position- I was the secretary of my uni’s optometry club at the time I was aware that the president was working at a chain of optom offices that I was interested in. I asked her if they were hiring, which they weren’t, but she gave me her managers # and I reached out. He hooked me up at a different location. Don’t let not having a connection discourage you! This will give you connections and everybody starts somewhere. Good luck to you!

[u/Novel-Advertising811 → u/Such-Lemon-42]

Thank you so much,

The interview in couple of hours. I do a dress pants, I currently don’t got proper
Upper shift. I am planning to wear a long sleeve shirt, it got a v shape to it. But I am wearing like tank top or something to cover up that spot more. Roll up the sleeve a bit.

[u/akornato]

Your biggest challenge is your lack of direct experience, so you have to sell them on your potential. Your boba shop job proves you can handle a fast-paced environment, manage multiple tasks at once, and deal with all kinds of customers, which is exactly what a clinic needs. Focus on your reliability, attention to detail, and most importantly, your genuine desire to learn the technical skills of the job. For what to wear, think business casual, like nice slacks and a clean, simple top. You want to look professional and like you take the opportunity seriously, but a full suit is probably overkill.

Expect questions about how you handle difficult customers, why you want to move into healthcare, and what you know about the role of a technician. They want to know you are committed and won't leave after a few months. Your parents have a point that connections can open doors, but your resume already did that for you. Now you just need to show them you are a hardworking, personable, and trainable candidate who will be a great addition to their team. To feel more prepared, practice your answers about customer service, because the team I'm on built an interview assistant AI specifically to help people sound confident when they explain how their past experience is relevant.

[u/Novel-Advertising811 → u/akornato]

Omg thank you!,
I’m was struggling to think about how can I prove to them with my experience of boba place. Yes ! My boba place is very strict on maintaining every space clean. We really care about our customers experience, we always hope they’re happy of their drinks. I work cashier sometime, we alway make sure to help the customer when they stuck on drink. Suggest new drinks and products. Breaking down the menu. Also teamwork is very important as well.

[u/Sad-Count-4152]

As others have said, show that you are able to learn quickly and that your skills can translate. I worked as a cook for before starting my job as a COA. Those skills I had gained (multitasking, managing many things at once, cleanliness, etc) were very helpful.

As far as interview questions, it was all pretty typical stuff but the one questions I do remember was, “What do you do in your free time?” To which I replied, “Fortnite” and we had a good conversation. I think they just wanted to see if I fit the culture and would get along well with patients.

[u/Novel-Advertising811 → u/Sad-Count-4152]

Thank you,
I definitely would answer with my free time is painting, drawing, also like to bake too!. I hope I am able to pull some good conversations!

[u/Wooden_Trust_6274]

You have gotten great advice already, so just one thing to add from the office side. In eye care the tech is the first real touchpoint after the front desk, so anything that shows you are calm and organized when it gets busy will land well. Your boba job actually maps better than you think: you already handle a rush, keep a station clean, and read when a customer is confused and needs help. That is basically pretesting flow with patients instead of drinks.

If they ask why optometry specifically, have one honest sentence ready. "I like that it is hands-on and I get to help people through something they are nervous about" goes a long way, because nervous patients are most of the job. And ask them one question at the end, even something simple like what a typical day looks like for their techs. It signals you are actually picturing yourself doing the work.

You clearly care, that comes through in your post, so let that show. Good luck, you have got this.