As many of my FB friends know, I temporarily relocated to
Southern California earlier this year to work for a short time with a
family-member who needed an extra pair of hands for a few months. Much to my surprise, I’m finding that I like
it here (a lot!) and have been doing everything I can since late February to
find permanent work in hospitality/catering/event management.
I’ve come close a couple of times - with what I thought
was the ideal fit slipping through my hands recently. One of the things I learned in that particular interview
was that there was full team support and it was important to ask for help and
draw on the knowledge/experience of others. So this post is a bit of that...
A stranger (someone I've spoken to and emailed with, but not met) asked me this week what my “ideal” job was –
and this was my answer:
I am passionate for catering and
event planning. I love writing menus, pulling ideas together for rental,
decor, invitations, entertainment, favors etc. (and I'm really good at it!!)
I like soliciting sponsorships for fundraisers whose missions I am
aligned with (homelessness, hunger and services for people in need) I've
worked on galas for 1300, 14-day tennis events where I managed corporate
hospitality and a staff of 350, non-profit fundraisers with silent and live
auctions, and street festivals, coordinating food vendors, the health
department, signage, etc.
I take great joy in pulling all the
pieces together and producing an event that entertains people, enchants,
surprises and leaves them wanting more.
For most of my career I've been a
mid-sized to large fish in a smallish pond (New Haven, Connecticut is minute
compared to LA County). I'm a bit worried that I'm out of my league out here
- but I know that I am more than capable! I've been a personal assistant,
have cooked for friends and private events, worked for FTD, UPS (on a truck!)
and the US Census (I'm federally fingerprinted). I like to write and seem
to have a "style".
I want a job with a company that
will support me, but also let me flourish. One that will trust me and can
be trusted. Someday I'd like to teach...
I have almost 30 years in catering/event
management/fundraising for non-profits.
I derive great joy from this work, and can’t imagine doing anything
else! I have a keen sense of how to deliver premier customer service. I will do everything in my power to ensure
that the client is pleased with the end result.
I’m not afraid of hard work and understand the importance of clear
communication and developing relationships with the team and the client.
Some of you would say that I’m well-spoken, can do
anything, have a good sense of humor and a knack for creating a warm, welcoming
environment. I describe myself as a
people-person, with strong knowledge of food and menu planning who loves to
train and excite staff about the work we do.
Multi-tasking is a forte; I’m a good problem-solver and know how to share
and delegate responsibilities. I’m operations driven – in other words, I like
to know how it’s all going to play out before it does (and can troubleshoot quickly and efficiently when it doesn’t!)
I am a good, kind, generous person who values honesty,
integrity and ethics above all else.
My goal is to stay in Greater Los Angeles – particularly
between Long Beach and Manhattan Beach. (what’s called the “South Bay”). Orange County is a possibility if I can wrap
my head around a lengthy commute. I’d go
further north (SFO) or south (SAN) is was the absolute perfect thing. Freelancing is also an option.
So, as I continue to search the web, volunteer for events
to create possible contacts and think positively, I ask for your
assistance. Will you share this on your
page, helping me reach out to more folks than I can imagine? I know
someone out there is looking to add me to their successful business!
SIDE NOTE: I spent
my most recent birthday with family I had never been able to celebrate with
before. In his toast, my Uncle quoted
from the day’s horoscope. It went
something like this and I’ve looked at it every day since… “Set attainable work-related goals.
Professional achievements will give you a sense of security that will
make your home life better, too. Your
powers of visualization get stronger each time that you use them, and you’ll
use them often over the next seven weeks to picture the life you want…”
My seven weeks are up, but I’m still visualizing.