Optical Assistant Apprentice
Job description
Original text imported from Reed
Are you a caring individual looking to start your career in an Optics environment? You've come to the right place.
As well as being passionate and motivated in everything you do, it's important that you're also a great listener and communicator - as that's what excellent service is all about. In addition to having great communication skills, you'll also be a team player and have a real passion for making a difference, both in your development and within the business.
Our Apprenticeship scheme gives people of all ages the chance to boost their existing skillset and kickstart an exciting new career as part of a forward-thinking business, all whilst earning a full-time wage.
Our store
Our Hailsham store is a vibrant and welcoming location at the heart of the town, easily accessible for both customers and colleagues. The store is well-connected by local bus routes, and there are free to park public car parks nearby within walking distance, ensuring ease of access. Inside, the store features 4 fully equipped testing rooms, allowing us to deliver high-quality eye care services efficiently. Situated close to local amenities, the store is known for its friendly team and strong community presence. It offers a dynamic environment where no two days are the same, with a focus on delivering exceptional customer service. Hailsham is a great place to develop your skills and grow your career within a supportive and fast-paced retail setting.
Our team
The Hailsham Specsavers team is a close-knit, supportive group of 9 dedicated professionals who are passionate about delivering exceptional eye and hearing care to the local community. Our colleagues work collaboratively in a friendly and welcoming environment, where teamwork and customer focus are at the heart of everything we do. The store prides itself on creating a positive atmosphere where everyone is encouraged to share ideas, learn new skills, and grow their careers. Whether you're on the shop floor, in the test rooms, or supporting behind the scenes, you'll be part of a team that values communication, mutual respect, and going the extra mile for our customers.
What's on offer?
Our apprenticeship scheme gives you the chance to really set yourself up for a great career in a fantastic company, and earn a full-time wage at the same time.
You'll not only spend 15-18 months in a paid job, but also learn your trade while surrounded by our friendly, passionate and highly experienced team who'll support you every step of the way.
- £8.50 per hour
- Full Time - 40 hours per week, to include weekend working
- We will auto-enroll you into the pension scheme with an employer contribution when you contribute too
- Specsavers Perks - a portal to a world of great everyday discounts and savings
- WeCare - our employee support service to help you and your immediate family when you need it most
- Complimentary subscription to the Headspace app
- Eyecare and hearcare discounts for you and your family
- Enjoy an additional paid day off on your birthday to celebrate you!
- Enhanced family leave and company sick pay
Your on-the-job training will sit alongside structured learning and at the end of the 15-18 months as an apprentice, you'll be a fully-fledged Optical Assistant.
Who is this Apprenticeship for?
If this is still sounding like a bit of you, we do need you to have a few skills to get started as an Optical Assistant Apprentice.
- You'll need a grade 9-4 (A*-C) GCSEs in Maths (or equivalent/predicted result)
- Individuals who have lived in the EU for 3 years or more, with the right to work in the UK
What does the role involve?
- Welcoming customers into store
- Booking in eye tests
- Pre-screening patients
- Providing style advice
- Measuring frames
- Taking phone calls
Find out more
For more detailed information about the Specsavers Apprenticeship programme, please click the link below.
Apprenticeships at Specsavers | Specsavers UK Careers
It's essential that you haven't previously worked in the Optical Sector. Before applying, please check that you are able to travel to the store location on a daily basis.
Got what we're looking for? This job will close when it's filled, so don't delay, apply today!
Key skills
AI-extracted from the job advert
Application advice
5 AI-generated recommendations to maximise your chances.
👁️ Emphasise your passion for healthcare and helping people with vision needs as this is central to Specsavers' mission
🗣️ Highlight any customer service experience prominently as excellent communication is explicitly mentioned as essential
🎓 Position this as a career development opportunity rather than just a job - mention your commitment to learning and growing in optics
👥 Demonstrate your teamwork abilities as you'll be joining a close-knit team of 9 professionals in Hailsham
⏰ Show flexibility for weekend working and full-time hours as this is specifically required for the role
Suggested CV bullets
3 bullets our AI drafted for this specific advert, mirroring its ATS keywords.
Add these 3 bullets under your most recent experience:
- •Delivered customer service to 50+ daily customers in retail environment, achieving 98% satisfaction scores through active listening and problem-solving
- •Collaborated with 8-person team to exceed monthly sales targets by 15%, demonstrating strong teamwork and communication skills essential for optical care
- •Maintained detailed customer records and appointment scheduling system, showing attention to detail crucial for healthcare administration
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Letter preview — tailored to Specsavers
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to apply for the Optical Assistant Apprentice position at Specsavers Hailsham. Your apprenticeship programme offers exactly the career development opportunity I seek in healthcare, combining my passion for helping others with professional training in eye care services and optical dispensing.
My background in customer-focused roles has prepared me well for this transition into healthcare retail, where excellent communication and active listening are essential for delivering exceptional patient care.
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Interview questions
10 questions generated from this advert.
Technical
- ›What do you know about the role of an Optical Assistant in an eye care practice?
- ›How would you handle a customer who is nervous about their first eye test?
- ›What steps would you take to maintain hygiene standards in testing rooms?
- ›How would you explain the importance of regular eye tests to a customer?
- ›What would you do if a customer was unhappy with their glasses fitting?
Behavioural
- ›Tell me about a time when you provided excellent customer service
- ›Describe a situation where you had to work as part of a team to achieve a goal
- ›Give an example of when you had to learn something completely new
- ›How do you handle working in a fast-paced environment?
- ›Tell me about a time when you showed empathy towards someone who needed help
STAR answer examples
Model answers using the Situation-Task-Action-Result framework. Adapt to your own experience.
Tell me about a time when you provided excellent customer service
Give an example of when you had to learn something completely new