Lucy Jeffries

After working for a year as assistant manager, I was given the opportunity to step up to the role of manager in this fast paced city centre cafe. I was offered the role of manager after being noted for my exceptional customer service skills, ability to adapt quickly, and balancing a high level of professionalism whilst maintaining good working relationships with my colleagues. As manager I am responsible for overseeing the everyday running of the cafe, including placing stock orders, coming up with new and exciting menu items, creating cohesive work rotas, communicating effectively with the kitchen team to ensure smooth operation, particularly during our busy lunch rushes. I also work with my team in the cafe serving customers, preparing food and drinks, completing and recording daily opening and closing procedures and maintaining a high level of cleanliness and food hygiene.

During my time at Harriet’s Cafe Tearooms, I worked and led as part of the front of house team. My roles included managing shifts, seating and serving customers, taking orders, presenting food and drinks, preparing hot and cold drinks as well as afternoon tea to a high standard. In my role as supervisor I was a trusted key holder. I completed the daily banking at the end of the close, took large payments over the phone, booked reservations and worked with customers to resolve any issues they have had whilst visiting us. I was responsible for serving large bookings of sometimes over 30 people. I needed to communicate a wide variety of information with customers in a clear and professional manner as well as working along-side the kitchen team to ensure stock orders were placed correctly from multiple companies.

At Sundaes Gelato desert parlour I was part of a team carrying out a wide range of jobs within the restaurant. My roles included serving customers, presenting deserts at their tables as well as clearing, cleaning and restocking behind the bar. I have experience working to a high food hygiene standard as I prepared deserts such as waffles, crepes, sundaes and milkshakes, as well as being able to make a wide variety of coffees and hot drinks. I was involved in helping to train new members of staff and felt confident to lead the team, even when working in a very fast-paced environment. I was trusted with the key to open the shop, in charge of the opening shift.

I worked in the back of house at the cocktail bar BOND No28 in Norwich, as part of a small team including the back of house supervisor, to make sure the bar staff were supplied with everything they needed to maintain a clean high standard of the main floor area and garden.

My roles included collecting and cleaning, stocking the bar and fridges, checking and restocking bathrooms, and closing down duties including preparations for the next day.

I worked both individually and as part of a team, primarily with the public answering their questions about university. This included university events, for example open days, degree show, interviews, and representing the university off campus at UCAS Fairs and Norwich Gaming Festival. My roles included campus tour guide, information desk, greeting guests and talking to potential students.

The farm is an urban charity open to the public all year round and providing work experience for people with disabilities, and environmental education. I volunteered during holiday time when I was home from university. I worked with the public, including children, and alongside people with learning difficulties and mental health issues. I worked in the cafe, with the animals and in the garden. I was given roles of responsibility for example leading animal handling sessions for school groups.

During my second year of university I volunteered as Peer Assisted Learning mentoring first year animation students to help with their transition to university. I led a group of first years as they completed their first animation project. My PAL role included administration of the course Facebook page for students due to join the university, Freshers’ week and campus tours.