When people decide to work at Specsavers, they’re joining a company with a purpose to change lives through better sight and hearing – hence why more Australians and New Zealanders choose the optometry provider over any other.
As one of the largest employers in the ANZ optometry sector, Insight sits down with an employee each month to hear about their growth trajectory within the company.
Specsavers stats
Name: Monica Hoang
Current position: Mobile optometrist
Location: FIFO
Years within the business: 9
How did you come to work at Specsavers?
I was studying in my second year at Flinders University and the advertisement for an optical assistant at Specsavers Norwood Place was announced on the optometry student forums. It felt like my first adult job, and I didn’t know what to expect. I just knew Specsavers was one of the major optical companies and I love how the network supports self-development and learning.
What was your first role in the business?
I started as a retail assistant, being involved in every step of the patient journey outside of the eye test itself. Daily tasks would include booking appointments, welcoming customers to their appointments, operating clinical devices such as fundus cameras, OCT and visual fields, frame styling, dispensing glasses, teaching customers how to use contact lenses, fitting and adjusting glasses and troubleshooting patient concerns. I also got to work with the most fun and amazing team. The optometrists in store also became great mentors and were always happy to answer optometry-related questions as I neared the end of my degree. Because of this experience, I bonded easily with the retail team, and you would sometimes find me out front helping.
What growth opportunities have presented themselves?
I eventually started my graduate optometry program at Specsavers Hollywood, which was close to my home and where I had my first ever eye test. My employer/mentor was also the optometrist that performed my first eye examination and treated my amblyopia as a child.
After finishing my graduate program, I continued to work at the same store and began mentoring optometry students, as well as helping at one of the graduate induction events.
After three years, that’s when the mobile optometrist role was mentioned to me. I didn’t know it existed, but it was perfect for me because I could experience various stores while staying with Specsavers. Now, I travel to Specsavers stores across Australia that need cover. I have recently completed my Pathway Program, which has given me the leadership skills I’ll need to one day run my own Specsavers store. I’m also loving acting as a mentor to one of our newly appointed graduates in the Wyalla store.
What are your top career highlights since joining Specsavers?
I am grateful to have experienced many roles in this company. As an optical dispenser, I learned how to provide good customer service and improved my communication skills and confidence. As a graduate optometrist, I had mentors that gave me guidance and space to develop my skills and become the type of optometrist and person I wanted to be. At Specsavers Hollywood, I performed eye tests in Vietnamese for the local Vietnamese patients who spoke limited English. This was so rewarding – they were so excited and grateful. Now, as a mobile optometrist, I have never loved my job more. I travel to cities and towns I would have never otherwise. I am making a difference by making optometry accessible in regional areas. It’s made me feel more competent; I may not be there for reviews, so I need to be confident and thorough in my triage and treatment plans so the patient is properly cared for even when I have left.
What excites you most about turning up for work each day?
I love that each day is different and not predictable. I can come to work knowing I have the tools to make a difference to someone’s vision, eye health and quality of life.
More reading
Specsavers working to break down optometry barriers
Specsavers, Vision Australia stepping up for patients with low vision
Specsavers makes golden impression in customer experience award rankings
