Specsavers offers chance to focus on the future with recruitment drive for 5,000 new staff, optometrists and 400 apprentices
Specsavers bosses pride themselves on being a family-run company with strong family values
IF you’re looking for a job with excellent prospects, the eyes have it.
Specsavers needs 5,000 retail staff, 600 qualified optometrists, 100 registered hearing aid dispensers and 400 apprentices.
Chris Howarth, Specsavers’ director of professional recruitment, said: “Successful applicants will find plenty of opportunities to develop skills.
“As a family-run company, our culture is based on strong family values.
"We set ourselves high targets, but we get things done by doing the simple things well and developing strong partnerships that enable people to fulfil potential.”
MOST READ IN MONEY
Joanna McLean, 55, from Bodmin, Cornwall, started at Specsavers more than 20 years ago as a part-time receptionist.
She was married with four young children but went full-time after six months as an optical assistant.
Now Joanna, is a retail director, responsible for recruitment, training and staff development.
She said: “Specsavers is one of the greatest places to work. My team have appraisals twice-yearly and all have five-year goal plans. We support training and development from day one and champion the Specsavers Apprenticeship programme.
“The scheme allows people to get under the skin of the business, move around different departments and receive in-depth, on-the-job training.
“It’s such a fantastic opportunity for anyone considering a career in optics and offers quick progression.”
For more about the vacancies on offer, see .
Fancy spring cleaning your career?
Here, Natasha Adams, People Director at Tesco, reveals the six best ways to land a new job.
1. Research the business you are applying to. Think about its values, then try to weave these points into your application.
2. Work out your strengths and the positive contributions you could make. Everyone can bring something different to a team and working out your unique selling point gives you a strong advantage over other candidates.
3. First impressions matter. Look smart because this shows you have made an effort. Wear clothes that give you confidence.
4. School leavers with no work experience should discuss examples of skills they have developed from activities in school, such as being a prefect, or from hobbies.
5. Avoid common pitfalls – ensure you have an appropriate email address, can pronounce the company name and know the names of the people interviewing you.
6. Ask friends and family what has worked well for them during interviews. Also practise responses to what you think some of the more tricky questions may be.
Jobspot
Carris Utility Solutions is looking for various construction roles in Oxford, Swindon and the South. Call 01689 809844.
Firm's a good sport
TRAIN firm Southeastern has invested £20,000 in the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust to help transform the lives of disadvantaged youngsters.
The money will go towards Get On Track courses, which provide young people with mentoring from world-class sportsmen and women.
Martine Kydd, 26, from Ramsgate, Kent, completed one of the courses and is now an employability and projects officer for Southeastern.
She said: “It’s inspiring to work with athlete mentors – they’ve done so much in their lives. To know that they’ve failed and got back up and done it, makes you realise that you can do it, no matter where you come from or how hard your life’s been.
“If you want something, you can do it. I’ve realised how much I could do if I really pushed myself.”
Employers struggling to recruit are driving up salaries
TWO fifths (42 per cent) of firms who have had difficulty filling roles have upped the wages offered, a poll by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) found.
After their initial advert failed to fill the job, 80 per cent of employers re-advertised it. Twenty-four per cent resorted to lowering the role’s requirements.
Skills shortages remain a major concern for employers, with 49 per cent stating they expect a shortage of candidates for permanent roles in the next three months.
REC chief executive Kevin Green said: “If you’re ready and willing to move jobs, you could benefit from an increase in pay as many employers are increasing starting salaries to attract candidates with the qualities they’re looking for.
“However, throwing money at the problem isn’t a long-term solution for employers.
“We need to train people up by embedding employability skills in schools, providing effective careers guidance and promoting apprenticeships.”
Jobspot
UK Power Network is looking for cable jointer apprentices. Send CVs to [email protected]
The joy division
WORKERS with no formal qualifications are more content than those with degrees.
Sixty-two per cent of people who left school with no GCSEs or A-levels told a new study they were happy with their lives, compared to 60 per cent of graduates.
Those with no formal qualifications are also less likely to feel stressed (33 per cent versus 48 per cent of degree-holders), the survey from loan provider Sunny found.
Scott Greever, from the company, said: “We know higher education is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and our research tells us people in the UK should not be afraid to take control and follow their own path, making the most of their skills and ensuring real job satisfaction.”