Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Volunteer Experience
Affiliations
References
Additional information
Timeline
Generic

Karen Carter

Colchester

Summary

I have gained 7 years of experience in customer service, recognised for maintaining composure and effectiveness in fast-paced environments. Strong ability to adapt to various situations while providing exceptional support. . Enjoy working within a team or working on my own. Committed to continuous learning and skill development.

I am a compassionate and empathic person with 16 years of experience for caring for my daughter with complex medical needs, including epilepsy. Looking after my daughter has given me the skills to communicate with different professionals, i.e healthcare, social care. This has given me the skill to problem solve and the ability to manage stressful situations calmly. I'm keen to transfer these skills into a professional environment,

Overview

36
36
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Food Service Assistant/Barista

Aramark
Colchester Institute, Colchester
10.2018 - Current
  • Work in a coffee shop on campus
  • Providing students, staff and visitors with hot and cold beverages, sandwiches, paninis etc.
  • Processing payments.
  • Dealing with problem solving and enquiries
  • Maintaining area cleanliness, organisation and replenishment.
  • Supporting additional outlets as needed.
  • Guide new staff training initiatives whenever required.
  • Worked in fast-paced environment whilst maintaining quality of service.
  • Provided exceptional customer service

Guest Service Assistant

Holiday Inn
Colchester, Essex
07.2023 - 08.2023
  • Assisted with check-ins and check-outs, elevating guest experience.
  • Enhanced guest satisfaction by providing prompt, courteous service.
  • Maintained clean, tidy reception area to create a welcoming atmosphere.
  • Worked closely with kitchen staff members to understand dietary needs of specific clients.
  • Facilitated smooth operations by setting up tables.
  • Collaborated with team to provide efficient service during peak hours.
  • Followed health regulations whilst handling food, promoting safe practices.
  • Ensured customer satisfaction by addressing queries and complaints promptly.
  • Managed till register efficiently, ensuring accurate billing process for customers.
  • Helped seat guests upon arrival, leading to a welcoming atmosphere.
  • Assisted head waitress with large party coordination, aiding in smooth function.
  • Checked customers' identities to ensure they met age requirements for purchase of alcohol,.
  • Created friendly, welcoming atmosphere to encourage positive guest experiences, prolonging visits to increase profitability.
  • Regularly communicated with kitchen and bar staff to maintain smooth front of house operations, minimising potential service delays.

Finance Assistant/Supervisor

Aramark
Colchester Institute, Colchester
12.2019 - 12.2021
  • Supervised the coffee shop on campus
  • Assistant to the manager
  • Counting and banking daily takings
  • Making up floats for the next day
  • Filing and scanning
  • Empty the vending machines and record takings
  • Managing the hospitality within the college
  • Additional administrative responsibilities as required, including covering colleagues' breaks and holidays.
  • Managed petty cash transactions for controlled spending on office supplies.
  • Handled ad-hoc finance related tasks efficiently whilst maintaining high accuracy levels.
  • Organised financial documents for easy access and retrieval during audits.
  • Calculated client invoices with an efficient use of accounting software.
  • Coordinated with other teams to resolve any discrepancies on invoices or payments.
  • Entered transactions into internal databases.

Kitchen Assistant

Freda Gunton Lodge
Balkerne Garden Trust, Colchester, Essex
10.2015 - 10.2018
  • Consistently demonstrating politeness towards residents, staff, and visitors
  • Addressing issues that arise throughout shift
  • Preparing dining environment for meal service
  • Engaging residents in meal selection process
  • Addressing residents' needs, such as allergies
  • Keeping the area clean and tidy
  • Complying with food safety and health regulations
  • Establishing rapport with each resident
  • Helping Head Cook when necessary
  • Washed dishes quickly after meals service to free up space in the kitchen area.
  • Working well in a team or independently when required
  • Followed safety procedures whilst using kitchen equipment to prevent accidents on duty.
  • Helped in the plating of dishes for enhanced visual appeal and presentation.

Night Replenishment Assistant

Sainsbury's
Colchester, Essex
09.2007 - 10.2008
  • Implemented safety measures to minimise workplace accidents.
  • Disposed waste materials appropriately to keep the area organised and tidy.
  • Rotated and discounted products to maximise sales before sell-by dates.
  • Removed items with exceeded expiry dates for disposal.
  • Reached high shelves by using ladders safely in store rooms.
  • Replaced stock on empty and low-quantity shelves.
  • Stacked items neatly to create presentable shop displays.
  • Cleaned shelves, signs and aisle floors.
  • Faced-up shelves for customers to easily identify products.
  • Unpacked and processed deliveries quickly to maximise available goods.
  • Helped customers locate products efficiently to enhance their shopping experience.

Office Junior/Audio Typist

Capita
Colchester
09.1989 - 10.2002
  • First full time job after leaving school
  • Filing, collating
  • Copy typing
  • Setting up new client files
  • Scanning
  • Data inputting
  • Sorting post
  • Transcribing dictation and drafting correspondence for Claim Advisors and in-house Solicitor

Education

GCSEs -

St Benedicts School
Colchester, Essex
09.1985 - 06.1989

Skills

  • Data Entry
  • Customer Service
  • Audio typing
  • Effective upselling
  • Hygienic practices
  • Beverage serving knowledge
  • Stock management
  • Inventory control
  • Stock rotation
  • Kitchen cleanliness maintaining
  • Resilient stress handling
  • High-volume dining

Volunteer Experience

Bernardo's - Colchester

Volunteer Playgroup Assistant

Sept 2014 to June 2015


  • Help with the setting up of the room for the play group session,
  • Preparing a healthy snack, always adhering to any allergy requirements where necessary
  • Clearing away tables after snack and washing up
  • Talking and listening to the children and encouraging learning through play
  • Listening to the parents with any concerns and giving advice, then passing on any concerns to the Family Support Workers
  • Making up journals for the children with their drawings and photos, making any comments of achievements
  • Tidying up room and outside space at the end of the session
  • Helping and support at other baby groups when asked
  • Adhering to privacy and Safeguarding policies

Affiliations

In my spare time, I enjoy walking and listening to my audiobooks. I am sociable and love spendng time with my family and friends.

References

References available upon request.

Additional information

  • Currently working towards a qualification online in TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Special Education Needs and Disability
  • Keen to learn new skills and qualifications

Timeline

Guest Service Assistant

Holiday Inn
07.2023 - 08.2023

Finance Assistant/Supervisor

Aramark
12.2019 - 12.2021

Food Service Assistant/Barista

Aramark
10.2018 - Current

Kitchen Assistant

Freda Gunton Lodge
10.2015 - 10.2018

Night Replenishment Assistant

Sainsbury's
09.2007 - 10.2008

Office Junior/Audio Typist

Capita
09.1989 - 10.2002

GCSEs -

St Benedicts School
09.1985 - 06.1989

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Karen Carter