Madeleine Fielder Skewes
Helston,Cornwall
Summary
A friendly, reliable and hardworking Philosophy graduate with a 2:1 degree from the University of the West of England and almost five years' experience delivering excellent customer service across hospitality, retail, sales and events. I enjoy working with people and take pride in creating positive customer experiences, whether helping someone choose a high-value purchase, resolving a problem or maintaining fast, efficient service in busy environments. Throughout my employment, I have consistently demonstrated reliability, adaptability and a strong work ethic. I am trusted to open stores, train new employees and manage several responsibilities at once in high-pressure settings. I work well independently and as part of a team, and I am confident taking initiative when needed. I am now looking for an opportunity to continue developing professionally while bringing strong customer service, communication and organisational skills to a new role.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work history
Crew Member
McDonald's
Penzance
2021.09 - Current
- Over almost five years at McDonald's, I have become a trusted and experienced team member in one of the busiest and most demanding customer service environments. My role requires me to deliver consistently excellent service while working quickly and accurately under pressure.
- Managed front counter, drive-thru and drinks station, developing ability to operate multiple areas of restaurant confidently.
- Assisted in opening restaurant during early morning shifts, ensuring stations were fully prepared and equipment ready for efficient operations.
Sales Advisor
Sofa.com
Bath
2023.10 - 2024.01
- Working for sofa.com introduced me to luxury retail and consultative sales, where providing a personalised customer experience was just as important as making a sale.
- I worked closely with customers to understand their lifestyle, budget and preferences. Many consultations lasted over a couple of hours as I guided customers through sofa and bed collections, discussed fabrics, colours and styles, and helped them determine the correct dimensions for their homes. Building trust and rapport was essential, as customers were making significant financial decisions and relied on my product knowledge and advice.
- After completing sales, I processed orders using the company's software system, ensuring all details were accurate before arranging delivery. I remained involved throughout the customer journey by providing delivery updates, making amendments where required and following up after delivery to ensure customers were happy with their purchase.
- I also contacted previous customers about furniture care insurance renewals, strengthening long-term customer relationships and further developing my confidence in sales, communication and customer retention.
Christmas Sales Assistant
Homesense
Cribbs Causeway
2024.10 - 2025.01
- As a seasonal employee during the busy Christmas period, I quickly adapted to a fast-paced retail environment and became a reliable member of the team within a short time.
- My responsibilities included operating tills, handling cash accurately, replenishing stock, organising displays and maintaining store presentation. Throughout each shift, I balanced these responsibilities with assisting customers, answering questions, helping them locate products and ensuring they had a positive shopping experience.
- Working during one of the busiest retail periods of the year strengthened my organisational skills, adaptability and ability to learn new systems quickly while working effectively within a team.
Cheltenham Festival
Agency Hospitality
2024.03 - 2024.03
- Through an events agency, I worked in a private hospitality box during the Cheltenham Festival, serving food and drinks to the same guests over four days.
- Because I worked with the same group throughout the event, I focused on building positive relationships by remembering guests' preferences, providing attentive service and creating a welcoming atmosphere. This experience further developed my communication skills and ability to deliver high-quality customer service in a premium hospitality environment.
Education
BA (Hons) - Philosophy
University of the West of England
A Levels - Philosophy, Sociology
Penwith College
GCSEs - Business Studies, Religious Studies, Combined Science, English Literature, Art, Spanish, Geography, Mathematics, English Language
Skills
- Excellent customer service and communication
- Building strong relationships with customers
- Working efficiently under pressure
- Managing multiple tasks simultaneously
- Problem solving and decision making
- Organisation and time management
- Fast learner with the ability to adapt quickly
- Administrative and IT skills
- Professional verbal and written communication
- Positive, approachable and friendly attitude
Voluntary Experience
Homeless GP Centre, Soho, Volunteer, 2022, During a week-long placement at a GP practice supporting people experiencing homelessness, I assisted with reception duties, administrative tasks and welcoming patients into the surgery., I also accompanied healthcare advisors on visits to patients living in temporary accommodation and hostels, where I gained valuable insight into the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals and the importance of compassionate, person-centred care., Alongside this, I was introduced to payroll processes and business administration, learning how expenditure and income are allocated across different areas of an organisation.
Additional Qualifications & Achievements
- ILM Level 3 AwardCompleted a university placement project that involved establishing and managing a philosophy magazine from concept to publication. Working collaboratively as part of a team, I helped create a submission portal, reviewed and edited articles, made editorial decisions, coordinated production and organised the magazine's launch event. This project developed my leadership, organisation, project management and teamwork skills.
- Carbon Literacy CertificateCompleted an intensive sustainability programme in Brussels, exploring climate policy and environmental solutions through workshops, simulations and collaborative projects. The programme included visits to the European Parliament, sustainable businesses and organisations implementing innovative environmental practices. Working alongside participants from different backgrounds strengthened my teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills while developing a broader understanding of sustainability and international policy.
Timeline
Christmas Sales Assistant
Homesense
2024.10 - 2025.01
Cheltenham Festival
Agency Hospitality
2024.03 - 2024.03
Sales Advisor
Sofa.com
2023.10 - 2024.01
Crew Member
McDonald's
2021.09 - Current
A Levels - Philosophy, Sociology
Penwith College
GCSEs - Business Studies, Religious Studies, Combined Science, English Literature, Art, Spanish, Geography, Mathematics, English Language
BA (Hons) - Philosophy
University of the West of England