
No optical experience? No problem...
Sign Up For Post Alerts
Many people think you need to know about eye or hearing care to have a retail career at Specsavers. As Natalie Neal from Leicestershire shares, you need nothing more than excellent customer service and a willingness to learn.
When Natalie was in sixth form, she still wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. “While I’d always done well at school, I wasn’t interested in going to university,” she remembers. “So, I got a job working for a well-known pizza delivery company.
“It wasn’t long before I worked my way up to store manager. The next step would’ve been a role within the head office in Milton Keynes. But that meant moving away from Coalville, my hometown, which I didn’t want to do.
“That’s when I decided to enrol nearby at Brooksby Melton College, which provides specialist education related to farming. I studied animal care, during which I also worked part-time at a popular fast-food chain.
“At the end of my two-year course, I had the option to train as a veterinary nurse. But this required more study at more cost. On top of that, there weren't a lot of local job opportunities.
Another crossroads in my life
"Then I saw an advert on Indeed for an optical assistant at the Specsavers store in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. I was interested because I was after a respected profession that involved caring for others. However, other than wearing glasses, I didn’t know anything about the industry. But, as the ad said, ‘no optical experience necessary’, I thought I’d apply.
“I ended up getting the job based on my customer service experience and the fact I’d been a store manager. I felt at home from day one. Although I got a lot of support from colleagues, I was still unsure about what I was doing on the shop floor.
“That changed after a few weeks when I travelled to Birmingham for a course. I learnt a lot from the two days I spent there. Plus, I met other people in a similar position, which was very reassuring. I went on a second course in Nottingham, which gave me even more confidence in what I was doing to make sure customers get the best experience possible.
On the right track
“I’m now a supervisor. The transition wasn’t too difficult as I’d been a manager before. I also have another role as a technician in our on-site laboratory. And I’ve recently completed a BTEC qualification that was paid for by the store partners.
“I’ve been here for six and a half years now. It’s the longest I’ve worked in one place, and I love it. Everyone in the team clicks and looks out for each other. The store partners are fantastic as well and always make me feel valued.
“When you spend so much time at work, you need to get on with colleagues. I know some people say it doesn’t matter to them, but it’s important to me.
“Looking ahead, I’m not exactly sure where I want to go next. I like learning about the production of glasses. I could pursue that further and focus more on working in the lab.
“Or I could develop my customer skills and work towards becoming an optician, where I can provide advice on eyewear, and help with fitting and repairing spectacles. Whatever I choose to do, I definitely want to do it with Specsavers.”
Tags
#FeelsLikeSpecsavers
.jpg)
Teaser
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish date
07/09/2025
Summary
From Optical Assistant to Dispensing Optician and now Trainee Contact Lens Optician, Kerry Berridge has spent the last decade building a fulfilling career at Specsavers – all while raising a family an

Teaser
PartnershipContent Type
BlogPublish date
07/07/2025
Summary
At 16, Charlie-Leigh Martin took a Saturday job at her local Specsavers in Chelmsley Wood. Six years later, she’s running her own store in Alcester as a director. “I was still in sixth form and thinki

Teaser
ApprenticeshipsContent Type
BlogPublish date
06/30/2025
Summary
From college to clinical tech...and beyond Ellie Long, Apprentice Optical Assistant, tells us about her apprenticeship journey so far, and how she went from leaving college to joining Specsavers wi

Teaser
Home VisitsContent Type
BlogPublish date
06/11/2025
Summary
Home is where the hearing is Aekta Patel, Audiology Director, shares her perspective on the value of partnerships in delivering audiology care through home visits. "It’s a tough gig. But it’s wo

Teaser
OptometryContent Type
BlogPublish date
06/04/2025
Summary
Jumanah's journey with Specsavers is all about finding the right support and making the most of new opportunities. Despite a bumpy start, she flourished with the help of her amazing team and her own d

Teaser
AudiologyContent Type
BlogPublish date
05/22/2025
Summary
From school leaver to Home Visits Director: A career built on care, growth, and support When Danielle left school in 2005, she wasn’t entirely sure what her future would look like - but she k

Teaser
Support OfficeContent Type
BlogPublish date
05/08/2025
Summary
"I'm passionate that leadership is for everyone!" In light of Learning at Work Week, Zoe Stebbings, Leadership Development Programme Manager for UK/ROI Retail, tells us about her career journey to

Teaser
Support OfficeContent Type
BlogPublish date
05/08/2025
Summary
"It's like watching light bulbs come on!" During Learning at Work Week 2025, Jenny Clifford, Global Learning Experience Design Lead, tells us why she loves learning and how Specsavers supports her

Teaser
DispensingContent Type
BlogPublish date
05/02/2025
Summary
Born and raised in England, Anna-Marie moved to Northern Ireland at 18, unsure of her career path. She dabbled in painting and art, but it wasn’t until she took a receptionist role at an independent o

Teaser
DispensingContent Type
BlogPublish date
04/28/2025
Summary
Verity's journey from a dedicated dispensing optician to a business owner at Specsavers shines a light on one of the several varied paths a DO (Dispensing Optician) could take with Specsavers. Here,
by
Mike Davidson
Selected jobs for you
Salary
Up to £12.21 per hour (depending on age)
Location
Southport, North West, United Kingdom
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Trainee Optical Assistant
Locations
Southport
Description
Weekend Trainee Optical RetailerSo, you’re a proactive people person, passionate about retail and offering the best customer service? Sounds like you’d be a great fit here. So, if you’ve ever consider
Reference
sf-83107-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001

Author
Nichola Adamson
Author
Nichola AdamsonSalary
25000
Location
Cobham, South East, United Kingdom
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Home Visits Optical Assistant
Locations
Cobham
Description
So you’re an organisation expert wanting to take your career to the next level? Our Domiciliary Administrator role could be perfect for you. As an Administrator at Specsavers based in the offices in
Reference
sf-82939-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Laura AdamsAuthor
Laura AdamsSalary
Up to £70,000 FTE depending on experience
Location
Mold, Wales, United Kingdom
Contract Duration
Permanent
Area of Interest
Optometrist
Locations
Mold
Description
Want to be the reason why people should’ve gone to Specsavers? As an Optometrist here, you’ll be the go-to for eye examinations and contact lens services, helping us keep the nation seeing 20/20. You
Reference
sf-83264-1
Expiry Date
01/01/0001

Author
Nimisha Mistry
Author
Nimisha Mistry