Hi, I’m
Laura Leija
Orange,TX
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven professional with extensive experience at El Dorado Mexican Restaurant, excelling in team motivation and effective customer upselling. Recognized for exceptional coaching and mentoring skills, fostering a collaborative environment that enhanced patron satisfaction. Proven ability to manage restaurant operations while ensuring compliance with food safety standards.
Overview
2026
years of professional experience
2
Certification
2
Business lady
Work History
El Dorado Mexican Restaurant
Waitress Trainer
Job overview
- Developed strong communication skills by effectively conveying information between kitchen staff, management, and waitstaff.
- Improved customer satisfaction by providing exceptional service and addressing guest concerns promptly.
- Maintained consistent customer satisfaction rates through attentive listening skills and prompt issue resolution when necessary.
- Provided support during high volume periods by efficiently managing multiple tables simultaneously without compromising service quality.
- Assisted new hires in acclimating to the workplace by providing support, encouragement, and guidance throughout their training period.
- Promoted teamwork among staff members through collaboration efforts and fostering a positive work atmosphere.
- Recognized for exemplary training skills by management, resulting in increased responsibilities and involvement in onboarding new employees.
- Increased overall restaurant performance through comprehensive staff training on menu items, upselling techniques, and company policies.
- Ensured smooth transitions between shifts by conducting thorough handovers with incoming waitstaff regarding ongoing table statuses or special requests from guests.
- Trained new team members on restaurant procedures, menu items, and performance strategies.
- Demonstrated strong knowledge of food and beverage service standards and led by example to instill in new servers.
- Established and maintained positive relationships with trainees to drive successful learning outcomes.
- Taught servers to memorize menu ingredients and provide information on preparation methods.
- Provided coaching and mentoring to employees.
- Built and maintained professional relationships with vendors and suppliers.
- Utilized variety of instructional design methodologies to create effective learning experiences.
- Enhanced team efficiency by organizing shift schedules, delegating tasks, and ensuring timely completion of responsibilities.
Own Business
Translator and Interpreter
01.2023 - Current
Job overview
- Translated documents from [Language] to [Language].
- Improved cultural understanding among colleagues by providing language training sessions and workshops on foreign customs and practices.
- Upheld strict confidentiality guidelines when handling sensitive information or classified documents for clients.
- Provided verbal summaries of non-English documents for immediate use.
- Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and adaptability during interpretation assignments, fostering positive relationships with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Family Business
Cutting Grass
06.2023 - 02.2025
Job overview
- 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.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
Candlewood
Front Desk Receptionist
12.2024 - 01.2025
Job overview
- Greeted guests at front desk and engaged in pleasant conversations while managing check-in process.
- Maintained organized and clean front office area to create professional and welcoming environment for visitors and employees.
- Scheduled, coordinated and confirmed appointments and meetings.
- Delivered outstanding first impressions by warmly greeting visitors upon arrival at the front desk.
Maria's Mexican Restaurant
Bartender/waitress
02.2019 - 03.2023
Job overview
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
- Managed cash handling duties responsibly, ensuring accurate accounting at the end of each shift.
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
- Efficiently opened or closed the bar according to established procedures, ensuring preparedness for each shift.
- Contributed to a positive work environment through effective teamwork and communication with colleagues.
- Developed loyal clientele by consistently delivering outstanding service and engaging in friendly conversation.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
- Handled simultaneous customer, team, and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors.
- Trained new staff on bar procedures, cocktail recipes, and customer service standards, ensuring consistent service quality.
- Resolved customer complaints with empathy and professionalism, turning potentially negative experiences into positive ones.
- Improved team morale and efficiency, leading by example and offering support during peak hours.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations, routinely checking and documenting bar cleanliness and equipment functionality.
- Facilitated smooth workflow, coordinating with kitchen and floor staff to expedite orders.
- Regularly cleaned and sanitized bar area, beer lockers, refrigeration and storage areas.
- Handled high-pressure situations with composure, maintaining excellent service standards even during busy shifts.
- Maintained clean and welcoming dining environment, ensuring a positive guest experience.
- Remained calm and poised when dealing with difficult customers or during busy shifts.
- Supported teamwork atmosphere among staff members through clear communication and collaboration during shifts.
El Paso Mexican Restaurant
Waitress/bartender
07.2019 - 03.2021
Job overview
- Handled high-pressure situations with composure, maintaining excellent service standards even during busy shifts.
- Exhibited strong multitasking abilities, balancing multiple tables and orders while delivering prompt service.
- Maintained clean and welcoming dining environment, ensuring a positive guest experience.
- Strategically timed check-ins with customers to take orders and confirm satisfaction with meals after delivery, taking action to correct any problems.
- Supervised dining table set-up to prepare for diversity of event types, following strict service standards.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Handled simultaneous customer, team, and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors.
- Supported special events through attentive service, adapting quickly to varying needs of guests or clients.
- Boosted beverage sales, designing and promoting range of signature cocktails.
- Fostered culture of teamwork, collaborating with colleagues to ensure smooth operation during high-traffic periods.
- Facilitated smooth workflow, coordinating with kitchen and floor staff to expedite orders.
- Regularly cleaned and sanitized bar area, beer lockers, refrigeration and storage areas.
Education
South Cameron Cameron Louisiana
Diploma
Skills
- Team motivation
- Body language awareness
- Wine pairing expertise
- Patience and tact
- Role modeling
- Energy and enthusiasm
- Coaching and mentoring
- Safe handling procedures
- Tableside service
- Cash handling
- Restaurant operations
- Team member training
- Food safety compliance
- Kitchen communication
- New employee mentoring
- Patron satisfaction
- Strong leadership
- Effective customer upselling
- Work coordination
- Leadership development
- Reservation management
Certification
Alcohol license and training license
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Front Desk Receptionist
Candlewood
12.2024 - 01.2025
Cutting Grass
Family Business
06.2023 - 02.2025
Translator and Interpreter
Own Business
01.2023 - Current
Waitress/bartender
El Paso Mexican Restaurant
07.2019 - 03.2021
Bartender/waitress
Maria's Mexican Restaurant
02.2019 - 03.2023
South Cameron
Diploma
Waitress Trainer
El Dorado Mexican Restaurant
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