I have over 30 years experience of Office Administration and work well in a busy environment multi tasking. My main duties have involved audio and copy typing over 90wpm, dealing with clients both face to face and by telephone. Filing, photocopying, faxing, cash handling, banking, keeping files and most clerical duties. I am able to work with all types of office packages, including Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Sage, Vista, Internet and Email. I have an effective communicating manner and enjoy taking incoming calls from customers. I have an excellent and patient telephone manner as I have Life Coach and Counselling Skills Certificates. These qualifications have taught me how to ask open questions and listen attentively. I am very much a people person and excel working within a team. I gain much job satisfaction when I am working in a helping environment
Key skills
90wpm copy typing speed
NVQ III Business Studies
Genuine interest in helping people
Patience, empathy and a non-judgmental attitude
Excellent communication and 'people' skills
A flexible and adaptable approach
The ability to stay calm under pressure and handle challenging behaviour
Currently available to work for organisations covering holiday and sick undertaking any administrative/sales tasks required. Able to work alongside others assisting in daily duties or work alone opening/closing and running of shop/ undertake administrative duties and management of office. Also able to work from home copy typing and digital dictation.
I have been doing voluntary work for over 30 years for this housing co-operative of which I live. Previously I have enjoyed working as the Secretary taking minutes at the meetings and teaching new members policies and procedures. As the Allocations Officer it was my job to transfer members within the co-operative from one property to another. When new members signed up for interview my role was to train them on our policies and procedures and the interview techniques which we use. I am currently actively involved dealing with Contractors on site and I am a secondary signatory for cheques. I am also the Newsletter Editor where twice a year I collect reports from the committee members, articles from the residents and then design, publish and deliver the magazine to over 130 of our members.
I was employed as a Sales Administrator. I was the customer’s first point of contact when they were looking for assistance in choosing either a headstone or cremation plaque. I listened attentively to their requirements on design, size, wording and funds they had available. I then processed the order according to their specifications and our legislation. I dealt with petty cash, cheques and payment processing by bank card. I opened mail and dealt with correspondence. I ordered materials and dealt with external bodies both on the telephone and face.
Drew Jones Solicitors LEGAL ASSISTANT 2003 –2009
Employed by this small firm of solicitors I was fortunate to undertake a wide range of tasks. Main duties included audio typing for the Partners and Fee Earners, taking their telephone calls and dealing with queries within my capabilities. I had to open and close files on the system and keep them up to date by ensuring all work typed and correspondence received were placed in them at the appropriate time. Often I managed 2 or 3 diaries by making and receiving appointments both over the telephone and face to face with clients and external agencies. Covered reception duties as and when required handling cash, important documents and sending and receiving faxes, taking messages ensuring they were passed on for deadlines. I was always the first one called upon to look at office equipment that had broken down or jammed before the repair man was called in
Champ Builders (temp) SECRETARY 2003
I was the secretary who helped organised the workmen build the flats at the top of Queen Victoria Road. My main job was to ensure the smooth running of staff working on site. I designed, delivered, collected and processed timesheets and then faxed them over to Head Office for processing. I had to organise the rota so workmen knew what jobs they were doing the following week. I had to order materials and manage the invoices ensuring to know which ones were paid and which were not. When urgent faxes were received I would ask a builder to deliver it to the Foreman on site but generally I would prioritise them for his attention. I undertook many office duties in this role including typing letters from shorthand, making telephone calls to suppliers and ordering stationery as and when required. Although a short term position I did learn a lot in this very responsible role.
Keoghs LEGAL SECRETARY 2001 - 2003
I was employed as a Typist for this commercial firm of solicitors. I audio typed for different Fee Earners from different departments on a daily basis.
I originally worked for Rachel Eaton, the Matrimonial Fee Earner and Partner of Cooksey Spencer Westgarth. I undertook all Rachel’s secretarial duties which consisted of audio and copy typing, keeping her files up to date, managing her diary, dead filing and shredding a vast amount of old files. The firm amalgamated with Alsters and shortly after, Rachel became ill and left and I was made redundant
Typing Tutor SELF EMPLOYED 1991 - 1996
I taught 11 students in my own home to Touch Type on a Typewriter. I then organised for them to undergo the typing examination with RSA Examination Board
The Butts College TEACHING NVQ STUDENTS 1993 - 1995
Employed in the ITEC Department I assisted students gain certificates in NVQs. Students were learning Office Administration, Care Work and Retail work
Rape Crisis Centre COUNSELLOR OF WOMEN 1990 - 1994
Coventry Probation Service RECEPTIONIST 1988 - 1989
This was a job share position I worked in the afternoon receiving mostly young adults into the building. I had to take relevant details from them and then inform their Probation Officer of their arrival. I covered the switchboard by transferring calls and dealt with difficult clients effectively.
Community Relations Council OUTREACH WORKER 1987 - 1988
Mainly dealing with clients who had to update their passports. Explaining the process of applying for British Citizenship, assisting them complete forms relating to this, ensuring correct documents were included with the application and that all criteria was met before submitting forms on their behalf.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Life Coach Diploma 2011 - 2012 Counselling Skills Diploma 2008 - 2009 Coventry University 1995 - 1996
BA in Women’s Studies Modules gained Women in Society Social Structure of Modern Western Society Introduction to Feminist Thoughts Introduction into Sociological Thoughts
Teacher’s Certificate in Office Studies 1992 - 1995
NVQ III Business Studies 1990 - 1991
Business Administration (LEGAL)
At College
Typing RSA III Distinction English Language ‘A’ LEVEL Office Practice RSA I Book Keeping RSA I Word Processing RSA II
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In my spare time I enjoy gardening where I grow every year from seed tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables. I grow strawberries; beetroot have a cherry tree and pear tree. I also enjoy dressmaking/knitting and design many of my own clothes and accessories.