Optical sales representatives promote a manufacturer’s lens, frame or contact lens range to practices. You could be selling a designer brand and products that help people get the best vision possible, making a huge difference to their lives.
Why choose this career?
- You are a people person. This is a great role if you enjoy meeting people and have strong communication skills. You’ll visit different practices every day, explaining your range of lenses or frames, and why they would suit their customers.
- You are just as happy with periods in your own company – sales reps spend a lot of time travelling between appointments.
- Working for a frame company is an ideal choice if you have an eye for style. You will enjoy being on top of the latest trends. This year’s fashion colours or tribes are important to you. Making people look and feel great is your passion.
- Working for a contact or spectacle lens company is a good option if you are interested in science and the technical side of the industry. Do you care about patient wellbeing and helping people get the best vision?
- You like being on top of detail. You need to know everything about your range so you can show customers how your products will help their business and clients. You have to be ready to answer a host of potential questions about design, materials and manufacturing.
- You enjoy the buzz of getting that sale. You are motivated by achieving targets and measuring success. You enjoy beating your previous performance.
- Customer satisfaction matters to you. You will work closely with some clients to help them maximise sales and develop their businesses
- You enjoy driving. Reps travel around their patches, spending much of their time on the road.
- You have strong organisational skills. You’ll make sure customers are kept up to date with the latest information. Reps manage a regular programme of visits to clients, and need to ensure that the customer is getting their orders on time.
- You enjoy working in business. You have to assess how your range helps a practice’s commercial success. You will be trained to help customers make decisions and understand the impact of stock turnover on profitability.
- You are confident. You can train practice staff in using and selling your products.
- You are self-motivated. You don’t wait for anyone to get you up and going – you have a positive attitude.
How do I get into optical sales?
You need to know what you are talking about. Sales reps often start their careers as optical assistants or dispensing opticians.
Find out more
- Frame sales rep Liz Shepherd shares a day in her working life
- Read our guide to careers in optical sales