Zona Sofono
Johannesburg,KE
Summary
I am a highly qualified professional with a Master's degree in Human Resource Counselling from the University of Pécs, Hungary, and an honours degree in Industrial/Organisational Psychology. Alongside my academic achievements, I bring a wealth of experience gained across diverse industries.
In the Telecommunications sector, I served as an HR Administrator and also worked as a Call Centre Agent. I extended my expertise into the insurance field, where I excelled as a Trainee Financial Advisor and Graduate Recruitment Consultant. Exploring the education sector, I functioned as a Junior HR Consultant, and in the sales and marketing industry, I successfully held positions as a Team Leader and Sales Agent. Notably, I have also applied my skills as a Shift Manager at Spar.
My journey reflects a dynamic background, demonstrating my versatility and adaptability. Throughout my career, I have consistently achieved both individual and team goals, driven by a strong work ethic, creativity, and self-motivation. I am confident in my ability to make a significant contribution to your team and believe that I would be an outstanding asset to any organisation.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Shift Manager
Spar Retail Group
10.2023 - Current
- Cash Handling Expertise: Proficient in accurate and efficient cash transactions.
- Responsible for opening and closing the cash register, ensuring adherence to policies.
- Operational Leadership: Act as a shift manager, providing guidance and support to team members during shifts.
- Oversee closing procedures to secure the store and prepare for the next business day.
- Promotions and Pricing Strategies: Implement effective pricing strategies in coordination with store guidelines.
- Develop and execute special promotions to boost sales and enhance customer engagement.
- Team Collaboration and Training: Collaborate with team members to maintain a clean and organised sales floor.
- Train new employees on cashier procedures, product pricing, and store policies.
- Exceptional Customer Service: Deliver exceptional customer service by promptly addressing inquiries and resolving issues.
- Assist customers in locating products and provide information on promotions.
- Inventory Management and Reporting: Monitor, receive stock from suppliers, and report inventory levels, contributing to efficient stock management.
International Student Mentor
University of Pécs
09.2022 - 06.2023
- Assisted international students in their transition to university life, providing guidance and support to a team of 15 mentees
- Facilitated essential administrative processes, including accompanying mentees to the immigration office, assisted in the acquisition of student cards, activation of student statuses, and obtaining TAJ Insurance cards
- Provided detailed directions to campus facilities and offices, ensuring mentees' seamless navigation within the university premises
- Organised and participated in social events, creating a sense of community among international students; proactively initiated team-specific events to enhance group cohesion
- Maintained regular communication with mentees, offering academic and social guidance to help their adjustment to school life, encouraging a supportive environment for both academic and social challenges
- Produced monthly reports for the mentor program team, summarising mentees' progress, challenges faced, and outcomes achieved, contributing valuable insights for program enhancement.
Factory Assistant
Honsa (Automotive Supplier)
11.2022 - 06.2023
- Quality Control: Inspected completed car parts meticulously to identify defects or issues, ensuring they met the factory's stringent quality and safety standards
- Material Handling: Managed the movement and organisation of materials and components essential to the car manufacturing process
- Cleaning and Maintenance: Maintained impeccable cleanliness and optimal condition of the factory floor and equipment, promoting a safe and productive working environment
- Assistance to Skilled Workers: Offered valuable support to skilled workers, actively participating in technical tasks and contributing to the seamless execution of manufacturing operations
- Machine Operation: Proficiently operated various machinery integral to the manufacturing process, including robotic arms and automated tools, ensuring precision and accuracy in production
- Adherence to Safety Protocols: Strictly followed and enforced safety procedures and protocols, guaranteeing a secure workplace for both myself and colleagues, thereby mitigating potential hazards.
- Collaborated with production team to facilitate smooth operations, avoiding disruptions and delays
- Stayed alert, active, and ready to respond to any request at any time using variety of available resources.
Junior HR Consultant
University of KwaZulu Natal
10.2020 - 09.2021
- Recruitment and Selection: Effectively managed the recruitment and selection process, ensuring the acquisition of top talent
- Performance Management: Involved in performance management systems, facilitating regular evaluations and feedback sessions to enhance employee productivity and job satisfaction
- Leave Management: Administered various types of leaves, including sabbatical, paternity, maternity, and leave encashment, ensuring accurate records and compliance with company policies and legal requirements
- Vetting of Fixed Term Contracts: Conducted thorough evaluations of fixed-term contracts, assessing suitability and compliance with organizational standards
- Onboarding of New Employees: Provided seamless onboarding experiences for new employees, integrating them into the company culture and providing essential training and resources
- HR Adhoc Tasks: Executed various adhoc HR tasks as required, demonstrating flexibility and efficiency in handling diverse HR responsibilities.
- Advised executives on best practices for employee growth and productivity goals, consistently helping companies improve retention.
- Partnered with leaders on HR and business functions using consultative approach to proactively identify and address issues and concerns.
HR Administrator
Outworx Call Centre and Business Solutions
09.2019 - 09.2020
- Received and approved new employee files from the recruitment department
- Managed timely documentation processing and administration tasks
- Conducted employee file audits to ensure accuracy and completeness
- Prepared and updated HR documents, including employment contracts and training agreements
- Handled HR-related tasks such as employee terminations, warnings, and exit interviews
- Reviewed and analysed attendance records, exit interview data, and misconduct/incapacity information
- Scheduled and chaired disciplinary hearings when necessary
- Coordinated payroll changes with the Finance department
- Provided New Intakes reports to the Recruitment department.
- Handled on-boarding process for newly hired employees, which included distribution of all paperwork.
- Updated HR database with new employee information, changes in benefits, and other details.
Graduate Recruitment Consultant
PPA Advisory Services
08.2018 - 08.2019
- Created and placed job adverts on various platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed
- Reviewed applications, conducted interviews, and shortlisted candidates
- Verified references, qualifications, and suitability of applicants
- Communicated job responsibilities, salary, and benefits to candidates
- Prepared and submitted CVs of suitable applicants to the company
- Provided interview results to candidates and managed contract signing
- Facilitated the initial onboarding process for new hires.
- Hired employees and initiated new hire paperwork process.
- Operated and maintained applicant tracking and candidate management systems.
Customer Service Representative
CCI Global
04.2016 - 04.2017
- Inbound call centre agent- 173/808 (spoke with Zulu, Xhosa and English customers)
- Managed interactions with both MTN prepaid and post-paid customers, addressing their inquiries and providing solutions, including tasks such as voucher loading, unblocking vouchers, blacklisting, phone unblacklisting, SIM swapping, M2U transfers, and international roaming support
- Maintained a consistently professional and empathetic approach in all customer interactions
- In the post-paid department, responsibilities included explaining invoices and statements, facilitating payments for overdue accounts, provisioning internet data, verifying security questions, ensuring account security, and resolving billing disputes
- Assumed a leadership role in the absence of my manager, overseeing and supporting the team of agents on the floor
- Effectively handled customer complaints and escalated issues when necessary.
- Handled customer inquiries and suggestions courteously and professionally.
- Actively listened to customers, handled concerns quickly and escalated major issues to supervisor.
Trainee Financial Advisor and Administrator
PPA Advisory Services
02.2015 - 02.2016
- Actively engaged in client acquisition by sourcing and recruiting prospective clients
- Scheduled and managed client appointments to facilitate meaningful consultations
- Provided expert advice to clients under the guidance and supervision of senior advisors, ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive personal information
- Operated as an independent financial advisor, giving clients a broader spectrum of service offerings and product choices
- Managed end-to-end administrative tasks, including data entry and maintenance of client records in the system, client communication, as well as document scanning, faxing, and printing
- Participated in training programs to gain expertise in various financial instruments, health insurance, and funeral cover.
- Learned new materials, processes, and programs quickly.
- Participated in on-the-job training, working closely with supervisors and coworkers and asking appropriate questions.
Education
Master of Arts - Humanities
University of Pécs
Pécs, Hungary07.2023
No Degree - Adult And Continuing Education
The Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg
Würzburg, Germany02.2023
Honours: Industrial Psychology - Humanities
University of KwaZulu Natal
Durban, South Africa01.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Social Sciences
Walter Sisulu University
Mthatha, South Africa01.2014
Skills
- Sharepoint
- HR Ticketing System
- Sage VIP
- ESS
- iEnabler
- ITS Integrator
- Signify (Performance Management)
- Zoho Recruit
- Microsoft (Excel, Word, Teams, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Personal Information
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: South African
Addresses
- Budapest, Hungary, 1073
- Durban, South Africa, 4001
Websites
SOFT SKILLS
- Communication Skills
- Customer Focus
- Interpersonal Skills
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Time Management
- Attention to Detail
- Creativity
- Adaptability
- Conflict Resolution
- Emotional Intelligence
Honors And Awards
- 2021, Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship
Stipendium Hungaricum, being the most prestigious higher education scholarship programme of the Hungarian Government, offers a wide range of courses for international students of excellent academic track record. The scholarship aims to support the internationalization of the Hungarian higher education and its constant development, to strengthen the international relations of the academic and research community, and to promote the good reputation and competitiveness of the Hungarian higher education throughout the world.
- 2014, Archbishop Denis E. Hurley Scholarship
This scholarship allows disadvantaged but academically excellent candidates to read for honours degrees. Hurley awards identify special candidates whose study areas, community involvement, leadership qualities and ethical vision resonate with the life, spirit and accomplishments of the late Archbishop Denis E. Hurley, who was a Chancellor of the former University of Natal.
- 2014, National Research Fund Scholarship
The award was based on my academic performance.
Languages
English, Xhosa, Zulu
Native language
Hungarian
Elementary
A2
German
Beginner
A1
Dutch
Elementary
A2
References
- Ms Sphindile Mvuyana, HR Consultant, University of KwaZulu-Natal
MvuyanaS@ukzn.ac.za,
031 260 2034, South Africa
- Mr Niven Naidoo, Senior HR Manager, Outworx HR Department
+2763 446 5503/ 031 000 0003, South Africa
- Mrs Sue Naidoo, Office Manager, PPA Advisory Services,
suen@backofficeconnect.co.za,
031 566 4993, South Africa
- Miss Berzsán, Mercédesz, Mentor Coordinator, University of Pécs, Hungary
berzsan.mercedesz@hook.hu,
+36 20 416 0474, Hungary
Timeline
Shift Manager
Spar Retail Group
10.2023 - Current
Factory Assistant
Honsa (Automotive Supplier)
11.2022 - 06.2023
International Student Mentor
University of Pécs
09.2022 - 06.2023
Junior HR Consultant
University of KwaZulu Natal
10.2020 - 09.2021
HR Administrator
Outworx Call Centre and Business Solutions
09.2019 - 09.2020
Graduate Recruitment Consultant
PPA Advisory Services
08.2018 - 08.2019
Customer Service Representative
CCI Global
04.2016 - 04.2017
Trainee Financial Advisor and Administrator
PPA Advisory Services
02.2015 - 02.2016
Master of Arts - Humanities
University of Pécs
No Degree - Adult And Continuing Education
The Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg
Honours: Industrial Psychology - Humanities
University of KwaZulu Natal
Bachelor of Arts - Social Sciences
Walter Sisulu University
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