What type of job are you looking for?
I am looking for work as a qualified Massage Therapist. However, I have plenty of experience as an English teacher with adults and kids and would very much like to continue working in this field. And of course I have work experience in hospitality; bar work, waitering and kitchen hand.
What nationality are you?
Australian.
What languages do you speak (and at what level)?
I speak Japanese at an intermediate level. I know a little of a handful of European languages.
What country or area are you looking to work in and why?
I am looking for work in Amsterdam, Nederlands for 2 reasons;1. my girlfriend lives there;2. I will be a qualified Massage Therapist in one month and want to continue working in this field. I believe that the Nederlands could facilitate my development in this area with the reciprocal benefit of people improving there health and general wellbeing. I also have a creative background and have also worked in theatre and film as an actor and also with set design. I am somewhat of an artist and have exhibited my paintings on occassion.
What countries have you worked in?
I have worked in Japan for 3 and a half years as an English teacher and I have also worked in the Czech Republic English Teaching and working in a hostel doing general duties and administration.
What countries do you have a visa to work in?
None at the moment.
What field do you currently work in?
I am currently a full time student studying Massage Therapy but will finish in one month. I have some clients for massage and work part time in a cafe and also teach English as a second language.
What fields have you worked in before?
Many! All areas of hospitality on and of for years. I have a great deal of experience as an English Teacher to foreign language students. I have worked in Child care organising craft, theatre and games events and activities. I have done a lot of performance work theatre, film and outdoor festival or corporate functions. I worked in retail in various areas for 7 years. And recently, as a Massage Therapist.
What qualifications do you hold?
I have a Bachelor of Arts(visual), in one month I will have a Certificate IV in Massage Therapy, I have a current Senior First Aid Certificate(March,09). The Massage Therapy Certificate incorporates; anatomy and physiology; musculoskeletal anatomy; infections and disease; defense and disease; managing a business; law and ethics;and of course hundreds of hours of Massage practice. I felt I had to mention this! I have a Hospitality Certificate 1 in operations.
Which do you consider more valuable? Formal education or skills and why?
I consider both to be valuable. On the job skills are indispensible as some thngs cannot be attained from a classroom. Although, the theoretical study and analysis of one field you recieve in a formal setting can give you the tools and skills to confirm knowledge or update previous knowledge.
Describe the benefits of working with others
Working in a group environment benefits all members as the pooled collective knowledge and experience can be ascertained faster than what it would take if you were working alone.
Describe the benefits of working alone
If you work alone you have complete autonomy and authority. Therefore, you are only responsible for yourself. This can give give you a certain amount of self power and confidence as the weight of learning from ones mistakes weighs heavy on you and you only.
What was your worst working experience?
When I was first learning how to do drink tray service (I know it's a well worn classic but it was horrific) I spilt red wine on this a customers shirt. I thought it would be ok because it looked like a fairly cheap Hawaiin shirt you could buy anywhere but it was an actual Hawaiin shirt that was expensive and was given to him by a friend as a gift. It broke my confidence at the time but I trudged on. And to rub it in, his name was also Dennis
What is the most important lesson you have learnt throughout your career?
To double/tripple check everything you do. Never leave a job either physical labor or clerical work, until you have gone back over every detail to make sure it is correct! Ask questions and don't wait to be told, if you are unsure of something just ask and find out.
What unique skills do you have?
I have an enormous capacity for empathy and can step outside my own world and look at things from a new perspective. This makes me very adaptable and a quickness to adjust to new situations. I'm spontaneous and keep my wit sharpened by conversation and discussion.
What would you consider as your 'dream job'?
To work in the health industry as a massage therapist and have enough time to do art or theatre and continue studying.
What are the most interesting aspects of your field?
Pain. It is subjective so everyones measurement of pain is different. The nature of disease, its structure and manifestations. Language and its usuage, its architecture and the way it is manipulated by our cultural backgrounds. The modes of self expression, and how we can identify with different character personas as we alter who we are. Maybe I'm just thinking out loud in type to freely.
Wjat are the least interesting aspects of your field?
Laundry. In any service industry, your aim is to meet the client/customers needs, if for some customers/clients your efforts may never be enough, this aspect could discourage you but you may not be discouraged by that but by the thought that these people will always exist and you will have to interact with them.
What do you do to relax?
In a world full of constant stresses (depending on your perspective), I ride my bike or play my guitar or draw or paint, read, meet with friends, go out for dinner, go and look at the horizon, go swimming at the beach, watch people.
How can potential employers contact you?
(e)dennisgreenleaf@yahoo.com.au (m)+61 0450284254
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