GemmaCartwright

Work Experience

Chalet Host Ciasa Verena, Colletts Mountain Holidays, Corvara (Italy) April - October 2017, seasonal full time position

My responsibilities in this role are extensive and varied, dependent on guests needs. This includes; planning and coordinating the chalet team to ensure all day to day tasks run smoothly, organising the chalet diary and dining s, hosting a buffet breakfast each morning, planning guest packed lunches and serving and hosting a three course evening meal each evening, bar management, stock rotation, stock take and bar ordering from local suppliers, light cleans and changeover cleans within the chalet alongside the chalet team, and overall ensuring that the guests have the best possible stay possible.

Bar Staff The Quay Inn, Instow (January-April 2017, full time)

My role here was customer facing, with a strong focus on repeat cliene; inclusive of beverage preparation, opening up and locking of the premises as a trusted key holder as well as cash handling and balancing the till at the end of every shift.

Cafe Assistant Johns of Appledore (June – Dec 2016, full time temporary seasonal)

My role here was varied and included training in coffee and beverage preparation, food hygiene and deli services as well as till operation and post office operation. I was predominantly a waitress but adapted to any role necessary for the successful day to day running of the business.

Waitress and bar staff First Inn Last Out (Oct 2015-May 2017, bank staff)

My role here involves beverage preparation, cash handling, speaking to and providing a positive regular experience for the local customers, waiting on tables, replenishing of the carvery, preparation of desserts and ensuring the kitchen and bar areas are clean at all times.

Waiting staff, social media administration and live music coordinator The Blue and Green (Feb 2016-July 2016, full time)

My position at The Blue and Green was heavily customer orientated, greeting customers, taking orders, waitressing, beverage preparation as well as cash handling and use of the till. I was also responsible for the organisation of regular live music at the venue, consulting with local artists/musicians/bands in order to arrange performances and collect invoices. Lastly, I was responsible for promoting the business via social media, I responded to customer queries, handled bookings and pre orders and advertised any events or promotions that we had.

Nursery assistant Claires Childrens nurseries (March 2013 to September 2015, full time)

My role here was as a full time nursery assistant, I was responsible for the safety, wellbeing and happiness of the children and young people in my care. I managed the breakfast club, after school club and the school holiday club, providing them with a range of activities and pursuits daily (inclusive of arts and crafts, sports, cooking, games etc) as well as coordinating the transportation both to and from school, and transportation for trips. In addition to working with primary aged children, I also worked alongside children aged 6 months- 4 years, providing them with stimulating free play, and a daily activity which aimed to further their development in the EYFS curriculum.

English Teacher British Teaching Academy (January 2015 to March 2015, full time)

Voluntary full time position planning, preparing and executing English language lessons for Sri Lankan students, aged 4-15 as well as coordinating, planning for and independently running the nursery for the younger pupils, introducing language to them through song, dance, games etc.

Play worker Community Arts Network (June 2012 to September 2012, full time temporary)

Play worker for a childcare network promoting inclusion for all children in mainstream play provision at after school clubs and school holiday clubs, as well as a one to one disability enabler on a weekly basis working with children and young people with learning disabilities. My position here involved catering for young people with toys, games, soft play equipment, systems, play blocks, circus skills equipment as well as creative activities such as arts and crafts. My role also involved liaising with parents and carers, safeguarding the young people and maintaining a high level of safety and hygiene at all times.

 (Please note that any work experience gained between September 2010 and September 2011 was temporary and often short-term owing to the fact that I was on a sabbatical year in Australia and worked whilst travelling.)

Chef de Partie /KP Port Douglas Surf Club Bar and Bistro (June 2011 to September 2011, full time temporary)

My position in this busy bar and bistro began as a kitchen Porter with duties which included food preparation, salad assembly and desert assembly as well as kitchen shut down, washing dishes and kitchen cleaning at the end of every shift. My duties were then extended to preparing, cooking and presenting main meals of a high standard and training in using equipment such as deep fat fryers, meat slicers, industrial mixers and blenders. My role here introduced me to a high pressure environment and the understanding of time being essential in a kitchen environment.

Waitress Chelso's Italian Restaurant, Sydney (March 2011 to May 2011, full time temporary)

My waitressing duties included meeting and greeting, taking orders, serving food to tables, some beverage preparation and generally building the customer experience. A lot of focus was put on repeat customers who regularly enjoyed dining with us and gaining more repeat business. Other responsibilities included cash management, reservations and bookings, kitchen - floor liaison and general presentation of the restaurant as well as coordinating takeaway orders.

Photo booth attendant Paparazzi Photo Studios, Sydney (January 2011 to May 2011, part time temporary)

My main role was the operation of the booth itself but also involved a large amount of promotional work with customers, utilising my interpersonal skills in order to promote the product and represent the company in a positive light at events, festivals and nightclubs in and around Sydney.

Retail Assistant The Outdoor Shack, Sydney (February 2011 to March 2011, part time temporary)

Working with products ranging from outdoor clothing to technical camping equipment such as multi fuel stoves and tents. My role involved consulting with each customer in order to best suit their individual needs with a product that is right for them and also involved showing sales initiative and meeting individual targets.

Sales Representative VMG Global (December 2010 to February 2011, full time temporary)

Working as an independent contractor with VMG sales, promotions and marketing group who represent a variety of products and charities through direct marketing. I was a team leader within the group and my role included coaching others on sales technique, product knowledge and motivational skills. I was also responsible for personal targets and coaching others around me, ensuring that they are realistic but also stretch the individual to achieve their full potential.

Education and certifications

First Aid at work

Valid November 2015-November 2018

Level 5 (CELTA in Cambridge English Language Teaching for Adults)

LAL Language Academy, Paignton, 2014

Level 2 in Door Supervision

Petroc College, 2012

Degree in Outdoor Adventure Sports (incomplete)

University of Plymouth, 2012

AS level in English literature, English Language, French and Photography

Bideford College 6th Form, 2008-2010

GCSE’s inclusive of A-C Grades in all English, Maths and Sciences

Bideford College, 2003-2008

Additional Information

I find myself to be very passionate and enthusiastic towards anything that I undertake, a lot of this attitude is owed to my participation within the scouting movement as well as my interest in outdoor activities.
In 2007, I was selected to represent Devon at The World Scout Jamboree, after demonstrating my understanding and tolerance of others, team skills, positive attitude and thirst for adventure. Through this experience, I was then also selected to become a youth ambassador for UK Scouting, as a Young SpokesPerson (YSP), I was trained in media representation, and was lucky enough to be presented with opportunities to attend conferences at The houses of Commons and Downing Street where I had the chance to express my views on the future of scouting to MP’s and cabinet ministers, as well as being lucky enough to meet Prince William at The World Scout Jamboree itself.
I have put a lot of time and effort into doing volunteer work as well as studying and working enough to support myself, which has required a lot of time management, prioritisation and sometimes sacrifice in order to achieve an overall goal. As a leader in the local explorer scout section my role demands good planning and organisation, strong leadership skills, team co-operation and strength of character, especially when dealing with challenging behaviour. I do this on a weekly basis and it requires a lot of patience and commitment.
My volunteer work has extended further than the scout movement. I have volunteered at a local disability youth group and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I quickly developed a new attitude to disability, the people it affected and how to empathise and enjoy their ability with them rather than focusing on restrictions either mentally or physically. I also separay volunteered at the local swimming pool where I helped to teach young people, both disabled and able-bodied, how to swim. My volunteer work was often quite demanding, sometimes emotionally and physically, but the end goal was always very rewarding and definiy worth all the effort required.
I completed basic first aid training through the British Red Cross at a young age, as I felt that it was an invaluable skill to have and maintain. I completed the initial course at 14 years of age.
I have an interest in outdoor pursuits, I completed the 35mile Ten Tors expedition twice and attempted the 45mile challenge (however had to drop out owing to an injury), I have also completed the Exmoor perambulation and Exmoor challenge, as well as belonging to an expedition group whilst at university and hiking regularly in Wales and The Lake District. I enjoy pushing myself as an individual to my limits, as well as succeeding as part of a team and supporting others.
Besides this, I have a continuing interest in photography and capturing my surroundings, and enjoy improving my skills in photography as a hobby, both in the studio and on location. I also have a passion for travel and what you can learn from immersing yourself in other countries and cultures, and have organised sponsored skydives and bungee jumps for charity. My attitude to outdoor activity is the same as my attitude to employment. I commit to any challenge presented and enjoy seeing the positive results that follow.