Optician 

How did you get your current job?
I found my current job from a job posting on the internet.

What was the application process?
My application process was sending in my resume & cover letter & setting up a job interview.

Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail?
Yes, I interviewed for my current job. It was pretty informal since I lived out of state at the time so it basically consisted of a few phone conversations & then when I moved to the state I was applying for the job in, I had a brief formal interview with one of the owners.

If you can remember, what questions were you asked during the interview?
I was asked about my job experience in the field & the rest of the interview was pretty much informal. We had a very nice conversation about the location of the clinic ( which I grew up around ) & the remodeling they have done on it.

Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain.
I feel like my employer is properly training me for my job. They are being very patient helping me understand their computer system.

Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
Basically, the only training I am receiving from my current job is on their computer system. I have been in this field for 13 years so did not need to be trained in other areas.

Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain.
I have not had formal schooling for the career I am in, But I came to this job with 13 years experience in this field from working in different optical offices.

If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare for your job?
n/a

If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
Pick up the yellow pages in your city & start calling places of interest to you to see if they have any openings, check on craigslist for job postings as well. Also, if you know someone in the field that you want to get into, ask them if they know of anyone hiring & see if they will put in a good word for you. It is always important to network when trying to find a job.

What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours?
To get into a field like mine, you really need to be a people person because you are interacting with the public a lot. There are some places out there that will train you ( entry level), so the skill set will come with experience, but make sure you represent yourself well ie..dress professionally, be neat in your appearance, be clean (meaning, BATHE!) & don’t have a bad attitude towards learning from someone whether they are older or younger than you. Respect others & they will respect you.

Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
I pretty much fell into my profession by accident, but I have excelled at it for 13 years because I learned everything I could about it & am constantly trying to upgrade & improve my skills. I believe if you have enough drive & determination, you can accomplish anything.

What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
The best advice I can give is be open to learning from others whether they are younger, older, male, female & so on. I have seen many people come into my field & not succeed because they had preconceived ideas of how they thought they should learn something & from whom. Be open to learning your trade no matter how it represents itself to you.