With the departure of Charlotte, Artisan had some big shoes to fill for our front of house and director of first impressions. And then we met the lovely Kaitlyn. Sophistication personified. A quick wit. An eagle eye. And she doesn't complain when we ask her to do those annoying little tasks. Besides, she takes a mean pic with an umbrella so we know we just have to love her. Artisan would like to introduce you to the face behind the voice behind the best creative resource centre in Melbourne...

Name: Kaitlyn Clare
Title: Receptionist

When did you join the Artisan family?
September 1st, 2008.

Describe your role and what a typical day would entail?
My day begins with the shriek of my alarm clock, followed by five minutes of snoozing, a bowl of muesli and a latte, about an hour of preening, and a quick walk to work. Once in the office, I greet the sea of my colleagues’ smiling faces, then proceed to work through my day’s task list. As the receptionist, my role is largely administrative, however I also find myself ducking out to run errands, zipping about the office meeting and greeting people, occasionally redecorating, and generally just making sure everything is where and how we like it to be.

How would you describe the culture at Artisan?
We set the trends! Artisan certainly has its finger on the creative industries’ pulse; things move quickly, ideas are born and evolve exponentially, and every task is completed end to end. The Artisan culture is innovative, fresh, and stimulating.

What do you enjoy most about working at Artisan?
I really appreciate how familial the Artisan team is, and how willing everyone is to assist each other and share their knowledge and experience. It is evident that Michael and the management team have poured a lot of consideration into the forming of the group.

What is one skill that you’ve developed since working at Artisan?
The first new trick I learned at Artisan was how to complete trade credit checks; beyond that, I am continuing to hone my general juggling skills.

What were you doing prior to Artisan?
Before relocating to Melbourne from the Gold Coast, I worked in the film and television industry as a talent agent and publicist, and also as a casting assistant during the audition periods of various productions.

Tell us about your best and worst employment experience...
A couple of years ago, I scored a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it role on a film called ‘The Condemned’. My part consisted of being shot multiple times with a machine gun and killed. That experience counts as being both my best and my worst, because although it was a thrill to be involved in a multi-million dollar feature film and to work with Vinnie Jones, my natural aversion to violence ensured that my tears and terror were genuine.

What makes a great work environment?
Regular challenges and changes to one’s routine, as well as great people, strong coffee, and energising music.

What is the most common mistake you find businesses making when looking for new staff?
I’m not sure as to whether or not this is a common mistake, but I believe that the biggest error a business can make when looking for new staff is to place a huge amount of focus on candidates’ paper qualifications, and very little on their practical experience and personality types. Good students don’t always turn into good professionals.

What makes a standout CV?
A standout CV is simple and stylish, contains only necessary and relevant information, and is free of spelling and grammatical errors.

What makes a successful interview?
A successful interview is one in which both the employer and the candidate are both completely honest about what they want, what they can offer, and who they are. Of course it can be disappointing for a candidate if an interview doesn’t result in a job offer, but if it’s not meant to be, it’s best not to be.

What achievements are you the most proud of?
I worked for two years as a coordinator on an annual charity event, held in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation. During the time I was involved, we raised and donated a commendable sum of money to the NBCF. Having lost my mother to breast cancer as a child, playing a small part in making a potentially huge difference to those who will be affected by breast cancer in the future makes me feel enormously proud.

What do you find yourself doing in your spare time?
My spare time is mostly spent with my partner Jon and my close friends, but I do love to set aside solo time to read, write, or watch a good film or play. I also go horse riding every Saturday.

What are your top 5 favourite websites?
www.nataliedee.com (she finds humour in the simplest of things)
www.guybourdin.org (Bourdin is one of my favourite photographers)
www.cupcakerecipes.com (a cupcake can improve anyone’s day)
www.virginblue.com.au (for weekends away)
www.ebay.com.au (my favourite place to hunt for vintage coats)

What makes you feel alive?
Cold water, a fast canter, a fairground, hysterical laughter, gambolling across an open field, picking a posy of wildflowers, the Christmas season, playing fetch with a dog…and the wash of relaxation and contentment that occurs just before sleep, at the end of a wonderful day.

If you had to describe yourself in 50 words or less, you would say…
I’m assertive, investigative, analytical, confident, considerate, imaginative, and secure in my convictions; I am driven by instinct, emotion, and inspiration; I’m a menace when I’m hungry or tired, but very approachable the rest of the time.