Samara Strickland
Germantown,MD
Summary
Dynamic, highly motivated, leader and Certified Trainer with a proven track record at Eddie V's Prime Seafood, and Hyatt Regency, enhancing team performance and guest satisfaction through expert coaching and development. Leveraged skills in performance assessment and clear communication to boost overall efficiency and profitability. Excelled in planning and coordination, achieving significant improvements in service delivery and customer experience. Dedicated, hardworking restaurant management professional with over 15 years in the Restaurant industry. Skilled in staff training and development.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
Work History
Operations Service Professional/Certified Trainer
Eddie V's Prime Seafood
2023.08 - Current
- Trained new team members on company protocols and best practices, contributing to overall team success and productivity.
- Led regular staff meetings to communicate expectations, address issues, and recognize achievements.
- Improved customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving guest concerns promptly and professionally.
- Increased sales through effective marketing strategies and targeted promotions.
- Coordinated special events at the restaurant including private parties, corporate functions, or themed evenings that attracted repeat business.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations by conducting regular inspections and training employees on proper procedures.
- Managed staff scheduling, ensuring optimal coverage during peak times while minimizing labor costs.
- Actively reviewed online reviews from guests who had dined at our establishment so we could make necessary improvements when needed.
- Conducted employee evaluations and provided constructive feedback for professional growth opportunities.
- Developed employee incentive programs that boosted morale and improved overall performance within the team.
- Analyzed financial data to identify areas of improvement, resulting in increased profitability for the restaurant.
- Worked closely with other managers on duty during particularly busy shifts so everyone was focused on delivering an exceptional experience for each guest.
- Assisted in hiring, training, and evaluating staff members, contributing to a positive work environment.
- Identified team weak points and implemented corrective actions to resolve concerns.
- Conducted regular evaluations of service offerings to ensure alignment with industry standards and trends, making necessary adjustments as needed.
- Evaluated current market trends to identify potential opportunities for expansion and growth in our service offerings.
- Provided ongoing support for certified individuals, offering guidance as they navigated new challenges in their professional roles.
- Supported event planning and management teams in creating memorable experiences for clients through exceptional service.
- Enhanced guest satisfaction by providing attentive and personalized service during banquet events.
- Contributed to successful events by setting up banquet rooms according to specific client requirements.
Bartender/Certified Trainer
Hyatt Regency
2022.01 - 2024.04
- 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.
- Developed loyal clientele by consistently delivering outstanding service and engaging in friendly conversation.
- Trained new bartenders on drink preparation, product promotion, garnish preparation, and sanitation protocol.
- Assisted with staff training, sharing expertise in bartending techniques and customer service best practices.
- Improved bartender skills by conducting comprehensive training sessions on cocktail recipes, customer service, and bar management.
- Boosted overall efficiency at the bar by implementing best practices in workflow organization, time management, and multitasking strategies.
- Promoted a culture of teamwork among bartenders by organizing regular collaboration meetings and fostering open communication channels.
- Developed new specialty cocktails to boost sales and enhance customer satisfaction with innovative drink offerings.
- Elevated bartender skill sets with ongoing education on industry trends, emerging techniques, and new product offerings.
Licensed Realtor
Redfin
2021.09 - 2023.08
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of local market trends and regulations, providing valuable insights and advice to clients.
- Conducted comprehensive market analyses to determine optimal listing prices for sellers, maximizing profits while minimizing time on market.
- Coordinated appointments with buyers, sellers and other realtors to show buyers and tenants prospective homes.
- Facilitated smooth transactions by coordinating with various stakeholders such as title companies, inspectors, appraisers, and attorneys.
- Assisted buyers with finding ideal homes by assessing needs, requirements, and budgets.
- Arranged for inspections and surveys of sold properties.
- Completed property walkthroughs before completing deals to uphold accuracy in listings and appraisals.
- Advised and informed prospective clients on current market activities and conditions.
- Accompanied buyers on visits of homes and inspections of properties to advise on suitability and value of homes.
- Expanded client base through targeted networking efforts and referral programs, resulting in increased business opportunities.
- Hosted engaging open houses that showcased properties'' unique features, increasing buyer interest and offers received.
- Compared properties with similarly sold properties to determine competitive market prices.
- Assisted first-time homebuyers in navigating the real estate market, leading to successful purchases and happy homeowners.
- Exceeded personal sales goals consistently by utilizing effective prospecting strategies and building rapport with potential clients quickly.
Bartender/Server/Trainer
The Capital Grille
2018.03 - 2021.09
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
- Managed cash handling duties responsibly, ensuring accurate accounting at the end of each shift.
- Efficiently opened or closed the bar according to established procedures, ensuring preparedness for each shift.
- Consistently met or exceeded sales targets by upselling premium products without compromising guest satisfaction.
- Oversaw the implementation of new menu items, ensuring proper training on ingredients and preparation techniques.
- Taught staff how to deliver outstanding service to every customer without sacrificing profit objectives.
Bartender/Server/Service Professional/Certified Trainer
Eddie V's Prime Seafood
2016.01 - 2018.02
- 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.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication.
- Reduced wait times for drinks by efficiently managing the bar area and prioritizing orders.
- Trained new bartenders on drink preparation, product promotion, garnish preparation, and sanitation protocol.
- Assisted with staff training, sharing expertise in bartending techniques and customer service best practices.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
- Upsold menu items to customers, driving up per sale revenues and maximizing profits.
- Educated customers on drink options, making personalized recommendations based on preferences or dietary restrictions.
- Handled simultaneous customer, team, and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors.
- Proactively addressed potential conflicts or disturbances among patrons, maintaining a safe atmosphere for all guests.
- Boosted trainee confidence and skills with thorough feedback and ongoing support.
- Evaluated training effectiveness using various assessment tools, driving continuous improvement in program delivery.
- Promoted a positive learning environment by fostering open communication and collaboration among participants.
- Collaborated with management to identify skill gaps and develop targeted training initiatives.
- Streamlined onboarding processes for new hires, reducing time to full productivity.
Server
Eddie V's Prime Seafood
2013.09 - 2015.12
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by managing multiple tables simultaneously without compromising service quality.
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Collaborated with team members during busy shifts for efficient workflow and excellent guest experiences.
- Utilized superior problem-solving skills to address any issues that arose during banquets or fine dining services professionally and discreetly.
- Enhanced guest satisfaction by providing attentive and personalized service during banquet events.
- Achieved seamless transitions between courses by closely monitoring table progression throughout meals ensuring timely removal of used dishes and utensils.
- Supported event planning and management teams in creating memorable experiences for clients through exceptional service.
- Demonstrated thorough knowledge of menu offerings, effectively answering questions and making recommendations to enhance the dining experience.
- Managed high-pressure situations gracefully during peak hours, maintaining composure while serving multiple tables simultaneously.
- Collaborated with culinary team to accommodate special dietary requests, ensuring all guests'' needs were met.
- Streamlined service processes through effective communication with event managers, chefs, and other staff members involved in executing events successfully.
- Assisted in training new servers, helping them develop strong work habits and excellent customer service skills.
- Increased repeat business by developing rapport with regular patrons and providing consistently outstanding service.
- Demonstrated a strong work ethic and punctuality, contributing to overall team success through positive attitude and dedication to the role.
Education
Biology
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WVSkills
- Performance Assessment
- Coaching Techniques
- Training Needs Analysis
- Public Speaking
- Personalized Instruction
- Planning and coordination
- Coaching and Development
- Decision-Making
- Attention to Detail
- Clear Communication
- Team Management
Certification
- Certified bartender/server trainer, Darden - 2015-2021, 2023- Current
- Licensed Realtor MD - 2021- Current (License placed on inactive)
Timeline
Operations Service Professional/Certified Trainer
Eddie V's Prime Seafood
2023.08 - Current
Bartender/Certified Trainer
Hyatt Regency
2022.01 - 2024.04
Licensed Realtor
Redfin
2021.09 - 2023.08
Bartender/Server/Trainer
The Capital Grille
2018.03 - 2021.09
Bartender/Server/Service Professional/Certified Trainer
Eddie V's Prime Seafood
2016.01 - 2018.02
Server
Eddie V's Prime Seafood
2013.09 - 2015.12
Biology
Shepherd University
- Certified bartender/server trainer, Darden - 2015-2021, 2023- Current
- Licensed Realtor MD - 2021- Current (License placed on inactive)
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