As an Optician with an Optical Assistant Vacancy

10 Things to Give Up If You Want to Move Forward

As an Optician with an Optical Assistant Vacancy

Having an Optical Assistant vacancy in my business is honestly one of the most challenging situations I’ve faced. The effects ripple through every aspect of the business:

Effect on Sales:

Without an Optical Assistant, sales take an immediate hit. They’re often the first point of contact with customers, and their ability to build relationships, answer initial queries, and guide people through the purchasing journey is invaluable. Without them, the bottleneck moves to me and the rest of the team, leaving us overstretched and unable to focus on upselling or discussing premium products. The drop in revenue is both frustrating and worrying, especially in such a competitive industry.

Effect on Team Workload:

The remaining team members are left to pick up the slack, which quickly becomes overwhelming. Tasks like answering phones, managing appointments, assisting with pre-screening tests, and dealing with walk-ins get pushed onto staff who are already busy with their core duties. It creates tension and a sense of burnout within the team, leading to mistakes, lower morale, and a noticeable drop in productivity.

Effect on Customer Service:

Customer service suffers dramatically. Without an Optical Assistant, waiting times increase, and the personalised, high-quality service we pride ourselves on becomes difficult to maintain. Customers notice the strain, and complaints rise. For a business built on trust and reputation, this is devastating and can have long-term consequences.

Effect on My Stress and Mental Health:

Personally, it’s exhausting. I find myself constantly worrying about the gaps in service and the strain on the team. I’m stretched between trying to cover tasks that aren’t typically mine, managing customer expectations, and trying to recruit. The added pressure impacts my mental health and my ability to lead effectively. I feel stuck in a cycle of stress, which only makes it harder to focus on growing the business.

The Pain of Being a Team Member Down:

It’s a constant, heavy burden. Every day feels like damage control rather than moving the business forward. It’s not just the financial impact but the emotional toll of knowing the team is struggling and customers are noticing a decline. The longer the vacancy remains unfilled, the more the pain compounds.

How Inspired Recruitment Could Solve This Problem:

Working with Inspired Recruitment would feel like a lifeline. Knowing that specialists understand my industry and the nuance of finding the right fit gives me immense confidence. You don’t just place candidates—you ensure they align with my business’s culture, values, and specific needs. This would mean:

• Quickly Restoring Balance: Filling the vacancy fast with someone capable and experienced would immediately reduce the strain on the team, improve morale, and restore a sense of normality.

• Boosting Customer Service: A competent Optical Assistant would bring back the smooth, professional experience customers expect, protecting the reputation I’ve worked hard to build.

• Increasing Sales: With the right person in place, I could focus on higher-level tasks and trust my team to provide excellent service, ultimately driving sales and revenue.

• Reducing My Stress: Knowing I’ve got a reliable recruitment partner who understands the urgency and importance of this role would significantly ease my stress and allow me to lead with clarity and focus.

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What It Would Mean to Me and the Business:

Having this vacancy filled by someone sourced through Inspired Recruitment would transform everything. It would mean:

• I could sleep at night knowing my team isn’t burning out.

• My customers would receive the excellent service they deserve.

• The team’s morale and productivity would improve, creating a happier workplace.

• I could focus on strategic decisions, rather than being bogged down by day-to-day struggles.

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In short, Inspired Recruitment wouldn’t just solve a vacancy; you’d restore harmony and help my business thrive again. That’s priceless.

 Mark Goode

CEO Inspired Recruitment

Mark Goode is the CEO of The Inspired Recruitment Group which originated with the inception of Inspired Selections a recruitment agency primarily focused on recruitment in the optical industry before branching out into audiology and pharmaceutical recruitment. New optical opportunities are featured daily here or if you're a business, looking for help with your recruitment needs, get in touch here