Optometrist assistant CV example

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

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

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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

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:

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