About me

As a versatile writer and researcher with experience in a range of publishing and marketing environments, I would be an asset to any company. I have honed my writing, editing and creative abilities through working in marketing, non-fiction books, magazines and editorial websites. I have extensive experience of writing, research (much of it internet-based), picture research, sub-editing, proofreading, design and layout. This role would give me the opportunity to improve my skills further and to find new ways to channel my intelligence and imagination.

I enjoy a challenge and function well when under pressure. I also learn quickly, adapting my skills to every new project. This has been key in my current role as editorial and production assistant at The National Archives where I have put myself forward to take on extra tasks. For example, when it was no longer possible to employ an external designer due to the government marketing freeze, I took on the job of designing our monthly internal magazine.

I have also shown considerable determination and ingenuity when taking on projects outside of work. In April 2009 I decided to set up my own website (*) aimed at helping jobseekers looking for work. As well as improving my own skills, my intention was to provide a resource for young people trying to get started in their careers, something which I felt would have been helpful in my own job search. I taught myself HTML and how to use design software such as Dreamweaver and Illustrator and planned, researched and wrote all the content for the website, which launched in January 2010. Since then, with minimal promotion, the site has received up to 250 unique visitors per month.

I have experience writing in a range of styles for different purposes and audiences, from the readers of lifestyle magazines (Shanghai Talk in China, Reader's Digest Magazine), to the online audience of websites as diverse as *, *, staff members, volunteers and members of the public who read The National Archives' publications and marketing materials.

In all of my roles, the need for language to be simple, clear and inviting has been paramount, and I pride myself on my ability to communicate in an understandable and appealing way.

The experience of picture research I gained while working for the non-fiction book publisher Toucan Books has been invaluable to me in later jobs. At Toucan I used a wide variety of online picture libraries such as Corbis, Getty, Alamy, Nature and Shutterstock as a daily part of my work. During the internship I did with *, using both The National Archives' picture library and external sources.

I have good computer skills and I am familiar with both Macs and PCs. I use Microsoft Office and Adobe software daily - including Word, Excel, Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver and Illustrator.