If you are a professional then you should keep a curriculum vitae (CV) updated and ready for the next big opportunity.  An optometrist’s curriculum vitae is a game changer for those looking to land a position with some of the best optometry practices in the United States.  Many students and new ODs spend more time worrying about where they are going to practice than time spent working on their curriculum vitae.  Finding an optometry associateship that will fulfill you clinically, financially, and emotionally takes time and intentionality.  There are five essentials that all aspiring associates should include in their curriculum vitae.

  1. Interests – This is typically included in a curriculum vitae but not in a standard resume.  This is the opportunity for you to “advertise” your interests that will draw new patients to an office and be an asset for your practice growth.  Interests to include would be, mother’s day out, social clubs, local memberships, church activities, book clubs, local social media sites.
  2. Professional memberships – A resume does not typically include professional associations.  This is an essential as potential employers are looking for those optometrist who are involved in the profession.  Such associations as the American Optometric Association, American Academy of Optometry, and local state associations, should all be listed.  If you are a ember of a local small business association, list it.  An eye doctor looking for a potential partner will see this as a positive association.
  3. Personal Information – Many professionals believe that their personal information is not important and submitting personal information crosses the line for employer-employee relationships.  This is quit the contrary with a curriculum vitae.  Listing your marital status, spouse’s name and occupation, and children’s name and ages, is a positive, especially if their associations could bring in a large number of new patients.  For example, if your wife is a teacher then the potential employer will see this as an opportunity to reach a large group of children to grow your practice.
  4. Awards – This is a difficult one and for some should be left out of the curriculum vitae.  There are many great optometrists who graduate without winning an award.  That is ok and does not put you at a significant disadvantage, it just means you have to work a little harder in the other four essentials listed.  If you have won an award make sure that you do not forget to put it into the CV and describe in brief why you were chosen.
  5. Research and Training – An optometry office looking to bring in a new
    associate will typically be looking for an associate that compliments the doctor or doctors already practicing in that office.  If you have done research in school or have taken a special interest in low vision or pediatrics, then list it.  This area needs to highlight how clinically you can bring a new dimension to the practice.  If you have completed
    a residency then list this and explain how this qualifies you to fill a niche in a practice.  If you did your residency and had numerous acute care cases, then state that you could grow the practices acute eye care.

Let’s face it, the last thing you want to work on this weekend is your curriculum vitae.  Unless you are extremely happy in your current position, it is a must that your curriculum vitae is the best.  Too many ODs are satisfied with a mediocre CV which communicates they are satisfied with a mediocre career.  Don’t let your career be mediocre, give yourself the best chance for success.

Comparison below of a Curriculum Vitae vs. Resume