FAQ during interviews

[scraders]

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Can we make a list of questions that we should be prepared to answer during an interview? (even if they're the most obvious questions)

I think it would be extremely helpful for me, since I'll be interviewing with ICO in a few weeks. I want as much practice with answering questions before the actual interview. Maybe also some hints on how to answer questions...like length of answer, tone, hand gestures, how to answer even if you have no clue, eye contact, etc.

 

[dsherin]

FAQ 1: Why optometry? Why not med, dentistry, etc?

 

[od2b77]

Where do you see Optometry in 5, 10 years?
Probably good idea to know laws of the state in regards to optometry. What optometrists can/can't do.
Latest developments in the field.

 

[I-Ball]

What's the diff b/w an Optician, Optometrist and Opthamologist?

 

[rpames]

Be aware of the whole VA debate and refracting opticians in Canada.

Questions:
1. Why did you pick "X" as your undergraduate degree?
2. Why ICO? (or whatever school)
3. What will you do when you are not accepted? (They may phrase it this way to catch you off guard) The best answer is that you will take some more classes, do some more observing of ODs, retake the OAT and then apply again.

Sometimes schools will ask you very strange questions that may be political in nature, or any other "hot" topic. They ask these questions to see how you act under preasure. They don't care what your political postion is, they just want to see if you can think on your feet and not lose your cool.

 

[I-Ball]

Be aware of the whole VA debate and refracting opticians in Canada.

Questions:
1. Why did you pick "X" as your undergraduate degree?
2. Why ICO? (or whatever school)
3. What will you do when you are not accepted? (They may phrase it this way to catch you off guard) The best answer is that you will take some more classes, do some more observing of ODs, retake the OAT and then apply again.

Sometimes schools will ask you very strange questions that may be political in nature, or any other "hot" topic. They ask these questions to see how you act under preasure. They don't care what your political postion is, they just want to see if you can think on your feet and not lose your cool.

Where can we find some info about the VA debate and about Optcians refracting in Canada?

 

[rpames]

I would start at the AOA website. If you just do a search in google I'm sure you will find something.

 

[CBRider6RR]

cool guys.. thx for sharing.. would help also if u guys posted some of ure answers lol

 

[jd4me]

cool guys.. thx for sharing.. would help also if u guys posted some of ure answers lol

It's probably not the best idea to post our answers to questions because you don't want to pick and choose the 'best' answer. That's because there really isn't a best or an answer that's right. My advice for the interview is have an idea of what you'd answer for some of the questions but definitely don't script or memorize your answers. The interviewers will obviously be able to figure that out and I'm sure they hate that. I bet they're more interested in how you answer a question instead of what your actual response is.

 

[CBRider6RR]

ya i know.. i was just making a joke... i dont wana sound like a broken record anyways, id rather be unique

 

[scraders]

any tips on how to answer questions? what are some important characteristics that interviewers look at?

is it better to respond with a long answer? or will a short answer suffice? should i lean in as i respond? or should i sit back and relax? use big words?

 

[J.opt]

Someone advised me to prepare several mini-speeches for the most common questions, and practice them in advance. That way you?ll look like you know what you are talking about 😉