About me

Kate O'Molloy,

400a Bethnal Green Road,

E2 0AH.

email:

telephone:

12th of March, 2012.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I wish to apply for the current vacancy of Mid-Level Retail Designer as I feel I have a unique mix of essential skills, knowledge and experience necessary to fulfil this role. I am a qualified modelmaker with nearly two years post qualification experience in the visual merchandising field working for GAP. I studied for my BA (Hons) in Modelmaking, Design and Digital Effects at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Dublin, Ireland, graduating in 2008 with a 2:1. Throughout the course there was a large emphasis on Architectural Modelmaking studying both traditional modelmaking techniques as well as digital programmes such as AutoCAD and 3D studio Max. As a result of this course I am confident in creative brainstorming and the development of design concepts. I am very organised and have continually been picked for extra projects both in University and my current job role. While in University I was picked along with a small group to travel to Singapore to participate in the 2007 Chinese New Year Parade. I was given extra responsibilities in the team to allocate and distribute all the costumes and props to the performers as well as participating in the design, development and production of the costumes. I was chosen for this as I had consistently shown the ability to oversee such projects on a smaller scale in previous years of the course. More recently, in May and October 2011 I was asked to work overseas, participating in specialised workshops for new GAP store openings. These were two very successful trips and has led to me regularly being asked to travel to other stores who are in need of extra help in fulfilling concept, styling and window guidelines as well as doing visual work for press releases and season visual guideline books. I enjoy this aspect of my job immensely as I like getting to know the wider visual merchandising team.

I am currently working as a Visual Merchandiser for GAP. I started with the company in May 2010 with a role as Visual Associate, while in this role I worked alone organising and implementing all visual requirements of the brand as well as training staff to successfully maintain these standards. As I worked alone on the visual merchandising of the store it was vital that during this time I was comfortable thinking on my feet and good with prioritising tasks to ensure all visual aspects ran smoothly. As I advanced in this role I was given new tasks where I could further improve my organisational skills, these included running overnight shifts with a small team to execute new flow or re-merchandise the shop floor. I enjoyed the responsibility of this role but when the opportunity arose to join a higher profile visual team within the company I was excited to progress to the position of Senior Visual Merchandiser in the Canary Wharf store. My role as Senior Visual Merchandiser at the Canary Wharf store has proved to be both hugely challenging and rewarding. The store regularly comes in the top three stores for sales in the UK and Ireland and as a result of such high sales the visual workload is constant with the goals of the team change daily. I enjoy working with my visual team and the responsibility of my senior position and as my time here has gone on I have been expected to build on my initial job role by taking on more responsibilities visually and as a senior team member. During my time in this role I have learned a lot about working in a team, helping me to see the importance of being concise and confident in decision making to avoid wasting time and resources.

I have outlined all the specific skills and experiences that I feel demonstrates my suitability for the role and I believe the excellent training I have received in my current role will help me in fulfilling all job requirements quickly and efficiently. I am a hard working and flexible individual, my current role includes early starts, late finishes and overnight shifts when necessary. The team is also expected to change working hours and days at short notice to maintain excellent brand standards. It is a fast paced environment and I find that I work well under pressure and to deadlines. All I feel that remains is to articulate my conviction that I would make a positive contribution to the retail design team if I were to be given the opportunity. Although I enjoy my current role hugely I feel I am ready for a new challenge where I can grow within a successful team. I have enjoyed a wide variety of experiences that have provided me with the confidence in which to apply myself professionally, as a result I have gained confidence in my skills and judgement and I find the opportunity to work within your company extremely exciting.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Kind regards,

Kate O'Molloy.