Jack Chapman

After leaving my role as a customer assistant on foods in July to undertake a degree in economics at University. Due to excelling in the role, the managers offered me the opportunity to come back to the store and work there in the summer and winter breaks from university. This was a role on operations, where my skills developed and resulting in gaining valuable experience.

The duties when working as a store assistant included,

. Performed various store opening and closing procedures.

. Assisting contractors on a daily basis.

. Unloading lorries and organizing deliveries in a timely manner.

. Ensuring a smooth running of the store day to day.

. Answering the phone sometimes over 10 a day to external callers.

. Working within a close knit team on a daily basis.

. Working alone all shift on occasions.

. Providing excellent customer service to external callers and in store customers on a daily basis.

My role as a store operations operative improved further into becoming a key holder for the store. This meant I was trusted with keys to the store and therefore having a great responsibility to ensuring the safety of store and handling keys.

After a short while, becoming a call out employee. This meant if there were any problems with fridge temperatures or any issues overnight or on holiday times, such as Christmas day when the store was closed, I was trusted to come into the store and sort out these issues,

I was a very trusted and valued employee at Marks and Spencer's and I gained a plethora of experience whilst working here,

When first joining the team at Marks and Spencer's, I was a customer assistant on the foods section. Starting out as a 19 year old with no experience in the retail sector. I sharply adapted to the role and excelled, receiving many positive feedback comments from customers relating to the levels of customer service I provided. I felt as though I was a reliable member of the team ensuring the customers had a warm, positive experience from arrival to departure, encouraging return visits to the store. My experience as a customer assistant enhanced my confidence when communicating both verbally and non verbally to both customers and fellow colleagues. I feel as though I have developed many skills from this role which will assist in my future career.

The skills and experience I gathered from my time as a customer assistant were,

. Handling cash and card payments with accuracy.

. Advising customers on availability, pricing and location of products.

. Providing fast checkout service with high levels of customer care and transaction speed.

. Maintaining sales floor stock levels through consistent monitoring and regular replenishments.

. Handing requests with friendly, knowledgeable service and support, continually achieving positive customer feedback.

. Multi - tasking to ensure customer service levels are at optimal capacity at peak times.

. Using technology on a daily bases, enhancing my confidence using IT software.

. Problem solving and managing conflicts.

I worked here whilst at school and sixth form. It was here where I gained my experience working in a team and performed many tasks on a daily basis. Some of which include,

. Maintaining the yard and facilities cleanliness.

. Directing customers to the office and being the first point of contact for them.

. Working in a team to ensure deadlines are met.

.Cleaned up sites after shifts, organising tools and securing supplies in designated storage units.