Brandon Von Gedda

Were I to be granted this position, I can bring to the table my experience as a sales associate with exceptional customer service skills, a long-fostered dedication to organization and discipline in completing transactions and maintaining a work environment, ensuring merchandise is accessible and neatly stored, placing said merchandise on the sales floor in an orderly manner, and maintaining high standards of cleanliness for the relevant facilities. Due to a vested fascination with biological and ecological studies, I would enjoy providing visitors to this establishment with stimulating conversation and feedback regarding their experience at the zoological component of the BioPark. To list weaknesses, I must concede to an inability to learn and integrate a new skill into the performance of a job without somewhat extensive hands-on training in it, my tendency to become slightly flustered when confronted with an unexpected development such as technical difficulties, and the fact that I have chronic health conditions which sometimes require me to immediately attend to them- however, I am able to communicate such health problems to my colleagues in an efficient manner, which means customers are not being unattended to for unseemly amounts of time. I am confident that my weaknesses can be alleviated in a stable and cooperative work environment.

• During my period of employment at 7-eleven convenience store, I refused to sell product to a shoplifter I personally caught thieving from us on multiple occasions, and although I had been physically assaulted by this person, I maintained a professional demeanor when informing them that I would not perform any transactions for them. This demonstrates my ability to act in a civil manner even when facing a personally difficult situation, which my manager at the time commented on herself.
• I have personally trained three new employees during my period of time being in the work force- one was employed with me at 7-eleven, and two are currently employed with me at Circle K. The employees themselves and my managers during these times commented on the exhaustive rundown I provided of the pertinent systems and equipment our store needed to provide for customers. I have also, due to my length of time with my current company and familiarity with our systems and policies, been consulted by newer employees for aid with complex or stressful situations. This is evidence that even co-workers with whom I haven't been familiar for long come to trust my ability to aid them, and that my managers have confidence in my knowledge of the proper methods for performing tasks in our business and my ability to communicate this information to my co-workers.
• In conclusion, although these are not technically accomplishments of mine, they are among the skills I have developed during my time interacting with the public in a retail environment, and with a courteous and effective approach.

I have always nurtured and pursued a passion for ecology and zoology, and the opportunity to be employed by an institution which encourages the public to be aware of both is something I have long sought. I recognize that the capacity of my employment with the Albuquerque Zoo will likely not include interactions with and caring for the animals on exhibit, due to my lack of experience and certification with such matters. However, being a part of this enterprise by any means, aiding with the public's knowledge of conservation and fostering an appreciation for it, is a goal I would be glad to see fulfilled. If I am granted the chance to be an employee in the retail resources present at the Albuquerque Zoo, I would employ my best personal and professional resources to do so.