Maria Copeland
Florence, SC 29506 ***************@*****.***
Objective: Position of Spanish/English Interpreter.
HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
> Fluent Bilingual English/Spanish.
> Project oriented, following through with a task until its successful
completion.
> Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
> Work well individually and as a team member through effective
communication.
> Quick learner and detail-oriented.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Computer and Organizational Skills
. Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Word 2007; familiar with
Microsoft Excel, Access, and Outlook.
. Intensive twelve week course in office training.
. Proficient at data entry; typing of 45 wpm.
. Generated letters and created electronic work packets.
. Made eligibility determinations and processed cases for the State
Individual and Family Grant
Program and the F.E.M.A. Temporary Housing Program (Individual
Assistance Program).
. Computer literate and able to learn new programs quickly and apply
knowledge effectively.
Communication Skills and Customer Service
. Resolved wide range of applicant/customer problems employing diplomacy
and discretion.
. Conducted eligibility interviews with applicants for the Disaster
Housing Options Program.
. Completed pre-placement interviews to determine eligibility for the
Mobile Home Program.
. Processed Congressional Inquiries diplomatically and successfully.
. Answered multi-line phone system and recorded all contact information
onto computer system.
. Performed outreach functions in communities affected by disasters.
. Took information for Disaster Housing Assistance Applications from
disaster victims and offered referrals to various agencies after
assessing any additional needs.
. Conducted insurance verifications.
. Most currently conducted financial counseling sessions (inbound call
center) and created certifications for clients who required same for
bankruptcy purposes.
WORK HISTORY
Financial Counselor, Hummingbird Credit Counseling and Education, Raleigh,
NC 2003-2012
Disaster Assistance Employee, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Atlanta,
GA 1992-2002
Feature Film Booker, Universal Film Exchange, Los Angeles, CA 1987-1991
Administrative Assistant, Mann Theatres Corporation, Los Angeles, CA
1983-1987
Front/Back Office Person, Medhat Mansour, M.D., Los Angeles, CA 1979-
1983
EDUCATION
Certified Financial Health Counselor, Hummingbird C.C.E., Raleigh, NC
May 2003
Spanish/English Interpreting Certificate, Dept. of Allied Health Educ.,
Asheville, NC February 2003
Today's Office Certificate, Computer Training Partnership, Raleigh, NC
August 2002
Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles, CA September 1976
Maria Copeland
1621 Edsel Road Cell
Florence, SC 29506 ***************@*****.***
August 29, 2013
Dear Human Resources Specialist:
I am responding to your listing in the craigslist.com website. Please
consider me for the position of English/Spanish interpreter with your
organization.
I am fluent in both English and Spanish and possess excellent verbal and
written communication skills. I have facilitated consecutive interpreting,
as well as performed translating functions, routinely, my entire
professional career. I enjoy serving as a cultural liaison, eliciting
rapport with clients and putting them quickly at ease. I always strive to
effectively serve both the client and the organization I am representing.
The first position I held was as a receptionist/worker's compensation
secretary for Anthony F. Telleria, Esq. in Los Angeles, CA, where I handled
all filing of forms, correspondence, and interpreting associated with the
two-hundred worker's compensation files which I handled for the attorney.
As previously stated, I routinely interpreted for all my former employers.
I have acquired extensive experience in customer service, which includes
ten years of work with F.E.M.A. (Human Services Branch). During my last
assignment, I worked at their National Processing Service Center
(inbound/outbound caller services department), where I assisted disaster
victims (applicants), by registering their applications, researching the
status of their claim, assessing their needs, and guiding them through the
procedures necessary to successfully resolve their case. I also answered a
wide range of program questions and, when warranted, determined what grant
amounts applicants were eligible to receive.
Throughout my professional career, I have assisted people from all cultures
and economic levels. This experience has provided me with keen
appreciation and respect for people's individuality, while strengthening my
interpersonal skills.
I would welcome the opportunity for a personal interview to discuss my
qualifications. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. I
look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Maria Copeland
PS I most recently worked, in a high volume inbound call center, as a
financial counselor for a non-profit organization that issues
certifications, for the filing of bankruptcy cases. I was forced to move
due to financial considerations and am now seeking employment, with an
organization that is dedicated to helping people.