Landing the right optometry job or eyecare job can be one of the most important decisions in shaping a doctor’s career and personal fulfillment. Dr. Darryl Glover sat down with Dr. Jasdeep Soni, optometrist, recruiter, and co-host of the Depth Perception Podcast, to uncover the top 3 tips on finding a job in optometry.

For every optometry student preparing to graduate, and for new doctors navigating their first career decisions, these insights provide a practical framework to align career moves with purpose, growth, and happiness.

For every optometry student preparing to graduate, and for young doctors navigating their first job decisions, this conversation delivers practical, experience-driven advice. Dr. Soni’s unique career journey—spanning OD-MD practices, corporate optometry, moonlighting roles, and his current work with Costco and his recruiting company Eye Spy Talent—makes him an ideal voice to guide others through this process. His three strategies provide clarity, direction, and confidence for anyone seeking alignment between their job and their personal purpose.

The first of the top 3 tips on finding a job in optometry is to write down your career goals and values, then prioritize them. Dr. Jasdeep advises taking a journal and listing what matters most: income, loan repayment, retirement planning, flexibility, mentorship, or even specific practice modalities such as OD-MD or corporate optometry.

This step is crucial because many optometry students and new graduates make decisions based on what others say is important. Some hear that they should avoid corporate positions, while others are told to only practice in certain cities. But as Dr. Jasdeep emphasized, “Happiness is more complicated than just doing what everybody else is doing.”

When doctors identify what they truly value, the right opportunities often appear in unexpected places. A practice in a smaller community may offer flexibility and culture that outweighs a higher-paying but less fulfilling role in a big city. For new graduates, aligning career moves with personal priorities ensures long-term satisfaction rather than short-term validation.

The second of the top 3 tips on finding a job in optometry is to understand and apply the principle of compounding. Dr. Jasdeep encourages new graduates to view their first five years after school as the foundation for the rest of their careers. Effort invested early—whether in financial planning, practice building, or relationship development—multiplies exponentially over time.

For an optometry student transitioning into practice, this might mean contributing to retirement accounts as soon as possible, investing in continuing education, or intentionally networking with mentors. The habits formed now will shape financial health, career growth, and professional reputation for decades.

Dr. Glover expanded this principle beyond finances: “What can really compound and make you stand out in your community is the compounding of kindness, empathy, and compassion.” Over time, consistent care builds patient trust and loyalty, leading to referrals, community recognition, and lasting impact.

Compounding is not just about money; it’s about building momentum in every part of life. For young doctors, this means making intentional choices today that will amplify their careers tomorrow.

The final piece of the top 3 tips on finding a job in optometry is mindset. Many new graduates believe the hard work ends once they leave school, but in reality, that same discipline and drive can transform their careers and lives.

Dr. Jasdeep challenges doctors to apply their optometry school mindset—the dedication, resilience, and problem-solving skills—to all areas of life. Whether starting a practice, buying a home, or planning for personal milestones, the same determination used to pass boards can create success beyond the clinic.

Dr. Glover agreed, emphasizing that mindset shapes both professional and personal outcomes. He explained how aligning his personal purpose of “creating happiness through the art of vision” with his organization’s mission to help patients live their best lives has made work feel effortless. When purpose and mindset meet, success becomes sustainable.

For every optometry student preparing to launch their career, this lesson is invaluable: the right mindset is the compass that guides decisions, builds resilience, and ensures growth even in the face of challenges.

The conversation with Dr. Jasdeep Soni provided a clear roadmap for new graduates and every optometry student entering the profession. His top 3 tips on finding a job in optometry—clarifying values, leveraging compounding, and adopting the right mindset—are timeless principles that apply across every career stage.

Through his work with Eye Spy Talent, Dr. Jasdeep continues to help optometrists identify opportunities that align with their personal and professional goals. By aligning job decisions with values, investing early in growth, and maintaining a disciplined mindset, eye care professionals can build careers that are financially rewarding, personally fulfilling, and built to last.