Chris van Aarde

A summary of my personality and me as a human, in general, can be done with the following sentences. I am a fast learner with a wide general knowledge of different industry sectors. I am a loyal, humble person who shows high and great respect for others and their belongings.

Being in the workforce and work environment for only 6-7 years now, I had the ability to become the manager at every establishment I worked at. A skill that helped me achieve this status is being able to put myself in the shoes of the owner or higher management. In doing so I view the workplace as if it is my own business and want to succeed in “my” business.

In doing this I obtain the owner’s perspective rather than an employee’s. This gives me the ability and skills to work on my own initiative and being able to recognize what needs to be done beforehand. There have been multiple cases at the previous organisations I worked at where I have put my ability and skills to work and where I completed tasks before being asked or requested to do so.

Being at a management level for each organisation I worked for, I knew how to run a team. The most important part is that I always have high morale within the team, and everyone gets along. If the staff is happy and you can view it from a customer’s point of view, the customer will also have a happier mood, which in all leads to better sales and reviews.

Employment Experience

Duty Period

Practical year (2017)

Company

Wildebeestkuil (Pearston, Eastern Cape)

Manager

Mr Hennie van Jaarsveld

Position

Assistant to manager

Duties

• Feeding animals
• Guiding hunters on hunting trips
• Entertaining children with horseback riding, etc.
• Service and repair vehicles

Reason for leaving

Expiration of practical year

Duty Period

March 2018 – September 2019

Company

Victoria Heights Reptile and Lion Park (George)

Owners

Mr Hennie Haasbroek & Mr Johan Pio

Position

Started as a volunteer and became a manager within 6 months.

Duties

• Feeding of reptiles and other animals
• Handling of venomous snakes
• Helping snakes to shed skin, etc.
• Giving guided tours (reptiles and lions)

Reason for leaving

The owners did not want to make any improvements or changes. The place stayed and looked the same for the past 10 years.

Duty Period

December 2019 to June 2022

Company

Houtbosch Wines & Craft Spirits (George)

Owners

Mr Kevin Floyd & Mrs Kelly Floyd

Position

Starting at the lowest tier by cleaning dishes and working myself up to a manager position within 4 months.

Duties

• General Manager, Operations Manager, FOH Manager
• Receptionist & Personal Assistant to the owners
• Waiter

Reason for leaving

Although the workload increased substantially, the salary stayed very low.

Duty Period

November 2021 to date

Company

Private sales in used vehicles (Self Employed)

Duties

• Buying & selling of vehicles
• Marketing on different platforms
• Research different aspects
• Administration

Educational Training

Secondary Training

Secondary School

Outeniqua High School (George)

Highest Standard Achieved

Matric - 2014

Subjects

• Afrikaans
• English
• Maths
• Science
• Accountancy
• Biology

Tertiary Training

Tertiary Facility

Nelson Mandela University (George)

Qualification

National Diploma in Game Ranch Management

Period

2015 - 2017

Subjects

First & Second Year (Theory):

• Game Health Management I
• Game Ranch Ecology I, II, III
• Game Ranch Management I (pass with distinction), II, III
• Game Science I (pass with distinction), II, III
• Rangeland Studies I
• Game Ranch Economics I, II (pass with distinction), III
• Computer Usage I (pass with exemption test)
• Communication in English I (pass with distinction)
• Game Utilization I, II
• Soil Science I

Third Year (Practical Year)

• Game Ranch Application I, II