Optometrist CV: Example and Template
How to structure a CV as an optometrist that shows clinical competence, fitting numbers and authorisation status at a glance.
Currently 18 open Optometrist positions in Switzerland, across 12 cantons. Fielmann Group advertises the most.
CV example — two-page template
This template is editable straight away — or upload your existing CV and it is carried into this layout automatically.
What qualification do you need to demonstrate as an optometrist on your CV?
In Switzerland, the Bachelor of Science FH in Optometry is the recognised qualification, and it belongs prominently on the CV together with the institution, year and authorisation status.
The only domestic degree programme is offered at the Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz, Institute of Optometry, in Olten. Therefore write specifically 'BSc Optometry, FHNW Olten, 2016' rather than just 'Optometry studies'. If you took the traditional apprenticeship route, list the EFZ as Optician along with any advanced federal diploma as a Federally Certified Optician separately, since employers read from this your practical workshop and fitting foundation.
Since optometry falls under the Health Professions Act (GesBG), the cantonal practising licence for professionally independent activity is relevant. State in the header which canton has granted your authorisation and that you are registered in the Health Professions Register (GesReg). For foreign qualifications, the recognition by the Swiss Red Cross (SRK) or the relevant authority, including the date, belongs on the CV, otherwise your application will get stuck in the initial screening.
Supplement your qualification with further training that expands your clinical scope: CAS in Clinical Optometry, certificate of competence for diagnostic pharmaceuticals, courses on scleral lenses, Ortho-K or low vision. State the provider and year, and record your annual continuing education hours, for example '30 hours per year, SBAO'. This shows that you take your continuing education obligation seriously.
How do you structure your professional experience as an optometrist convincingly?
Describe the type of practice, the range of examinations and your case numbers for each position, rather than general lists of duties.
A specialist store focused on refraction, a contact lens clinic and an interdisciplinary eye care practice each require different profiles. For each position, therefore, add a context line with the size of the business, team composition and focus area, for example 'Interdisciplinary practice with three ophthalmologists, optometry in pre-examination and the contact lens clinic'. HR staff will immediately recognise whether you are familiar with mydriasis, OCT assessment or cataract pre-examination.
Quantify consistently: examinations per year, number of specialty lens fittings, proportion of children in myopia management, contact lens discontinuation rate, hit rate of your referrals, revenue or contribution margin in CHF. A point such as '120 specialty lenses per year, including 45 scleral lenses for keratoconus, discontinuation rate below 6 percent' says more than three lines of job description. Also name the equipment you are proficient with, as many practices are specifically looking to fill a particular competency.
Make the interface with ophthalmology visible. Describe the criteria you use for triage, how you document findings, and how closely you work with GPs, orthoptics or the optical workshop. If you have carried responsibility in leadership, apprentice supervision or quality management, list this with figures, for example 'Leadership of five specialists, training of two EFZ apprentices'.
How long should the CV be and does it need a photo?
Two pages is the standard; a professional portrait photo is still customary in Switzerland and is practically expected in customer-facing optical centres.
Keep to a maximum of two pages, even with ten years of experience. Page one should contain contact details, authorisation status, a brief profile, your current position and your core competencies; summarise earlier positions concisely. Use a clearly legible font, consistent month formatting such as 03/2021, and a PDF file with a descriptive name such as 'CV_Brunner_Optometrist.pdf'.
A professional portrait photo in business attire remains customary in Switzerland and is advantageous in a profession with direct customer contact. Details on year of birth, marital status and nationality or permit type are optional but often expected; you should state your C or B permit, as it is relevant to employment. Provide references as 'available on request' unless the job posting explicitly requires them.
Expect salary ranges of around CHF 78'000 to CHF 95'000 for entry-level optometrists and CHF 95'000 to CHF 120'000 for experienced or senior optometrists, depending on region and business size. State salary expectations only if asked, and write amounts in Swiss convention with an apostrophe. Adapt your profile summary and skills list to each job posting so that terms such as myopia management, scleral lenses or glaucoma follow-up monitoring match precisely.
Where Optometrist are hired in Switzerland
How the 18 open positions are spread across the cantons.
Figures as a table
| Canton | postings |
|---|---|
| Aargau | 3 |
| Bern | 2 |
| Solothurn | 2 |
| Zürich | 2 |
| Schwyz | 1 |
| Thurgau | 1 |
| Graubünden | 1 |
| Wallis | 1 |
Which languages the postings require
Of 17 postings that state a language — in brackets, those requiring professional level.
Figures as a table
| Language | postings |
|---|---|
| German | 17 (17) |
Who hires Optometrist in Switzerland
Employers with the most open positions. Staffing agencies are excluded.
Figures as a table
| Employer | postings |
|---|---|
| Fielmann Group | 18 |
Full-time or part-time?
How the positions are advertised.
Figures as a table
| Workload | postings |
|---|---|
| Vollzeit / plein temps | 17 |
| Teilzeit / partiel | 1 |
The CV in full
To read through and reuse.
Nadia Brunner
Optometrist BSc FH, Federally Certified Optician
Optometrist BSc FH with nine years of experience in optical retail and interdisciplinary eye care practice, including four years focused on specialty contact lens fitting and myopia management. Conducts around 1'400 examinations annually, including slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fundoscopy under mydriasis, OCT assessment and threshold perimetry, and triages abnormal findings to ophthalmology via clearly defined referral pathways. Built a myopia management programme with over 180 active children and leads a team of five specialists.
What sets me apart
Clinical triage with documented pathways: Established an internal referral standard for suspected glaucoma, AMD and retinal findings; 96 percent of referrals to ophthalmology were confirmed as indicated.
Specialty fittings for irregular corneas: Fits keratoconus, post-keratoplasty and scarred cornea patients with scleral and rigid gas-permeable lenses; 120 fittings per year with a discontinuation rate below 6 percent.
Myopia management with progress monitoring: Combines DIMS and HAL spectacle lenses, MiSight daily lenses and Ortho-K; documents axial length measurement every six months and reports an average 52 percent reduction in progression.
Dry eye as a dedicated consultation service: Introduced a structured dry eye consultation with meibography, NIBUT and IPL treatment; 310 treatments in the first year, average OSDI score improved by 21 points.
Key achievements
Doubled contact lens revenue. Increased annual revenue from contact lenses and care products from CHF 310'000 to CHF 640'000 within three years, with a reorder rate of 78 percent.
Screening programme for diabetes patients. Built a fundus photo screening programme in collaboration with two GP practices; 420 examinations in 18 months, 27 previously unknown retinopathies detected and referred.
Reduced waiting times and missed appointments. Introduced scheduled 45-minute examination slots and SMS reminders; no-show rate fell from 11 to 3 percent, waiting time for an appointment from 5 to 2 weeks.
Experience
Senior Optometrist — Sehzentrum Aarepark GmbH, Winterthur, since 03/2021
Optical retail business with affiliated optometry practice, 14 employees, focus on contact lenses and paediatric optometry.
- Conducts around 1'400 optometric examinations per year, including 260 with mydriasis and fundoscopy
- Leads five specialists and introduced a monthly case review format with 24 sessions per year
- Expanded myopia management to 180 active children, with six-monthly axial length measurement and parent reporting
- Increased the contribution margin of optometric services by CHF 95'000 per year
Optometrist BSc — Augenpraxis Limmatblick AG, Zurich, 08/2018 - 02/2021
Interdisciplinary practice with three ophthalmologists; optometry in pre- and post-examination as well as the contact lens clinic.
- Took over the pre-examination for 22 cataract assessments per week, including biometry and topography
- Fitted 120 specialty lenses per year, including 45 scleral lenses for keratoconus
- Managed glaucoma follow-up monitoring for 210 patients using Octopus perimetry and OCT-RNFL analysis
- Reduced turnaround time per pre-examination from 40 to 28 minutes
Optician / Optometrist — Optik Lindenhof AG, Baden, 09/2016 - 07/2018
Owner-operated specialist store with 8 employees, refraction, contact lenses and progressive lens consulting.
- Performed 30 refractions per week, including binocular testing per MKH
- Increased the success rate for first-time progressive lens wearers from 84 to 95 percent through structured needs analysis
- Established a 14-day follow-up check for all new contact lens customers, 210 appointments in the first year
Education
Bachelor of Science FH, Optometry — Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz, Institute of Optometry, Olten · 2016
Federal Certificate of Proficiency EFZ, Optician — Berufsfachschule Zürich, apprenticeship at Optik Lindenhof AG · 2012
CAS, Clinical Optometry and Ocular Pharmacology — Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz, Olten · 2020
Registration in the Health Professions Register GesReg, practising licence for the Canton of Zurich · Certificate of competence for the use of diagnostic pharmaceuticals (Tropicamide, Oxybuprocaine, Fluorescein) · Myopia management certificate (Ortho-K and DIMS), SBAO continuing education 2022 · Active SBAO member, 30 hours of continuing education per year