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
Similar Profiles
Lacy DuncanLacy Duncan
Bus Boy at El Dorado Springs Mexican Restaurant And CantinaBus Boy at El Dorado Springs Mexican Restaurant And Cantina
Berenice AlvarezBerenice Alvarez
Waitress at El Chaparro Mexican RestaurantWaitress at El Chaparro Mexican Restaurant
Bertha DiazBertha Diaz
Server at El Meson Mexican RestaurantServer at El Meson Mexican Restaurant