See your career at Specsavers: From Cornwall to Canada, Millie’s career journey
Meet Millie who joined us three years ago as a Resourcing Partner down in Cornwall. Now she lives and works over in Canada as a Clinical Recruitment Manager.
Introduction to yourself and your job title now
Hi, my name’s Emily, but everyone calls me Millie. I’m 25 years old and have been working for Specsavers as a Resourcing Partner for the last three and a half years. I most recently switched roles after being approached for a position as a Clinical Recruitment Manager, with Specsavers Canada. My role predominantly involves finding Optometrists to join our stores across British Columbia, as well as supporting our Partners through the whole recruitment process.
What was your background before joining Specsavers?
Before joining Specsavers and the world of recruitment, I spent a few years travelling. I never knew what I wanted to do as it came to the end of my A-Levels, and after having an assembly with a charity called Project Trust, I decided to volunteer for a year. From 2016-2017, I spent 12 months volunteering at a children’s home in Cape Town, South Africa where I lived and worked, caring for 144 children. After returning back to the UK and working for a few months, I decided to continue my journey abroad and in 2018 I spent nine months backpacking around Australia. Once I returned home in January 2019 I found myself looking for a permanent position. A friend had told me Specsavers Recruitment Services were recruiting so I sent in my CV, and the rest is history!
Tell me a little bit about your journey at Specsavers?
I first joined the business as a Recruitment Consultant working in the Employed Team, in June 2019. My role started out sourcing for a whole range of instore positions from Optical Assistants all the way to Optometrists, across the London region. This involved headhunting candidates, screening CV’s, booking interviews, negotiating offers and finalising placement documents.
Due to the increased demand of employees needed across the country, in October 2020 we went through an office restructure. This meant the Employed Team was split into two, and I became part of the Optometrist Recruitment Team, where my position changed to a Resourcing Partner – Clinical.
In that time I was able to visit some of our amazing stores and see the incredible work that our colleagues do on a day to day basis. I was even lucky enough to attend the annual Partners Seminar two years running, where I was on hand to answer and assist our Partners in their recruitment needs, sit in on some incredible talks from motivational speakers and our Managing Directors, and attend the afterparty seeing the likes of Diversity, David Walliams and Scott Mills!!
Fast forward to October 2022, I received a message asking if I’d be interested in joining Specsavers in the rollout of stores overseas. This would be to assist in the Optometrist Team as a Clinical Recruitment Manager in Vancouver, Canada. Although I’ve only been here for two weeks, I can confirm it’s the best decision I made and I am now lucky enough to say I live and work in Canada with a company that support and encourage me in every way possible.
How did Specsavers help and support your development?
From the very beginning there has always been opportunity within the group to develop. To what started in my office as roadmaps for Senior Recruitment Consultants to now Resourcing Leads, Specsavers have been very supportive in providing paths for people to grow. I have always had monthly 1-1’s with my line manager, to discuss my progress, areas of development, and how I can evolve within my role to achieve my aspirations. Within the last year these changed to weekly 1-1’s and I started working on a Personal Development Plan.
What gives you pride in your role?
Throughout my journey with Specsavers, my achievements have always been recognised and celebrated. This gives me huge pride in what I do and encourages me to exceed.
What have you learnt during your time at Specsavers?
My time at Specsavers has been invaluable and I have learnt and grown so much as a person in that time. It’s shaped me into who I am today and allowed me to create a career for myself that I never thought possible, having never gone to university which was pressures I always felt at school.
What would you say to encourage someone thinking about applying?
Just do it! I’ve done things I never thought were possible and now I’m sat in Canada writing this, which I never thought would have even been an option three and a half years ago. There are so many paths and avenues it can take you down, and you will always be encouraged to develop yourself as an individual and in your career.
Why do you love working at Specsavers?
I love working for Specsavers because of the people. I have constantly been surrounded by kind, engaging, committed and encouraging individuals across every team I’ve worked in. Specsavers have a culture of incredible people who all aspire to achieve the same goal, all whilst taking care of each other along the way.
What one word would you use to describe the Specsavers culture?
Family.
Finally, tell us a little bit about yourself
I love being social and spending time with family and friends. Whether that’s trying new places to eat or going for a trip to the beach, I love always being around people. I also like to try and keep as active as possible by attending regular yoga and pilates classes.
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