Can you give us an overview of your role as Head of Recruitment at Optical Express? What does a typical day look like for you?
Always busy, balancing many spinning plates! Organising workload for the team, making sure offers and onboardings are completed ASAP to get candidates joining us, interviewing candidates for various roles and providing feedback to them. I also manage relationships with recruitment agencies, aiming to keep agency-sourced hires to a minimum. It’s all about following through by the end of each day, only to hit the ground running again tomorrow!
What drew you to the recruitment industry?
A long, long time ago, I was made redundant, and I was told to go around agencies to get a job, at this time (1996), I didn’t even know what an agency was! After having a few interviews, I found my place in the recruitment field and haven’t looked back.
How would you describe the core values that drive Optical Express as an employer?
I think one of the main values is the teamwork that each department shows, and we all try to help each other as much as possible, which creates a real team ethos that’s rare in a company of this size. This collaborative energy makes Optical Express a fantastic place to work.
What challenges do you face recruiting in such a specialised industry?
The main challenge for me was learning about the industry and what is required for specialist roles – I’m still learning things every day. There are many moving parts and roles to be filled behind the scenes that a lot of people don’t know about. As a business, we’re committed to keeping our job opportunities highly visible to attract top talent quickly. We want to showcase the meaningful work being done here and how candidates can be part of that impact.
Reflecting on your career, what would you say has been the most rewarding experience or achievement?
I have been very fortunate in my career that I have achieved quite a lot, however, the most rewarding part of my career has always been getting a candidate a job, that gives so much satisfaction. There’s nothing like being on the other end of that call, knowing you’re making a positive impact and opening the door to their next big opportunity.
You speak to potential candidates each day, what would you say is the thing that most often draws people to work for Optical Express?
For most candidates, it’s the brand that draws them in, Optical Express has been a leader in the industry for over 34 years, and with its scale and reputation, the opportunities for career progression are clear.
The appeal varies by role too: for optometrists, it’s the chance to gain valuable accreditation and work with refractive patients to grow their skills. Theatre staff love the work-life balance, and Patient Advisors are often drawn by the potential for career growth. Some of my colleagues have been here for more than 20 years, progressing into roles they never imagined, a career with Optical Express can open so many exciting doors.
Has the recruitment industry changed much since your journey first began? What are the most notable differences?
When I started in recruitment, you still had to post your application or go in person to a company and hand your CV in! Overall, the concept of recruitment hasn’t changed too much, some companies can make it confusing by putting in tests or requiring you to compose a paragraph about yourself in so many words, but at the end of the day, it is dealing with people, and that one-on-one conversation remains the best way to find the right fit.
What are some common traits or characteristics of candidates who thrive at Optical Express?
In my experience of OE, I would say hard-working, positive and resilient. Challenges are inevitable, but it’s the ability to bounce back and adapt that truly sets them apart.
If you could do another job for a day, with all the skills needed to do it well, what would that job be?
I think I would like to be Carlo Ancelloti, manager of Real Madrid, on a Champions League night at the Bernabeu Stadium, to work with some of the best players around in what is arguably the best stadium in the world!
If you could swap lives with any fictional character for a day, who would it be and what would you do?
Batman! I’d drive around in the Batmobile all day. Maybe some crime-fighting if it comes up.
