Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
Generic

Marlana Phillips

London,United Kingdom

Summary

Dynamic and results-driven professional with a strong foundation in active listening, effective communication, and computer proficiency. Demonstrates exceptional interpersonal relations and team collaboration skills, complemented by robust time management and leadership abilities. Adept at problem-solving with a focus on leveraging transferable skills to drive organisational success. Committed to continuous professional development and aspiring to contribute effectively in a challenging roles that fosters growth and innovation.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Voluntary Experience Housing Navigator

Islington Council
London
01.2025 - 06.2025
  • Conducted street counts to assess needs of homeless individuals and verify chain registration.
  • Shadowed home visits for residents in temporary and permanent accommodation, facilitating engagement in keywork sessions.
  • Assisted clients at drop-in centres and solidarity hub, connecting them with local resources like mobile dentist and GP services.
  • Provided guidance on housing applications, addressing benefits, tenancy issues, and utility concerns.

Entrepreneur

Ebay
London
05.2016 - 07.2023
  • Designed creative campaigns to raise awareness and increase sales.
  • Managed accounts and invoices, keeping finances up-to-date and accurate.
  • Managed website optimisation to improve the user journey.
  • Improved search engine optimisation to increase the quantity and quality of website traffic.
  • Market research to gain knowledge on popular products.
  • Negotiated with wholesalers on product prices.
  • Took photographs and wrote detailed descriptions of items for sale.
  • Packed boxed and shipped items in a timely manner.
  • Addressed questions, returns and complaints efficiently.
  • Received Top seller status.
  • Weekly stock checks and accounts.

Sales Assistant

Argos
London
06.2016 - 12.2016
  • Upsold additional accessories and add-on items to increase average transaction values.
  • Advised customers of Christmas return and exchange policies, offering gift receipts for gift items.
  • Maintained good product knowledge to provide well-informed, helpful advice to customers.
  • Tended to the cash register, recording transactions and taking payments for items using EPOS systems.
  • Packed bags for checkout staff during busy periods, helping customers to their cars for enhanced service.
  • Operated register to process payments via cash and cards and credit accounts.
  • Temp staff

Sales Assistant

Sainsburys
London
09.2015 - 02.2016
  • Worked to provide customers with a friendly and efficient checkout service.
  • Processed all types of payments i.e.: cash, debit transactions, vouchers, gift card, etc.
  • Opened new merchandise boxes and stocked sales floor racks and shelves with the latest items.
  • Processed cash and card payments during busy shopping periods to minimize customer waiting times.
  • Correctly operated the cash register and followed all cash handling procedures.
  • Remained up to date with store campaign sales, new product offers, gift cards, etc.
  • Addressed and resolved complex customer complaints in a calm, efficient, and friendly manner.
  • Liaised with customers to determine needs, provide recommendations, and upsell services.
  • Reported to the store manager and maintained an organised and accurate work log.

Assistant Manager/Travel Advisor

Amir Travel
London
01.2007 - 08.2015
  • Helped less experienced staff manage daily assignments.
  • Trained and helped less experienced staff manage workloads and assignments, facilitating fulfillment of organizational objectives.
  • Helped senior management plan and carry out daily operations and meet key objectives.
  • Supervised and delegated tasks to employees to meet key productivity targets.
  • Maintained a positive, professional working environment to optimize staff and customer satisfaction.
  • Asked open-ended questions to best understand client needs and determine the best travel offerings.
  • Explained the benefits of purchasing travel insurance with clients and ensuring that they thoroughly understood the information.
  • Researched and created memorable and exquisite travel itineraries for high-level clients, celebrities, politicians, and business executives.
  • Explained security issues and protocols with individuals traveling to highly insecure areas in the Middle East and Africa.
  • Booked last-minute travel accommodation for a party of 60 guests for a wedding.
  • Took payments via credit and debit cards and handled all sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
  • Organized all holiday matters from beginning to end, including booking tickets and accommodation, and securing rental transportation.
  • Planned and coordinated all travel for clients based on budgets, departure times, and travel needs.

Travel Advisor

Wild About Travel
London
07.2003 - 02.2005
  • Kept customers updated on travel changes, including flight cancellations, pricing changes, and other important updates.
  • Provided relevant information to clients, such as maps, brochures, and local customs, delivering according to requirements and itineraries planned.
  • Stayed updated on the latest travel industry trends to update package and holiday prices to align with demands.
  • Combined and sold various services, including transportation, hotels, excursions, and car rental.
  • Attended travel seminars, conferences, and networking events to stay updated with tourism trends.
  • Advised on important travel information, such as passports and visas, tailoring according to destination of interest.
  • Collected customer payments both in-person and virtually through Galileo, sending reminders when necessary.
  • Advised and recommended appropriate holidays, travel packages, and deals to clients based on vision and budget.

Client Liaison Officer

TV Travel Shop
Orpington
05.2002 - 06.2003
  • Set up new client accounts and updated Salesforce files with precision.
  • Participated in ongoing training to broaden knowledge, acquire more skills and improve performance.
  • Determined and pinpointed opportunities for reducing complaints by sorting, categorising, and prioritising concerns for timely handling.
  • Provided fair, accurate, and timely results to meet the organisation's regulatory obligations and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
  • Managed all client inquiries through a resolution to enhance customer satisfaction ratings.
  • Delivered exceptional customer service to grow business, resolve issues and maximise customer experience.

Claims Handler

Churchill Insurance
Bromley, United Kingdom
10.2001 - 04.2002
  • Offered first-hand support to claimants that had been involved in a motor accident.
  • Collected evidence through investigations, verified documentation from claim submissions, and opened new cases in company systems to initiate claim processing activities.
  • Received training in claim handling, fraud detection, and settlement, amplifying the department's skills.

Trainee Travel Advisor

Going Places
London
09.2000 - 09.2001
  • Whilst attending training once a week while completing my modern apprenticeship module.
  • Sold package and tailormade holidays.
  • Sold travel insurance and other ancillaries.
  • Contributed to the shop's targets.
  • Took cash installment payments and full payments for holidays.
  • Booked group excursions.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Sociology

London Metropolitan University
London
10.2020 - 08.2023

NVQ Level 3 - Business

City of Islington College
London
09.2014 - 06.2015

NVQ Level 2 - Business

City of Islington College
London
09.2013 - 06.2014

NVQ Level 1 - Business

City of Islington College
London
09.2013 - 06.2014

GCSEs - Maths

City of Islington College
London
09.2012 - 06.2013

GCSEs - English

City of Islington College
London
09.2012 - 06.2013

Skills

Active listening Effective communication

Computer proficiency

Interpersonal relations

Team collaboration

Time management

Leadership and management

Problem-solving abilities

Transferable skills

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Voluntary Experience Housing Navigator

Islington Council
01.2025 - 06.2025

Bachelor of Science - Sociology

London Metropolitan University
10.2020 - 08.2023

Sales Assistant

Argos
06.2016 - 12.2016

Entrepreneur

Ebay
05.2016 - 07.2023

Sales Assistant

Sainsburys
09.2015 - 02.2016

NVQ Level 3 - Business

City of Islington College
09.2014 - 06.2015

NVQ Level 2 - Business

City of Islington College
09.2013 - 06.2014

NVQ Level 1 - Business

City of Islington College
09.2013 - 06.2014

GCSEs - Maths

City of Islington College
09.2012 - 06.2013

GCSEs - English

City of Islington College
09.2012 - 06.2013

Assistant Manager/Travel Advisor

Amir Travel
01.2007 - 08.2015

Travel Advisor

Wild About Travel
07.2003 - 02.2005

Client Liaison Officer

TV Travel Shop
05.2002 - 06.2003

Claims Handler

Churchill Insurance
10.2001 - 04.2002

Trainee Travel Advisor

Going Places
09.2000 - 09.2001
Marlana Phillips