It’s rather disturbing to imagine spending 8 years in optometry school only to find yourself unemployed.  Unfortunately this is not as uncommon as many may think.  I had the privilege of spending last Friday with a friend of mine, Dr. Ryan Parker of Ardmore, OK.  Together we spent 3 hours with students at Oklahoma College of Optometry (NSUOCO) talking about what life is like as an optometrist.  There are two major concerns that students have, one is debt, which is understandable, and the other is unemployment.

“Dr. Fleming, what can I do to find a job once I graduate from school?”

This is the most common question that myself and Dr. Parker receive when we visit optometry schools and network with new ODs at CE.  Most students and new ODs wait too long to begin the process of job searching.   Richard Bolles, job search guru and author of What Color Is Your Parachute? predicts that you can expect to search for work 1-2 months for every $10,000 you hope to earn.  If that is true, then students better get started in their first or second year of optometry school.

One skill that is not part of the curriculum in most optometry schools is the ability to be a great communicator and thus having great interview skills.  Numerous new eye doctors have opportunities but are unsuccessful in converting opportunities into a job.  Interview skills can be learned and interview skills can give you the edge you need to land the job of your dreams.  It is not too late to sign up for “The PAIN of a Bad Interview.”  It is never too late to improve your interview skills.

To register for the webinar this afternoon at 3pm CST, click on the description above.