Vivid Optical is the leading recruitment consultancy in optometry and one of the sponsors of Careers in Eyecare. Vivid Optical works very closely with a range of employers in the optometry sector including all the biggest names in the market. Let’s me the team: Luke Elias Since 2011, Luke and Stephen have grown The Vivid Group global. With expertise in niche industries such as Healthcare, Technology and Optical, the group continues to grow under their tutelage. Joe Preston Coming into…
Qualifying as an optician gives you access to a rewarding career. From the opportunity to earn while you learn to being a style guru or getting to grips with the latest technology, there are many reasons to consider this option for your future. Flexible learning You can study ophthalmic dispensing full or part-time, so you can earn while you learn. There are day release and distance learning options, or foundation degree (two year) and BSc (three year) courses. Providers include…
Megan never planned to become a dispensing optician. Now she’s on course to become fully qualified in a professional career. She applied for a job at Specsavers Fox Valley practice in Sheffield in her year out before going to university. She had planned to study forensic science. “I had no idea what working at an opticians involved as I’d never had an eye test myself,” Megan says. She quickly realised she’d found her passion. “As I grew more comfortable with…
When you start looking for a job, it can often be an extremely overwhelming process with many people not knowing where to start. As an active job seeker there are an array of options out there to make use of, but none are quite as beneficial as reaching out to a recruitment agency and making use of their services. But what benefits really are there for using an agency as opposed to doing it yourself? Well, there are a variety…
Optics is a niche industry that is split into a handful of sectors: multiples, independents, hospitals and domiciliary providers. Multiples are the most widely recognised companies within optics and largely dominate the industry. They place a high importance on the sales aspect of the business, with busy schedules and offer the chance to progress within your career. They are based everywhere in the UK and include big names such as Boots, Specsavers, Vision Express, etc. The independent sector is…
A project to inspire young people to become optometrists is being expanded across the UK. Specsavers is rolling out its Bright Futures bursary programme into England and Wales after it was initially launched in Scotland and Northern Ireland. More than £2,000 is available to help students into their career and pay for some of their equipment. The programme also offers part-time work in local branches, providing vital experience as well as shadowing and mentoring. "The bursary will allow partners in…
Faye is a qualified optometrist, who recently moved to a role where she visits patients in their homes, working for community opticians The OutsideClinic. What do you start with every day? I usually start the day with an early morning gym session and then breakfast. After this, I load the car with my equipment, check my patient list and set off to see patients at about 8am. Sometimes these times can change around a bit, for example if I need…
If you are into fashion, love caring for people, or working on a busy shop floor, there’s a future for you in eyecare. Don’t assume you need top grades in maths – you may have other, more important skills. Becoming an optical assistant is a great place to start. Employers often feel that a flair for customer service and being willing to learn can be more important than exam results. Responsibilities You’ll be responsible for welcoming people and helping them…
Interviews are opportunities to show your skills to the recruiter. Preparation is key. Before the interview, research the company. What does the website or social media say about the business’s activity, values and history? Who are the senior people? This can give you insights into their priorities, what they want from potential employees and why they are hiring. Read the job advertisement again and think about what it says about the business, the role, and the candidate they want. Rehearse…
Becoming a dispensing optician or optometrist gives you a range of options for your career. Some people may enjoy the clinical side of the role, while others may like to focus on management and retail. If you would like to have control over all aspects of the business, have you thought about running your own optical practice? You can discover more about running a practice at the ABDO Become an Independent Optician twilight session. This event is free of charge…