Rachael O'Connell
London,ENG
Summary
I am a hardworking, reliable and resilient person. I have many years of experience in hospitality and customer service. I am a fast learner who is open to learning new skills that can benefit myself, my employer and my colleagues. I am target-driven with extensive expertise leading high-performing teams. I boost profitability and company growth through motivational leadership, outstanding service and smooth operational management.
I'm very chatty, friendly and confident with customers to ensure they have a great experience. I prefer fast paced environments that require multitasking and efficiency as these are two of my top skills. Teamwork is very important to me and I love to create an environment that enables staff to feel comfortable and work hard; so they enjoy their time at work.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Assistant Manager
Frontier Pubs
London
2024.08 - Current
- I started as a supervisor to gain more experience and training to move up to Assistant Manager, which I did so by January. Victoria Tavern is a busy Arsenal pub that was buzzing on match days and popular with students from London Met.
- I held the pub for 5 months as we didn't have a General Manager so I took on a lot of responsibility quite soon which was great for furthering my experience and skills.
- I created events at the pub such as monthly Drag Bingo that is one of our busiest nights with regulars and students. I also introduced interactive darts which have massively improved the games sales.
- I was responsible for ordering our products for the bar and overseeing the kitchen.
- I managed our stock effectively when doing stock takes weekly to ensure we hit our GP.
- I have experience covering 2 other pubs within Frontier when their GMs were away.
- Conducted team meetings on a regular basis, promoting open communication within the team.
- I really enjoy training new staff members and building a strong working relationship within any team I'm apart of.
Assistant Manager
Temple Brew House
London
2024.02 - 2024.08
- Temple Brew House is an onsite microbrewery in central London that hosts a weekly quiz night on Mondays and bookable electronic darts sessions every day.
- I was interested in working in hospitality again as I wanted a job where I could make a positive impact on people through my work. I thrive seeing customers have a great time due to the positive customer service and attention they are provided. My passion for hospitality is inevitable through my smile and welcoming personality.
- After starting as a bartender in February, I was promoted to Supervisor in March and then Assistant Manager in July.
- I ran shifts on my own and manage a small team of bartenders. I also worked with a lot of agency provided bartenders that I train to ensure they are highly knowledgeable of our bar while working with me.
- I implemented regular cleaning schedules to keep the pub in spotless condition, such as deep cleaning sheets, closing and opening sheets.
- I managed the social media account for the pub by scheduling posts to increase customer engagement. I created fun reels and posts to catch the eye of the consumer and increase product sales.
- I was responsible for the delivery, selection and rotation of craft beers and cask ales that are provided. I listen to feedback from our customers and look at product sales to choose products that they are interested in so they return.
- I input weekly stock takings when the GM / AGM are not on site and assist when they are present.
- I have experience and know how to use Alert65, Zonal Aquire and Design My Night to input pre-opening checks, ordering and managing our bookings.
Event Production Assistant
PR Live
London, Greater London
2023.09 - 2024.02
- PR Live is an event production hire company in West Norwood.
- I handled high volume calls to address customer inquiries and concerns.
- Oversaw logistics and operations to deliver process optimisations and efficiencies.
- Assisted with risk assessments.
- Regularly went onsite to our event venues to help the project managers with the running of the event.
- Developed timelines and schedules to support event logistics, coordinating with providers for seamless execution.
- Booking crew and technicians for our events and developing report so they can be used for future events.
- Responsible for office and warehouse orders.
- Booking vans, driver and hotels for our events.
Bartender
City Club Company
Bath, Somerset
2022.04 - 2023.10
- Bath Brew House is the most popular student bar in Bath with a bookable private bar, garden bar and main bar inside the pub. The pub also brews a selection of our own beers that we would showcase on bookable 'Brew Tours' for customers.
- Customers would ask questions on our ales and I would give descriptions on these with knowledge that I was taught by managers. As our beers regularly changed, it was important ask the customer what they liked so I could give them the best ale to what they were after. We would give free tasters and flights of beer for those who wanted a variety.
- During covid, customers would order through an app and we would bring drinks and food via table service. I was very quick at running the drinks and completing tickets at the bar, making sure trays were ran efficiently and drinks went to the customer perfectly.
- The pub was busy almost all of the time filled with lively students and tourists.
- Regularly hosted live music nights, pub quizzes and monthly student day parties known as 'La Terreza' that included a DJ for several hours in the garden as well as inside in the evening.
- I really enjoyed working here as I had a brilliant team that had high energy and supported each other throughout busy shifts which kept team morale high. I believe this is what helped to keep service running smoothly during busy periods.
- I was given a pay rise quickly after starting my employment here due to my hard work and helpfulness when training new staff.
- While working here, I also had a job at The Tanning Shop. Due to the late nights that come with working in hospitality, I left Bath Brew House in my final year to focus more on my studies. If I hadn't been in my final year I wouldn't have left as I loved the environment here so much.
Bartender
Greene King PLC
Bath, Somerset
2023.05 - 2023.08
- Known as the oldest pub in Bath, Saracen's Head was a busy tourist attraction with loads of customers visiting throughout the day.
- Was trusted to work alone in the day shifts, serving on the bar and running food. Along with keeping the pub clean and organised at all times.
- I regularly checked on tables ensuring they were sanitised, have menu boxes, condiments and cutlery.
- The pub hosted quiz nights, poker nights, comedy nights and live music so I was able to maintain my ability to work well under pressure in a busy environment while still holding up the high standards of the company.
Tanning consultant
The Tanning Shop (Bath)
Bath, Somerset
2020.12 - 2023.08
- The Tanning Shop Bath is part of the Tanning Shop chain which is the most popular chain in the country.
- I would inform customers on UV safety, our lotions and different sun beds for their skin type.
- I would inform customers about our spray tanning booth and demonstrate how to use it with clear communication.
- Worked at the desk at all times serving customers.
- Sanitised the beds before and after each customer and made sure the shop was held to a high standard at all times.
- Was trusted to work alone a lot of the time and had my own keys to the shop.
- Cashed up at the end of every day and did the regular closing procedures.
- A lot of customer service in this job where I built a strong rapport with many of our customers.
- Thoroughly enjoyed working here and made some really good friends.
Bartender
Stonegate Pubs
Bath, Somerset
2020.08 - 2021.04
- The Lamb and Lion is a busy sports pub in Bath right next to the Bath Thermespa and Roman Baths - both tourist attractions, bringing in many customers daily.
- During covid, customers would order through an app and we would bring drinks and food via table service. I was very quick at running the drinks and completing tickets at the bar, making sure trays were ran efficiently and drinks went to the customer perfectly.
- I was regularly put behind the bar during busy times due to my rapid serving skills.
- The pub has a busy garden in the summer with multiple screens to watch a variety of sports.
- We offered customers an eight pint pitcher where they could serve their own pints - this was very popular when sports were on so I got used to pouring quickly but still making sure the beer was the same quality as if it were a fresh pint.
Bartender
The Alma Pub N1
London, Greater London
2018.10 - 2019.09
- I started at The Alma N1 glass collecting and quickly progressed to working behind the bar.
- This pub is extremely popular and well liked. It is open late, has live music on Thursdays and Fridays, a DJ on Saturdays and roast dinners and a quiz on Sundays.
- Customers regularly hired out areas in the pub for private parties but the pub was still open to everyone making every area of the pub packed on weekends. This was intimidating at first due to this being my first pub job but I'm a fast learner who quickly adapted because I loved the excitement of busy shifts.
- I would work every weekend while studying at college and would work Christmas day when I was back from university. I also worked here when the pandemic hit and I was back in London completing my studies online.
- Absolutely loved working at this pub and regularly visit in my free time.
Tanning consultant
The Tanning Shop (London Bridge)
London, Greater London
2019.05 - 2019.08
- The Tanning Shop London Bridge is part of the Tanning Shop chain which is the most popular chain in the country. The London Bridge store is one of the busiest in the city due to it's central location.
- I would inform customers on UV safety, our lotions and different sun beds for their skin type.
- I would inform customers about our spray tanning booth and demonstrate how to use it with clear communication.
- Worked at the desk at all times serving customers.
- Sanitised the beds before and after each customer and made sure the shop was held to a high standard at all times.
- Was trusted to work alone a lot of the time and had my own keys to the shop.
- Cashed up at the end of every day and did the regular closing procedures.
- A lot of customer service in this job where I built a strong rapport with many of our customers.
- Thoroughly enjoyed working here which is why I continued my employment here while studying in Bath.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre, Festival and Events Production
Bath Spa University
Bath, BAS 2019.09 - 2023.06
A-Levels - Photography, Drama and English Literature
Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form
London, ENG 2017.09 - 2019.05
GCSEs -
La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School
London, ENG 2012.09 - 2017.06
Skills
- Strong leadership skills
- Creating events
- Excellent teamwork skills
- Product management
- Social Media
- Safe serving knowledge
- Stock counting and management
- Line cleaning
- Food service
- Problem solving
- Strong communication
- Knowledge of beer, spirits and wine
- Bar cleaning and maintenance
- Effective delegator
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Assistant Manager
Frontier Pubs
2024.08 - Current
Assistant Manager
Temple Brew House
2024.02 - 2024.08
Event Production Assistant
PR Live
2023.09 - 2024.02
Bartender
Greene King PLC
2023.05 - 2023.08
Bartender
City Club Company
2022.04 - 2023.10
Tanning consultant
The Tanning Shop (Bath)
2020.12 - 2023.08
Bartender
Stonegate Pubs
2020.08 - 2021.04
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre, Festival and Events Production
Bath Spa University
2019.09 - 2023.06
Tanning consultant
The Tanning Shop (London Bridge)
2019.05 - 2019.08
Bartender
The Alma Pub N1
2018.10 - 2019.09
A-Levels - Photography, Drama and English Literature
Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form
2017.09 - 2019.05
GCSEs -
La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School
2012.09 - 2017.06