Kara Paddock-Blath
Shilo,MB
Summary
Proactive and goal-oriented professional with excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Known for reliability and adaptability, with swift capacity to learn and apply new skills. Committed to leveraging these qualities to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth.
Pursuing full-time role that presents professional challenges and leverages interpersonal skills, effective time management, and problem-solving expertise.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Service Staff (with a Focus on the Shop)
Rausch GmbH
09.2024 - 08.2025
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
- Resolved customer inquiries efficiently, enhancing satisfaction and loyalty.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline service processes.
- Analyzed customer feedback to identify service improvement opportunities.
- Resolved customer complaints with empathy, resulting in increased loyalty and repeat business.
- Responded to customer requests for products, services, and company information.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by promptly addressing concerns and providing accurate information.
- Developed strong product knowledge to provide informed recommendations based on individual customer needs.
- Developed rapport with customers through active listening skills, leading to higher retention rates and positive feedback from clients.
- Contributed to sales growth by upselling products and services based on individual customer requirements.
- Provided coaching and mentoring to new hires, contributing to their successful integration into the team.
- Boosted team morale by consistently recognizing colleagues' contributions and achievements.
- Enhanced customer loyalty by offering personalized solutions tailored to individual needs.
- Fostered positive customer service culture within team which led to higher customer satisfaction rates.
- Communicated with our global customers visiting our shop, Deli and Restaurant in English, German and sometimes French.
Senior HR Generalist HRdirect
Deutsche Bank/HR Solutions
09.2009 - 05.2022
- Processing incoming customer requests via Telephone and E-mail in a timely fashion. Research the appropriate resolution to these requests using several different sources including but not limited to our Content Management System (CMS). The customers are located in Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, Israel, Germany and the Americas (USA, Canada, The Cayman Islands and South America).
- Evaluated customer needs and feedback to drive product and service improvements.
- Optimized customer experience by delivering superior services and effectively troubleshooting issues.
- Gathered, organized and input information into digital database (including but not limited to incoming requests in our Customer Relationship Management System(s) (Helpdesk and later Workday). As well as forwarding/escalating to appropriate contacts for further resolution or assistance.
- Continual collaboration in the development and upkeep of the knowledge databases such as answering queries related to but not limited to the release of db.People Plus and later Workday. Worked together with members of the Delphi team answering queries on how and which functions HRdirect used in db.People Americas.
- Gathering and exchange of knowledge between teams, management and including but not limited to the contact partners in the Americas and the UK.
- Customer service in German and English.
- Answering queries related to but not limited to: Complex questions regarding new-hire, promotion and separation policies; Compensation and Benefits. Technical and all-round queries regarding to our Performance Management Online (PMO), Learning and Development (db Learn), and Employee and Manager Self-Service (HR Online and later Workday) portals. Regional (US and UK) HR policies
- Organizing and continual updating of the team's shift plan (referred to as Variable Arbeitszeiten or VAZ) vacation requests and overtime requirements, according to Worker's Council regulations and internal team rules, in a timely manner.
- Moderator for the German and International team's Learning Circle “Interkulturelles Zusammensein”.
- Completion of but not limited to (db Learn versions) trainings/courses for Compliance (such as Anti-Money Laundering) and various Workplace safety courses.
- Developed training programs for new staff, enhancing onboarding experience and operational knowledge.
- Led cross-functional teams to streamline operations and improve process efficiency.
- Implemented quality control measures, ensuring compliance with industry standards and reducing errors.
- Analyzed workflow processes, identifying bottlenecks and recommending strategic improvements.
- Coordinated project timelines, aligning resources to meet organizational goals effectively.
- Fostered communication between departments, promoting collaboration on key initiatives and projects. Ensuring language and cultural barriers did not lead to miscommunications and misunderstandings.
- Supervised daily operations, ensuring adherence to protocols and operational guidelines.
- Mentored junior staff in best practices, contributing to team skill development and performance enhancement.
- Developed strong customer relationships through attentive listening and prompt resolution of concerns.
- Kept work areas clean (called "Clean Desk Policy") and neat to promote efficient operations.
- Provided exceptional service to clients, resulting in increased and positive feedback.
- Delivered high-quality work consistently, exceeding performance objectives regularly.
- As the HRdirect Global Compensation, Benefits and Reward contact, established training guidelines, delivered training to various international teams, assisted in the creation of key performance indicators for the Reward team and monitored progress in Reward programs regularly. This included conducting regular reviews of operations and identified areas for improvement.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive project completion on time.
- Trained new team members effectively, increasing overall team efficiency which included educating staff on organizational mission and goals to help employees achieve success.
- Evaluated process inefficiencies and recommended improvements to management for increased effectiveness.
- Managed multiple priorities successfully, meeting tight deadlines without sacrificing quality of work.
Generalist HRdirect – US Regional Contact
Deutsche Bank/HR Solutions
06.2004 - 09.2009
Senior Sales Executive
Marcus Evans Group
03.2002 - 11.2002
- Identify potential clients and companies through extensive research, using several different sources including but not limited to the internet.
- Register clients and companies for Business Summits that include but are not limited to Economic and Information Technology Summits.
- Calling clients in a senior level capacity to discuss but not limited to their participation in said Business Summits.
- Perform general administrative duties that include but are limited to scheduling teleconference appointments, travel arrangements for clients to and from the Business Summits and translating newspaper articles from German to English as wells as translating in word and written form fine details of an English Business contract into German for non-English speaking clients.
Team Canada Assistant
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
02.2002 - 02.2002
- Lead a team whose duty was to escort business and government delegates upon arrival to their hotels and meetings and to departure from Berlin, for the Canadian Trade Mission.
- Performed general administrative duties that included but were not limited to preparing welcome kits, preparing computer written documents.
Site Manager's Temporary Assistant
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
02.2002 - 02.2002
- Performed general administrative duties that included but were not limited to filing (using the Dewey Decimal System), working with and updating of existing computer formulas, answering telephone calls in both German and in English and receiving visitors.
Senior Sales Associate
Catch A Tan – Tanning Salon
03.1998 - 09.2000
- General sales, administrating and servicing duties that included but were not limited to serving customers in both English and German, servicing tanning beds, scheduling customers appointments, regular housekeeping duties, cash handling including nightly cash deposits, ordering supplies from the suppliers, filling in as a manager when needed, and managing a small team of junior sales associates.
Bartender
Shilo Country Club
05.1997 - 08.1997
- Performed general bartending duties that included but were not limited to bartending, stock taking, serving customers in both of Canada's official languages as well as German, general housekeeping duties, registering golfers with tee times for the golf
Bartender
G.A.T.E.S. (Germany Army Training Establishment Shilo) Officer's Mess
05.1996 - 10.1996
- Performed general bartending duties that included but were not limited to bartending, stock taking, serving customers in both English as well as German, general housekeeping duties, and nightly deposits.
Bar Helper
G.A.T.E.S. (German Army Training Establishment Shilo) Tenne Club
09.1995 - 03.1996
- Performed general bartending duties that included but were not limited to bartending, assisting the Senior Bartender/Manager, stock taking, serving customers in both German as well as English, general housekeeping duties, and organizing, setting-up and taking down of meetings and special events in the club.
Assistant Librarian
Shilo Community Library
06.1995 - 08.1995
- Performed general librarian duties that included but were not limited to checking books and other materials in and out, conversing with members in both of Canada's official languages as well as in German, re-stocking shelves using the Dewey Decimal System, filing, calling members in English and German regarding over-due materials, and other general administrative duties.
Education
Business Administration Diploma - Marketing Major
Assiniboine Community College
Brandon MB, Canada01.2001
Hospitality & Tourism Administration Diploma - Hospitality Major
Assiniboine Community College
Brandon MB, Canada01.2000
Skills
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Flexible and adaptable
- Dependable and responsible
- Multitasking
- Excellent communication
- Critical thinking
- Computer skills
- Organizational skills
- Calm under pressure
- Active listening
- Organization and time management
- Decision-making
- Problem resolution
Languages
Native language is English. Good working knowledge of the German language in speaking, reading and writing. Studied French in Canada from Kindergarten to the 12th Grade.
Timeline
Service Staff (with a Focus on the Shop)
Rausch GmbH
09.2024 - 08.2025
Senior HR Generalist HRdirect
Deutsche Bank/HR Solutions
09.2009 - 05.2022
Generalist HRdirect – US Regional Contact
Deutsche Bank/HR Solutions
06.2004 - 09.2009
Senior Sales Executive
Marcus Evans Group
03.2002 - 11.2002
Team Canada Assistant
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
02.2002 - 02.2002
Site Manager's Temporary Assistant
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
02.2002 - 02.2002
Senior Sales Associate
Catch A Tan – Tanning Salon
03.1998 - 09.2000
Bartender
Shilo Country Club
05.1997 - 08.1997
Bartender
G.A.T.E.S. (Germany Army Training Establishment Shilo) Officer's Mess
05.1996 - 10.1996
Bar Helper
G.A.T.E.S. (German Army Training Establishment Shilo) Tenne Club
09.1995 - 03.1996
Assistant Librarian
Shilo Community Library
06.1995 - 08.1995
Hospitality & Tourism Administration Diploma - Hospitality Major
Assiniboine Community College
Business Administration Diploma - Marketing Major
Assiniboine Community College
Security Clearance
Recently received RCMP background check allowing me to volunteer at the MFRC and work in roles that require security clearance.