Dereke McCollum
Knoxville,TN
Summary
Dedicated customer service professional with nearly a decade of expertise in delivering exceptional service. Proven track record in consistently achieving high levels of client satisfaction through meticulous organization. Recognized for reliability, sound judgment, and effective time management. Committed to supporting company goals and skilled in conflict management. Brings valuable leadership and mentorship experience from both professional settings and active involvement in the youth community of my church.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Client Relationship Specialist
Edfinancial Services
Knoxville, TN
11.2023 - Current
- Provide higher education finance information to student loan customers, colleges, and universities.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers, lenders, and other third parties.
- Negotiated loan terms and conditions with customers to secure the best deal.
- Placed outbound customer service or customer satisfaction calls to follow up on issues.
- Answered phone with friendly greetings to create a positive inbound calling experience for customers.
Retail Associate
Target
Knoxville, TN
10.2015 - Current
- Received and efficiently organized incoming product deliveries, ensuring precision in stocking shelves, coolers, and bins.
- Confidently assisted customers in finding items, providing support with heavier purchases and enhancing overall shopping experiences.
- Proactively provide feedback to contribute to process improvement and boost team morale.
- Successfully onboarded new team members throughout the year, including peak times.
- Demonstrated effective workload management, adjusting store priorities to meet objectives.
- Applied delegation skills and clear communication, leading groups to achieve intended goals.
- Excelled in finding equitable solutions to conflicts using sound reasoning.
Service Advisor
AutoNation Honda
Knoxville, TN
09.2023 - 11.2023
- Managing customer interactions, assessing vehicle issues, explaining repairs and costs, and ensuring timely service delivery.
- Often dealing with customer concerns, scheduling challenges, and meeting service targets and sales goals.
- Reached out to customers after completed sales to suggest additional service or product purchases.
Independent Business Owner
Leadership Team Development (LTD)
Knoxville, TN
08.2018 - 07.2019
- Promoted business via social media to generate leads and maximize brand identity.
- Implemented process improvement to shape organizational culture, optimize procedures for higher efficiency, and help the company evolve and grow.
- Excel in interpersonal communication, establishing strong client connections, organizing customer appointments, and other related tasks.
- By attending multiple leadership conferences and connecting with other young entrepreneurs, I have improved my skills in leadership.
- Work closely with experienced mentors and coaches to develop a winning strategy that will enable your team to hit its volume targets.
- Ability to guide and support leadership development, team building, and improving communication skills in training sessions.
Lot Attendant/Porter
Toyota Of Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
03.2018 - 10.2018
- Oversaw the transportation of vehicles and ensured the timely delivery of car parts.
- My focus on precision and dedication allowed for efficient inventory operations
- Maintained communication with service advisors, managers, and vehicle delivery drivers to track the progress of service work and ensure the efficient processing of new vehicles into inventory.
Stocker
Costco
Knoxville, TN
10.2017 - 01.2018
- Organized and refreshed the stock of products, supplies, and paper goods.
- Followed proper stock rotation procedures to minimize obsolescence and removed any out-of-date items from the sales floor
- Palletized merchandise for easy movement to sales floor locations
- Greeted customers with a keen sense of confidence and expertly assisted them in obtaining the products they desired
Education
Associate of Arts - Theatre Arts
Pellissippi State Community College
Knoxville, TN05.2023
Skills
- Proficiency in Deductive Reasoning
- Ability to multitask
- Clear Communication Skills
- Time Management
- Conflict resolution
- De-escalation
- Development of talent
- Comfortable providing feedback
- Trustworthy and consistent
- Maintaining a positive outlook
- Cheerful and energetic
- Impartial Leadership
Timeline
Client Relationship Specialist
Edfinancial Services
11.2023 - Current
Service Advisor
AutoNation Honda
09.2023 - 11.2023
Independent Business Owner
Leadership Team Development (LTD)
08.2018 - 07.2019
Lot Attendant/Porter
Toyota Of Knoxville
03.2018 - 10.2018
Stocker
Costco
10.2017 - 01.2018
Retail Associate
Target
10.2015 - Current
Associate of Arts - Theatre Arts
Pellissippi State Community College