What type of job are you looking for?
I would be looking for a job that I believe to be best suited for, operations or customer relations, but I have experience in sales, marketing, management and general running of a business, having owned or co-owned three of my own businesses in the past. A coffee shop, a restaurant and an estate agency. I was also heavily involved in one of my partners guest house business, he had 7 guest houses and needed a lot of help will there day to day running.
What nationality are you?
Portuguese and South African
What languages do you speak (and at what level)?
Portuguese; English and Aficans. I can also manage some Flemish and Spanish.
What country or area are you looking to work in and why?
Madeira would be my first option as I have a lot of family there and because I love the place, but any where in Portugal will be good.
What countries have you worked in?
South Africa; Portugal and England.
What countries do you have a visa to work in?
E.U passport and South African passport.
What field do you currently work in?
I have decided to study and am currently busy with an advanced certificate in accounting; this can be completed via correspondence. Prior to that I was working for Trafalgar Tour in London as a hotels representative.
What fields have you worked in before?
In the army I was an operational medic so when I left I joined the ambulance services and worked my way up to paramedic. I having owned or co-owned three of my own businesses as I said before, I have also worked for the Paramount Group in there 4 star hotel in Buxton. So you could say I have a wide array of skills and abilities
Which do you consider more valuable? Formal education or skills and why?
They are both valuable, but if a had to pick one, having taught so many people with formal education then I would have to say skills are most valuable, because you simply can not teach experience and formal education can only provide a very good base to build on, but its still only a base.
Describe the benefits of working with others
Over the years I have tried several different approaches when it came to working with others, both as a co-worker and as management and I have found that a combination of, if I may use the expression, a broad sword and a scalpel often works best. Broad sword for guide lines and consequences of braking rules, as it provides a feeling of safety when people know where they stand; and a scalpel as each individual needs to be handled in a particular way in order to get the best and most out of them. Using this method I found that people worked well with me I work well with them.
Describe the benefits of working alone
Depends on the job situation.
What was your worst working experience?
I have not had a bad working experience. I have taken something positive out of every situation.
What is the most important lesson you have learnt throughout your career?
To be multi faceted, flexible and adaptable. To build relationships and networking skills, to learn all that you can, and consistently challenge yourself.
What unique skills do you have?
Bilingual, excellent customer service skills, supportive, punctual, dependable, cooperative, self-motivated, open-minded, multi faceted, flexible and adaptable.
What would you consider as your 'dream job'?
I am 36 years old, i would like to be close to family and working in a positive environment, learning new skills, and being able to make a life for myself so that i may settel down.
What are the most interesting aspects of your field?
Problem solving, thinking out the box and working with wide array of people every day.
Wjat are the least interesting aspects of your field?
Nothing.
What would it mean to you find you perfict job?
I left behind in Africa a very lucrative situation to follow a less certain path in Europe because I believe South Africa to be a sinking ship and because I have no desire to live in a country that dose not want me there. The people are bitter and angry and it will take several generations to set things right. So, for me to start all over again is difficult but to be happy rebuilding my life in a perfect job would mean the world to me and I would be very committed and appreciative if I was to be lucky enough to find the perfect job.
How can potential employers contact you?
paul.marques72@googlemail.com or (+44) 075 234 65861 (U.K.)
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