Lauren Neill

Customer-focused professional with over six years' experience across optical retail, hospitality and customer service, including patient consultation in an opticians and high-volume barista work in a fast-paced café environment. Skilled in problem-solving under pressure and taking on responsibility independently — including running solo shifts during Covid-period staff shortages and holding key-holder duties for store opening/closing and cash handling. Confident liaising across teams and departments, from in-branch coverage to international head office contacts.

Optical Assistant - Ollie Quinn - London

(2022-09 - 2026-07)

• Delivered patient consultations including frame styling and lens recommendations, building product knowledge across a wide range of options
• Took detailed clinical measurements for patients and resolved fitting/prescription issues through problem-solving and conflict resolution
• Managed appointment scheduling and daily operations using in-house systems
• Conducted regular stock/inventory checks and ordered replacement equipment to maintain full operational readiness
• Maintained hygiene and clinical standards in line with company policy
• Liaised directly with head office (Canada) on operational matters
• Provided cover for staff shortages at other branches, demonstrating flexibility and reliability across locations

Trainee Optical Assistant - Specsavers - Hertfordshire

(2022-05 - 2022-06)

• Booked client appointments, operated the autorefractor, carried out tonometry, fundoscopy and optical coherence tomography

Barista Maestro - Costa Coffee - Bedfordshire

(2020-03 - 2022-05)

• Worked in a high-pressure, high-volume environment, handling orders, transactions, and drink/food preparation to consistent quality standards
• Operated independently during Covid lockdown periods with reduced staffing, taking on full shift responsibility without direct supervision
• Held key-holder responsibilities, including opening/closing the store and cashing up
• Maintained stock replenishment and cleaning standards to meet brand compliance
• Collaborated within a team while also demonstrating capability to run the unit solo when required

Host - Poplars Garden Centre Restaurant - Bedfordshire

(2019-10 - 2020-03)

• Supported daily restaurant setup and close-down, serving customers and coordinating with kitchen staff to keep service running smoothly

Dispatch Assistant - Emma Brighton - Bedfordshire

(2019-08 - 2019-10)

• Fulfilled and packaged online orders for courier dispatch, maintaining accuracy under order-volume deadlines

Salon Assistant - Salon 84 - Hertfordshire

(2019-04 - 2019-04)

Work Experience

• Supported client care and observed appointments, salon operations and customer service

Print Finisher - Ocean Print Solutions - Bedfordshire

(2018-02 - 2018-03)

• Carried out print finishing, collating and binding work to production standards

Salon Assistant - Aspects Hair Design - Bedfordshire

(2017-04 - 2017-04)

Work Experience

• Assisted with general salon duties and daily studio maintenance

Hairdressing Level 2 Diploma - Hairdressing - North Hertfordshire College (2017-09 - 2019-06)

GCSEs - Harlington Upper School (2015-09 - 2017-06)

Online Course - Fundamentals of Neuroscience Part One - HarvardX on edX (2023-06 - 2023-09)

Online Course - Justice - HarvardX on edX (2023-02 - 2023-05)

Online Course - The Health Effects of Climate Change - HarvardX on edX (2020-06 - 2020-09)