Nicki Howard
Airdrie,AB
Summary
Experienced in customer service, I have developed strong communication skills. Proactive and attentive, I anticipate the needs of others. My studies and research work I completed at UBCO have provided a solid understanding of Microsoft Word and Excel. Working with young children and their parents has further improved my interpersonal skills. Consistently maintaining a highly focused and motivated attitude, whether in a busy storefront or alone in my own office.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Merchandiser & Used Car Inventory Specialist
Northland Volkswagen
Calgary, Canada
04.2022 - Current
- Managing the used car inventory online and within the dealership.
- Stocking in all buy ins, trade ins, auction units, etc.
- Ensuring all pricing is correct internally as well as on the website.
- Sending POs to the internal advisor and working closely alongside them to ensure we stay within our timeline parameters.
- Photographing all the used car inventory and uploading them online in a timely manner.
- Working closely with the detail department and updating their work board with new units to clean.
- Adding in any other work done by other companies to the vehicle history (hail, glass, etc.) allowing pricing to be adjusted accordingly.
- I am very involved in the administration work.
- Training new employees in various positions throughout the dealership.
- Setting up the phone extensions for new worker, adding employees in the key machine, setting up employees with logins, assuring all demos and plates have up to date insurances as well as registrations in them.
- Along with that annually re-registering all the plates and doing any audits involving such matters.
- Punching CPO cars weekly to assure that we reach company set goals.
- I am very well versed in dealership software such as CDK, one-eighty, and brand specific VW hub.
- Updated pricing and signage to complete product displays and educate customers.
Receptionist
Northland Volkswagen
Calgary, AB
09.2020 - 04.2022
- Greeted incoming visitors and customers professionally and provided friendly, knowledgeable assistance.
- Confirmed appointments, communicated with clients, and updated client records.
- Answered phone promptly and directed incoming calls to correct offices.
- Kept reception area clean and neat to give visitors positive first impression.
- Resolved customer problems and complaints.
- Handled cash transactions and maintained sales and payments records accurately.
- Streamlined front desk operations for increased efficiency by effectively managing phone calls, emails, and walk-in clients.
- Responded to inquiries from callers seeking information.
- Supported office efficiency by performing clerical tasks such as data entry, photocopying, scanning, and faxing documents.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking abilities while managing numerous tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines.
Receptionist & Child Minder
Mama Massage
Calgary, AB
01.2021 - 03.2022
- Greeted incoming visitors and customers professionally and provided friendly, knowledgeable assistance.
- Confirmed appointments, communicated with clients, and updated client records.
- Kept reception area clean and neat to give visitors positive first impression.
- Resolved customer problems and complaints.
- Handled cash transactions and maintained sales and payments records accurately.
- Watch children and played in our play zone while their moms were with the RMTs
- Direct billing customers insurance when applicable.
- Wash all the sheets from the RMTs throughout my shift and fold all the clean laundry while managing the front still.
Server and Host
Range Lounge and Grill, Predator Ridge Golf Course
Vernon, Canada
06.2018 - 08.2020
- Providing customers with food service; taking orders bringing food and drinks, payments; wine service involving the ability to properly open a bottle of corked wine at the table.
- Side duties involving re-setting tables, polishing cutlery and glasses, etc.
- Cashing out for the night. Closing out my shift by doing the necessary requirements to have all my receipts and money in order for the bank and mangers to later go off of when tipping out support staff etc.
- Greeting people at the door, sitting them in the appropriate sections and re-setting and organizing the floor plan to insure that there is a smooth transitions from one party of people to the next
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by managing multiple tables simultaneously without compromising service quality.
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
Volunteer Tutor
Homework Club
Kelowna, Canada
01.2020 - 03.2020
- Assisting elementary level children with their homework after school as well as allowing the parents the reassurance that their children would be able to understand their homework better since English was not any of the kids first language.
- Program was catered towards refugee families that needed extra help/ support.
- Provided homework assistance using specific curriculum and materials.
- Supported students with helpful learning habits.
- Provided one-on-one tutoring sessions, tailoring instruction to meet the specific needs of each student while promoting independent learning skills.
- Increased student comprehension by utilizing personalized teaching methods and adapting to individual learning styles.
Assistant Coach
Team Performance U15
Surrey, Canada
12.2015 - 05.2017
- Coaching U15 girl club volleyball which entailed attending all practices and tournaments with the team, running drills as well as creating drills.
- Developed strong relationship with players to assist in reaching goals, build trust.
- Assisted head coach in evaluating player performance, identifying areas for improvement, and providing constructive feedback to ensure continuous growth.
- Mentored athletes on sportsmanship, leadership skills, and maintaining a strong work ethic both on and off the field.
- Advised head coach on discipline, performance, and other decision-making areas.
- Observed athletes during practice and game situations to assess performance and provide tips for improvement.
- Ensured safety of all athletes during practice sessions by enforcing proper techniques and closely monitoring adherence to safety protocols.
- Having good rapport with the team and strong communication skills to be able to get my point across fast yet clear.
Front of Store
Healthy Monkey Café
Surrey, Canada
01.2015 - 04.2016
- Working the store front the duties involved; making smoothies; taking phone orders as well as bringing food to seated customers; restocking the front with the stocked goods and as well as packaging our baked goods.
- Working in the back entailed; dishwashing, prepping food, making meals.
- When closing the store; cleaned whole front of store, cash out and locked up the establishment.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by ensuring a high level of service and addressing concerns promptly.
Coach
Volleyball Camp
Richmond, Canada
07.2014 - 08.2014
- Coaching volleyball camps for children ages 5-16 at the Richmond Oval 6 hours a day for the summer camps.
- Being with the kids early in the morning playing game that were age specific.
- Dealing with 15-20 kids at a time and being required to keep them attentive and engaged with whatever drill or skill was being taught.
- Promoted sportsmanship values among athletes, fostering a positive competitive atmosphere within the team environment.
Stable Worker
Semiahmoo Stables
Surrey, Canada
01.2008 - 08.2012
- Feeding horses, cleaning stalls, taking horses in and out for turn out.
- In the summer, helping beginner horse riders learn how to clean stalls and the equipment.
- Along with teaching kids how to not only ride a horse but the prep before and the after care that is required when dealing with horses.
- Collaborated with stable management to improve facility maintenance processes and protocols for enhanced equine welfare.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
UBC Okanagan
Kelowna, BC01.2020
High School Diploma -
Elgin Park Secondary
Surrey, BC01.2016
Skills
- Reliable and punctual
- Inventory control
- Organization skills
- Strong work ethic
- Multitasking proficiency
- Skill development
- Effective communication
- Problem-solving skills
- Data entry
- Customer/Client relations
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Effective time management
Accomplishments
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Honour Roll throughout Highschool
- Maintained A & B average throughout my Undergrad
Certification
Serving It Right (SIR) Certification
Additional Information
Erin Befus
Previous Assistant Service Manager from Northland Volkswagen
Phone: 587-578-9654
More references upon request
Activities Honours
- Honour Roll Grade 8-12
- Top guitar student
- Top Woodshop student
- Captain of volleyball team
- A and B average maintained through university
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Merchandiser & Used Car Inventory Specialist
Northland Volkswagen
04.2022 - Current
Receptionist & Child Minder
Mama Massage
01.2021 - 03.2022
Receptionist
Northland Volkswagen
09.2020 - 04.2022
Volunteer Tutor
Homework Club
01.2020 - 03.2020
Server and Host
Range Lounge and Grill, Predator Ridge Golf Course
06.2018 - 08.2020
Assistant Coach
Team Performance U15
12.2015 - 05.2017
Front of Store
Healthy Monkey Café
01.2015 - 04.2016
Coach
Volleyball Camp
07.2014 - 08.2014
Stable Worker
Semiahmoo Stables
01.2008 - 08.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
UBC Okanagan
High School Diploma -
Elgin Park Secondary