Hi it’s Jess Webb here again trying to develop my skill in journalism once more. I have interviewed another key worker from our town, to again recognise and applaud their hard work and dedication in this difficult unprecedented time.
This week the key worker is
Katie McSkelly.
Katie has been a store assistant in one of our local shops for 5 years. Katie’s job role includes carrying out tasks such as serving customers, and making sure stock is readily available at all times. This is to ensure customers are able to easily buy a variety of foods, whilst purchasing an economical shop and hopefully make healthy choices. Katie strives to ensuring that she provides a safe and clean environment for customers especially during this period of covid 19, and aims to always provide an overall positive experience for the customer.
Katie’s job also holds a lot of responsibility including being accountable for the money that goes in and out of her till, meaning she needs to be a whizz at counting; to prevent short changing customers and ensuring her cash balance is accurate at the end of her shift. Katie is responsible and answerable to ensuring customers are the appropriate age to purchase the product they are buying. Which I can imagine can be quite challenging at times especially with being a teenager myself. So make sure you have your valid ID handy if you’re trying to get through Katie!
Katie has had previous jobs which she reports helped her in her current role. She has dabbled in a bit of bar work and waitressing which provided her with essential customer service skills and gained her experience with food hygiene and cleanliness in the workplace.
For Katie’s job, she said you need:
* Excellent customer service skills;
* A friendly, caring and outgoing personality;
* Mathematic skills;
* Organisation skills;
* To be hardworking and;
* Throw in some conflict management skills when needing to deal with customers trying to buy all the pasta, hand gel and toilet roll.
When asked what she enjoys most about her job, Katie replied “Appreciative customers mean a lot to me as that’s what it’s all about, it shows community spirit and makes my job worth while. My work colleagues also make my job a lot more fun as we have a laugh and all get on great working as a fantastic team. I also love the busy environment that my job provides, which some people might find weird, as some can class it as stressful, however I love the hustle of the shop”.
When asked what Katie likes least about her job, she reported “impatient and rude customers are a negative part of the job definitely, as it’s really not necessary. When the shop is unfortunately short staffed, or when having too much stock and not enough space can also make it difficult”.
When asking Katie who is her inspiration in life, she reported her grandparents. When asking what she does for fun she said she enjoys going to the gym, socialising, hiking and playing the Xbox. Here’s hoping she can do these things again soon. Her favourite film is ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and favourite food Chinese.
I hope Katie’s interview might provide some inspiration for some to pursue a career in the food industry.
I am sure you would like to join me in thanking Katie, and recognising the key and vital role she plays in our town and society.
Thank you Katie!
