Smart Questions Young and Early Career Ophthalmologist Should Ask When Interviewing for Jobs or Partnership Opportunities
A Practical Guide for Residents, Fellows, and Early-Career Eye Surgeons

At OjO Recruitment, we work closely with residents, fellows, and young ophthalmologists every day—helping them find meaningful, long-term positions in great communities. If you’re searching for your first or second job in ophthalmology, this guide is for you.

Below, we’ve compiled some of the smartest questions to ask when exploring job offers and partnership opportunities. These are based on real-world feedback from ophthalmologists who’ve told us, “I wish I had asked that during the interview.”

Why These Questions Matter

Roughly half of young ophthalmologists change jobs within their first three years of employment. That’s a surprisingly high number, especially when you think about how disruptive and stressful a move can be—personally and professionally. Uprooting your family, selling a home, starting over in a new town... it’s not a small thing.

Furthermore, after years of constant transition (college, med school, residency, fellowship), most young ophthalmologists tell us the same thing:
“I’m ready to settle down. I want stability—for myself and my family.”

This guide is here to help you ask thoughtful, revealing questions—so your next job can be a long-term fit, not just a short-term stop.

Why Ophthalmologists Leave Their First Jobs

Before discussing our list of questions, we think it’s instructive to learn from the experience of others doctors who are leaving their current roles. In this way, you can avoid some of the common pitfalls of a poor career match. Here are some of the most frequent reasons doctors tell us they are looking for a new job:

• “I’m just not busy enough.”
• “My spouse doesn’t like the area.”
• “We’re too far from friends and family.”
• “The buy-in was much higher than I expected.”
• “It just isn’t the right long-term fit.”

That last bullet point often boils down to culture, communication, values or a personality conflict. Many of these concerns could have been identified during the interview process—with the right questions.

Questions to Ask When Interviewing for an Ophthalmology Job or Partnership

We like to call this the “Things I Wish I Had Known to Ask” list. Use it to dig deeper and get clarity—not just on the job, but on the people, values, and expectations behind the job opportunity your considering.

How to Use this Guide

This checklist is designed to be a helpful tool for your interviews—not a script to read to prospective employers word-for-word. Instead of running through the questions like a checklist, we recommend getting comfortable with the ones that really reflect your top priorities. That way, you can have a more natural, engaging conversation with the doctors you’re meeting.

Practice Structure & Stability

• Who owns the practice and the ASC?
• Is the group considering private equity, a merger, or sale?
• What’s the history of doctor and staff turnover?
• How often do associates become partners or participate in equity ownership? What’s the typical timeline?
• What are the steps and expectations for becoming a partner or an equity owner?

Ophthalmology Salaries & Bonuses

• How is compensation structured? Is it in line with current market rates?
• How are productivity bonuses formulated?
• Are there signing bonuses, stipends, relocation assistance, or loan repayment options?
• Is there a goodwill charge or buy-in? What’s included—and what’s not?

Day-to-Day Expectations

• How busy should I expect to be in the first 6–12 months?
• Where will my patients come from?
• Will I rotate between multiple locations? What’s the commute like?
• What kinds of patients and cases will I see?
• How will my performance be measured or evaluated?

Culture & Mentorship

• How would you describe the practice culture and team dynamic?
• Will I have a mentor?
• Can I speak with other team members—like the techs, admin, or marketing team?
• Can I talk with the previous physician in this role or perhaps other formerly employed doctors?

Reputation & Values

• How does the practice handle negative online reviews?
• What’s the mission and vision of the organization?
• How is the practice viewed in the community?
• Does the practice “give back” through community outreach, charitable care, global eye health involvement or even cataract surgery trips abroad?
• Is there pressure to push surgeries or premium services?

Growth & Support

• How will the practice support me in building my patient base?
• Is the group investing in new technology or experienced staff?
• How are big decisions made—like hiring, new equipment purchases, philosophy of patient care?
• Is there flexibility in scheduling or room for work / life balance?

Legal & Practical Considerations

• Has a healthcare attorney reviewed the contract?
• Is there a non-compete clause? If things don’t work out, could I stay in the area?
• How is tail coverage handled?

A Few Intangibles to Consider

These extra questions help uncover some of the “intangibles” that can make or break your experience in a new role.

1. Legitimacy of the Need

Ask about patient volume. Will you inherit an active schedule from a departing or retiring ophthalmologist or will you be expected to build your own patient base from scratch?

2. Purpose

Is the practice driven by more than profit? Do team members believe in the mission of excellent patient care?

3. Trust

No job is perfect—but the key is trust. Do you believe the people you’ll be working with are honest, ethical, and transparent? Shared respect and integrity go a long way in building a career that lasts.

To Discuss Your Options and Solidify Your Priorities, Reach Out to Us.

Need help navigating the national ophthalmology job market? Just want to talk through your priorities and options? We love teaching young doctors what we’ve learned from many years in this great field. Reach out to Drew Caldwell at OjO Recruitment anytime: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.