JUMP TO CONTENT

No optical experience? No problem...

Written byNikkie Stanley
Posting date: 12 Nov 2024

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.” 

Written byNikkie Stanley
List #1

#FeelsLikeSpecsavers

My 10-year story – with the badges to show for it!

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish 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

Read more
A Saturday job that sparked something bigger

Teaser

Partnership

Content Type

Blog

Publish 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

Read more
From college to clinical tech - growing with Specsavers

Teaser

Apprenticeships

Content Type

Blog

Publish 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

Read more
Home is where the hearing is

Teaser

Home Visits

Content Type

Blog

Publish 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

Read more
From Bolton to Bristol - How Jumanah got her career moving

Teaser

Optometry

Content Type

Blog

Publish 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

Read more
From school leaver to Home Visits Director: Danielle's story

Teaser

Audiology

Content Type

Blog

Publish 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

Read more
"I'm passionate that leadership is for everyone!"

Teaser

Support Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish 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

Read more
"It's like watching light bulbs come on!"

Teaser

Support Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish 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

Read more
"I wanted something bigger": Anna-Marie's story

Teaser

Dispensing

Content Type

Blog

Publish 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

Read more
From dispensing optician to being her own boss: Verity's story

Teaser

Dispensing

Content Type

Blog

Publish 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,

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

View more jobs
List #1

Selected jobs for you

Trainee Optical Retailer

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

Nichola Adamson View job
Administrator & Scheduler

Salary

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

Laura Adams

Author

Laura Adams
Laura Adams

Author

Laura Adams
View job
Part time Optometrist

Salary

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

Nimisha Mistry View job
View more jobs