Sarahjayne Nicholls Sales and Business Management
A bit about me... After a 7 year break from education I decided at age 25 to spend some time focusing on a creative subject to add further qualification to my CV, and dedicate some energy into an interest that had been underlying during my years of working in sales and business management. When an opportunity arose in 2008 for me to go to France for 8 months I packed my bags, put the laptop away and the sales persona on hold and spent some time living life in a different country where with the free time I had, between travelling around and experiencing a different culture, I spent writing stories and designing storyboard ideas for short films and TV series. After my time in France came to an end, I enrolled in a 1 year college course in Art, Design and Media leading me on to a 3 year degree course in Animation. Due to financial circumstances my working time never ended even when education began, and for the last 4 years I have juggled a full time course with full time work to pay my way through education. Nearing the end of my mature education experience I am looking to go back into the work field of sales and business management which I had previously come from, but now with further personal and practical skills I have learned on the way. I have learned such valueable information on Animation and the Creative Arts during my time on the degree course, however I want to keep that interest as a hobby and an extra curricular interest, and not as a profession. Balancing University with full time work has challenged me and changed me for the better.
References Obtained David Millington – Manager at Olan Mills Photographers Sarahjayne was a member of a team of 4 of us, she was always the first in and last out trying to hit daily targets, yet supportive of the other staffs efforts. She was a likeable person which aided her in the success of engaging with the customers and getting great photographic results, leading into a sale. She also had some of her work entered into a national competition, where her images were used for promotional purposes. Kelly Freeman – Team Leader at Mortgage Brain, Bromsgrove Sarahjayne progressed very quickly within the company due to her being able to understand new processes quickly and always put herself forward to take opportunities to progress. She was a valued member of the team and was liked by everyone due to her confident, friendly and enthusiastic personality. She had 1 sick day in 2 years and was always on time and professionally presented on arrival. Jen French – Kitchen Manager at The Coal Orchard, Wetherspoons Sarahjayne was a valued member of the team when she worked with us, despite her college commitments she was always available to the business needs, she was never late and was never off sick. She was trustworthy and reliable and a very likeable member of the team. Her time in the kitchen despite having no previous experience involved the opening and closing down of the kitchen alone, and working to a very strict turn around time on food being ordered, prepared and served. All of these requirements she carried out quickly and efficiently. David Sadler – Manager at Vue Cinemas Cribbs Causeway Sarahjayne is a dependable member of staff, taking on extra work and shifts when needed and always puts herself forward to help, despite also studying at university. She trains new employees and welcomes them, which she does naturally due to her likeable personality and her understanding of the tasks involved in the role. She has had no absence and in 3 years has never had a cash over short. She is a team player but quickly takes the lead on shift with organising the other staff around her.
Job History Prior to Education Mortgage Brain - Oct ‘06 to Sept ‘08
Business Development Manager Employed in 2006 as a member of the customer support team, taking inbound calls for technical issues on the software and making outbound calls to potential customers. Promotion within 4 months to the advanced I.T. department handling more technical queries. After a following 6 months promoted to Business Development Manager. A face to face support for current users across the U.K, carrying out seminars across the country to large groups of potential purchasers of the software encouraging successful and regular use of Mortgage Brain and its Trading Exchange.
Peter Bainbridge Optometrists - Dec ‘04 to Sept ‘06
Retinal Photographer and Practice Manager A retinal photographer for a family run optometrists. Gained a qualification in assessing diabetic retinopathy. Co-ordinated a daily schedule of patients, administering eye drops, photographing the retina, concluded with a briefing to the patient on the out come. After 12 months promoted to practise manager running a team of 6 employees, maintaining good morale in the work place, organising weekly shifts, cash handling and opening and closing of site.
Olan Mills Photographers - July ‘03 to Dec ‘04
Photographer and Sales Employed as photographer and sales for a newly opened branch. Trained for 6 weeks on the digital equipment, with the aim of taking a collection of photographs with the intent to sell afterwards. Target driven role taking ownership of work to sell on afterwards. Attended a training course for hair and makeup and became the dresser for weekly makeover shoots for single or groups of girls and ladies.
Job History During Education Vue Cinemas Cribbs Causeway - Sept ‘10 to current time
Guest Assistant and Training Buddy: 30-40 hours per week Cash handling, cleaning, knowledge of products and training new members of staff to support the management team. Offered the role of supervisory manager twice however declined due to education commitments. Hours reduced to 20 hours a week during summer months.
Unite Student Accommodation - June ‘12 to Sept ‘12
Sales Advisor: 40 hours per week A telephone based role, dealing with inbound and outbound calls with the intention of a sale. Daily and weekly sales targets which were hit or exceeded. Was offered a permanent role at the end of the 3 months but had to decline due to university commitments.
Merlin Housing Association - June ‘11 to Sept ‘11
Customer Service and Sytem Advisor: 37.5 hours per week Employed to restructure and implement a new system in which the complaints department handled and processed their calls. Needed a new process created and set in place then taught to permanent members of staff.
Council Connect - June ‘10 to Sept ‘10
Customer Service Advisor: 40 hours per week Part of a team of support contacts in the customer service department to handle inbound complaints. Offered a permanent role after the temporary placement however declined due to university commitments.
The Coal Orchard, Wetherspoons - Sept ‘09 to June ‘10
Kitchen Staff: 30 hours per week Preparing food, quick turn around times, solo shifts, opening and closing of kitchen. Working with dangerous equiptment.
Skills learnt: Educational * Presentation skills * Adobe Creative Suite Softwares * A Higher level of qualification * A collection of creative works * Essay structure and writing * Microsoft Office 2012 programs * Fabrication and Craft Skills * Networking for self promotion * Green screening and audio equpitment experience * Team Producer of “Beard” production Group
Skills learnt: Personal * Time management * Personal Budgeting * Meeting, integrating and working with a wide variety of people * Juggling two full-time commitments * Confidently representing myself * Working to tight deadlines * Valuing free time
Contacts sj.nicholls@live.co.uk 07934 938612 nichollssj.weebly.com linkedin profile