Celeste Mac Farlane

Personal Assistant

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

IN APPLICATION FOR A POSITION AS A PERSONAL ASSISTANT

I believe I would make a great asset in this position as I have 15 years experience as a personal assistant and have gained many soft skills due to this experience eg. Time management, attention to detail, communication skills, staff management skills.

I worked at Harry Pretorius and Company Legal Practice from 1997 to 2005, full time and thereafter continued to managed the practice on a part time basis.   I employed staff, managed the staff work, ensured deadlines were met and documents were filed at court timeously, attended client consultations, took minutes of meetings, managed the diary, responded to queries, made travel arrangements and managed itineraries,  typed, paginated and copied court proceedings, filed documents at the court.

I qualified as an Estate Agent with Rawson Properties in 2005, wrote my Estate Agents Board Exam and successfully listed and sold many properties.

I volunteered as a trauma Counsellor for the AIDS Training and Counselling Centre in Pietermaritzburg whilst I worked as a telephonic counsellor for Life Line from 1990 to 1998. During that time I learned the following.

·  Active listening is crucial; In order to display empathy one must be able to listen.

·  Call management; I learned how to manage and take control of a call.

·  Effective questioning; The importance of probing to obtain information from a caller in order to effectively

assess the situation and take necessary action. For example, sending emergency services to a callers location.

·  Conversation skills; The value of building rapport.

I spent a year in the United Kingdom, this time was greatly beneficial in understanding the culture of her people. I experienced the COVID-19 lockdown period and it’s burden on National Health Service and have a clear understanding of the challenges and difficulties faced as well as the working processes of the National Health Service.

During this lockdown period I completed an Advanced Diploma Level 7 in Project Management as well as an Advanced Diploma in Management and Leadership, I also completed a certificate in School Administration..  This took commitment and dedication and proved to be fruitful.   Although I have previously completed a Diploma with the Aids Training and Counselling Centre in Pietermaritzburg as well as a Trauma Counselling certificate with Life Line, I have am now completing a Counselling Skills Diploma.

I am progressive and forward thinking and enjoy a challenge. I have a very high standard of work ethics, am able to make decisions, apply my mind to complexities and am able to reach general consensus with people when dealing with problems.  I am a single woman with no incumbents.  I have a valid passport, a valid driver’s license and I am prepared to travel at short notice.

I thank you for your consideration and I look forward to joining your team.

Kind regards

Celeste Mac Farlane

066 201 3454