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In today’s market, it can be hard to find a job, even in a rarely-filled position for which you are eminently qualified. When this happens, it’s helpful to rebuild your curriculum vitae.
Optometrist assistants of all levels have experience and accomplishments that prospective employers should note. To best establish what you might have and link it to what a prospective employer is looking for, it can help to refer to other CVs, like our sample below.
Alongside implementing the following advice, we suggest reading through our expert CV examples. You’ll learn how to present your experience, achievements, and qualifications in the best possible light. Plus, you’ll pick up plenty of professional formatting tips. Who knew writing an optometrist assistant CV could be this easy?
Ready to start your application? Keep reading as we explore:
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Sample optometrist assistant CV
Albert Hamilton
21 Guild Street
London EC2A 7TA
07912345678
Albert.Hamilton@example-example.co.uk
Professional summary
Dedicated optometrist assistant passionate about delivering exceptional patient care and helping people maintain healthy vision. Eager to assist physicians, keep office tidy and help patients. Comfortable in fast-paced environments and willing to take on challenging work.
Work history
March 2021 – Current
Final Eye Optometrists – London
Optometrist Assistant
- Reduced time on shelf for on-hand inventory through lean stock control practices.
- Assessed, tested and fitted customer contact lens, driving growth in contact lens subscription signups.
- Developed positive rapport with customers and memorised patients names to improve customer satisfaction.
March 2016 – February 2021
Eye See You – London
Optometrist Assistant
- Delivered accurate, efficient eye examination services to consistently high clinical care standards.
- Assessed and identified signs of injury, disease, abnormality or defect to correctly prescribe appropriate options.
- Increased store efficiency by overhauling staff schedule and conducting performance reviews.
Skills
- Outstanding customer care
- Retinal imaging equipment operation
- Patient Scheduling
- Completing insurance forms
- Medical office administration
- Medical Records Management
Education
2015
City College London
A-Levels 4 A levels in Chemistry (A), Math (A), English (B), and Social Sciences (B)
Optometrist assistant CV template
Writing an optometrist assistant CV isn’t complicated when you have the right tools. We’ve created several online resources to streamline the process and simplify your life, including pre-made CV templates. Getting ahead of the competition and landing your dream job is closer than you think!
Choosing the right format for your optometrist assistant CV
Before diving into the details, it’s a good idea to think about your presentation. After all, busy hiring managers don’t have the time to scroll through pages of messy, irrelevant text. CV formats are a fuss-free way to showcase your top talents. The clear headings, sections, and bullet point lists enhance readability. Moreover, you’ll score brownie points by demonstrating extra attention to detail and care!
Recruiters suggest using one of two formats – the reverse-chronological CV or the skills-based CV. The former outlines your employment history, starting from your current or most recent role. The latter focuses on transferable skills like “administration”, “computer literacy”, and “customer service”. It’s usually more suitable for those with minimal or no experience.
Which is best for an optometrist assistant? Without a doubt, the reverse-chronological CV. As the position is in the healthcare industry, you can’t blag your way in – you must have a proven track record and specialist skills. Plus, employers prefer candidates who can knuckle down and get on with the job without tonnes of training.
What else do you need to know? Here are some extra tips to keep in mind:
- Your CV should be one to two pages long maximum
- Use a professional font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri
- Tailor your CV to the role you’re applying for – every position demands slightly different skills and expertise
- Keep the tone formal – jokes and jargon often fall flat
- Send your CV as a Word of PDF file unless another file type is requested
How to write a CV for an optometrist assistant
If you’re wondering how to write a CV for an optometrist assistant, you’re in the right place. The following sections break the process down into bite-sized chunks, removing the stress and complicated language to make your life easier. By the end, you’ll feel more confident about CV writing and possess the tools to stand out from the crowd. Let’s take a closer look at:
- Adding contact details to your optometrist assistant CV
- How to write a personal statement for your optometrist assistant CV
- How to present your work history on an optometrist assistant CV
- Skills worth having on your optometrist assistant CV
- Outlining education on an optometrist assistant CV
Adding contact details to your optometrist assistant CV
It’s shocking how many candidates forget to add their most up-to-date contact details at the top of their CV, but not surprising – it’s often the simple things that trip us up. We advise highlighting your information in a slightly larger or bolder font, so it stands out to employers. Remember to note the following:
- Full name – first name and surname
- Location – including county and postcode
- Phone number – mobiles are usually more accessible
- Email address – keep it professional
Example of contact section for an optometrist assistant CV
Judy Smythe
791 Bosnal Street,
Prince Rupert Street,
Colchester, CO18 N3J,
07192846273,
judy.smythe@example.com
How to write a personal statement for your optometrist assistant CV
You only have a few seconds to spark the hiring manager’s curiosity, which is where a persuasive personal statement can help. It presents your top talents, achievements, and qualifications in a digestible paragraph, removing the fluff and focusing on what employers want to know. The tricky bit? You must cover everything in three to four concise sentences. If you’re unsure where to start, check out the below formula.
The first sentence introduces who you are, including years of experience and career focus. The second sentence explains what you can achieve, backed up by a number. For instance, you might have “sold over 150 designer frames” or “won optometrist assistant of the month ten times”. Facts are far more convincing than word salad. Lastly, underline your unique skills and specialisms.
Above all else, sound human (this applies to your whole CV). If you wouldn’t talk like it, don’t write like it – there’s no need to use overly complicated, stuffy words. Other insider tips include:
- Stick to the word count – don’t exceed 100 words
- Write in the third person to sound more professional
- Tailor the information to the job advertisement
- Don’t ramble – only include the most impressive information
- Be honest – lies will catch you out if you reach the interview stage
Example of personal statement for an optometrist assistant CV
A knowledgeable optometrist assistant with over five years of experience working for a well-known opticians brand. Created an after-care pamphlet that helped over 500 people recover from eye surgery. Confident in customer-facing positions and able to advise on the best products and services. Understanding of how to conduct diagnostic tests and working towards an optometrist qualification.
OR
A skilled optometrist assistant experienced in administrative duties, such as cleaning and reception, but also capable of filling diagnostic roles. Has a wealth of general experience and a rounded perspective on the field. Flexible and does not cave under pressure, especially in stressful situations. Possesses excellent customer service skills.
How to present your work history on an optometrist assistant CV
The work history section is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your most impressive strengths and achievements. Providing a comprehensive list of your key responsibilities will fill the employer with confidence and convince them you’re the best person for the job. Our top advice? What you don’t say is equally important as what you do – hiring managers will look for gaps in your knowledge and grill you about them in the interview stage.
Note three to six duties for each position and include more detail for roles that reflect the one you’re applying for. Employers ask for the following information:
- Job title
- Employment start and end dates
- Company name
- Company location
- Brief list of responsibilities
- Workplace achievements, like promotions or awards
If you want to catch the hiring manager’s attention, substantiate responsibilities with jaw-dropping figures. You can’t argue with statistics, and companies are more likely to invest in candidates who have already proven their capabilities. Let’s say you “assisted patients in purchasing glasses” – can you expand on this? Perhaps, you “upsold £10,000 worth of anti-glare lenses” or “advised on 150 frames”. The more specific you can be, the more believable you’ll sound!
Additionally, cover as many different duties as possible to present a well-rounded view of your talents. For example, if you’ve discussed “switchboard operations” underneath one role, talk about “scheduling appointments” in another. The more tasks you can do, the less training you’ll need, and hiring managers love applicants who can hit the ground running.
Finally, use positive adjectives, action verbs, and simple language to engage the reader. You might be “methodical”, “focused”, and “sociable”. Action verbs are more effective openers than “responsible for”. Some of our favourites for optometrist assistants include “advised”, “corresponded”, and “supported”.
Example of work experience for an optometrist assistant CV
Optometrist Assistant | Final Eye Optometrists, Manchester | June 2020 – Present
- Managing calls on behalf of the optometrists working at the clinic.
- Scheduling and cancelling appointments.
- Switchboard operation and forwarding calls.
- Corresponding with clinic employees to ensure the smooth day-to-day operation of the clinic and the best possible service for clients.
- Advising customers on the best frames and lenses for their prescriptions.
- Assisting with eye tests and providing after-care advice.
Receptionist | Final Eye Optometrists, Liverpool | December 2016 – December 2019
- Cleaned and managed the front room and booths of the clinic.
- Opened and closed the clinic.
- Assisted with the recording of test results and other data.
- Provided clients with personal information or test results upon request and sent and received calls about test results.
Skills worth having on your optometrist assistant CV
There’s nothing more effective than a collection of your most irresistible CV skills. Having everything in one place helps employers quickly confirm your suitability for the role. Plus, CV reading software finds it easier to pick out and pass on scannable keywords. We recommend jotting down 12 skills in total, split evenly between hard and soft skills.
What’s the difference? Hard skills are technical and often learnt on the job or through education. Examples include “operating optometrist machinery”, “assisting with vision tests”, and “using CRM software”. In contrast, soft skills are much harder to learn because they’re personality-based – think “dependable”, “motivated”, and “hardworking”.
You need both to succeed, so don’t lean on one more than the other. The most skilled candidates don’t get very far without a positive attitude. Similarly, a can-do approach doesn’t compensate for a lack of practical knowledge. Need some more ideas? Read the following lists:
Essential skills for an optometrist assistant
- Excellent customer service skills
- Confident telephone manner
- Knowledge about the latest lenses and frames
- Experience assisting with vision tests
- Computer literate
Desirable aptitudes to set you apart
- Sales or healthcare background
- Knack for mathematics
- Thorough and meticulous approach
- Conflict resolution skills
- Able to listen and retain information
Outlining education on an optometrist assistant CV
Education is essential when applying for a job in healthcare, and employers will prioritise candidates with the right qualifications. You can talk about school, college, and university, on-the-job training, certificates, and anything else that’s relevant. This section can make all the difference when you’re up against equally experienced applicants!
So, how do you become an optometrist assistant? You’ll need to complete a university course approved by the General Optical Council, such as “BSc(Hons) Optometry”. Once you’ve completed your degree, you’ll start a pre-registration year of supervised training in the workplace.
To boost your chances further, you could join the Association of British Dispensing Opticians for development and training opportunities. Basically, you’ll need to keep up to date with the latest science and stay ahead of the current trends.
When outlining your education, cover the following:
- Name of school, college, university, or other awarding body
- Study start and end dates
- Subject title
- Qualification level – e.g. degree or A level
- Qualification result
Example of education for an optometrist assistant CV
Final Eye Optometrists, Manchester | October 2022 – December 2022
On-the-job optometrist assistant training
Manchester University | July 2019 – July 2022
Master of Optometry Degree MOptom (Hons): First-class honours
Grace Moth College, Liverpool | May 2017 – May 2019
4 A levels in Chemistry (A), Math (A), English (B), and Social Sciences (B)
Grace Moth Secondary School, Liverpool
11 GCSEs at grades A* – B
Top dos and don’ts for optometrist assistant CV writing
Do
- DO attach a cover letter A cover letter is a short one-page document that introduces who you are, summarises your most valuable achievements, and expresses enthusiasm for the role. Alongside encouraging the reader to learn more, it’s a brilliant place to include extra information, such as your notice period and career ambitions.
- DO spotlight your qualifications It doesn’t matter how much you want to be an optometrist assistant if you don’t have the correct qualifications. As such, we suggest highlighting them in your cover letter and personal statement to reassure the hiring manager you have the knowledge to succeed. You could even add a “core qualifications” section at the top of your CV for maximum visibility.
Don’t
- DON’T send replica CVsWhile tempting, don’t send the same CV to several jobs. Instead, amend the information slightly to reflect the role you’re applying for. Companies will demand different skills and experience, so it’s worth tailoring your application to meet their requirements.
- DON’T forget to spell-checkSpelling mistakes look lazy, especially because they’re easily resolved. Run your work through a free spell-checker and ask a trusted friend for some feedback. You could also read your CV aloud to make sure it flows.
Your optometrist assistant CV questions answered
What are the duties of an optometrist assistant?
Optometrist assistants support optometrists, helping with vision tests, administrative tasks, and customer queries. Ultimately, they ensure everything runs smoothly so the primary healthcare provider can get on with their job. Daily responsibilities include:
- Measuring and adjusting glasses and contact lenses
- Advising people on frames
- Managing bookings
- Cleaning instruments and the shop floor
- Providing after-care instructions
What skills do you need to be an optometrist assistant?
The most successful candidates have a wealth of hard and soft skills. On the one hand, they have an exhaustive understanding of optometry. On the other, they are personable, chatty, and customer-focused. Employers look for the following skills:
- Meticulous approach
- Personable nature
- Excellent verbs and written communication skills
- Knowledge of the best eye care practices
- Confident operating optometry instruments
Do you need experience to be an optometrist assistant?
You’ll need experience to become an optometrist assistant, which will be completed as standard after your degree. You’ll undergo a year of training once you’ve left university, picking up vital knowledge while supervised by a primary optometrist.
What is the average wage for an optometrist assistant?
It’s impossible to pinpoint how much optometrist assistants earn because it depends on location, company size, and experience. However, most assistants earn around £21,000, which doesn’t sound like a lot but remember, this is an entry-level position. Once you’re fully qualified (if this is what you plan to do), optometrists usually earn between £50,000 and £60,000.
Build an outstanding optometrist assistant CV today
This optometrist assistant CV sample is just one successful example to follow. With the help of other samples on our website and our online builder, you can make your chances of a successful job search very high.
Before you begin, please browse our CV examples and CV templates for more ideas. Every resource is easy-to-follow and tailored to specific roles, so you can focus on the all-important details.
