Sylvia Allen has over 10 years of experience in retail with excellent customer service skills. She has held roles as a sales assistant at Fortnum & Mason and various other retailers, demonstrating versatility in adapting to fast-paced environments. Allen also has management experience as an assistant manager and forecourt manager. She is a strong team player with leadership abilities and is well-educated, having completed various certifications in IT, adult literacy, and creative writing.

1. Sylvia Allen
Mobile: 07903417409
Email: sylvia-allen2012@hotmail.co.uk
Profile
I am a mature fit and healthy individual with bags of energy. I have a strong work ethic with over
ten years experience in the retail sector. I have excellent customer service skills, seeing it as a
personal goal to do my utmost to meet customers needs, ensuring they leave happy and satisfied . I
am a strong team player with leadership and motivational skills. I am versatile, can think on my feet
and cope extremely well under pressure.
Work Experience
Christmas Temporary Sales Assistant
Fortnum and Mason
London
2014 - 2014
Fortnum and Mason is an Iconic West End Department store, their main emphasis being excellent
customer service. My position was full time Sales Assistant primarily based in the Stationary
Department, as well as Fine Dining, Cook Shop and Candles. I was then fully trained in Gift
Wrapping which led to me working in the Gift Wrap Hut. My duties included taking a personal
interest in each of up to 200 customers per day, making Gifts as attractive as possible, creating
personal touches unique to each customer and leading Gift Wrapping training sessions for
members of staff. I also worked in the Customer Collection Department. My duties including
meeting and greeting customers, retrieving their items, if the items had not yet been processed, I
would find the order on the computer, go out on the shop floor, re pick the items and get them to
the customer as fast, and efficiently as possible. Working at this store was demanding, stressful at
times and hard work, but ultimately rewarding, fun and an amazing experience.
Kitchen Porter
The Britannia
London
2014 – 2014
The Britannia was a very busy Gastropub in the heart of Kensington. My duties included keeping
the kitchen clean, loading and emptying the dishwasher putting away clean items, checking and
labelling all the food stored in the walk in refrigerator, labelling and storing all deliveries every
morning. It was my job to serve up the desserts as quickly as possible. I also made the potatoes,
chips and mash. I was responsible for making sure everything needed was ready and available for
the Chefs to do their job, and for the kitchen to run smoothly and efficiently.
Assistant Manager
M.G. Furnishings
London
2013 – 2014
This was a very fast paced discount store, very much a part of the local community, selling mainly
furniture but also household goods and bric a brac. My duties included managing the day to day
running of the store, displaying the goods in a safe and attractive way inside the store and on the
forecourt. dealing with customers. I also had to arrange deliveries of items sold,sort out incoming

2. stock from house clearances, sort out and separate items needing repairs from those needing
cleaning. Unfortunately the store closed due to the owner selling up and moving abroad, and I
was made redundant.
Sales Assistant/Forecourt Manager
The Salvage Shop
Burnt Oak London
2008 – 2013
I worked here as a sales assistant in an extremely fast paced discount store, selling ever changing
stock from furniture to designer clothing. My duties included bringing in stock from mass
deliveries several times per day, creating space to unpack, labelling goods, merchandising,
working on the till station, and dealing with customers requests and complaints. I was then
promoted to Forecourt Manager, taking on the responsibilities of the stores outdoor market. My
duties included setting up, displaying stock attractively, liaising with customers,handling cash,
cashing up, using the P.A. I was solely responsible for all aspects of the outdoor market.
Unfortunately the store went into liquidation and I was made redundant.
Voluntary Classroom Assistant
All Saints c/e Primary School
Whetstone. London.
1997 – 2005
I was a Voluntary Classroom Assistant and School Board Representative. This was at my children's
school. My duties included assisting the teachers with various tasks, helping and encouraging play
at break times and accompanying the classes on school trips. I was elected School Board Rep. For
five years consecutively, my duties in this position included fundraising, organising events, parties
dances and fete's. Organising extra- curriculum activities.
Various Office Positions
Kelly Girl Temp Agency
Croydon. Surrey
1990 – 1997
I worked as a Temp for many years. My positions included Receptionist, Despatch Clerk, Insurance
Clerk, Audio Typist, Telephonist and Personnel (H.R.) Assistant.
Education
Barnet College
Women returning to work course/I.T. Level 1
I.T level 1 Certificate. City and Guilds Certificate Adult Literacy level 2
Lamda Acting Certificate level 1
English Literature/Creative Writing Module . Certificate
GCSE Equivalent;
English literature, English language, History, Drama, Biology, Religious Studies
References Available upon Request