Shizuka White
Gilbert,Arizona
Summary
Skilled [Type] Specialist focused on maximizing [Description] success through effective use of [Skill], [Skill] and [Skill] abilities. Top-notch communicator with excellent time management, administrative and customer service skills.
To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Head Trainer & Head Server
Benihana Restaurant
Chandler, AZ
08.2007 - 05.2024
- Member of original, grand opening crew when restaurant first opened in August 2007
- Promoted to Head Server for #1 top-sales for all servers at Benihana in North America
- Interviewer and Head Trainer for all new customer service employees for the past 14 years
- Most frequently named and highest-rated server at Benihana on Yelp for excellent customer service
- Most frequently requested server by name for repeat customers due to my customer service standards
- Winner of nearly all sales contests at Benihana for local and national sales campaigns
- 1st Place in Benihana's national contests for Fiji Water benefiting Best Buddies Charity
- 1st Place Annual Christmas Gift Card Sales Contest 2014 - 2023
- One of the only servers retained for ongoing operations during the Covid-19 lockdown
- Often called on my days off to cover shifts for absent workers to keep restaurant staffed sufficiently.
- Enhanced trainee performance by implementing innovative and interactive training methods tailored to individual needs.
- Led team-building exercises that boosted morale and enhanced group cohesion among participants.
- Championed professional development initiatives among staff, fostering a culture of continuous growth and improvement.
- Coordinated training for new hires to impart information about company policies, requirements.
- Interviewed and onboarded new server employees boosting corporate success.
- Developed and improved training menu and sidework menu to increase staff and overall training effectiveness.
- Recruited, trained and mentored new server trainer.
- Monitored staff performance regularly, providing constructive feedback for continuous improvement in their roles as servers.
- Trained new servers to uphold company standards in customer service, food handling, and overall professionalism.
- Contributed to the restaurant''s reputation for exceptional service by consistently receiving positive reviews from satisfied guests.
- Used communication and problem-solving skills to resolve customer complaints and promote long-term loyalty.
- Coordinated special events and private parties, working closely with clients to meet their specific needs while adhering to the establishment''s policies.
- Trained new staff on restaurant operations and policies to strengthen performance.
- Supervised server staff and simultaneously served personal section of tables.
- Supervised restocking of salad bar for lunch and dinner service.
- Applied comprehensive knowledge of wine, cocktail and beer to increase daily beverage sales.
- Increased sales per customer by listening actively and recommending relevant menu items.
- Reduced wait times, effectively managing reservations and seating arrangements.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Kept updated knowledge of menu and promotions, recommending specific items according to preferences and food allergies.
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals, and walk-in business.
- Maintained clean and organized dining area to create pleasant and welcoming atmosphere for customers.
- Handled customer complaints professionally, resolving issues through diplomatic acknowledgment and commitment to service.
- Addressed and resolved customer complaints and issues to increase satisfaction and establish trust.
- Taught staff how to deliver outstanding service to every customer without sacrificing profit objectives.
- Presented menus to patrons promptly after seating and answered questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
- Maintained thorough menu knowledge to sufficiently answer questions regarding menu item sourcing, ingredients and cooking methods.
- Monitored patrons for alcohol intake to appropriate levels and took measures to curtail inappropriate behavior.
- Checked guests' identification before serving alcoholic beverages.
- Helped customers with dietary restrictions, allergies and intolerances obtain safe, delicious food by working closely with kitchen staff on alternatives.
- Resolved guest and employee complaints to maintain complete customer satisfaction and workforce effectiveness.
- Maintained order efficiency and accuracy through clear communication with kitchen staff, earning numerous recommendations from satisfied customers.
Owner/Instructor
Mommy's English
02.2003 - 12.2006
- Started my own English language school for young children in Japan
- Built the business from scratch and reached over 90 regular students per week in less than 1 year
- Designed and implemented lesson plans specific to age group, ability and confidence
- Developed close relationships with students' parents to nurture their child's development
- Gave the business to my sister upon my move to America, and it is still in operation today.
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, resulting in repeat business and referrals.
- Managed financial aspects of the business, including budgeting, financial reporting, and tax preparation.
- Achieved financial growth with strategic planning, cost control measures, and targeted marketing efforts.
- Tracked student progress, frequently checking in with struggling students and identifying root causes of problems.
- Boosted student performance by providing individualized support and targeted feedback.
- Initiated new learning methods, eliminating instructional gaps and improving comprehension.
- Improved student performance by defining clear goals and communicating performance metrics.
- Optimized learning plans based on student performance and feedback.
- Communicated student progress to parents and guardians for collaborative approach to educational goals.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
Business Consulting Specialist
Aso Humany Center
- Business Consulting Specialist to improve operations for multiple companies.
Guest-Relations Specialist
Chikae Restaurant
Fukuoka Japan
07.1991 - 06.1992
- Guest-Relations Specialist at this famous, upscale, full-service Japanese restaurant.
- Enhanced guest satisfaction by promptly addressing concerns and resolving issues.
- Streamlined check-in and check-out processes for improved guest experience.
- Promoted a welcoming atmosphere by greeting all visitors warmly upon arrival while providing efficient assistance throughout their visit.
- Created welcoming and comfortable environment for guests.
- Maintained high level of professionalism and discretion when dealing with guests.
- Worked closely with guests, some VIP, or celebrity, with high degree of respect for privacy.
- Upheld restaurant policies and procedures by providing high level of customer service.
Sales and Marketing Advisor
YKK AP Corporation - Japan
Fukuoka, Japan
04.1985 - 07.1991
- Sales and Marketing Advisor for business products.
- Ensured client retention through excellent account management skills, fostering long-term loyalty from satisfied customers.
- Conducted market research to identify customer needs and preferences.
- Contributed to company-wide strategic planning by providing insights on market trends and customer behavior, shaping future sales and marketing initiatives for success.
- Boosted sales revenue by developing effective marketing strategies and implementing targeted sales campaigns.
- Cultivated strong and successful client relationships by being key point of contact for questions and concerns.
- Set and achieved company defined sales goals.
- Met with customers to discuss and ascertain needs, tailor solutions and close deals.
- Met existing customers to review current services and expand sales opportunities.
Education
English As A Second Language
University of Hawaii
Manoa, HawaiiHigh School Diploma -
Umi Technical And Business School
Fukuoka, Japan03.1985
Skills
- Customer Relations
- Expert Problem Solving
- Advanced Communication
- Emergency Response
- Manual Dexterity
- Quantitative skills
Additional Information
- I bring my culturally-ingrained desire for perfection to work every day.
- I have never phoned in sick for a single scheduled shift at work since Benihana-Chandler opened.
- I'm an artist. I am "Roku-Dan" (Level 6) in Japanese "Shuji". And I love traditional toll-painting.
- I am ambidextrous. Although naturally left-handed, I can perform all duties equally with either hand.
- I'm an excellent cook. I know great food and restaurants. I am at home around quality food and people.
- I love to travel. I love to visit Japan, Hawaii, San Diego and Southeast Asia when I can.
- I am generous and caring. I have donated much of my personal time and money to various charities.
Cover Letter
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration in reviewing my materials. Please accept this cover letter and my attached resume as a formal application for employment with United Airlines as a bilingual flight attendant. I am a Japanese citizen living in America, and from childhood I have been very fortunate to be an international traveler, being exposed to important cultural and professional differences my whole life. All of the jobs I've ever had, including the business I started, have all been rooted in professional service at the personal level, always where the elements of trust and respect are critical to success. I am now seeking to put my experience towards a new challenge, and the opportunity to become an international flight attendant is both attractive and exciting.
My resume will clearly show dedication to professional service as well as to my employers. I have been a faithful employee of Benihana for over sixteen years. I was part of the opening crew and have been there ever since. I have an abundance of professional experience in Japan, including opening my own language school for children, which became very successful in less than one year. Upon my transition to moving to America, I gave the business to my sister and it is still running strong due to the solid business model I created.
After seventeen years in America, and a lifetime in Japan before that, I know that the qualities of being business-minded, customer service-oriented and dependable are what successful businesses need, and are also the qualities they want keep around the longest. I have all of these qualities, and in my experience, to date, none of my co-workers has out-worked me.
I will be available for an interview upon your request, at a time that is beneficial to us both. I firmly believe that my skills, attitude and work-ethic will exceed United Airlines' expectations as well as those of your passengers. Please let me know if you need any further information. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Respectfully,
Shizuka White
Timeline
Head Trainer & Head Server
Benihana Restaurant
08.2007 - 05.2024
Owner/Instructor
Mommy's English
02.2003 - 12.2006
Guest-Relations Specialist
Chikae Restaurant
07.1991 - 06.1992
Sales and Marketing Advisor
YKK AP Corporation - Japan
04.1985 - 07.1991
Business Consulting Specialist
Aso Humany Center
English As A Second Language
University of Hawaii
High School Diploma -
Umi Technical And Business School