1995 1996 Sales Assistant

							                                   Richard Alderton
           Tel: +44 709 220 9674 | W www.richardalderton.com | E richard.alderton@bigfoot.com

ABOUT ME
In addition to my work as a freelance writer, I currently hold a full-time position as a website editor at
Newcastle University and, until the closure of our office, I volunteered with Oxfam. The nature of these
varied roles has taught me to keep motivated and be flexible; the solitary nature of writing contrasts
well with the team skills needed to work in a busy Campaigns office and the specific skills I use in web
design.
I view myself as an easygoing but hard-working person who is best suited to creative and varied work.
I love exploring and developing ideas and communicating these ideas to other people and I'm looking
for an opportunity to do that.
EDUCATION
1996 - 1999    University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle, NE1 7RU.
 BA (Hons) Combined
               Studies. Class 2:1. (Final year subjects: French language, syntax and phonetics;
               Cosmos and Philosophical Traditions)
               In my dissertation, I gained important experience of time-management and
               self-motivation skills, working alone for three days a week.
1986 - 1995    The King Alfred School, North End Road, London, NW11 7HY.
 3 A levels
                    (Photography - A, Physics - B, Geography - C).
 8 GCSEs                (4 As, 3 Bs and
               one C including English & Mathematics).
               As a member of the ‘school six’ I liaised with pupils, staff and parents in order to
               improve communication and streamline the school.
PUBLISHING EXPERIENCE
2001 - 2003    REFUND Editor, REFUND, Newcastle University.
               Sourced research funding information and wrote and edited a rolling news bulletin.
               Oversaw ongoing development of website. Quickly dealt with frequent and technical
               funding enquiries.
2001           City Editor (Newcastle), CitiWiz.com City Guides, France (freelance work).
               Contracted to research, write & edit over 200 listings for a WAP city guide.
2000 - 2001    Website Updater & Editorial Assistant, REFUND, Newcastle University.
               Carried out extensive, and often technical, research for the UK’s largest Higher
               Education funding website. Assisted and advised in a major redesign of the site tackling
               usability issues, writing concise, web-savvy copy and coding pages. Frequently wrote
               material for funding newsletter.
1998 - 1999    Publicity Secretary, Newcastle University Mountaineering Club.
               Gained knowledge of HTML and new media whilst managing the club’s website.
               Successfully attracted new members to the club, and communicated with existing ones,
               through effective promotion and frequent updates.
1997 - 1998    Journal Editor, Newcastle University Mountaineering Club.
               Worked as team manager to produce the first issue of a club magazine against time and
               financial constraints, managing my own budget. Edited and wrote a variety of material
               and designed the magazine’s layout.
ARTICLES PUBLISHED
Are you the victim of an overpriced Scandinavian retail concept?, seethru.co.uk.
I could… Climb Everest, seethru.co.uk February.
Quick Guide to Cyber CVs, Real World Magazine.
Labradors, Volvos and Sensible Slippers, The Graduate Service.
Eyes Wide Shut, studentBMJ.
More Than I’d Bargained For, High Magazine.
Toilet Training, studentBMJ.
VOLUNTARY WORK
2000 - 2001    Everest Challenge Co-ordinator, Oxfam Campaigns, Newcastle.
               Undertook a large project and effectively planned and managed a small budget to
              promote one of Oxfam's most successful fundraising activities in the Northeast. Worked
              with local and national media as well as individuals and organisations on a variety of
              scales to attract publicity and increase participant numbers. Streamlined administration
              systems.
2000 - 2001   IT Support Volunteer, Oxfam Campaigns, Newcastle.
              Maintained and updated office IT systems, implementing changes and developing the
              system as and when appropriate. Trained staff in efficient use of software and ensured
              smooth running of the system.
1999          Fair-trade & Campaigns Liaison Officer, Oxfam Shop, Newcastle.
              Worked as part of a large team in a busy store gaining financial and organisational skills
              in a challenging environment. Identified and implemented the most productive use of
              time amongst colleagues.
OTHER EMPLOYMENT
1999 - 2000   Storechecker (Newcastle Area), Context, London.
              Worked efficiently and inconspicuously while gathering information in computing stores
              for a market research company. Used Excel to interpret this information and present it
              clearly and concisely.
1996 - 1998   Waiter, Burgh House Buttery, London.
              Gained communication and people skills while working long hours as the sole waiter in
              a busy café. Introduced to administrative and financial skills through growing
              responsibility.
1995 - 1996   Sales Assistant, Rumbold Bakery, London.
              Often assumed a managerial role, training employees when necessary.
OTHER SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Member of the National Union of Journalists.
Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society (RPS).
Languages: I’m a keen linguist, with a good command of French and intermediate Spanish. More
  recently, I have begun classes in Serbo-Croat.
I’m skilled in MS Office software as well as being a fast typer and hold an RSA Stage I CLAIT
  certificate. I pride myself in writing lean, well structured HTML and have basic knowledge of
  JavaScript. I also have extensive experience of online research.
Health and Safety Certificate (Chartered Institute of Environmental Health).
Full driving licence and car.
INTERESTS
As my Licentiateship of the RPS demonstrates, I am a keen, qualified photographer. I was a member
  of the University Photographic Society for two years and can often be found either in the darkroom
  or, increasingly, tinkering in Adobe Photoshop.
This frequently complements my enthusiasm for rock climbing and winter mountaineering, activities
  which involve determination and strength of character, as well as close teamwork and trust in your
  partner. Being a member of the Mountaineering Club also involved some unofficial teaching,
  particularly during the first few months of the academic year when new recruits arrived.
I am an active member of the local Free Tibet society succeeded in attracting the press to some recent
  events. I also organised a film night at the Tyneside Cinema.
REFERENCES
Available on request._