“Don’t be scared of domiciliary”

What is the one piece of advice that you’d give to someone who wanted to work for the OutsideClinic?

Don’t be scared of domiciliary. The domiciliary world is quite misunderstood. It actually brings with it a fulfilling, soul-satisfying career that allows you to connect with your patients and do what you do best whilst giving you back your work-life balance. We don’t work weekends or Bank Holidays, so you can get a bit of normality back in your life.

When you’re shortlisting candidates, what’s the very first thing that you look for?

We don’t just look for candidates who have experience. We believe that many candidates out there would be the perfect fit for domiciliary, but they have never tried it in fear of the unknown. That is why we encourage those without that experience to apply as well. All optometrists have the skills, qualifications and ability to succeed in domiciliary optometry. We offer comprehensive bespoke training and support tailored to each individual so that you will have the confidence to provide exemplary optical care. If you care about people, like we do, and want to make a difference to people’s lives, then OutsideClinic would be perfect for you.

We believe that many candidates out there would be the perfect fit for domiciliary, but they have never tried it in fear of the unknown. That is why we encourage those without that experience to apply as well

How important is the cover letter in applications that you receive?

We don’t insist on a covering letter; however, I think there is value to adding one. It allows you to highlight specific areas you are passionate about and express your personality in ways that a CV cannot.

What’s the biggest mistake that someone can make in an interview for OutsideClinic?

We are looking for candidates with a genuine interest in the role and in OutsideClinic, so being unprepared for the interview and not doing your research on the company will show. Make sure you know your CV and what strengths you can bring into the position – our hiring managers want to get to know you as well as your recent achievements. But don’t forget that the interview is the perfect opportunity to get to know us too – ask questions so that you know that we are the right fit for you.

All optometrists have the skills, qualifications and ability to succeed in domiciliary optometry

How do you go about ensuring fairness and equality in your hiring process? Do you have specific programmes in place to ensure that?

We have the same consistent process for all candidates monitored by our in-house recruitment team. We shortlist people based on their ability to do the role, but we understand that some candidates have other commitments. That’s why we have recently introduced new flexible contracts to support people with obligations outside of work, and we always provide additional staff support where required. As a company, we want to do everything we can for you to achieve a better work-life balance while still having a fulfilling and rewarding career.

A new employee is preparing for their first week at OutsideClinic. What tip would you give them to be successful?

Remember that it’s all a learning curve. We tailor your induction to you, so whether you have had lots of experience in domiciliary before or none at all, we will work with you to achieve the most from your career with OutsideClinic.