Chris  - Office All-rounder including Accounts /Customer Service / Administration & Personal Assistant

Personal statement: "As a highly motivated person that believes in honesty, integrity and professionalism, I feel that with the experience I have gained to date I would be an asset to an organisation.

I have a strong work ethic and enjoy working with people. I have strong computer skills and general office skills.  Additionally, I am able to work all hours necessary and have a flexible schedule."

Summary of job skills:

• Excellent IT skills- includes word processing, spreadsheets, maintaining databases, desktop publishing, internet and email.
  
• Documentation drafting - includes agreements, memos, letters, reports, discussion papers, newsletters.
  
• Excellent Personal Assistant/Executive Assistant skills.
  
• Wrote a handbook on OH&S and a Business Plan for a voluntary organisation.
  
• Staff supervision, explanations of policy procedures to staff, staff training.
  
• Competent working with accounting procedures.
  
• Customer Service skills.
  
• Experienced Receptionist.
  
• Copy editing.

Computer software experience:

• Word - Advanced (typing speed 75 - 85wpm)
  
• Excel - Intermediate
  
• PowerPoint - Intermediate
  
• Various databases - Advanced
  
• Advanced Internet/Email skills
  
• Web Design - Intermediate (various packages)
  
• Accounting packages - advanced MYOB & Pastel / Manual
  
• Scanning software -advanced various packages
  
• ReportWriter (for Schools) - rusty
  

Overall Work Strengths:

• Ability to adapt to changing situations
  
• Excellent computer skills
  
• Competent and trustworthy
  
• Wealth of experiences
  
• Excellent leadership qualities
  
• Team player
  
• Can work independently
  
• Work well under  pressure
  
• Able to formulate procedures/documentation
  

Three main strengths:

• I believe my ability to work independently but also work in a team will be an asset for any company.
  
• My excellent computer/IT skills.
  
• Capable of working with minimal supervision and be relied upon to work to a high standard.

Referee comments:

This said that Chris has high level interpersonal skills, describing her as warm, friendly, very
professional and she related extremely well with her colleagues and superiors, "It is hard to find someone like her."

She noted that one of Chris' strengths is her ability to look at systems or problems with a logical mind then look outside the square to find a solution, adding that she is very
detailed and thorough in her work "She instinctively knows what to do and how to approach each task or problem."  When working through a solution, or learning  something new, she takes notes and rarely has to ask the same question twice.

This referee noted that Chris is highly organised with great time management skills. Pressure doesn't faze her; she will stop, think, then analyse to find a solution. She added that Chris is extremely multi skilled and has excellent multi tasking abilities.

She considers Chris highly recommendable to another organisation as a reliable, friendly and efficient person, "She will be an asset to any organisation.  Any future employer will be happy with her." 

Sam - Entry Level Warehousing / Despatch / Stores / Logistics

Sam is a young chap looking for his first job in warehousing - this is a career in which he is interested. He is a neat, tidy and well presented young man who is prepared to give
anything a go.  Most recently, Sam was working as a kitchen hand - not a career path he sees himself in for the long term.

Overall Work Strengths:

"I am very punctual with my work and always keen to learn. Previous work colleges say I am reliable and honest, however one of my biggest strengths is my communication skills. I believe these strengths are necessary for any position."

List your three main strengths that you could bring to a company:

• My ability to work well with people
• My enthusiasm to learn new skills
• I am extremely positive

Describe a major goal you have set for yourself:

My major goal is to work for a company that I am happy with. I am prepared to learn all the skills a company can offer so I can work  my way through a company to one day, become a manager.

Referee comments:

This referee said it was a pleasure to work with Sam.  He never complained; he willingly jumped in to do anything asked of him.  He said that Sam really appreciated being ‘stepped up' in the role, e.g. he started off on the dishes, then his responsibilities were increased to include food preparation and cooking. He said that Sam is hard working and puts in 100%.  Once he learned the job requirements, he was able to react to the various demands quickly.  He was always at work on time and very reliable.  He listed Sam's three main strengths as: Commitment: The amount of effort he put in; He works heads-down and never complains.

Mary - On-the-road Sales Representative / Account Manager

Mary has extensive on-the-road Sales Rep experience, Account Management and also Administration; she has a stable employment background, one job of 5 years and another of 14 years.

She is a likeable, professional lady; well spoken and well presented.

Summary of job skills:

• Ability to put people at ease and professionally presented. I am comfortable with senior management and training store personnel in
  presentation.
• A very good communicator - I can articulate ideas and concepts well verbally, and my
  written communication is effective. I listen well.
• A diverse range of brand, marketing & sales skills from years of experience in office
  consumables, skin-care and home wares.
• Highly comfortable and capable in taking up the role in all its facets and challenges. From selfmanaging week to week sales & account management objectives to leading andcontributing discussion at sales meetings.

Overall Work Strengths: 

I posses the ability to meet customers' for the first time and develop a long, constructive and rewarding relationship.  I am intuitive, mature and pragmatic in dealing with people at all levels.

Three main strengths:

• Energy and tenacity
• Managing and nurturing relationships
• Identifying and converting opportunities for Sales

Referee comments:

This referee explained that Mary's role involved constant new business development (on-the-road) because it was a new company with a new product range. She developed and established a solid customer base and continually cold-called on new prospects and steadily built up their client base. He described Mary as very courteous, caring, humble and she was able to find the right level in which to communicate with people, whether they be a CEO or a Sales Assistant, "She was equitable with all levels of people and treated everyone with the same respect.  She is versatile and very capable. One of her key strengths is her ability to put people at ease and build a relationship; she can read people very quickly."

In regards to workload, he said that Mary ‘absolutely exceeded' expectations.  She was very rigorous and capable in dealing with her paperwork and sometimes she had to be reminded that there was always ‘tomorrow!'

When asked how Mary handles pressure, he said that she is an incredibly capable lady who is highly organised, methodical and self disciplined, "Pressure never fazed her."  In regards to
promoting what was a new product into a new market, he commented that she has the ability to think outside the square and was always looking at better ways of doing things. She has great selling skills and she likes to know the product really well.

He said that her reliability was impeccable.  He considers Mary highly recommendable to another company in a Sales Rep role, especially to a territory manager role; her strengths include business development, cold calling, and servicing her existing clients to a very high standard.  He said that her new employer will benefit by giving Mary the scope to look at things that they might not have thought of previously due to her lateral thinking ability.

Accountant - Financial Controller

John's most recent job as Financial Controller was made redundant in June 2011 after 15 years due to a down turn in the industry.  In this job, he supervised three staff; one Assistant Accountant, one Accounts Payable Clerk and one Accounts Receivable Clerk. They use an accounting software system called Arrow. He said his job was very hands-on as he was responsible for all financial aspects within the company.

The Company are importers, manufacturers and fabricators of steel construction products to the building and construction industry.John said he was earning $110,000 + Super plus a fuel and car allowance.

John made the following statement: Over the years I have gained considerable experience in the financial and commercial aspects of small to medium sized companies.

I was recently retrenched along with a number of people in our company and now seek a new challenge where I can be a major team player.  I am focused, motivated, highly analytical and can work autonomously.  

A verbal reference was provided by the Company Secretary where John worked for the last 15 years.  She confirmed that the company has downsized staff numbers significantly and they could no longer justify having an on-site Financial Controller.  She said this was a hard decision to make, as John has been a terrific employee.

She described John as a very loyal and cooperative employee that related well with everyone. She confirmed that he supervised a small team and he has a natural talent when it comes to teaching/training staff.  He is very thorough when presenting financial data to management and providing then with timely financial reports. He has a good attitude, positive and even tempered, never moody - he is a calm person.

She said the breadth of his job was vast, from hands-on through to dealing with Banks, noting that John enjoyed working on special projects which he could see through from start to finish, such as job costings or budgets.  She eagerly noted that their external Accountant was very happy with John's work quality.

She said that John is hard working and always met deadlines.  He copes well under pressure and she never saw him get overwhelmed; he doesn't stress out.

Stating that John is very flexible and obliging, for example, she handed over many of her responsibilities to John such as handling all of the company insurances for which he negotiated a far better price, mobile phone accounts he negotiated a very good contract with another provider.

She also handed over WorkCover responsibilities to John plus he managed the company fuel cards.  She said, "I don't know how I am going to manage without him!"

She added that John is very hard working, for example, they did roll-overs every day and this could only occur after 5pm, and he generally didn't finish work until 6-7pm. She mentioned the following amongst John's strengths:

• 1) He maintained the General Ledger in a structure of which the external Accountant was happy with.
• 2) He kept the Bank happy, talking to them regularly and providing them with monthly cash flow and budget reports.
• 3) Job costing; he allocated costs to the right area.
• 4) Very strong in maintaining the Computer Network System; he is very knowledgeable with IT systems, he could find most problems and fix them otherwise he would liaise with their Arrow software provider.
• 5) Works well under pressure; nothing fazes him.
• 6) Works well with other staff.
• 7) He continually improved their systems.
• 8) He liaised with their suppliers for imported products.

The following questions were answered by John:
Summarise your job skills:  I have well developed interpersonal and communication skills. I am able to work autonomously as well as being a team player. I have strong analytical and numeracy skills. I am a good mentor and manager to my support staff and can effectively prioritise workloads.

Summarise your personality as you see yourself: I am a calm and approachable person and can build good relationships with co-workers. I am also trustworthy and loyal towards my superiors.

Summary of how you think others see you: I believe others are able to trust and respect me as they often approach me for advice regarding non-work related matters.

Computer software experience:

• Advanced skills using Arrow Accounting Software and Excel.
• Intermediate skills on Word, Microsoft Query and Crystal Reporting.
• Some exposure to MYOB.

Tertiary Education / Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Business in Accounting 1996
• CPA 1998

Overall Work Strengths:

• I am a hard worker, focused and I have very good problem solving skills.
• I have excellent interpersonal skills and enjoy being a team player.
• I am able to well work under pressure and I can prioritise my work in order to meet deadlines.

Weaknesses:  Sometimes I get a little too focused and this may affect my work / life balance especially if I have major projects that need to be completed.  I need to spread out the work load rather than trying to complete it all at once.

List your three main strengths that you could bring into this company:

• Improve systems and procedures in order to increase automation and reduce human error.
• I am able to produce accurate, meaningful and timely financial data to help management move the business forward.
• I have well developed business and negotiating skills.

Give an example of a time you had to make a decision on your own without consulting your supervisor:  After many years of receiving IT support from our external consultants I felt the level of support deteriorated and was not satisfactory. I decided to change the Arrow support to another company where we noticed immediate results. The decision to make this change was made entirely by myself.

Describe a major goal you have set for yourself:

I would like to be part of a dynamic company where my role and professional development will grow with the company. It would give me great satisfaction to see the company that I work for make strides and be successful.

What was a significant achievement in your previous or current position?

• Setting up a 20 user network accounting system and providing management with monthly management reports.
• Costing out manufactured products commencing with time and motion studies right through to overhead allocation.

What motivates you the most, and why:

I like to know that I have made a difference to a company's success; it gives me a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

What would you bring to this company, if you were offered the position?

I would bring a broad range of financial and business experience that I have developed over the years. I would bring a positive approach and a determined attitude.  As someone who likes to lead by example I would demonstrate vision, energy and a passion to succeed

What did you enjoy most in your previous or current position?

I enjoyed having full autonomy and responsibilities in all financial aspects of the company; many decisions were left up to me because my superiors trusted my abilities.  This gave me the confidence that was necessary when making difficult decisions.

The staff were very friendly and good to work with.

Personal statement:

I feel I have the necessary skills and experience to accommodate the requirements you are seeking for this Finance Manager role.  I feel comfortable in undertaking the tasks and responsibilities in a professional and successful manner and I am confident I can bring in a high level of professionalism to your company.

Interests and Hobbies:

I enjoy spending time with my family who are very dear to me.

I enjoy keeping fit.

John: Warehouse/Despatch/Supervisor

John is aged in his early-mid thirties and currently works as a Warehouse Manager. Although he has worked in senior roles from only 2007, what he lacks in experience is certainly made up for with his enthusiasm and drive to continue learning and moving his way up the ranks. Every job he has held has been a step up from the previous job. 

He said he enjoys a challenge and learning new things. He currently supervises of small team of 3-4, and more when they take on casuals.

During 2005-2006 he was a Warehouse Production Assistant. He said he also has extensive experience driving a forklift and drives them daily. 

John is seeking a commencing salary in the range of $60,000 + Super.

A verbal reference was provided by the Assistant Manager from a previous job. He confirmed that John reported directly to him.  He said that John relates really well with all people, he takes direction well, he related well to staff ‘down the line,' and he handled issues maturely.  He said that John is an outgoing, happy person who is enjoyable to be around.

He noted that John was consistently motivated by being delegated extra responsibilities; he would always take that one-step further in achieving goals and expectations. He is one of the few who knows where he wants his career to go, and he is sure that John's career will be a success story. He said that John's role was diverse; about 20-30% of the day was office work with the balance being hands-on in the warehouse, supervising and keeping his finger
on-the-pulse.

He wouldn't hesitate in doing forklift work to get an order out the door or move stock around in the warehouse, and he also helped with stock takes which was a big job.

This referee described John as very hard working and very organised. He managed ‘spot' pressure fine, he never crumbled.  He noted that John's attendance and punctuality was spot-on. 

He listed John's main strengths as: Work ethic - he is very punctual and reliable; Camaraderie - he has the ability to get on with all types of people; Attention to detail - he adhered to the company's procedures and reporting systems; He is very enthusiastic when faced with new challenges. No weaknesses were noted by this referee.

The following questions were answered by John:

Tertiary Education / Qualifications / Courses:
First Aid Certificate - 2009
Certificate 3 in Transport and Logistics - 2009
Ballarat School of Mines - 1997
Computer Course - Basic - 2005
Forklift License for 15 years - 1995

Overall Work Strengths:

The ability to work alone or in a team environment.

The ability to learn fast and I am diligent in all aspects of the work place.

I thrive on learning any new skills that help me to become a better employee.

I'm always punctual and reliable.

Weaknesses:

I believe that I can be very methodical which sometimes results in tasks taking longer.

Summarise your job skills:

I have the ability to learn skills and process them quickly.

I'm strong, fit and energetic.

I have been working in warehouses since I was 16 and I believe I am an enthusiastic male with a thirst for knowledge in warehousing and logistics.

Summarise your personality as you see yourself:

I see myself as a leader; someone that my colleagues can feel comfortable coming to for help or guidance in the work place. I'm easy to approach and welcome feedback from my staff.

I give 100% to my professional and personal life, whether it be in a warehouse, on a cricket field or coaching my under 14 team.

I know how to have a laugh with my friends but believe I'm also someone they can turn to for help.

Summary of how you think others see you:

Others see me as a confident, competitive and easy going person with a drive to succeed in both personal and professional fields. They see me as a passionate person towards my sport, family and anything I strive to achieve.

Computer software experience:
Excel- Basic 
Outlook - Intermediate
Word - Basic
Enterprise Manager - Advanced
Internet Explorer - Advanced

List your three main strengths that you could bring into this company:

Attention to detail Fit, strong, reliable and an appetite for hard work. A willingness to learn and challenge myself every day

Give an example of a time you had to make a decision on your own without consulting your supervisor:

Once a year we set up a stand at a trade fair (Melbourne ExhibitionCentre) for all designers and retailers to come and see their newest range of products.I have been in charge of a team of people to help set this stand up over a period of 3 days. All decisions during this time are my responsibility until the final day when the marketing manager comes to approve the layout and design. This is when he gives feedback and to date it has all been complimentary.  Responsibility of setting up the display is left to me over the three days. This display directly impacts on the show and ultimately the yearly sales in the retail sector.

Describe a major goal you have set for yourself:

To manage a fast paced warehouse. In the long term, I would like to eventually be a manager that can oversee many parts of a company.

What was a significant achievement in your previous or current position?

The most significant achievement in my current role would have to be turning the warehouse into a fully operational, safe and efficient warehouse within just a matter of weeks and being able to maintain this now for almost 2 years.

What motivates you the most, and why:

Learning new things and putting them to use in a work or personal situation and being part of the growth, development and success of the company or team. This creates great personal satisfaction.

What would you bring to this company, if you were offered the position?

I would bring strong leadership qualities which would enable me to motivate staff in the workplace environment. I believe I provide a management method that makes me extremely approachable by fellow staff. I know that I would impact in the success of the company and create a work environment where employees will want to give 100% everyday.

I know that respect is an important characteristic and it needs to be earned. I believe I lead by example and I instill good work ethics that results in an efficient and friendly workplace. Good results are what motivate me.

What did you enjoy most in your previous or current position?

I enjoyed working unsupervised and being trusted to run the warehouse the most efficient manner.

Personal statement:

I am a suitable candidate for this position because I believe that I will be a long term asset to the company, bringing an honest, reliable and focused approach to the role.

I don't believe you will find anyone more committed to achieving results. I take pride in my work and come to work each day willing to learn and accomplish more. I believe that I am at the next step in my career where I'm ready to have more responsibilities and greater involvement in team building. I am a believer that no company can work without a manager that isn't willing to get his hands dirty, and work with his staff to get the best out of everyone.

Interests and Hobbies:

Cricket; Basketball; Tennis; Computers; Gardening; Jogging; Spending time with my wife and family.

Despatch Manager/Customer Service 

Dudley enjoys working in a multi-faceted role combining hands-on work in the warehouse, staff supervision, office work and customer service. 
 

He said he has experience working in a metal/workshop environment; he began his career as a Fitter & Machinist. He also has experience with a company who manufactures timber framed windows and doors. 
 

Dudley said he is competent with driving a forklift, driving it regularly; he is great believer of working with the team and leading by example. He has supervised a small team of seven staff in the warehouse, and larger teams of 30 including truck drivers. 
 

He is seeking a commencing salary in the range of $55,000 to $65,000 + Super depending on the responsibilities of the role. 
 

A verbal reference was provided by Dudley's previous employer; she confirmed that he worked there for six years until 2009. She explained that when the on-site warehouse was closed down and the staff made redundant, she specifically requested Dudley to join her team as he has such exceptional all-round skills including customer service.
 

When he was working as the Senior Warehouse Coordinator, she was liaising with him daily regarding job orders, delivery schedules, etc.  She said that Dudley has exceptional interpersonal, communication and customer care skills at all levels. He is very patient and liaises clearly.
He has a calm and even temperament, he was always friendly and approachable with staff and customers, "He is a genuine and ethical person that has a wide range of experience." She said that Dudley is motivated by taking on responsibility and ownership of his tasks, guiding every process through from commencement to completion. She added that his work is detailed and accurate; he was not one to make errors. 
 

In regards to managing his work load, she said Dudley exceeded expectations, he was very hard working, very hands-on and would always stay back until all tasks were completed,
"He was very dedicated."  She added that he was always under pressure and this never fazed him, his temperament never faltered. 
 

She said that his experience gained from working in the position of Senior Warehouse Coordinator plus his experience with customer service would stand him in good stead for another employer.  She said that one of his strengths is his ability to ‘get things happening,' he is very hands-on. She listed his other strengths as: Strong work ethic; Personality - he has the ability to ‘not' react or get angry to emotions, he is very calm and even tempered; Attention to detail; Communication skills; Loyalty. 
 

The following questions were answered by Dudley: 

Tertiary Education / Qualifications / Courses / Apprenticeships: 

• Fitter and Machinist - 1982
   
• Train the Trainer - 1989
   
• Certificate II in Transport and Distribution (Warehousing) - 2004
   
• Certificate III in Transport and Distribution (Warehousing and Storage) - 2004
   
• Certificate of Assessment for a Forklift (LF) - 2009
   
• Diploma of Logistics - Currently completing
   

Overall Work Strengths: 

• I build strong relationships with my colleagues and customers 
• I am not afraid of new systems, processes and technologies 
• I am a quick learner and absorb information easily 
• I am willing to help others to achieve goals and positive outcomes for the organisation and themselves  

Weaknesses: Work related.  I can get a bit pedantic with my work at times. 
 

Summarise your job skills: I am able to perform the following tasks: 

• Coordination of finished stock to external stakeholders across all states of Australia. 
• Customer pickups  
• Account Managers sample orders 
• Monitoring requirements for shipping consumables 
• Internal/external stock returns  
• Ensuring that OH&S requirements are adhered to in the despatch/ inward goods area 
• Assist with pre invoicing checks 
• Warranty claims 
• Supervision of staff 
• First stage response person for all correspondence and phone inquiries with Sales, Customer Care and external stakeholders 
• Raising pick labels and picking lists 
• Supervised and conducted cycle counts and stock audits 
• Liaising with 3PL to coordinate delivery 
• Facilitated "end of month" interdepartmental meetings  

Summarise your personality as you see yourself: 

• I am not afraid of hard work 
• I am willing to help others and go the extra mile 
• I am loyal 
• I have a good sense of humour and fun  

Summary of how you think others see you: 

I hope that others see me as I have summarised above. What you see is what you get. I don't play games. 

Computer software experience: 

I am very computer literate and am proficient with a number of computer  software including: 

• Word - Intermediate 
• Excel - Intermediate 
• PowerPoint - Intermediate 
• Attache (Accounting) - Intermediate 
• MYOB (Accounting) - Intermediate 
• ERP (Purchasing, Planning, Manufacturing, Warehousing, Accounting) - Intermediate 
• V6 Software (Estimating and Production) - Intermediate 
• Pronto-Xi (Warehouse Management) - Intermediate 

List your three main strengths that you could bring into this company: 

• I am analytical and a good problem solver 
• I am able to understand new processes easily 

Give an example of a time you had to make a decision on your own without
consulting your supervisor: 

As a person that doesn't need to be micro-managed, I am constantly making decisions based on better practice and good judgment.  

Describe a major goal you have set for yourself:  

To work within an enjoyable environment that challenges me and that promotes staff development. 
 

What was a significant achievement in your previous or current position?
 

At my previous job, I was part of a team that implemented a Photo/Computer Proof of Delivery system. The company had a large number of goods being stolen from sites where no one was on site at the time of delivery or other subcontractors were on site but not the builder.  

A system was implemented so that a signature was required for every delivery and also a photo was taken (with time and date info recorded) with the site ID sign in the photo, then it was emailed back to the office and kept on file. If the customer questioned the delivery, the photo was sent to them as proof of delivery. This process saved the company many
thousands of dollars in proof of delivery issues. 

What motivates you the most, and why:   

To want to instill in my young son a strong work ethic and sense of good social justice in the way he deals with others.  

What would you bring to this company, if you were offered the position? 

Enthusiasm with a "can do" attitude.  

What did you enjoy most in your previous or current position? 

Working in an environment where I made a difference. 

Personal statement:  I am a quick learner and absorb information easily. With a background in manufacturing I also understand the demands of tight lead times. I pride myself on a strong work ethic and have always strived to build strong relationships with colleagues and customers.  

Interests and Hobbies:  My personal interests are my home and family, music, and spending time with friends. 

Grant worked full time, and studied part time in the evenings from 1994 to 2001.  Between 1994 and 1996 Grant completed an Associate Diploma in Accounting at Victoria University, then between 1996 and 2001, he completed a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) at Victoria University. 

As his knowledge and skill base increased, he changed jobs for career advancement reasons to enable him to broaden his knowledge base.  He is confident that he has a good understanding of the many facets of Accounting.  Grant has been in his current job for just over two years.  During this period, he said the business has grown by about 40%. He has increased his working hours to about 60 hours per week to accommodate the extra work load. 

Grant is at the point in his career where he wants to settle into a long term job. He is required to give notice of 4 weeks. He is seeking a commencing salary in the range of $87,000 to $90,000 + Super.

Grant provided the following statement:

My current role entails looking after the finance records of three companies which all operate under the one family group operation. I have experience in undertaking and controlling the entire financial processes which take place within a finance department.

I am a team player and whatever is needed to ensure deadlines are met, I am willing to contribute to ensure those timeframes are achieved.

My experience covers a broad range of activities within an Accounting team, from entering invoices, payroll, monthly reporting, budgeting, statutory taxation reporting and the presentation of financial reports to company stakeholders.

A verbal reference was provided. He confirmed that Grant was employed as their Financial Accountant and that he reported to the CEO. He said that Grant is a personable man, approachable, professional, and can communicate professionally with people at all levels; he got on well with the CEO and other staff. 

He went on to that when Grant started, there were several accounting tasks that needed to be ‘brought up to speed.'  With guidance from himself, Grant achieved good results, adding that Grant doesn't need supervision as such, he managed quite a high workload and pressure never fazed Grant, he has a calm demeanour.

Grant is a quick learner, for example, dealing with foreign exchange rates, Grant picked this up quickly.  If Grant was unsure about something, he would always go and check with the CEO rather than ‘muddle' through;  this was one of Grant's strengths. Grant's attendance and punctuality was unquestionable. 

Grant's main strengths as: He is tenacious - he never gives in and throws his hands up in the air; He will always seek out advice if he needs clarity on something; Friendly and approachable, he is very competent for a person of his experience and qualification.

The following questions were answered by Grant:

Summarise your job skills:

My job skills are that I have a broad range of experience from the entry level of accounting processes to the higher level of producing financial reports and delivering them to the Directors of a company.

Summarise your personality as you see yourself:

My personality is of person that is of a level headed nature, with a down to earth attitude. I treat others in the way I expect to be treated.

Summary of how you think others see you:

I believe people see me as a level headed family man that treats others with respect, honesty, and has the initiative to assist others voluntarily. Others would also say that I enjoy spending time with friends and family and those people who I care about.

Computer software experience:

Excel - Advanced

Word - Intermediate

Accounting/ Business Package - Pronto, Oracle (with Cognos attached), ACCPAC, WINMAGI, ATTACHE (Payroll)

Tertiary Education / Qualifications:

1996-2001 Completed a Bachelor of Business in Accounting

1994-1995 Associate Diploma in Accounting

1995 Advanced Excel Course

1994 Introduction Excel Course

2009 Level 2 First Aid

Overall Work Strengths:

I have experience in the following areas:

• 1) Accounts Receivable (also supervising)
• 2) Accounts Payable (also supervising)
• 3) Payroll
• 4) Month End Reporting (Reconciliations, Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, Budgets)
• 5) Taxation Lodgments (BAS, FBT, PAYG, PAYROLL TAX)

I am very conscious of reporting accurate information, and if I believe the data may not be accurate, I will investigate to ensure that the data is accurate.

Weaknesses:

I can sometimes take on too much work and put myself under undue pressure. That can also come from willingness to help others in need to ensure that they are not under undue pressure.  

List your three main strengths that you could bring into this company:

• 1. I am able to produce timely and accurate data to management.
• 2. A broad range of accounting knowledge and experience.
• 3. The ability to show that I am person that takes pride in his place of work, and willingness to help others achieve their goals to ensure the betterment of the organisation.

Give an example of a time you had to make a decision on your own without consulting your supervisor:

Being in a position as a Manager, I make many decisions where I don't consult with my direct Manager. A recent example was that I needed staff to work extra hours to get through our month end process as another staff member had recently departed to go overseas. To have the staff work extra hours was something that does not normally occur, and these extra hours are going to be paid hours to those staff. I did not consult with my manager, I took on the responsibility that it was a priority to ensure that our work was up to date. When I informed him of my decision his was fine with the steps I took.

Describe a major goal you have set for yourself:

My goal in relation to work is to work for a company which I am very proud of, and I am seen to be an integral part of that company. I want this company to be successful and I would like to be seen as part of the success. If I am in a role where I am adding value to a group and I believe that I am being respected as a person and for the role I am doing, then I am achieving that goal.

What was a significant achievement in your previous or current position?

In my current position when I joined the company they had never had a formal budget in place.

I put together a budget for all 3 companies of the group which would represent the true operations of the businesses. The Director was extremely surprised and appreciative of what I presented, and it gave him opportunity to make decisions for the betterment of the company.

What motivates you the most, and why:

Job satisfaction is a very big motivator of mine. I am of the belief that as individuals during our working life that we spend a lot of time at work, so we must enjoy what we are doing. Family is also a large motivator of mine. I want to be able to give my family the opportunity to enjoy things in life, things that I may not have been given the opportunity to do.  

What would you bring to a company, if you were offered the position?

I believe I would bring a broad range of experience, an attitude that "I am here to provide the best service I can to the company." I am a person that is extremely focused on working as a team, no job within the company would be seen upon as being beneath me. I am willing to assist others when needed to ensure the deadlines are met.

I have the attitude that if I can present management with timely and accurate data, that will allow them to make decisions for the betterment of the organisation.

What did you enjoy most in your previous or current position?

In my current role I extremely enjoyed being able to develop a budget for the 3 entities within the group. It gave me the ability to understand the true operations of the businesses, and it also gave extreme job satisfaction to take ownership of something that had never been produced for the Directors before.

Personal statement:

I am a Finance Manager, I have the required skills and experience for this role.  The key accountabilities of this role are tasks that I have undertaken and been responsible for in all my roles.

I am person that is very passionate about my work. I look forward to the opportunity of meeting with the Directors to discuss this role further.

Overall Work Strengths: Leading by example, good problem solving skills, able to get the most out of my staff.

Weaknesses: Checking my paperwork more than once.

Summarise your job skills: Good communication, attention to detail, good computer skills.

Summarise your personality as you see yourself: Friendly, caring, helpful.

Summary of how you think others see you: As above.

Computer software experience: Word intermediate, Excel - good, I'm able to produce various spreadsheets with formulas. A lot of company mainframes. MRP11 & related programs.

List your three main strengths that you could bring into a company:

• Leadership
• Organizational skills
• Dedication

Give an example of a time you had to make a decision on your own without consulting your supervisor:

• We ran out of stock to ship to a client and I resourced the stock from elsewhere.
• Instant dismissal of staff that have breached their contract, e.g. safety breach.

Describe a major goal you have set for yourself:

I have always looked after stock control, so for me I like to set goals and get the stock as accurate as possible. I have found in the past that good procedures and good training promote good stock control. I like to compare stock loss figures before I start at a company and then after each stocktake, to reduce the percentage of stock losses.

What was a significant achievement in your previous or current position?

Saving my company money by several means, through purchasing negotiation with outside suppliers. Cutting operational costs by getting the most out of my staff and making sure we have the right staff for the job. Less wastage where possible.

What motivates you the most, and why:

• Doing well in my work motivates me in the way of job satisfaction.
• My daughters.

What would you bring to this company, if you were offered a position?

Good work ethics, dedication, experience.

What did you enjoy most in your previous or current position?

Taking control of my work and making sure everything runs smoothly; I enjoy job satisfaction.

Do you agree to undertaking a Police record check or working with children check if it is required by the Employer for this position?

Yes.

Have you had a WorkSafe incident in the last two years?
No.

Do you have any medical issues that may affect your safety, or the safety of others in the work place?

No.

If required for health and safety reasons in the workplace, do you agree to a drug and alcohol test?

Yes.

Do you own a motor vehicle and have a current Victorian Drivers Licence?

Yes I have both.

Do you have a heavy traffic license?
Yes, HR non syncro, no restrictions.

Do you have a fork lift license?
Yes.

Personal statement:

The company I work for does get my full commitment; I have always been a hard honest worker from my first ever position until the present day. I get a lot of job satisfaction from my work performance which at the end of the day helps me sleep at night. I like to know at the end of the day when I leave work I have done a good days work.

Interests and Hobbies:

My children, AFL & most sports.

Kathy - Senior Level Bookkeeper / Office Administrator

Kathy has a wealth of finance and office management experience. She has experience in
office tasks ranging from staff supervision, end to end Bookkeeping including
financial reporting, general ledger, reconciliations, month/year end reporting,
statutory reporting through to payroll, superannuation, WorkCover, general
administration.

Computer software experience:

• Word - Intermediate / Advanced
  
• Excel - Intermediate / Advanced
  
• PowerPoint - Intermediate
  
• Outlook - Advanced
  
• MYOB - Advanced
  
• Exo - Advanced
  
• Other accounting software such as NSIN, Quote & Print.
  

Overall Work Strengths:

• Dedicated, trustworthy, loyal
  
• Strong in auditing and picking up errors
  made by others
  
• Patient when training staff
  
• Accuracy
  
• Good listener - I am open to opinions
  

Referee statement: Kathy's referee said her expertise reduced
his external accounting fees substantially and all they needed to do was
‘rubber stamp' the financials she produced. She took ownership and
responsibility of her duties.

He said she is a lovely lady to work with; the company is a close-knit environment
and Kathy got on well with everyone; she was kind and thoughtful of others. She
was also very flexible and happily provided backup for Reception, answering
phones and anything else that arose. He said that Kathy also worked closely
with him by way of providing assistance with Importing documentation and
processes. She also managed his personal finances such as stocks and shares. He
said her Bookkeeping knowledge is ‘advanced plus.'

In regards to achieving a good workload output, he said that Kathy exceeded
expectations. She was very versatile, for example, she would assist with
everything from consignment notes through to reception, "She always willingly stepped up when someone was under the pump, or
away. She is very willing, very flexible and very obliging."  When under pressure, she remained calm and tackled each job one at a time; she had good time management skills.

He said that Kathy willingly did overtime when required and her attendance and
punctuality was excellent. He considers her highly recommendable to another
company in a similar role. He listed her main strength as: Bookkeeping
knowledge; Very dedicated; Flexible; Hard working; Produces high quality work.
No weaknesses were noted by this referee.

Stella - Intermediate level Bookkeeper  / Administration

Stella is a young lady with experience in general Bookkeeping and
Office Administration. She has completed several Business and Accounting
courses and is seeking a permanent long term job.

Personal statement:

I have sound experience in both Office Administration and
Bookkeeping in different industries ranging from Manufacturing and Transport to
Accounting and Administration and have had extensive experience with MYOB (up
to versions 19.5) in each of my previous employments.

I have exceptional people skills, professional and confident with
excellent presentation and communication skills. I am extremely reliable and
have no family or personal commitments which would hinder my availability for
work.

You will find me to be dedicated, enthusiastic and a high
performer who is committed to performing my role to the highest possible standard
to achieve results in every task I undertake. I have demonstrated customer
service skills with the ability to remain organised and prioritised.

I thrive on responsibilities, meeting deadlines and work exceptionally well under
pressure. My unquestionable dedication to complete any task put forward to me
has always been my best asset and I continually seek new challenges.  I believe in hard work, thinking outside the square and most importantly working within a team to achieve result driven outcomes.

Computer software experience:

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Publisher) - Intermediate to Advanced
• Varied versions of the MYOB program including the current Premier & Account Right
  Plus versions (19.5) - Advanced
• QuickBooks/One Note - Basic
• BCMax - Basic
  

Tertiary Education / Qualifications / Courses:

• VCE - 2003
• Diploma of Accounting - 2004 - 2005
• Certificate I in Business - 2004
• Certificate II in Business - 2004
• Certificate IV in Business Management - 2004 - 2005
• Certificate III in Financial Services - 2004 - 2005
• MYOB Course - 2004 - 2005 -

General Journal, General Ledger Cashbook, Accounts Receivable, Account Payable, Inventory, Payroll

• Practice Firm - 2004 - 2005

Asset Management Pro BAS Link, ATO Research Questions

Griffith University:
Partially completed Bachelor Business Majoring in Accounting - Deferred

Overall Work Strengths:

• My dedication to the successful completion
  of tasks and strong commitment to detail and quality
  
• My ability to work within a team environment
  and contribute to the effectiveness of the team to meet deadlines and targets,
  or work independently to achieve work/project goals
  
• My excellent track record of accurately
  handling financial reporting in deadline-oriented environments whilst being
  able to prioritise all other aspects of daily business
  
• I have 6.5 - 7 years of experience in the fields of both Office Administration & Bookkeeping
  

Referee comments:

He said Stella was a ‘jack of all trades,' she did everything in the office ranging from Reception duties through to Bookkeeping and she set up the payroll for him to process.

He said Stella was a very conscientious worker who was very efficient with MYOB. He said that her work quality was very good and she showed good attention to detail. He said his expectations were very high and she certainly met his expectations. She also proved to be a quick learner, for example, assisting him with marketing activities; she did whatever task was
asked of her.

When asked whether he considers Stella recommendable to another company, he replied, "Yes I would."

Ashley: Despatch & Warehouse Supervisor

Personal statement:

"I have extensive hands on experience with large, high volume operations and
smaller supply chain roles gained over the last 25 years. Half my working
history has been with highly successful medium to large transport/3rd party
distribution operations, the other half of my training has been focused on
manufacturing/supply chain/warehousing."

Skills & experience:

Warehouse Management, Logistics, Staff Supervision, Inventory Control, Quality Control,
Customer Relations, Sales, Pricing, Staff Training.

Strengths:

Logical thinker, intelligent, experience, outgoing, glass at least half full, very
positive and supportive, honest, good work ethic.

What was a significant achievement in your previous or current position?

I have always enjoyed being a part of, and getting the most out of a team, and
enjoying work on the journey.

What motivates you the most, and why:

Constantly striving for improvement, because I'm a great believer in the theory that
you're going backwards if you're not moving forwards.

What would you bring  to a company, if you were offered a position?

An asset; My undivided attention is the task and its achievement to a demonstrated
high standard.

What did you enjoy most in your previous or current position?

The challenge; Building teams and systems that work.

Referee comments: 

This referee confirmed that Ashley was employed as their Warehouse Manager; a
diverse role that includes supervising five staff. 

He said that Ashley deals with the sales team, admin staff, freight, and his own
team; he is a very effective communicator. 
He noted that the sales team can be very demanding and Ashley always
satisfied their requests.  He described Ashley as friendly; a happy character that is very approachable.

He noted that Ashley is motivated by the challenge and satisfaction of getting the
job done.  They have two very busy seasons each year; it is a busy warehouse getting orders out to demanding customers and Ashley has the ability to achieve this.  He doesn't get flustered - he knows what is required and never panics.  If necessary, he will employ casuals to assist in the warehouse.

He said that Andrew has a thorough understanding of end to end warehousing, from
pick/pack, stock take, forklift driving, freight etc.  In commenting about Ashley's leadership
style, He said Ashley is prepared to work with his team to get the job done; he
had a strong cohesive team that work well together.

He noted that Ashley is very reliable, punctual; he never misses a beat.  He listed Ashley's main strengths as: His ability to get the job done whatever the situation; He can find solutions to problems; Very reliable.  No weaknesses were noted by this referee. 

Sue – Advanced level Bookkeeper

Personal statement:

“I believe that with my combined professional and personal experience, I would be an asset to an employer; I would be a valued team member and would bring with me a wealth of knowledge covering different industries along with experience in finance and office administration.

My ability to communicate at all levels has held me in good stead with both management and employees alike. I have a strong sense of fairness and honesty that has seen me hold positions of absolute trust and discretion.” 

Brief summary of skills:

Solid all-round office experience in managing a one-person office, and also in team environments – everything from answering the phone through to Payroll and BAS.

Accounts Payable & Receivable, Bank Reconciliations, Financial Reporting, Payroll, OH&S, BAS, Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet and all areas of Accounting and Administration, including Foreign currency purchasing and payments. All ATO obligations, Superannuation. 

Strengths:

·          Hard working

·          Dedicated

·          Efficient

·          No request is beneath me or above me

·          In-depth knowledge of all areas of accounts and administration gained from many years of experience

·          Ability to work autonomously

·          Decision making

Software:

·          MYOB

·          QuickBooks

·          Timberline

·          Chris Payroll / 21

·          ACCPAC

·          Word, Excel, Outlook

·          Lotus

·          Many different Banking Software

·          AS400

·          Quick Payroll

·          Freight Tracking

·          Various industry specific programs

Referee comments:

This referee said that Sue related to people really well, is respectful, works 'by the book', is straight forward, says what needs to be said and gets on with her work whilst maintaining a great sense of humour. She added that Sue takes ownership and responsibility for what she does. 

In regards to work quality, she made the following comment, ''Of all the people that I have ever worked with, Sue would have to be one of the best.'' She described Sue's attention to detail as, “Unbelievable. I was always happy with her.''  

She said that Sue handled a large work load and the associated pressure really well, staying back if needed, ''She made sure the work was done.  She put-in over and above what was expected.''  

This referee listed Sue's strengths as: Takes a high level of responsibility for her work; Respectful of others; Willing to help; Attention to detail; Brilliant work ethic; Very methodical and thorough in her work.  

Leah - Reception & Administration

Personal statement: I have been employed for the last eight plus years as Receptionist/Administration  Officer. In this role I gained extensive experience meeting and greeting clients and responding efficiently and effectively to any customer
enquiries.  To further enhance my skills I have recently returned to tertiary education and am currently undertaking Certificate IV in Business Administration.

I have excellent communication skills and enjoy working in an interactive
environment such as customer service.  I am patient but firm with difficult customers and have experience resolving customer disputes.  With eight plus years experience in this role, I have developed a warm, approachable and professional manner.  I am proficient in all core
office administration functions, including document preparation, internal/external communications. I can manage the office environment without supervision, manage multiple tasks effectively, and maintain the confidentiality of highly sensitive materials.

About me: I am a hard working, honest, self motivated and considerate person.  I enjoy working with a team but am just as able working on my own.  I am very
customer service focused and take pleasure in being able to assist clients and
staff.  I have a professional work ethic, and I am respectful of ethical and moral boundaries.  I strive for continuous improvement both personally and professionally.  I am time
and situation flexible and can easily adapt to any challenges and/or changes which may arise.

Summary of job skills:

• Key skills and experience l have developed
  through my current role include:
• Front Desk and Telephone Reception
• Public Relations / Customer Service
• Record Management - electronic/hard copy
• Advanced Computer Skills
• Eftpos/Cash banking summaries
• Booking Procedures
• OH&S Procedures
• Time Management Skills
• Reporting
• Various phone systems - Commander, Nortel
• Meeting KPIs
  

Summarise your personality as you see yourself:

Thoughtful, friendly, motivated, proactive and hardworking.

Computer software experience:

I am skilled in the use of Microsoft Office (Intermediate), Outlook, Microsoft
Excel (Basic), Access, Power Point and Internet Explorer.  I have undergone training as required with each of the new software packages as introduced by my current employer.  I have extensive experience working with and maintaining databases both public and confidential.

Overall Work Strengths:

• Passionate and committed
• Helpful
• Respectful
• Professional manner
• Problem solving
• Resourceful
• Professionalism
• Experience and expertise
• Enthusiasm and integrity
  

Referee statement:

In regards to Leah's interaction with colleagues, clients and management, this
referee replied, "Excellent on all counts. She is caring, compassionate,
outgoing and she makes an excellent point of contact for the organization, both
internally and externally. She is utterly reliable; a very valuable member of
the team."

When asked what motivates Leah, she replied, "She likes helping people and making
their work easier for them. She provides outstanding support to all staff and
heads of departments."

This referee assessed Leah's work quality as ‘excellent,' she will do anything she
can to help anyone. She said that Leah often works under pressure; she is
outstanding in this regard and is able to prioritise and juggle her work load
with the best of grace.

She noted that Leah's attendance and punctuality are exemplary and she highly
recommends her to another organisation, "She would be a valued employee
wherever she works." She listed Leah's main strengths as: Interpersonal skills;
Ability to work as a team member; Ability to always want to help and do the
best she can for you; She will ask questions if unsure about something rather
than blunder on. No weaknesses were noted by this referee.

Deanna - MYOB Bookkeeper:  A likeable down-to-earth, positive, caring and outgoing lady.  She is seeking a full time position which has a focus on MYOB Bookkeeping; she does however have basic knowledge of QuickBooks.

She completed Certificate II in Information Technology (2003), Certificate III in Financial Services (2005) and is currently completing the last 4 subjects in Certificate IV in Financial Services.

Deanna has worked extensively in the Bookkeeping field since 1998 in the engineering, fleet management and property maintenance industries.

Experience includes:

• Dealing with clients and suppliers
• Data Entry
• Invoicing for 3 Companies
• Managing and training 3 staff members
• Monitoring and maintaining data
• Bank Reconciliations for 3 Companies
• GST management
• Monitoring Cash Flow
• Light Reception duties
• Bank liaison (occasionally)
• BAS preparation and regular liaison with external Accountant
• Maintaining and producing EOM/EOY reports
• Customer Service
• Complaint handling
• Payroll/PAYG & IAS for three separate companies
• Accounts Payable/Receivable for 3 companies
• Superannuation for 3 companies
• Incolink
• Assisting Business Manager and Director

Strengths:

• Leadership qualities
• Reliable
• Punctual
• Honest and trustworthy
• Uses initiative
• Enjoys day to day challenges
• Efficient, thorough and organised

Software:

• MYOB - Advanced
• QuickBooks - Basic
• Word - Advanced
• Excel - Intermediate
• PowerPoint - Intermediate
• Access - Basic
• Publisher - Basic

• Proficient using Microsoft Word
  Excellent communication skills
• Administration Skills - able to handle wide variety of office work
• Typing (60+ wpm)
• Meridian, NEC, NEAX, Commander, Ericsson, Cisco System, Fujitsu, Alcatel and Siemens

Personal qualities:

• Friendly and Good Humoured
• Confident and Good Natured
• Capable and Hard Working
• Empathy with others

Typical responsibilities:

• Reception
• Greet and Meet
• Meeting room bookings
• Mail
• Couriers
• Catering
• Emailing
• Making appointments
• Stationery
• Organising of social events

A verbal reference was provided by the Plant Manager.  He confirmed that Rob was employed as their Despatch Manager.  He described Rob as a chap that is always happy and chirpy, he never has a bad day.  His communications skills are one of his strengths, as a Manager he dealt with a whole range of people from fellow staff to management, truck drivers and forklift drivers; he has the knack of knowing how to communicate with people at all levels.

He said that Rob is a self motivated person that grabs at tasks and runs with them well.  In the two years he worked for the company Rob went from strength to strength. He said that the company doubled their manufacturing output which put pressure on despatch; Rob was well organised at thinking through processes and implementing the necessary improvements to manage this extra work load put on the despatch and transport department.

Rob was able to motivate his team and pull them together to work towards the company goals.  He said that Rob exceeded expectations and is a very hard working.  He was always early to work, and never left before the last truck drove out the gates of an evening.

The Referee noted that Rob is multi skilled, working hands on alongside other staff, through to managing staff, assisting with stock taking, through to managing the paper work and computer work.  He said that their internal computer system was not user friendly but it didn't take Rob long to pick it up.

He considers Rob highly recommendable to another company, adding that he would have no hesitation in employing him again.  He listed Rob's main strengths as; Willingness to help and go above and beyond expectations; Hard working; Flexible work skills and attitude; Attention to detail e.g. he made sure that the correct stock was going to the correct customer. 

A verbal reference was also provided the Warehouse Manager. He confirmed that Rob commenced as their Despatch Coordinator before being promoted to Purchasing and Stock Control Manager.

He said that one of Rob's strengths is his people and communication skills; he is able to communicate with everyone right across the board.  He said Rob is a very bright, happy ‘people' person. Stating that he was impressed with Rob's can-do attitude - nothing was ever too much trouble, and he adapted and coped to any situation.

He assessed Rob's work quality as ‘very good,' Management never had to question anything, and he could totally rely on Rob to do his job properly.  In regards to workload, he said that Rob exceeded expectations; he really puts in with his can-do attitude; he really stood out.  He added that they were always under pressure and Rob coped without any drama; he was one of the few who could handle the pressure.

The Referee added that Rob is multi skilled and very flexible in his duties.  His attendance and punctuality were exemplary.  He said he highly recommends Rob to another company, "I'd have him back any day."  He listed Rob's main strengths as: His communication skills are "right up there"; Versatile and flexible; Very reliable.  No weaknesses were noted by this referee, "I thought very highly of Rob."

The following questions were answered by Rob:
Tertiary Education / Qualifications / Courses:

Forklift Licence
Time Management Course
Computer courses

Overall Work Strengths: Enjoy pressure and the satisfaction of completing what others say is too hard.

Weaknesses: Work related.  I find it difficult to say, "No, I don't think I can achieve that in the timeframe you have given me." I enjoy a challenge, but sometimes I will agree to do something that helps someone else, at the expense of my time and energy. I need to get better at delegation of tasks, and not try to do everything myself.

Summarise your job skills:
People Management

• Time Management
• Organizing
• Forklift/Front End Loader driving
• All paperwork
• Teaching and Learning new skills
• Computer work
• Physical work
• Reporting (verbal and written)
• Tool Box meetings
• OHS Committee

Summarise your personality as you see yourself:

• Not afraid to try
• Calm and collected in a crisis
• Enjoy a challenge
• Dependable

Summary of how you think others see you: A strong, reliable, hard worker that loves his family and backs his own ability.

Computer software experience:

• Word - Intermediate
• Excel - Intermediate
• Outlook - Intermediate
• Translogix - Basic
• DataCare - Basic
• Arrow - Basic
• Civica - Basic
• Internet - Intermediate

List your three main strengths that you could bring into this company:

• I am teachable and willing to learn. I pick things up quickly and I am not afraid to put my hand up for help if I need it.
• I am reliable. I will be the first one there and the last to leave; that's what I get paid to do.
• I am a problem solver. I believe I have the ability to think outside the square and create different solutions to situations.

Give an example of a time you had to make a decision on your own without consulting your supervisor: I had the full responsibility of setting up the warehouse and factory floor. Signage, line marking, no go zones, pedestrian crossings, fire extinguishers, everything had to be in the right place before becoming operational.

I took it upon myself to look around at other factories and warehouses for inspiration and asked people for opinions. A week before the first operational date, my boss, who lives and works in Sydney, came down with the owner to oversee my progress. Both were very impressed with what I had achieved without their direct knowledge. It gave them the confidence in me that their Victorian Operation was in good hands.

Describe a major goal you have set for yourself: I want to have a career with a prominent trustworthy employer that values my ability to perform.  

What was a significant achievement in your previous or current position?

At the start of 2008, managers were told to expect a significant increase in sales for the year. At the time we were selling approx 80,000 roof tiles per day. We were told to put a plan in place to accommodate this increase, as it was predicted to increase to over 100,000 per day.

I came up with a plan for change to the way the yard was set up, the loading of the trucks and the attitude of the workers, ran it past other managers with more industry experience, and implemented the change. The yard was redesigned to suit the extra workload, the loading of the trucks now had KPI's along with the contracted drivers, and the workers had an incentive to achieve.

By the end of 2008, sales had increased to over 120,000 per day consistently.  Due to this change that I implemented, we had significantly more truck movements, significantly more product movement, no more hours worked, and a smooth, safe daily operation.  I felt very proud to have achieved what everyone thought was impossible.

What motivates you the most, and why: A sense of achievement. To try, and fail, is better than not trying at all. I get excited when someone says, "You can't do that." I look for alternatives to see if there is a way to do it.

What would you bring to a company, if you were offered the position? Honesty, Integrity, Reliability, Can-do Attitude.

What did you enjoy most in your previous or current position?  There is a lot to learn about segregation of Dangerous Goods for Transport and Storage. If you get it wrong, there are huge consequences and the intensity of getting it right made the job very enjoyable.

Do you agree to undertaking a Police record check or working with children check if it is required by the Employer for this position?  Yes (I have a current Working with Children Card).

Have you had a WorkSafe incident in the last two years? No.

Do you have any medical issues that may affect your safety, or the safety of others in the work place? No.

If required for health and safety reasons in the workplace, do you agree to a drug and alcohol test? Yes.

Do you own a motor vehicle and have a current Victorian Drivers Licence? Yes.

Do you have a heavy traffic license? No.
Do you have a fork lift license? Yes.

Personal statement:

I feel that I am a suitable candidate for this role as I bring a great range of experience from different transport related backgrounds. I have the ability and knowledge to mentor and coach people to achieve the best they can be. I have the experience and maturity to handle any situation that may arise. In saying that, I know when to ask for help. The position you have available is the ideal career path for me and sounds both exciting and challenging with a good long term employment outlook.

Interests and Hobbies: Junior Soccer, Quality time with my wife, and children.

Eamon‘s most recent job of Transport Coordinator was made redundant because the company outsourced the transport function.  He has since been driving and doing deliveries for a friends business whilst seeking a further job opportunity.

Eamon wants the right job, not just any job.  He wants a long term secure position with a stable company, especially now that he is about to become a dad.  He likes his job to be challenging and high pressured.  He puts in whatever overtime is required to get orders ready and trucks out the gate at the end of each day.  Eamon said he is a good listener and knows the importance of communicating with staff, drivers and management.  He described himself as a people person.

Eamon made the following statement:

I have over 11 years experience in the transport and warehousing industry.  I feel that whilst these two functions are separate, a good understanding of transport is critical in the effective and efficient running of a warehouse.  Having a Medium Rigid truck licence and having driven also means that I have a good understanding of the demands placed on drivers and what is actually realistic.

Eamon has also worked as a Despatch Supervisor and appears to have suitable all round experience that closely matches your job.

Eamon has a fork lift licence and medium rigid truck licence. He can start a new job ASAP.  Eamon is seeking a commencing salary of $65,000 + Super.

A verbal reference was provided by the the Warehouse Manager from his past employer. He confirmed that Eamon reported to him, his dates of employment and that his position was made redundant when the transport function was outsourced to a 3^rd party provider.

He  said that as well as being the Transport Coordinator, Eamon also managed despatch functions and supervised six staff in this area.  He said that Eamon has the type of personality that gets along with everyone; he is friendly, straight forward, and kept him informed of any issues immediately.

He noted that Eamon is very ‘transport driven' and knows what needs to be done, and when.  His work quality was excellent and Eamon got everything done under budget. Stating that Eamon was a hard worker, generally starting at 5am and not finishing until 5-6pm, ensuring that everything was delivered, "He would go out of his way to make sure the customers were happy."

When under pressure, he said that Eamon gets ‘stuck in' and gets the work done. The CEO was impressed with Eamon' reliability and punctuality; he never had a day off. 

He considers Eamon highly recommendable to another company.  He listed his main strengths as: Dedication to his job and the company; Friendly person; Ability to work under pressure.  No weaknesses were noted by this referee.

The following questions were answered by Eamon:

Tertiary Education / Qualifications / Courses:

• Completed Year 12 in 1992
• Certificate 3 in Warehouse and Distribution (near completion)
• Fork lift licence
• Medium Rigid truck licence
• OH&S course
• Fire Warden course
• First Aid (currently expired)

Overall Work Strengths:

Weaknesses:

• Perfectionist, I will not rest until the job is done to the standard I expect.
• Declining a request placed on my team or myself. Customer service is very important to me, both internally and externally and when the business has a need, I do my best to achieve it regardless of what other priorities we have going on. Often this can lead to undue pressure which I in turn have to handle and deal with.

Summarise your job skills:

I have over 11 years experience in the transport and warehouse industries combined. During time I have had the privilege of driving and managing those demands through to the organization of metro and interstate freight with TNT. Whilst this challenged me I wanted to further my understanding for the warehousing process from receipting of stock through to picking and packing and dispatch.  My recent role has built on my experiences to date, giving me a new element and the opportunity to work directly with both the customer and the warehouse team. It enabled me to round off those skills that I had previously obtained.

Summarise your personality as you see yourself:

I am a likable person, who gets along with most people. I have a good sense of humour, often at my own expense. I call a spade a spade and treat people the way I would like to be treated. I display emotional resilience in all my dealings at work and will do my best to ensure that I communicate clearly to all that I work with. I am honest and ensure that I display transparency and integrity in all that I do. I don't believe in hours of work, I believe in doing whatever is necessary to get the job done and to give credit where it is due.

Summary of how you think others see you:

I think others would see me as a team player and someone that is knowledgeable and can support them. I would like to think that others would see me as approachable and be able to confide in me regardless of the situation. I would like to think that others see me as a natural leader but someone they can work with and for.

Computer software experience:

List your three main strengths that you could bring into this company:

• Team player - I am not afraid to get my hands dirty to assist my team where required. I believe communication is key to the success of any team and the organisation.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to the company - where there is a job to be done I believe that it has to be done and ensure that the key objectives of the warehouse are met. Delivering internal and external customer service is vital to success.
• Well round experience base - prepares me for all key facets of logistics and warehousing. I have a good understand of each role within the warehouse through to transport and meeting the customers need.

Give an example of a time you had to make a decision on your own without consulting your supervisor:

Dealing with a customer's complaint - Where the company's reputation is at stake and I am clear about my boundaries, I will get on with the job to rectify the situation to ensure that the customer is happy and has restored faith in the company.

Describe a major goal you set for yourself:

To obtain a well rounded approach to logistics through various roles and experiences. Throughout my career, over the last 11 years, there have been times where I have elected to do different roles to expand my knowledge base. My goal is to now substantiate my experience through further studies starting with my Certificate III in Warehousing.

What was a significant achievement in your previous or current position?

A significant achievement in my previous role was when we took over from a logistics company that had gone under. The challenge here for me was to maintain customer satisfaction without increasing the resources that I had. This involved, reviewing current operations and implementation of process changes that altered the way the warehouse operated. This involved reviewing where the previous day's orders were stored over night to facilitate an efficient load process. This meant that we could get the stock out faster in the mornings and hence save in transport costs.

What motivates you the most, and why:

Challenges - Constantly being challenged to find a better way to operate. I view all issues as opportunities to improve the way we are doing things to bring greater gains and value to the organization overall. A challenge brings opportunities to improve processes and operations, this in turn adds value to the company and this makes me feel like we are kicking goals.

Running a well oiled machine also motivates me. When things are working the way they should it means that we are meeting the needs of the company and keeping the customers both internally and externally satisfied. This also creates a feeling of satisfaction for me and I am motivated to keep it this way and improve it if I can.

What would you bring to this company, if you were offered the position?

A well rounded experience base of driving, transport and warehousing to ensure that our customers are happy.  Communication is the key. I can add value and ensure that all three major elements of logistics are addressed and operating in the most efficient manner, whilst ensuring that the company's reputation is not jeopardized.

What did you enjoy most in your previous or current position?

Dealing with people, both internally and externally really help me to enjoy what I do. People are the key to a great team, and therefore an efficient and effective warehouse and despatch process.

Daily challenges are also something that I really enjoy. It gives me the opportunity to think laterally and provide long term solutions that build on the company's existing strengths.

Do you agree to undertaking a Police record check or working with children check if it is required by the Employer for a position?

Yes.

Have you had a WorkSafe incident in the last two years?
No.

Do you have any medical issues that may affect your safety, or the safety of others in the work place?

No.

If required for health and safety reasons in the workplace, do you agree to a drug and alcohol test?

Yes.

Do you own a motor vehicle and have a current Victorian Drivers Licence?

Yes.

Do you have a heavy traffic license?
Yes a Medium Ridged Licence.

Do you have a fork lift license?
Yes.

Personal statement:  I have been focused over the last 11 years to broaden my experience. From this I bring a well rounded understanding of the demand of driving, transport and warehousing. Whilst each of these aspects of logistics has their own unique characteristics, a solid understanding, and how they interact with each other will ensure an efficient and effective despatch operation.

I can add value to a company with the support of a team and that's my aim, get the team working together. I think the fact that I am a team player and not afraid to get my hands dirty will make me an asset to any Company.

I am looking for a job with stability in a reputable Company that is close to my home.  My wife and I have been working hard to establish our new home, we are now expecting our first child in September, and we are very excited about this.  

Interests and Hobbies:  Soccer and spending quality time with the family.

Financial Controller - Accountant

Leslie is currently employed as a Financial Controller. He has worked for this company over six years and has decided that now is the time to move into new challenges in a new industry.  He has worked most of his life in the dairy/food industry and wants a new challenge.

Leslie wants a hands-on interesting job with challenges in a Company where he can apply his current experience and skill set. Leslie said he is currently on a package of $118,000. Leslie is required to give 4 weeks notice to his current employer.

A verbal reference was provided by the Commercial Manager of Consumer Products. He explained that Leslie 's focus was in the Financial Controller stream.  He said that he and Leslie were colleagues at the same level.  He said they also studied their Chartered Accounting together, he knows Leslie personally, and professionally.

He said that Leslie is a very good communicator and relates well at all levels with people. Leslie is respectful of the hierarchy in any organisation, he is a good coach to members of his team - he managed them well.

He described Leslie's personality as relaxed and easy to get along with. A major motivator in Leslie's work life is his passion for getting things done right; he had strengths in developing systems, streamlining processes to make work flow and accuracy easier, he always kept an eye out for time waste and human error.

Leslie's work quality is very high, there were never any issues.  He does the ‘grunt' work in managing the financial reporting and managing the finance team.  He added that Leslie  will work a 9 or 10 hour day if necessary, he put-in whatever it took to meet deadlines, adding that Leslie  plans well, and is well organised around month-end.

When under pressure, he handles it well, he doesn't get anxious, always remains calm. He was keen to mention that Leslie is a ‘company' person, not just a Financial Controller; he will give his job everything.

Mr. Wilson noted that Leslie is very flexible and enjoyed working on special projects.  He said they worked on some projects together. Leslie always stepped up to the mark if other staff needed help to meet a deadline. He said that a company will benefit from having Leslie on board as he is such a strong company person. 

Leslie's main strengths as: Loyalty; Professionalism; High work quality; Integrity.  No weaknesses were noted by this referee, "I am not aware of any."

The following questions were answered by Leslie :
Summarise your job skills:

The key skills I can bring to a job are:

• Extensive and varied Manufacturing experience.
• Hands on attitude and a desire to get involved and understand a business.
• Experience in overseeing and managing all finance aspects of a business, such as Accounts Payable & Receivable, Inventory Management, Product Costing, Management Reporting and analysis.
• Ability to work well under pressure and to meet required deadlines, willingness to do whatever is needed to get the job done.
• A good understanding of IT software and systems, ranging from evaluations and implementations, to use and maintenance.

Summarise your personality as you see yourself:

Easy going and relaxed, even tempered, very approachable and easy to talk to, extremely loyal and committed. I have a very good sense of humor and like to laugh regularly. I also like to think that I am fairly intelligent and logical and this is reflected in my method of working.

Summary of how you think others see you:

I believe they see me in exactly the same way, I often get comments from staff and my direct reports that they have never seen me upset or fazed. Definitely what you see is what you get.

Computer software experience:

Microsoft Office - Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio, Outlook, all at Intermediate Level

JD Edwards - Advanced Level

Sage Pro - Advanced Level

MYOB/QuickBooks - Basic Level

Tertiary Education / Qualifications:

Bachelor of Business (Accounting) - Deakin University

Professional Year Program - Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia

Overall Work Strengths:

• Thorough and methodical, attention to detail.
• Adaptability - able to turn my hand to anything as required, this has been highlighted by my involvement in IT systems; in my current role all IT is outsourced and I am the liaison between staff and the IT consultants. By necessity I have had to develop a good understanding of our IT network and software to understand how it works so I can help identify problems and recommend possible solutions.
• Ability to work under pressure and in stressful conditions. Able to meet deadlines.
• Good understanding of Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Inventory processes and control; Cash flow management; Product Costing; Management Reporting; Audit Management.
• Process Redesign and Process Documentation.
• Ability to work well in a team, good communication skills, able to communicate at all levels of the business.

Weaknesses:

• Technical Weakness - I have never been heavily involved in Company Taxation Issues, tax returns, etc. I don't have an extensive level of experience in this area.

List your three main strengths that you could bring into this company:

• 20 years experience in manufacturing environments.
• Ability to adapt and to learn quickly.
• Excellent work ethic and level of commitment.

Give an example of a time you had to make a decision on your own without consulting your supervisor:

I make decisions all the time without consulting my supervisor that is what my role entails, especially as the role becomes more senior.  If it falls within my area of responsibility then I am employed to make those decisions, for example, which creditors to pay on a daily basis, what credit claims to process and when, when should stock be written off or revalued, how is work allocated to my direct reports, when can staff take annual leave, etc. 

Wherever possible I would certainly inform my boss of any decisions that I had made that I believe they should be aware of.

If a decision were required to be made by myself and I didn't believe that I had the authority or that it may have major impacts on the business then I would certainly give my opinion but I would make it clear that I would need to consult with my boss before confirming any decision.

Describe a major goal you have set for yourself:

I want to continue to work in roles and environments that offer me scope to continue to learn and to challenge myself.  I don't want to be in a role that is monotonous and stagnant.

What was a significant achievement in your previous or current position?

Implementing a Citrix network environment in conjunction with our external IT consultants.  This implementation meant that the maintenance of our network was considerably simpler.  It also had the significant advantage of allowing staff the freedom of being able to access the work network from anywhere via the internet, thus allowing staff to work from overseas, interstate or from home.

What motivates you the most, and why:

Variety of work and the ability to keep challenging myself and expand my skills.  If you have these aspects in a role then you will always have something to work towards and a reason to come to work each day.

What would you bring to this company, if you were offered the position?

• 20 years experience in manufacturing environments.
• Ability to adapt and to learn quickly.
• Excellent work ethic and level of commitment.

What did you enjoy most in your previous or current position?

In my current role as Financial Controller I enjoy the diversity which the role offers, this comes about from working in a small to medium sized firm.  The role is not just number crunching. I have had the opportunity to work in Production Planning, be involved in system and technology improvements, e.g. IT upgrades, Warehouse RF Scanning project, Mobile Phone Fleet rollout.  I get to work closely with all areas of the business; Production, Distribution, Procurement, Sales, QA.  You need to understand how all these different aspects of the business interrelate and fit together.

Personal statement:

I am an experienced Senior Manager with 20 years Financial, Management and Project Accounting knowledge, gained through various roles in large and medium sized Manufacturing Companies.  I have a strong background in Product Costing, Business Planning, Financial & Cash Management, Process Redesign, System Implementations, Project Management, and Staff Management.  I also have developed a good understanding of IT Systems and processes.

Interests and Hobbies:

• Sports - AFL, Soccer, Cricket, any major sporting event
• Reading
• Travel - Family and Friends

Peter has worked in various finance positions over the years with companies ranging from wholesale/import, education, retail and clothing manufacture.

Peter said he is well versed with a wide range of accounting software systems. He enjoys working in a team environment and guiding a company's growth and development. He has supervised small finance teams for many years.

Peter attained CPA status in 1987. He is required to give notice of 2 weeks.  He is seeking a commencing salary of $90,000 to $95,000 + Super.  He is available for an interview any day/time with 24 hours notice.

A verbal reference was provided by the COO and CEO, from Peter's current and past employer.  They confirmed that Peter held the position of Financial Controller and supervised a small team of 4-5 staff in the finance team.

They described Peter as a ‘people person,' this being one of his strengths, they said that Peter is willing to put his hand to anything and he was a loyal company person, "He worked very hard for the company."  He assessed Peter's work quality as ‘very high' and he took everything to audit stage; cash forecasting; foreign exchange negotiating; balance sheet etc. "He is very well rounded."

In regards to managing the work load, they said that Peter fulfilled all expectations, "He did his job, met statutory deadlines and got budgets completed on time."  stating that the business went through two peak seasons each year - summer and winter, during which there were periods of very high work load, "Peter is good under pressure."

They listed Peter's strengths as: Personality; People skills; Staff management skills; Versatility - he can role his sleeves up and pitch in e.g. collect money, budgeting, forecasting, "He's good at working behind the scenes and making sure the financials are in good working order." 

The following questions were answered by Peter:

Summarise your job skills:

• Planning and Organisation are the two key components in the Finance area so I place great emphasis on these.
• Accurate and timely information are critical for the Finance Team and achieving these objectives are paramount to me as a Finance Manager.
• Managing and mentoring your employees to achieve maximum results.
• Ability to negotiate and achieve the best result for your Company.
• Implementing new technologies so as to improve efficiencies in the Company.
• Ability to communicate with internal & external shareholders.

Summarise your personality as you see yourself:

• I'm a people person. I really enjoy meeting and working with a lot of different people.
• I enjoy solving problems, troubleshooting issues, and coming up with solutions in a timely manner.
• I always try to have a smile on my face, as I believe this makes life's problems easier to deal with.

Summary of how you think others see you:

• A person that is trustworthy and loyal.
• Ability to take on responsibilities and manage them effectively.
• A good listener who is able to give advice on a professional level and also on personal matters.

Computer software experience:

• Excel - Advanced
• Word - Basic
• Access - Basic
• PowerPoint - Intermediate
• Pronto - Advanced
• MYOB - Advanced
• Apparel 21 - Advanced
• JD Edwards - Intermediate
• Hyperion - Intermediate
• QuickBooks - Advanced

Tertiary Education:

1980 Swinburne Institute of Technology - Diploma of Business (Accounting)

1987 Australian Society of Certified Practicing Accountants (CPA)

Overall Work Strengths:

• Ability to be organized and plan activities.
• To complete projects in a timely and accurate manner.
• To work with people to achieve set goals.
• Ability to resolve what could be difficult situations.

Weaknesses:

I used to wait until the last minute to set appointments for the coming week, but I realised that scheduling in advance makes much more sense.

I used to prefer to work on one project to completion before starting on another, but I've learned to work on many projects at the same time, and I think it allows me to be more creative and effective in each one.

List your three main strengths that you could bring into this company:

• My experience of over 30 years in the Finance area.
• My strong communication and time management skills
• Ability to solve problems in a timely and effective manner.

Give an example of a time you had to make a decision on your own without consulting your supervisor:

I had to terminate the services of an employee who was misappropriating Company funds.

Describe a major goal you have set for yourself:

My main goal is to work in a team environment to achieve goals for a Company that is successful and that people enjoy working for.

What was a significant achievement in your previous or current position?

My main achievement was to ensure that the Company was able to have a quick turnaround of providing invoices to our customers thus improving our cash flow position.

This was achieved by implementing new technologies that allowed information received from our suppliers to be quickly turned around and invoiced our customer's instantaneously.

What motivates you the most, and why:

I've always been motivated by the desire to do a good job. I want to excel and to be successful in my job, both for my own personal satisfaction and for my employer.

What would you bring to this company, if you were offered the position?

• My experience and ability to manage the Finance area, to set priorities and to ensure that information to management is both accurate and timely.
• To provide advice on information provided and to consistently review targets that have been set.
• To ensure that the Finance team is run efficiently and effectively.

What did you enjoy most in your previous or current position?

Being part of a team striving to be successful, both professionally and personally.

Personal statement:

I believe that I have the experience and knowledge to ensure that the finance area is able to provide management with timely and accurate information so as to plan the future growth of the Company.

Interests and Hobbies:

I like to read about history and autobiographies.

I have a great passion for Sport.

Watching my children playing sports and other activities

Finance Manager / Accountant

Steven worked as an Accountant / Financial Controller between 1998 and August 2010. Manufacturing industrial fabrics such as internal car roof liners, fire proof fabric etc.  Due to several factors, including a buy-out, downsizing and a down turn in business, his employer went into Administration.

Steven completed a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) Degree in 1995, and completed the CPA program in 2000.

Steven said he would only need 2 weeks notice to commence a new job and is seeking a starting salary of $95,000 + Super.

A verbal reference was provided by the ex CEO and CFO of his past employer. They confirmed that Steven was responsible ‘for all things finance.' 

They stated that Steven is diligent, reserved, a self starter, and a ‘good fellow.' He was always at work early to have the day set up for the staff when they arrived; over the years, Steven supervised a small finance team that varied between 3 and 5 staff. He stated that Steven is a good honest worker, has good interpersonal skills, is reliable and was always at work; he never took sick days.

Steven's primary focus was accounting plus he liaised with other areas in the business including manufacturing and purchasing. The Referee noted that one of Steven's strengths is doing reconciliations and getting everything to balance, "Nothing fell through the cracks. His credit management is equal to the best. He is very thorough with audits. He is as good as anybody else in accounting; good at cash flow forecasting, monitoring stock levels, managing quality issues - he kept his ear to the ground and knew what was happening throughout the business."

The referees said that Steven understands job costing, Bills of Materials and he made sure the profit margins were correct. 

Listed are Steven's positive traits:

• He is a most solid citizen
• He has an unflappable nature
• He is very talented
• Dependable and reliable
• Exemplary work quality; he was very ‘complete' with his work, "He knew I checked it periodically."
• You can give him any tasks or responsibilities, "He has a versatile skill set and he helped me out in my role when I was away."
• He never buckled under pressure
• He can do All parts of accounting

The following questions were answered by Steven:

Summarise your job skills:

• Competent Accountant with a hands on approach.
• All aspects of General Ledger reconciliations
• Preparation of statutory returns: BAS, PAYG, FBT, Workcover, Payroll Tax.
• Ability to deal with external parties i.e. bankers, insurers, and auditors.
• Experienced with accounts receivable, payable and purchasing.
• Able to communicate across all levels of staff. Management reporting.
• Good written and verbal skills.

Summarise your personality as you see yourself:

Reserved but confident. Positive attitude. Level headed and down to earth. Open minded. Good sense of humour.

Summary of how you think others see you:

Approachable, helpful, calm.

Computer software experience:

MYOB -General - Basic (Fixed Asset Module - Advanced)

QuickBooks - Intermediate

Excel - Advanced (Not Visual Basic-Macro)

Word - Intermediate

Micropay payroll systems - Basic

Outlook - Intermediate

Powerpoint - Basic

Access - Basic

Hyperion - Basic  

Cognos - Advanced

Have used various in-house mainframe systems at previous employers suited to individual company.

Tertiary Education / Qualifications:

Bachelor of Business (accounting) completed 1996

CPA completed 2000

Overall Work Strengths:

• Good manager of people and understanding of individual needs.
• Ability to form strong relationships with customers and suppliers.
• Understand the importance of meeting deadlines and prepared to put in time to get a job done.
• Logical thinker not prone to emotional judgments. Good Listener

Weaknesses: I need a big desk to spread my paper work out on.

List your three main strengths that you could bring into this company:

• Professional approach to my role.
• Ability to get the job done.
• Ability to work with people across all levels of management.

Give an example of a time you had to make a decision on your own without consulting your supervisor:

Selection of staff for required positions.

Describe a major goal you have set for yourself:

To create an environment where results are achieved to benefit the company through motivated happy employees. Sharing results with staff is important and acknowledging achievements helps maintain a happy working environment. 

What was a significant achievement in your previous or current position?

Redesign and produce a comprehensive set of management accounts for directors and senior staff reviews.

What motivates you the most, and why:

Eliminating waste, in both time and resources; nothing is more irritating than controllable waste no matter on what level.

What would you bring to this company, if you were offered the position?

A motivated professional, keen to become a key contributor in the operations of the organisation.

What did you enjoy most in your previous or current position?

Working with key people from various organizations to achieve a favourable outcome for our organisation. The interaction with people from banks, customers and suppliers has been an enjoyable aspect of the role.

Personal statement:

I am a person that is committed to do their very best for any Business.

This role, as described, suits my strengths in the areas of managing staff in a team environment with a focus on the need for an accurate transactional platform.
 

I am not afraid of a "hands on" role requiring a daily grind to gets things done.

I have experience working for a company that's been doing very well and also endured the pressures of managing finances when times are tough and believe I can cope with most organisational situations.

I am adaptable and can handle change.

I have sound fundamentals in costing developed in a textile company with intricate costing required where products are costed on a per metre basis.

Interests and Hobbies:

Family time, Golf, Gardening and pottering around home.

Judy - Bookkeeper /Administration

Summary of job skills:

Accounts payable; accounts receivable; payroll; reconciliations; ledgers; sales commission reports; sales analyses; PAYG reports; BAS; superannuation; invoicing; banking; mail; filing; word documents (letters, price lists); Excel charts (prices, cash ledgers); reception; emails; ad hoc duties; training staff; supervision; loans documentation; relieving manager; foreign exchange transactions; investments; data entry; cheque encoding; allocation of barcodes;
inventory adjustments; stock ordering; follow up stock purchases; liaise with warehouse; liaise with factory staff and drivers; customer service.

Summarise your personality as you see
yourself:

I see myself as a friendly easy-going person with an ability to adapt to most situations.  I am well mannered, honest, trustworthy, compassionate and understanding, with a good set of morals.

Computer software experience:

• 
  MYOB:
  Intermediate - advanced skills
  
• 
  Excel:
  Intermediate - advanced skills
  
  
• 
  Word:
  Intermediate - advanced skills
  
  
• 
  Finance
  One (an SAP program): Basic - Intermediate
  
  
• 
  Bar
  coding integration system: Intermediate
  
  

Overall Work Strengths:

Ledgers; MYOB; streamlining (e.g. set up excel sheets of pricing used for specially made
products for easy reference at a later date); pleasant phone manner; prioritising; diarising; English skills; cash handling; ability to pinpoint problems through account systems; reconciliations; adaptability; versatility;
good work ethic, flexibility, learn systems easily.

List your three main strengths:

• I have worked effectively and efficiently as a member of a team in the past, as well
  as autonomously. I can be relied upon either way to perform well with the minimum of fuss, whilst drawing on the wide range of experiences I have had in my past working life.
  
• My communication skills are well developed, with business communications well
  written. I have a warm, friendly, polite phone manner; I am always respectful and easy to approach on the phone or on a reception desk.

• The third strength I would list above anything else (and I think my Accounts
  ability to be a main strength) is my code of ethics. My very real sense of right and wrong stands me in good stead in the accounts field, as I know people will find me
  trustworthy, hard working and loyal.
  
  

Referee statement:

This referee described Judyas a fantastic lady that is caring, calm, friendly, helpful, and always happy, "She was wonderful to work alongside of and she brings a ‘calming' influence to the office."  She noted that Judy has an excellent phone technique with the ability to calm grumpy customers and reach a solution without any angst.

In regards to work quality, she said that Judy shows good attention to detail and she improved on many of the original systems and procedures.  She added that the job was extremely complex and pressured and Judy managed this well.  She rated Judy's Accounts
knowledge as Intermediate to Advanced.

This referee said that Judy coped with a huge workload and she found it amazing just how much work she managed to complete considering the stress and pressure they were under.  She added that Judy is very reliable, punctual, organised and honest, "She was
a joy to work with and will do any task required."  No weaknesses were noted by this referee.

Becky - Finance Assistant - Accounts - Admin

Becky is a mature and well presented lady who worked for one company for 20 years as an assistant to the Financial Controller and the Corporate Accounting Manager.  She mostly used JD Edwards software, plus some SAP and Pronto.

Personal Statement:

"I have years of experience working in accounts/administration and a solid commitment in this field.  My most recent position has provided me with strong reconciliation experience.  As a result of my varied positions I can offer a combination of practical experiences involving the many aspects of my all-round knowledge of accounts."

Summary of job skills:

• Reconciliation andjournals for the general ledger
• Cash flow forecasting
• Debtors & creditors ledger, invoice raising and debt collection, overseas payments
• Maintain spreadsheets for Tax Accountant

Three main strengths:

• Reconciliation skills
• Spreadsheet update
• Quick learner
  

Referee comments:

This referee, who was a Financial Accountant, described Becky as a very switched on and intelligent lady.  She knows her Debits and Credits and has a great strength with bank reconciliations, general ledger reconciliations, intercompany reconciliations,  daily cash balances etc.  He said he got on very well with her as did staff in other departments; she is friendly, patient, courteous, polite and easy to deal with. 

He commented that Becky has a very willing nature and would do any task asked of her.  She listens well to instructions and she never put anything in the ‘too hard' basket, "She is very capable and her work quality was of a very high standard with good attention to detail."

He considers Becky highly recommendable to another company in a finance supporting role.  He listed her main strengths as: Attention to detail; Reconciliation skills; Work ethic. No weaknesses were noted by this referee.

Pauline - Administration / Office  All-rounder

Pauline is a mature, bright, energetic lady with a stable employment background.  She has been working for her current employer for 13 years.

Summary:

• Customer/client service skills
• Communication skills
• Teamwork skills
• Problem solving skills
• Ability to deal with a diverse range of people
• Ability to resolve conflict
• Skills in organisation, planning & time management
• Negotiation skills
• Familiar with Microsoft Operating Systems
• Good command of Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint & Internal Applications
• Internet and email competent
• Keyboarding skills of ~ 75+ wpm
• Extensive experience in Executive Secretary and Personal Assistant positions as well as Administration roles

Overall Work Strengths:

• I take initiative to
  create better working methods for the collation of data and reporting. I like to get a reporting system, for
  example, as automated as possible to allow more ease and accuracy. I have created numerous such databases in my
  current position.

• I am a good team
  worker and will go beyond to assist and share the skills I can offer.
  
  
• Diverse
  customer/client relations, communication, problem solving, conflict resolution,
  negotiation, time management, planning and organisation skills.

What would you bring to a company?

"A big smile! I would bring with me a wealth of experience in administration, secretarial and customer contact experience.  The organisation would be taking on a dedicated worker with a passion to do her best at all times.  I am a team member with good communication skills and the ability to work closely with those around me with the minimum of fuss."

Referee comments:

This Referee described Pauline as a lovely lady who is a very ‘nice' person to work with; approachable and amiable.  She is reliable and very competent in every task she does, "She is a very supportive resource for the team managers."

He described her personality as friendly; she is hard working and has an excellent work ethic.  He said that the work she does for him is of a high standard and he relies on her computer advice to assist him when he is having problems!  In particular, he said she has
a good grasp of Excel spreadsheets, she also uses Word, Outlook and their internal systems on a daily basis, stating that her attention to detail and accuracy is very high.

Gary - Warehouse Supervisor

Gary is a mature, friendly  likeable chap who is professional and easy to talk with.  Upon discussing his previous employment, it became obvious that he has extensive managerial experience and staff supervision experience, in particular his Warehouse Manager role with a
transport company.  He managed all warehouse operations including despatch, inwards freight, pick/pack, consignment notes etc.

He also managed the Business on behalf of the owner when he was away, and Gary made all of the day to day operational decisions.  Gary said he is on-the-ball when it comes to safety and ensuring that staff never compromise their own safety or that of others, for example, driving the forklifts safely, loading trucks correctly and ensuring trucks weren't overloaded on the front or rear axle etc.

Overall Work Strengths:

High attention to detail, ability to operate machinery, speed and efficiency, a sense of care and pride in work done, self motivated, excellent people skills, excellent problem solver, extensive experience in supervision of all types and levels of staff, full understanding
of OH&S practices, full understanding of load restraint regulations, supervision of freight forwarders and the cost effective delivery of freight, a proactive attitude, handle pressure situations well.

Referee comments:

This referee spoke highly of Gary as a reliable and very organised person whom he relied on heavily.  He said that he trusted Gary to run the business when he was away - that speaks volumes in itself, "I never had to worry about anything. He is highly organised, efficient, professional and he organised the staff."  He has good time management and decision making abilities; he can solve problems without any fuss.

He described Gary as a happy, positive, flexible, calm and even tempered person who just got on with the job. He said that Gary was an effective supervisor to the staff; he was
fair, approachable and had them well organised. 

His work was of a high quality and he showed good attention to detail, for example, he was meticulous with consignment notes and other paper work / computer work.  This referee said that Gary achieved a high workload and pressure never fazed him, he always got the job done.  If something urgent came up at the last moment, he would stay back until the job was done without having to be asked and without complaint - he is not a clock watcher.

Sue - Administration / Customer Service

Sue has worked in a range of administration focused jobs over the years including Administration, Reception, Customer Service, Warehouse/Production Assistant all of which involved managing a large paper workload and computer operations.  She said she is always keen to learn new tasks and is very enthusiastic about your position. 

Sue said she always gives 100% to everything she does whether it be at work or at home, that she is highly organised with her workload, and pedantic with filing as she likes verything to be in ‘the right spot.' 

Overall Work Strengths:

• Ability to multi task
• Work well in a  supportive team environment
• Have great attention to detail (in fact my nickname at work is "Hawkeye", due to being able to pick up errors that most people don't see)
• Extremely well organised

List your three main strengths:

• Quick learner (whatI don't already know, I am willing to learn)
• Extremely organized (enabling me to prioritise what work needs to be done in order to meet deadlines)
• Uncanny ability to find a quicker way to complete most tasks (in order to better utilize my time)

Computer software experience:

• Word - Advanced
• Apparel 21 - Advanced
• Excel - Intermediate
• PowerPoint - Basic
• Various in-house software systems
  

What would you bring to a company?

I would bring a wealth of experience, having worked in a variety of office environments during my working career. A positive attitude, keen sense of humour, great work ethic, reliability, desire to achieve excellence, provide exceptional service (to both internal and external customers) and the overall dedication to everything I undertake.

Referee comments:

This referee described Sue as ‘fantastic,' she gets on really well with everyone; she is friendly, outgoing, social, caring, genuine, sensitive to the needs of others, "She's a really nice lady.  She goes out of her way to help staff.  For example, if she is on top of her workload and has an hour to spare, she will email the staff to ask if anyone needs some help with their tasks.  She is not one to sit and do nothing."

She said that Sue's work  quality is very thorough.  She is pedantic when proof reading documents such as catalogues before they go to print, e.g. checking that pictures are correct, product code numbers, pricing, bar codes etc, "She is right up there  with the best, and she's a fast worker." 

This referee added that Sue processes all of her orders which are quite complex; she is very patient and works through tasks methodically.  She is also versatile, and because the company is downsizing, Sue is taking on a variety of tasks to keep herself busy.

She made the following statement, "I'd love to have Sue as my own personal assistant.  If I had a business, I'd have Sue running the administration because I know things will
be done right the first time."  She added that Sue's punctuality and attendance is ‘spot-on.'  She listed Sue's main strengths as: Compassion; Attention to detail; Great sense of humor; A great team member. 

Summary:

• Customer service and enquiries, excellent telephone manner, reception and administration skills
• Knowledge of office procedures - banking, filing, petty cash, reconciliation of cash
• Strong ability to show initiative
• Works well under pressure, with ability to priorities workload and meet deadlines
• Quick learner
• Data entry ability
• Ability to build rapport with people with varying levels of English
• Strong organisation and time management skills
• Typing speed approx. 50wpm

Summarise your personality as you see yourself:

Dependable, Organized, Responsible, Reliable, Honest, Confident, Diligent, Flexible, Patient, Helpful, Out Going, Friendly, A People Pleaser, Great Listener.

Computer skills:

• Word - Advanced
• Excel - Advanced
• Outlook - Intermediate
• Power Point - Basic
• Publisher - Basic
• QuickBooks - Intermediate
• Various in-house database systems

Overall Work Strengths:

Meet deadlines, Work effectively autonomously and within a team environment, Provide support to all departments when needed, Resolving and referring problems and enquires, Attention to detail, Quick learner.

What I can bring to a company:

Willingness to take on new responsibilities, take initiative and my ability to perform my best both as an individual and as a team player. I strive to work hard and efficiently to deliver results. I'm eager to learn product knowledge which will enable me to give correct and up to date information to customers and clients when enquires are made. I am an organised individual with an attention to detail and welcome any challenges that may arise within the organisation.

An example of a recent job as Service Administrator / PA:

• Prepare monthly reports
• Prepare report presentations
• Obtain statistical product data
• Maintain files in relation to manufactures claims
• Negotiate with suppliers for reimbursement of service costs
• Provide manufacturers with faulty reports (Model, Qty and Faults)
• Stock adjustments/control of new sample stock
• Sample stock quality assurance
• Assist customer service to provide resolution of customer issues
• Monitor ASA's (Insurances, Authorisations, Accreditations)
• Produce monthly product changeover summary for board meetings
• Summaries GRA's by manufacturer and product fault and report for board meetings
• Design and prepare product specification sheets to accompany purchase orders
• Design and prepare product features and benefits summaries
• Prepare new product information (Sales Features, Service Information & Bulletins)
• Prepare parts lists and breakdown
• Maintain product approval status files
• Proof read instruction manuals
• Obtain test documentation from suppliers
• Maintain approval run sheets
• Participate in new product meetings
• Liaise with manufacturers overseas
• Liaise with other departments
• Distribute Technical information to ASA's
• Allocate new model numbers

Summary of Service Operator job:

• Operator for the service department call centre
• Use in house system data base
• Place service calls on in house system data base
• Liaise with service agents regarding bookings of service calls
• Liaise with consumers regarding the completion of booking
• Entre back orders on system
• File back orders accordingly
• Handle customer queries via phone, fax and email
• Assisting spare parts department
• Mail out instruction manuals
• Other duties as per request

Phillip has 10 years of Bookkeeping experience.  In 2009 he completed Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and he is keen to take his career to the next level.

Personal statement:

I am seeking a full-time Bookkeeper / Accounts Assistant position. I have recently finished my accounting degree (Bachelor of Business in Accounting at Monash University, Caulfield), and I have over 10 years experience as a Bookkeeper / Accounts Manager. I can bring to this position an extensive level of accounting experience, and a critical, professional approach that has already been proven in business.

In terms of my accounting experience, I worked for three years as a Bookkeeper / Accounts Manager before beginning the Business Degree. I had a high level of responsibility in this position, and it gave me a broad exposure to accounting issues on a practical level. I also worked as a Bookkeeper / Accounts Manager part-time for another client while studying in the degree. This work involved setting up and running a manual system, as well as setting up and running MYOB. I started my own business to do this work, and worked with a significant degree of independence. Further, since graduating I worked as a Bookkeeper / Accounts Assistant part-time for a hardware manufacturer from November 2009 to July 2010.

These practical experiences have allowed me to develop a systematic approach to my work and an eye for detail. They have also given me exposure to a broad range of applications such as MYOB, QuickBooks, Arrow Financial Software, and MS Office - including of course MS Excel.

Computer software experience:

• QuickBooks - intermediate
• MYOB - intermediate
• Arrow Financial Software - intermediate
• MS Word - intermediate
• MS Excel - intermediate
• MS Outlook - basic
• MS PowerPoint - basic
• MS Publisher - basic
• MS Access - basic
• Filemaker Pro - basic

Overall Work Strengths:

• Experience - 10 years bookkeeping / accounts manager
• Maturity - wide range of experiences
• Thoroughness - refined by running a manual accounting system
• Easy-going nature

General work skills:

• Setting Up Manual Accounting System
• Journal and Ledger Entries (Manual System & MYOB)
• Cash Receipts Function and Banking
• Reconciliations and Trial Balance
• Reporting (General and Special Purpose)
• Preparing Business Activities Statements
• Running Payroll and Pay-As-You-Go system
• Set-up MYOB
• Invoicing
• Accounts Payable - maintaining accounts payable, organising payments, Arrow Financial (Accounting Software).
• Accounts Receivable - contacting outstanding debtors.
• Payroll - preparing payroll hours (up to 40 employees).
• Customer Service - answering customer enquiries about products, processing product sales.
• Stocktaking - recording stock quantities.

Wynona made a following statement:

The knowledge, ability and experience to meet deadlines would be an asset for any organisation; these are evidenced by my working performances and achievements.  The culmination of my ability for ‘positive thinking,' having a hands-on approach, work and life experiences combined with my excellent administration, time management and customer service skills, will allow me to be a successful member of your organisation. 

The knowledge and experiences gained whilst working  in my previous jobs can be transferred and utilised to ensure my success in future employment.

My objective is to work in an environment that is innovative and promotes continual improvement that will empower all staff to achieve the goals and the objectives of the company.

Referee statement:

This referee described Wynona as happy, bright and bubbly.  She was motivated by looking after customers to ensure everything happened when it was supposed to happen; her work quality was very good. 

She certainly met their work load expectations and when the pressure came on, Wynona ‘just kept going,' it never fazed her.  When asked whether Wynona has the ability to learn easily, this referee replied, "Very much so."  She was very flexible with her duties, her attendance and punctuality was never an issue, she was always there.

This referee listed Wynona's main strengths as: She always went the extra step for the customers; She followed up with the customers; Attendance and reliability; hard working - she is not a clock watcher; Willingness to learn; Ability to build relationships quickly with customers; Attention to detail.

Work skills, most recent job:

• Undertaking and reviewing statistical data to assist in the formulation of project plans for the company's customers
• First point of contact for our major client as well as all Queensland customers
• Building and maintaining positive relationships with key accounts
• Delegate warranty repairs to 5 repairers in Queensland
• Extensive use of in-house database
• Assisting with general customer service enquires
• Processing 60 - 80 orders per day
• Ensure orders are accurate, match the production schedule and transport lead times.
• Project coordination
• Transport and maintenance coordination
• Following up and processing claims
• Invoicing and processing credits, debits and returns
• Daily processing of delivery dockets and picking sheets
• Co-ordination of direct deliveries and placements
• Working together with the State Sales Manager to achieve sales targets
• Problem solving and dispute resolution
• Ensuring the timely entry of all data in the company's purchase ordering systems
• Providing back up to the State Manager
• Filing of all customer purchase orders and proof of deliver
• Create manifest for container

Work skills, previous job:

• Providing telephone based customer service
• Authorising cash and cheque payouts
• Reconciling customer accounts and overseas suppliers
• Entering of orders and purchase orders
• Follow-up of credit claims, payment to overseas suppliers
• Obtaining and compiling all data for the development of effective marketing campaigns, use of customer database
• Liaising with external suppliers to ensure stock levels are maintained for the effective operation of 3 warehouses
• Work closely with foreign currencies and costings
• Recommend new business opportunities
• Shippers letter of instructions, packing declarations, commercial invoices

Computer software experience:

Word - Intermediate

Excel - Intermediate

Other software: ERP LN, MASTERPACK, ARROWS & ARROW FINANCIALS, TIMS, AS400, LOTUS NOTES, OUTLOOK EXPRESS, POWERPOINT, JD EDWARDS,TT WIN, PROCARS.

Carol is seeking an all-rounder Office Administration job.  Her skills are quite diverse, including phones, data entry, customer service and administration.  She prides herself on her follow-through skills and determination to always excel in her role.

Personal statement:

I am accustomed to working in a very busy, fast paced environment and have built a solid reputation for honesty, integrity and approachability.

I am a highly motivated team oriented and articulate individual with solid all round administration and customer service experience. My excellent communication and interpersonal skills enable me to relate to people from all levels and backgrounds of which serve me well in gaining support and cooperation. My flexible, diplomatic and approachable nature have served me well when managing complaints and enquiries and importantly, when liaising with and work cooperatively with team members. I have excellent time management skills, and highly developed competencies for prioritising and completing tasks to set time frames.

I recognise the importance of developing strong relationships with team members, management, customers and other key stakeholders, I know that this plays an integral part in the success of any business operation. Other important skill sets include: high level technical competency; file and record management; data and documentation processing; and the preparation of outbound correspondence.

I have several key attributes including an enthusiastic and energetic outlook on life; a positive and ‘can-do' attitude; and a proactive approach in learning new tasks. I am a reliable and hardworking individual with a friendly nature and bright personality who uses initiative and creativity in order to achieve required outcomes and results.

Overall Work Strengths:

My time management skills are excellent; I'm very organised, efficient and take pride in excelling at my work. I pride myself on my customer service skills and my ability to resolve what could be difficult situations.

Referee comments:

This referee described Carol as having a ‘beautiful heart,' strong (in a positive manner), can pick-up any task and run with it.  She would achieve goals and keep achieving goals - she was committed to what she did, took ownership of her role and the responsibilities that went with it.

Carol showed high level attention to detail in all that she did.  In regards to workload, she exceeded expectations - she was very dedicated.

When under pressure, she described Carol as ‘exceptional,' she was extremely organised in planning and preparing her work; she actually went beyond expectations.  She added that Carol's attendance and punctuality was exemplary.

This referee considers Carol highly recommendable to another company as a very hard working and loyal person; she respects company policies, her co-workers and superiors, "She's refreshing to have in the office."  Among her strengths, she listed the following: A very quick learner; Highly organised; Capable; Has a positive can-do attitude; Fantastic work ethic; Reliable; Ability to multi task. 

Work skills:

• Answer incoming calls, ensuring comprehensive details are obtained.
• Handling call from with stressed, upset, and often angry people. Remaining calm and assisting people through the processes and providing them with support.
• Analyse and disseminate all incoming customer requests
• Maintain accurate and up to date filing systems.
• Schedule, Organise, and attend meetings and take minutes. Distribute Agendas/Minutes.
• Check and approve Invoices for payment
• Liaise with external and internal stakeholders regarding requirements.
• Plan, organise, prioritise and manage time and work requirements effectively and efficiently.
• Order and maintain adequate supplies of stationery.
• Provide word processing and general administrative support to the department.
• Processing of documents through in-house computer system, ensuring that acknowledgement (or standard response) letters are sent where possible.
• Organise workshops / training sessions.
• Provide additional support and perform any other duties as required.
• Allocated requests to the appropriate personnel within the departments for action/investigation.

Anna can do everything from Invoicing and Accounts Payable/Receivable through to coordinating staff, answering phones, and dealing with the general public.

Personal statement:

I am an extremely motivated and focused person, this allows me to be highly methodical, organised and analytical. I have strong verbal communication skills, both in person and over the phone, this allows me to develop ongoing working relationships with clients and work colleagues.

My management style allows me to get along with all types of personalities and to develop mutual respect towards a successful outcome.  I do also have a creative approach which motivates me to achieve many challenges and goals.

I am capable of gaining product knowledge and learning computer programs quickly.  This assists me in achieving the job at hand more effectively and efficiently.  I am capable of learning a large variety of skills.

Work skills:

• Working as a team member
• Customer Service orientated
• Management, Operations, training and co-ordination of staff
• Reception duties and answering phone
• Sales Administrator in relation to Sales & Marketing
• Price variation and cost analysis
• Data entry and composing of various spreadsheets, invoices, accounts receivable & payable
• Adept with various computer programs and able to learn quickly
• Creating Invoices and Purchase Orders
• Data Entry and composition of Procedures
• Capable of gaining product knowledge quickly and effectively
• Identifying specific consumer needs
• Compiling and writing of various reports relative to data collection and research
• Stock control, ordering, dispatch and logistics of products
• Prepare regular reports and summaries of accounting activities and reconciliation
• Manage the sourcing and delivery of products to the customer
• Prepping and assembling of equipment when required
• Liaising with Sales Representatives

Computer software experience:

Adept with Intermediate MS Office, Word, Excel, Power point, Publisher, Outlook, Photoshop, Internet.

Referee statement:

This referee described Anna as bubbly, friendly and outgoing.  She said Anna is incredibly organised and took on multiple roles over the years that she worked for the company.  She said that Anna is great to work with and she got on well with everyone.  She can work both in a team and independently, she is a real team player who pitches-in, adding that she has a strong eye for detail and picks up on problems before they even occur!

This referee said that their environment was one of high pressure, which never fazed Anna due to her calm persona.  She added that her attendance and punctuality was excellent, she doesn't take ‘sickies' and is very reliable.

She listed Anna's main strengths as: Good old fashioned work ethic; She does a good days work; Eye for detail; Organisational skills; She takes direction well.  She considers Anna highly recommendable to another company. No weaknesses were noted by this referee.

Overall Work Strengths:

Strong organisation skills, customer service focused, transparent in being well read, multi-tasking, highly methodical and analytical, extremely organised, accurate and driven, able to understand clients needs quickly, and able to master a large variety of skills.

• Accounts Payable - issue invoices and following up with customer payment sending monthly statements
• Accounts Receivable - cheque processing, eBanking, Telegraphic Transfers, EFT payments
• Bas preparation at end of month and accounts for end of month, compiling and preparation for accountant
• Payroll weekly - 20 employees
• Answering high volume of calls and customer enquiries
• Arrange local and interstate transport and export shipments (time tracking and scheduling)
• Purchasing - local and overseas
• Quotations - liaising with sales team
• Delegate drivers for pick-ups
• Work closely with Director, customers, operations, warehouse manager, suppliers, shipping companies, transport companies, customs, sales reps and drivers
• Stock and supply reports to key accounts
• Assist with keeping website up to date
• Extensive Data entry
• Assist and preparing Government tenders
• Monitor customer credit limits
• Setting up new customers - credit applications
• Generate monthly sales and expenses reports (Excel)
• Travel and accommodation bookings for directors and sales

Personal statement:

I have a bubbly personality. I am warm, friendly, enthusiastic and outgoing. I believe I am a very hard worker. I excel in the following:

• Communication skills
• Multi tasking
• Problem solving
• Listening skills
• Negotiation skills
• Attention to detail
• Time management

Computer skills:

• Word - Excellent
• Excel - Excellent
• PowerPoint - Basic
• QuickBooks - Excellent
• MYOB - Basic
• Outlook - Excellent
• Publisher - Basic
• Typing speed: 60 words per minute

Referee statement:

This referee used the following words/phrases to describe Kay: Loyal, hard working, supportive to her peers, a quick learner, determined to succeed, outstanding customer service and follow through, enthusiastic, bubbly, outgoing, very organised, attention to detail.

She said that Kay's role was diverse; she was multi skilled and multi talented - she could easily adapt to any new challenge.  Kay coached others and mentored a team of 15 staff, a role in which she was highly effective - everyone held her in high regard.  She said that Kay was motivated by always doing a task to the absolutely best of her ability and her work standard was of the highest quality; she is a quick learner who showed excellent attention to detail.

When under pressure, Kay both met and exceeded expectations; her work quality never dropped.  She was also very reliable and punctual.  When asked whether she considers Kay recommendable to another company, she replied, "I would, most definitely."  She listed Kay's main strengths as; Very determined to do a good job and achieve goals; Very reliable: Excellent work ethic; Personality - she is warm, friendly and confident.  No weaknesses were noted by this referee.

He is not degree qualified, however, he is Diploma qualified.  Most importantly, he has excellent working experience.

His last job of 4 years with a small Accounting firm included the following:

• Preparing a range of financial documents including Tax Returns, BAS statements and Financial Reports
• Providing all necessary customer service to clients to ensure their requirements were met
• Utilising software packages:

                   * HandiTax

                   * Solution 6

                   * MYOB

• All necessary bookkeeping for small, medium and large business
• Review of financial statements and Trial Balance to General Ledger
• Training and supervising new staff
• Bank statements, Trade Debtors & Creditors, General Ledger reconciliations
• PAYG, Payroll and Statutory Compliance
• Managing the day to day running of the business during the absences of the Principal

Prior to this job, he worked for 10 years with another company in a general Bookkeeping position.

Personal statement:

In my previous role as a Bookkeeper/Assistant Accountant, I had the opportunity to deal extensively with a wide range of clientele and gained experience in customer service, preparing financial documents and review of financial statements.

My duties included tax returns, BAS statements, financial reports, trial balance to general ledger, PAYG, debtors & creditors etc.

I take pride in my work and have a strong eye for detail. Similarly, I have extensive client services experience and strong communication skills.  I have a mature and professional manner.

Overview:

• Gained experience in providing a range of financial services
• Developed strong client service skills
• Confident in providing strong written reporting needs
• Demonstrated an eye for detail and committed to providing top quality work
• Gained a reputation in the office as being efficient and effective at completing individual and business tax returns
• Confident working with small and medium size business together with corporate Australia
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast paced environment and comfortable working to tight time lines
• A capable team leader
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills enabling me to function well in a team and work well with clients
• Demonstrated ability to perform multiple complex tasks while following guidelines and observing deadlines
• Ability to maintain customer focus and address client requirements quickly and professionally
• Commitment towards client satisfaction and the provision of high standard services in a professional manner
• Flexible and quick to learn

Computer skills:

• HandiTax - Advanced
• Solution 6 - Advanced
• MYOB - Intermediate
• Cashflow Manager - Advanced
• Microsoft Word - Intermediate
• Microsoft Excel - Intermediate

Qualifications / Courses:

• Associate Diploma of Business Accounting
• Accounting to Trial Balance
• Accounting - Basic Reports
• Business Mathematics
• Certificate in MYOB
• In 2011, will be commencing Advanced Diploma if Accounting (Part time)

Referee statement:

A verbal reference was provided from the Accounting practice where James worked for over 4 years:  This referee said that James was one of their key staff.  He had his own clientele that he looked after from end to end including Tax Returns; he has good people skills including one-on-one, and the feedback from the clients was always excellent, in fact, they all wanted to deal with him!

He said that James is self motivated - he really enjoys the work he does.  A great strength noted by this referee was the fact that he could give James a task to do and it would get down without having to follow up with; he doesn't need micromanaging, "We considered him to be a senior member of our staff.  I often travelled overseas and would leave James in charge.  He knows how to prioritise and action work load to ensure deadlines were met.  He was an asset to us."

He listed James other strengths as: Ability to work unsupervised; Quick at picking up knowledge on new applications and software; Excellent people skills and one on one client interview skills; He is a ‘people person' and people like dealing with him.

Peter made the following statement:

I have many years experience as a Storeman and I am currently employed full time in such a position. I hold a current forklift licence, which is essential for my current position.

I pride myself in attention to detail and I am always looking for self improvement with every aspect of my work.

Referee statement:

This referee, a Sales Executive that Peter previously worked with said that Paul was a ‘one-man band' who provided full support to him, "I couldn't have done my job to the best of my ability without the backing he gave me.  He has a broad skill set, is very versatile and efficient."  There were just the two of them working from the Melbourne site, therefore Peter's job was multi faceted.

He said that Peter is very easy to work with and the two of them made a great team; with Peter's support, he became the leading Sales Executive in Australia.  Peter set himself high targets and his workload turnaround was extremely prompt, he often had orders ‘on the road' and delivered to customers within two hours, and certainly delivered by the next day. 

He built a great rapport with their customer base and provided service second to none.

He described Peter's Storeman duties as very diverse including taking phone calls, processing orders, pick/pack, receive and despatch, wrapping and strapping, load/unload trucks, booking transport and general paper work, "He solely ran the warehouse."

This referee said that Peter has a great sense of humour, and a manner/personality that would get on with anyone; he is friendly, approachable and extremely helpful, he will do whatever it takes to get a job done, "He is self motivated and if a job needed to be done, he just did it.  He took ownership and responsibility of his job."

He added that Peter's attendance and punctuality was exemplary, "I'd recommend him to anyone who is looking for a stable, level headed and efficient worker."  No weaknesses were noted by this referee.

Summary of work skills:

• Current valid forklift Licence.
• Current valid Victorian Drivers Licence with clean driving record.
• Well spoken and written English skills.
• Computer experience with Microsoft Outlook Express, Word and some Excel.
• Purchasing experience using MYOB system.
• Picking and packing.
• Inwards and outward goods.
• Monthly stock takes.
• Work well within a team and unsupervised.
• Have a willingness to pitch in and get the job done.

Strengths:

• Punctual
• Friendly
• Good work ethic
• Hard working
• Can be relied upon to get the job done without constant supervision - I can prioritise high levels of work in an efficient and timely manner.
  

Troy is well presented , polite and well spoken.  He knows the etiquette required when dealing with customers, and showing attention to detail to ensure orders are 100% correct, 10% of the time.

Referee statement:

This referee stated that Troy always acted in a professional manner with customers and his peers.  He described him as outgoing and friendly.  He was very thorough with his attention to detail, "His paper work for despatching goods was always spot-on, it had to be."

He said that Troy was motivated by working hard and meeting deadlines for deliveries; he always had the interests of providing a timely service to customers in mind.  He said that Troy was constantly working in a pressured environment and he managed it well; he in fact exceeded expectations because he was multi skilled and a multi tasker; he did many other tasks on top of his normal duties.

It was stated that Troy had a high level of responsibility in his role of Offsite Warehouse Manager/Driver.  He supervised two staff and was always at work early with the keys to open-up and prepare the daily work orders for the staff, plus he was the last to leave at the end of the day.

He said he considers Troy highly recommendable to another company.  He listed his main strengths as: Uses his initiative; Ability to communicate with all levels of people in a professional manner; Hard working; His likeable nature - he gets along with everyone.  No weaknesses were noted by this referee.

Overall Work Strengths:

• Reliable
• Hard working
• Willing to learn new things.
• Organisational skills
• Punctuality
• Loyalty to company

Troy's Personal statement:

• I have worked for a Curtain Parts Factory where I was required to do deliveries so I have a good knowledge of Melbourne and the Metropolitan area
• My experience has provided me with sound knowledge when interacting with customers be it on the phone or in person. I have experience in general warehousing and despatch duties plus dealing with Courier Companies.
• I am hard working, reliable, flexible but also a family man. I have been married for many years and have two great children.

Personal statement:

"I have a strong and stable background in office administration and management.

I am an outgoing, down to earth, friendly person who is extremely organised, with an eye for detail, with a can do attitude."

Skills and experience:

• Answering a high volume of incoming calls as well as Customer Service and assisting with customers at reception.
• Liaison with clients and suppliers via email.
• Writing up delivery dockets and typing up client job cards.
• Raising purchase orders for client equipment.
• Typing up quotations and checking costings.
• Organising service requests for warranty claims - follow up of same with both client and supplier.
• Typing and packing of quotations for Sales Team.
• Receiving and follow up all enquiries on a daily basis.
• Diary management for Sales Team.
• Typing of all general correspondence, letters, variations to contracts etc.
• Liaise with Manager on all current job and jobs outstanding.
• Stationery orders on a bi weekly basis.
• Personal assistance duties to sales team and office manager as required.
• Proficient in Excel.
• Organisation of all archived items.

Computer skills:

• Word - Intermediate to Advanced
• Excel - Intermediate
• Outlook Express - Proficient
• MYOB - Basic
• General internet and PC skills
• Good tying skills

Strengths:

• Proactive not reactive
• Positive achiever
• Well organised
• Prompt with my work
• An ability to work with people of all levels
• A mature work ethic after many years of various work environments
• Knowledge gained in office environments

Referee comments:

This referee described Kelly as a ‘gem,' a refreshing person to have in the office.  She is friendly, bubbly, has a great sense of humour and blends in with everyone really well.  She has a fantastic phone manner and can handle irate customers with ease; she stays calm, listens, and has a chuckle to herself afterwards!  She builds wonderful relationships with customers over the phone, even the irate ones - this is a flow-on of her lovely personality.

She was keen to mention that Kelly has a broad skills set. Her job is extremely varied and her work is of a very high quality, "Her role is multi-faceted, she is very flexible and obliging in regards to taking on any extra tasks outside her normal role such as debt collection.

She is always prepared to go one step beyond what is necessary and never says No.  She shows good attention to detail and her work is timely.  She handles pressure really well, better than most; she is very organised and can prioritise her workload."

Deanna is a mature minded, down to earth and friendly lady.  Her experience lies mostly in customer service, service coordination, and internal sales.  She can also do basic accounts on MYOB.

She is very good at liaising between the company's drivers and customers, keeping each informed of times schedules etc.  She has a bright and bubbly phone manner.

Deanna has a very stable employment background; she is seeking another long term position with a friendly company and a pleasant working environment.

Deanna's experience includes taking bookings and despatching drivers, follow up delivery times and coordinate drivers, proof of delivery documentation, taking orders and entering into the computer system, invoicing, stock control, product costing, handling customer complaints and dispute resolution, quoting, handling all customer enquiries, problem solving, accounts and the general day to day running of the office.

Strengths:

I am self starter with strong problem solving abilities, and a hard worker with a reputation for getting the job done - no task is too big or too small. I am adept at building client relationships, have a good head for figures and calculations (eye for detail), and trouble shooting.

• I am a reliable hard worker
• I get along well with customers and co-workers
• I am a self starter and strong problem solver
  
  

Referee comments:

This referee described Deanna as very likable, gets on well with customers, fits in very well, adapted easily and was motivated by ‘taking pride in her job'.  He stated that Deanna is outgoing, friendly and showed a genuine interest in others, whether it be staff or customers.

He assessed Deanna's attention to detail and accuracy and working under pressure as excellent, she was very particular with the quality of her work, ‘a bit like a dog with a bone,' she never gave up on a task until she attained her intended goal.

When asked to comment on Deanna's strengths, this referee replied; Diligence; Person to person skills; Takes pride in her work; Very proactive.

Roger enjoys dealing with customers, providing sound advice and assistance; he also has a strong technical aptitude.  Roger has excellent computer skills and has worked with several different customer databases.

Overview:

• Provide analytical support and database information for fleet management. This included disposals, acquisitions, maintenance costs, registrations and insurance.
• Provide high level of administrative support and customer assistance.
• Manage staff to ensure excellent customer service is achieved.
• Achieved an excellent working knowledge of all facets of the industry including fleet management.

Personal Profile:

• Enthusiastic, hard working and courteous, stimulated by challenges with highly developed analytical and organisational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with people at all levels combined with a strong commitment to customer service and working in a team environment.
• A powerful drive to motivate people to maximise their potential.

Strengths:

• A confident communicator with all levels of peers, management and customers
• Dedication to customer service both external and internal
• Team orientated
• Lateral thinking, not just looking at present but also the large picture

Referee comments:
This referee was keen to mention that customer interaction is Rogers's forte; he is very much at ease when dealing with customers whether over the phone or face to face.  He is very easy going and friendly, and he likes to be challenged and busy. 

He noted that Roger is an extremely confident person who could step up and take charge; he never felt intimidated or daunted by any tasks or problems he faced.  He could in fact be quite domineering when the situation required it.

He said Roger is definitely motivated by challenges, he is also a ‘numbers' person and has a natural technical aptitude, whether the job role requires it or not - he could work things out for himself.  Also, he is not backward in coming forward if he needed to ask questions.  He was very flexible and had a broad skill set.

He listed his main strengths as: Customer service skills; Technically minded; Communication skills - customers related to him exceptionally well; He works well under pressure

Geoff is a young driven individual who commenced as a keen young chap in a customer service role and quickly worked his way up to being a Branch Manager after only 6 years, a position he held for 3 years until the branch closed down.

Geoff interviewed extremely well; he was impeccably presented, confident and spoke with ease about his customer service experience - it is quite obvious that this is a field of work he is quite passionate about.

Qualification:

Advanced Diploma in Business Marketing, completed in 2001.

Personal statement:

I have worked in Customer Service from 2001. Since 2002 I have gained experience in managing, first as a Customer Service Team Leader then just over three years as a Branch Manager. I have time management, conflict resolution and most importantly customer satisfaction expertise. 

Other skills are: Inventory control, despatching, stock takes, payroll, employee evaluations, branch operations, analysis report (P & L), troubleshooting within the branch and conducting interviews.  

My key responsibilities on a day to day basis were: Managing team of 8 customer service reps and 10 technicians; this included rostering, performance management and looking at workflow management as we had KPI's to achieve; Updating our database and logging customer messages and conversations; Call centre management and my team for each customer enquiry on repairs and after sales support; Excellent problem solving skills; Can work with minimal supervision - my head office was in Sydney, therefore I had their support but had to be very organised and work well under pressure to manage my team. 

Career objective: Establish a position with a stable and growing company, and play an active and vital role to assist in achieving company goals and values.  Leading by example, and supporting others and working together to achieve company and personal goals. Working in a healthy and happy environment. 

Referee comments:

This referee stated that Geoff quickly developed in a short few years displaying natural leadership qualities and the ability to be supportive to his peers, "This is one of the reasons be succeeded.  He has a demeanor which people respect, he is confident, a good listener and people listen to him."

This referee was keen to mention that Geoff has a natural ability to handle disgruntled and angry customers, he would always find a solution; He was a shoulder on which staff could lean on for support when they faced disgruntled customers.  He has the ability to turn a negative situation into a positive situation.

In his role as Branch Manager, he had many reporting functions in which he proved his ability in setting and achieving KPI's and encouraging staff to work as team. He said Geoff's computer skills are of an intermediate level and he has experience working with customer databases. When Geoff was being trained into the Branch Manager role, he said he could give Geoff instructions and he had the drive to stick with it until finished.

He said he can't ever recall a time when Geoff didn't meet or exceed expectations and commit to tasks.  He also thrived under pressure - it certainly never rattled him.

He added that one of Geoff's strengths was his ability to learn and pick things up - he never sat back, and was rather like a sponge wanting to know everything there was to learn.

Pam has been working for her current employer for over 20 years.  She has varied office experience working for this importing, warehousing and retail company.  She has worked in both the head office as a Receptionist, and also in the warehouse in an administration and customer service role (current).  She is not afraid of hard work and gets on really with everyone.

Personal statement:

"I have strong communication and organisational skills.  I have worked in an office for many years. I am a very hands-on person who enjoys learning new skills.  I am a very hard working and enjoy new and exciting challenges. 

I would bring maturity, long term commitment and a willingness to get the job done.  I am not afraid of challenges."

Experience and skills:

• General reception duties
• Booking of travel itineraries
• Receipt and distribution of mail
• Typing of letters and quotes
• Management of accounts receivable, including banking, picking slips,

        purchase orders, delivery dockets, invoicing and consignment notes

• Data Entry
• Customer Service
• Ordering of all office material
• Management of warehouse logistics
• Coordinating delivery of goods
• Assistance with stock control hands on role and computer
• All aspects of Warehouse administration
• Daily, weekly and monthly reports
• Health & Safety Representative (since 2004)
• Managing Warehouse when Warehouse Manager is on holidays

Strengths:

• Willingness to do anything and do not believe in the word cannot
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Maturity and long term commitment

Computer skills:

• Word - Intermediate
• Excel - Intermediate
• Outlook - Intermediate
• In-house software for stock control, overseas purchasing, order entry, picking slips etc

A mature minded highly experience Bookkeeper, both QuickBooks and MYOB.  She is seeking 10-15 hours per week to compliment her other part time job.

Personal Statement:

"I am seeking a position that requires a hardworking, experienced, dedicated employee who gets personal satisfaction out of working 'smart' and being part of a team that always puts their best foot forward.  At my age I have had a huge variety of life experiences which add knowledge and maturity to situations, whilst still being open to other people's perspective.

My skills are varied, based around accounting, bookkeeping and office administration.  I have extensive commercial business knowledge and excellent people skills.

In a work environment I would say I have the ability to "get things done" regardless of deadlines, difficulties and other agendas, whilst maintaining the all important smooth running, co-operation and congeniality required in any office.

Having a very stable work history and an excellent accounting knowledge I am seeking a position with responsibility, ownership and interest.

Previous employers have found my accounting/administration skill and dedication to business wellbeing a major asset.  I am looking for a long term mutually beneficial relationship that can prosper and produce excellent outcomes for both parties.  I see myself in the workforce for another 15 to 20 years."

Referee comments:

This referee sung Denise's praises as being the most efficient, experienced MYOB Bookkeeper he has ever had the pleasure in working with.  He said their accounts and MYOB systems were in a shambles when she started as it had never been set up nor used correctly by previous staff; Denise got 'stuck-in' and tidied everything up, brought all tax and legal requirements up to date etc.  He noted that she also got on very well with everyone.

He assessed Denise's work quality, attention to detail and knowledge of Bookkeeping as 'excellent,' she has very high standards and liaised professionally with their external Accountant.  He said she actually exceeded his work expectations, for example, she was very flexible and put in extra time when required; she would role her sleeves up and pitch in to assist other staff (outside her job role); she is not a clock watcher; she would take the time to explain the monthly financial reports to the Committee in a manner in which they understood; she filled in his CEO position and made any day to day decisions when he was on leave.

During pressured periods, this referee said Denise never stressed, she just took it all in her stride and she actually enjoys having a busy work load.  He added that she was very reliable and punctual.  He considers Denise extremely highly recommendable to another company, "Without a doubt!"  He also mentioned that their 'books' flew through the annual audit, a credit to her due diligence. 

He listed Denise's main strengths as: Honesty and integrity; Extremely smart / clever; Has a good head for figures; Versatile and flexible; Very good at what she does; Meticulously diligent; Scrupulously honest.  He finished by saying that she will be an asset to any future employer. 

Summary of skills:

• All functions for both accounts payable and receivable, payments, bank reconciliations
• Accounting software packages too varied to list - latest being MYOB (current version)
• Profit & Loss, general ledger, balance sheet, depreciation, month end & year end results
• GST preparations and BAS returns
• Debt collection - firm, successful but maintaining client relationships
• Import/export documentation, forex contracts, exchange rates
• Government department acquittals funding and grant applications
• Liaising with Board of Directors, Committee of Management and fulfilling deadlines on a tight time/budget system.
• Standing in as MD/CEO on numerous occasions where required
• Payroll (all functions), superannuation, payroll tax, WorkCover, PAYG and year end returns
• Depreciation, asset register, journal entries and accumulations
• Budget planning and cash flow forecasting
• Liaising and negotiating with various institutions - accountants, banks, solicitors, insurance companies and government departments etc
• Supervision of staff, HR and general staff training
• Client liaison, tender, pricing and terms negotiation
• Administration to the highest level with an exceptional duty of care
• Plus so many day to day activities that any office can & generally does require

Strengths:

• Excellent analytical mind. Always looking into the reasons "why?"
• Inquisitive - wanting to understand the whole process.
• Lateral thinker - looking forward.
• Am not precious - I am always prepared to roll my sleeves up and do what is required to complete any task.
• Working under pressure doesn't faze me.

Jacky: Customer Service / Administration

(Also currently learning basic accounts tasks / MYOB)

Personal statement:

"I have a lifetime of experience in administrative and customer service roles. More specifically, I have also worked as a manager on various occasions, developing strong problem solving skills and ability to manage my time effectively.

In my current role I respond to inbound client enquiries on a daily basis. I use a courteous, professional manner to provide those customers with desired results, showing my ability to meet deadlines and follow through with what I set out to achieve.

From working in both the customer service and administration industry for many years, I have acquired superior communication skills (both oral and written), excellent office skills and computer skills. I can confidently use: Windows Professional/XP and other software programs.

I am looking to utilise my existing skills along with further learning in a new industry."

Referee comments:

This referee confirmed that she allocated Jaklene's daily tasks and targets; data entry accuracy was paramount and her work was of an exceptionally high standard, better than most "Her work quality was never an issue."  She was reliable and could be trusted to meet targets and KPI's without the need to be followed up. 

This referee described Jacky as warm and friendly, and she seemed to be motivated by achieving targets and deadlines.  When asked how Jacky handles pressure, it was stated that their busy period was between February and April and she managed the pressure well, it was never an issue.

This referee considers Jacky highly recommendable to another company and said she would have liked her to stay on because of her lovely personality, reliability, trustworthiness, hard working ability and accuracy with her work.  No weaknesses were observed by this referee.

Computer skills:

• Word- Intermediate
• Excel- Intermediate
• MYOB- commencing training in my current job
• Have also used in-house database software
• Knowledge of SAP

Strengths:

• I am always punctual
• I am a perfectionist; I complete a task to the best of my ability
• Friendly and polite
• Can-do attitude towards a challenge

• My ability to work efficiently and multi task
• My honesty and reliability

Current and previous Duties:

• Handle incoming calls
• Accounts Payable
• Filing
• Updating database/spreadsheets
• Prepare and organise incoming and outgoing mail
• Correspondence via email
• Ad hoc administration duties as necessary for Managing Director and Accounts department
• Invoicing
• Scheduling assessments and installation appointments
• Monitoring quality assurance
• Seek to achieve set KPI's as a minimum standard
• Extensive data entry
• Respond to inbound enquiries on current business
• Answer calls in courteous, professional manner providing efficient, accurate and polite service
• Develop sound working relationships with business clients, service providers and colleagues, anticipating client needs and improving services to meet those needs
• Applying knowledge of appropriate legislation and contractual requirements for current business
• Refer client enquiries falling out of jurisdiction of the Customer Care Centre to the appropriate department within Operations

A referee stated that Caroline has excellent interpersonal skills, is energetic, bubbly, always goes to work happy, and is always keen to learn.  She gives 110% at all times.  She handles pressure well by prioritising her workload.  Very flexible - can step up and cover other office roles if required.  Her strengths include: Attentive and helpful to clients; People skills; Does her job well.  Highly recommendable to another company in a similar role.

The person:

Friendly, happy, approachable.  My strongest personal attributes are that I am self motivated and have excellent interpersonal skills. I can work autonomously and am highly organised and efficient.  I value the contribution and feedback from my internal and external customers and strive to provide excellent service at all times.

• I am a good listener
• I get the job done
• I am a nice person to be around
• Organisational skills
• Ability to multi-task
• My friendly personality

Computer skills:

• Word - Intermediate
• Excel - Basic
• Outlook - Intermediate
• PowerPoint - Basic
• ProjectCentre (Document Management)

Work skills:

• Managing front desk reception
• Maintain the day-to-day running of office
• PA administration support
• Liaising with clients and customers
• Timesheet management
• Company purchase card reconciliations
• Ordering of all supplies for office
• Handling of petty cash
• Booking of meeting rooms
• Research information
• Maintain annual leave register
• Diary management
• First Aider and Fire Warden
• Assist with setting up and demobilizing of office

Jillian made the following statement:
I am an experienced Bookkeeper / Administrator; I have extensive experience in various roles which allows me to easily adapt to situations and "think outside the box."  I enjoy bookkeeping and always show enthusiasm towards my work. I am very loyal, dedicated, easy going and I get along with everyone I meet.

I managed all aspects of the accounts including debtor and creditor management, cash flow management, reconciliations of all general ledger accounts, monthly journals, payroll, superannuation, BAS and other statutory obligations plus much more.  I also have experience with importing/ exporting and foreign exchange.

Strengths:

• I am very outgoing with the ability to adapt easily to people and situations.
• I am loyal, hard working, honest and professional.
• I am professional and have a positive attitude which is an asset for any job.
• I work very well on my own or in a team and I am always willing to help out others when necessary.
• I am quick learning, organised and can multi-task.
• I am easy going and self motivated and don't need someone "holding my hand" to get the job done. 
• I am always looking for ways to improves processes. 

Computer Skills:

• MYOB - Advanced
• QuickBooks - Advanced
• Outlook - Advanced
• Word - Advanced
• Excel - Advanced

Referee comments:

This referee described Jillian as vibrant and bubbly to be around.  She has excellent interpersonal skills and her approach was always professional.  She said that Jillian was motivated by being given ownership and responsibility for her role; she stressed that Jillian does not need to be micro managed, "Her role was senior in nature, operating at a very high level and dealing with many stakeholders." 

She assessed Jillian's work quality as 'very high' and she showed excellent attention to detail.  She set up all of the accounts systems and procedures and managed all day to day issues.  She also managed the cash flow which was a tricky task at times.

Jillian's strengths include her strong ethics and morals and she was fun to work with.  This referee finished by saying that Jillian would be an asset to any employer.

A studious and reliable worker who has a passion with working with timber.

He has been working mostly as a furniture maker for about eight years and finished his Apprenticeship in 2005.

He has also worked for a residential construction company and a company who made and installed commercial/retail display units.

Skills include:

• Furniture design, planning, machining, construction, fitting, finishing, polishing.
• Reading/understanding plans, complete kitchen construction/fit out, general carpentry.

• Other experience includes despatch and general labouring.

Personal statement:

I am calm natured and have a good sense of humour.  I am hard working, a quick learner, responsible and trustworthy.

I am a dedicated and knowledgeable timber tradesperson when it comes to working with timber.  I am passionate about working with my hands and using tools and equipment.

Strengths:

• Methodical worker
• Detailed and fussy with my work
• Problem solving - I can think outside the box
• I'm good at planning - I can form an overview of a job and know where to start and what steps I need to work through 

• Ability to think in an innovative manner
  
  

Referee comments:

This referee said that Tim is a likeable young bloke, a very skilled tradesman who shows attention to detail and is very fussy with his work.

He seems to be motivated by always doing a really good job and he has a passion for working with timber.  This referee noted that Tim is totally reliable and honest, "If I leave the workshop, he can competently work unsupervised, he keeps on top of the work and he doesn't need micro-managing."

He listed Tim's main strengths as: Technically very sound; Strong work ethic; Friendly and easy to get along with.  He said that no weaknesses were exposed over the period of their working relationship.

A great lady who is down to earth, friendly and hard working.  She has an expansive career in Bookkeeping working as part of a team, and also autonomously running a small office doing ‘everything' from answering phones, through to accounts, BAS, Payroll, liaising with the Bank, organising international freight etc.

Overview:

Laura said she enjoys learning and will take on any challenge that presents itself.  She noted that she is highly experienced using QuickBooks Pro software, and is not fazed by learning new software. 

She has a confident, down to earth manner; she explained in detail many aspects of her previous employment.  Laura mentioned that she is prepared to 'role her sleeves up' to assist with any office tasks required of her including those outside her job duties, for example, she taught herself Website design so she could set up a Website for two of her pervious employers. Laura said that nothing goes in the 'too hard' basket and if work is slow she will always find something to do.

Personal statement:

I work well as part of a team or independently, I am keen to do a job well and enjoy learning new things. I like to be organised and enjoy being busy. I know QuickBooks Pro very well and I have good knowledge of Excel and Word.  I am self-taught at creating Web pages and am quick to learn new software. 

I believe an employer would find me an excellent choice for a Bookkeeping and Administration role as I love variety and enjoy being responsible for a range of tasks.

My employment history has given me exposure to manufacturing and service industries, freight, IT and a broad scope of all aspects of office administration from banking, quoting customers and taking customer's orders through to arranging sea freight and export of product.

Personality:

Quick thinking; Good sense of humour; Easy going; Friendly and approachable; Adaptable; Intelligent; Pro-active.

Abilities:

• A 'thinker' - Ability to think through problems to find a solution
• Customer liaison
• Assertive when required
• Diligent / Integrity
• Communication skills
• Take responsibility for my work
• Lateral thinking
• Use initiative
• Ability to look at the ‘big' picture

Comments from a former employer:

It was noted by this referee that Laura gets on extremely well with staff and customers. He mentioned that she fitted in well with the different (mostly) male characters (staff and customers), some of whom could be a bit grumpy or surly; she has the knack of getting a smile out of everybody.  He described her personality as 'bubbly.'

He said that she does much more than just accounts, and is very accommodating when asked to do anything outside her normal job role.  He assessed her Bookkeeping skills as 'very good,' adding, "Even our external Accountant mentioned how thorough her work is."  He said he would rate her as an 'advanced' level Bookkeeper, "She shows excellent attention to detail and is spot-on with figures."

He noted that some days were quiet, whilst other days could be hectic; she coped very well with pressure, remaining focused, working head-down.  He noted that many different events could ‘throw' their daily schedule such and she coped with this added commotion with no fuss. 

When asked if she has the ability to learn easily, he replied, "Yes, she's very smart."

He noted that she was punctual and reliable.  He listed her main strengths as: Work ethic; Motivation; Attention to detail; Caring and courteous, especially toward stressed customers; Excellent financial skills, she keeps good records; "She is the whole package."

Skills:

• Office Administration (including updating and formalising policies and procedures / writing procedure manuals)
• Occupational Health & Safety (Certificate in OH&S for Reps, Managers & Supervisors / Committee Membership)
• Customer Service
• Bookkeeping to BAS level using various packages - MYOB, Sybiz, Attache, ACCPAC
• Advanced Excel Skills
• Advanced MYOB skills (Certificates in 4 modules)

The person:

• I am an analytical and realistic individual who thinks through a problem and weighs the pros& cons
• I am work oriented and results driven, inclined to look at things with a critical eye, often finding the weakness and therefore saving errors
• Practical and logical -I prefer decisionsbased on facts, not smooth talking
• I am loyal, reliable and patient
• Iperform well with routine work, preferring to pace myself. I like to set goals for myself and strive to achieve them. Ilike to be prepared for contingencies and like to follow through until I get results

Computer skills:

• MS Word - Advanced
• MS Excel - Advanced
• MYOB - Advanced
• MS Windows - Advanced
• MS Publisher - Basic
• MS Outlook - Advanced

Strengths:

Honest and reliable, patient, analytical and clear thinking, avid learner, can work well without supervision.

Referee comments:
This referee described Michelle as a pleasant employee who was always courteous, interacted with other staff, but was also happy working autonomously. 

He observed that one of her key motivators was the pride she took in her work; she liked to ‘get things done' and wasn't afraid to roll her sleeves up and get to the bottom of any issue.  When questioned about her work quality, he said it was superb, "She was an excellent worker and was always very thorough."   During times of pressure, she coped very well and was always keen to alleviate any pressure.

This referee was keen to mention that Michelle is very intelligent and switched-on.  Her strengths were listed as: Fantastic work ethics; No job was ever too hard; Her work was very detailed.  He enjoyed working with Michelle and would definitely recommend her to any employer.

Mark: Operations / Production Manager / Quality Manager / Warehouse Management:

A really likeable and confident person with excellent people skills, overseeing about 30 staff. Experienced in LEAN management principles. 15 years experience in the timber manufacturing industry, specialising in packaging for freight, pallets etc.  Also Quality Control and Warehouse Management / stock control. He gained his Advanced Certificate in Business Studies (Operations Management) in 1992, and in 1995 he undertook Auditing training.   He personally set up the quality systems and wrote the associated manuals. He was the Management representative of the QMS with the responsibility and authority for ensuring that the requirements of AS/NZS ISO 9001:2000 and AWPC were compliant to the standards.

The Person:

Respectful, reliable and hard working, trustworthy, loyal, down to earth, confident, approachable, honest, professional, focused, motivated, responsible, a leader.

Strengths:

• Strong procedural background
• Very experiencedwith QMS (Quality Management Systems)
• Overseeing production, planning and all associated issues
• Experience dealing with a customer who is a large corporation
• Have many years of experience in a management role
• Able to deal with all walks of life
• Experience with overseeing staff and the associated issues

Personal Statement:

I am a goal oriented person - I always strive to set and meet measurable goals, both personal and professional.  I like to have challenges.  My role models have come from people who were determined, focused, hard working, and strive to improve. Therefore as a person, I always strive to improve in all aspects of life.  

Referee comments:

Mark was through ‘the hard yards' first; he learned every aspect of the business ranging from operating and repairing machines through to dealing with their major clients.

This referee described Mark as a ‘gentleman' who received praise from their clients and also their staff.  He is not coarse, nor soft, "He gained total respect from the staff."  He said that Mark's job was high-pressure and he has the calmness and practical thought processes to manage it well, he would work through issues one step at a time.

When asked whether Mark shows attention to detail, this referee replied, "To the extreme!  He wrote our quality manuals and also did management reporting.  He is very particular with his paperwork and was always motivated to get things right."

In regards to work load, he said Mark exceeded expectations, "He had no choice.  There were always huge deadlines to meet.  He also had to take into account our operating costs, man hours etc.  A high workload was not an issue to him.  We had about 12 truck loads leaving the plant daily - it was a busy and big operation."

This referee listed Martin's main strengths as: Positive attitude and outlook; Respectful of people from all walks of life; Firm but fair with staff; Very professional manner.

Marks Experience:

• Oversee daily operations of the factory.
• Set performance and production targets.
• Ensured that customer requirements were clearly specified and that the company had the resources and capacity to meet contractual obligations.
• Performed detailed monthly stocktakes.
• Analysed cost and prepared budgets.
• Conducted Contract presentations with customers.
• Ensured production requirements, safety targets and quality standards were achieved on a daily basis whilst minimising labour and material cost.
• Ordered a variety of raw materials or items as required by production demand.
• Ensured that regular maintenance operations were performed.
• Liaised with customers, suppliers and independent certification body.
• Developed, implemented and maintained all procedures in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS ISO 9001: 2000 and the Australian Wood packaging certification scheme (AWPCS).
• Setting measurable goals/objectives.
• Performed internal audits of the quality management system to ensure compliance to both standards (ISO 9001 and AWPCS) were maintained, and retained certification annually.
• Assessed and evaluated suppliers.
• Recruited, trained and managed staff members (around 30).
• Documented new processes for the inclusion in the quality management system.
• Provided safe working environment in accordance to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1985.
• Developed, implemented and maintained all safety procedures, ranging from reporting injury procedure, investigation into accident, induction training, emergency procedure, forklift procedure, lock out procedure, hazards, manual handling, noise, etc. Also identified and assessed all safety aspects on a regular basis.
• Conducted all safety related audits.
• Part of the OH&S committee.

Quality Manager:

• Management representative responsible for maintaining compliance to the standard and liaising with independent certification body.
• Developed, implemented and maintained all procedures in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS ISO 9002:1994.
• Attained certification of AS/NZS IS0 9002:1994 annually.
• Performed internal audits of the quality management system to ensure conformity was maintained.
• Control over inspection and testing inwards goods, and despatching goods.
• Ensured that all documents deemed as controlled documents remain in a state of control, fully documented QA system.
• Trained new staff members, (in operating, quality procedures, QA standards, Work instructions) provided guidance and instruction to ensure staff are fully aware of their responsibilities and tasks, and ensured training needs were addressed.
• Part of the OH&S committee.
• Developed, implemented and maintained the safety procedures.