William Morris

This was a hobby I took up before I studied for my degree at Anglia Ruskin University in order to pursue my passion for historical interpretation and study in an environment of fellow enthusiasts. While here, I:

• Consulted and evaluated primary and secondary sources of information to reach balanced conclusions.
• Arranged and analysed historical information to evaluate significance of my chosen topic and organised representations highlighting my findings.
• Presented findings and conclusions for the benefit of a professional audience
• Progressed theories, models and methods to interpret and describe the nature of such subjects as the Norwegian Army in 1940, the Battle of Drobak Sound, and Austrian Defensive Planning in 1938
• Interacted professionally with individuals including retired senior military officers, academics, and retired MoD personnel
• Attended lectures given by fellow society members on diverse areas of military historical research

This was a temporary, full time role that I took as a gateway to further experience in a professional environment. At Seeley Historical Library, I:

• Sourced new books and equipment for library with thorough research.
• Handled check-in and check-out process of library books and materials at circulation desk.
• Registered and maintained customer information on database to update profiles.
• Assisted customers in locating specific books to address needs.
• Perused and segregated obsolete and outdated materials to organise shelves.
• Issued and updated library cards for customers.
• Greeted and informed customers regarding library schedule and protocols.
• Helped customers to successfully use library computers and equipment.
• Maintained an inventory of borrowed and returned books to avoid losses and delays.
• Catalogued new book arrivals to streamline process.
• Sorted and arranged books by category in shelves.
• Checked in and out books and scanned library cards.
• Answered phone calls and jotted messages for librarian.
• Assisted customers using internet to address technical needs.

I joined the Army Cadet Force in June of 2022 because I wanted to contribute something for the betterment of the local community, and because I wanted to gain a basic understanding of military life in relevance to my studies. This was a demanding role that requires a high level of maturity and responsibility, and which provide national-standard qualifications in first aid, teaching and other areas. As an Adult Volunteer, I:

• Researched, planned and presented lessons to Cadets in line with ACF standards
• Ensured that all Cadets, regardless of background, gained access to life-changing training and skillsets
• Encouraged participation and engagement in planned activities.
• Maintained awareness of child protection issues and established procedures.
• Safeguarded young people in line with national guidelines.
• Role modelled positive behaviour and interpersonal skills.
• Led activities that promoted growth in mental, emotional and educational areas within a military curriculum.

I worked at Sainsbury's to fund my studies. While working here, I:

• Resolved customer issues using strong interpersonal skills and conflict resolution techniques.
• Answered customer telephone calls promptly and improved on-hold wait times.
• Assisted customers with varying questions using product knowledge and service expertise.
• Observed organisational values and principles to provide excellent customer experiences.
• Reviewed personal performance records to pinpoint and address service gaps.
• Observed established privacy regulations in safeguarding client data.
• Trained new associates on cash register operations, advising on appropriate handling of customer sales, refunds and cashing up.
• Provided warm, positive customer care from arrival to departure, encouraging return visits and repeat spending.
• Adhered strictly to policies and procedures for continued company compliance.
• Managed high-volume customer queries simultaneously through effective multitasking.
• Delivered exceptional level of service to each customer by listening to concerns and answering questions.
• Assisted customers with product complaints, logging issues for investigation and providing replacement items.
• Guaranteed positive customer experiences by efficiently resolving customer concerns and complaints.

I took up volunteering with Oxfam to fill time between leaving school and going to university, and I'd recommend it to any young person out there looking to both gain work experience and contribute to a good cause. During my time with this organisation I:

• Kept accurate electronic records of received and distributed merchandise.
• Optimised customer experience, performing store housekeeping tasks to recover sales floor during shift.
• Created vibrant bookstore environment, maintaining outstanding presentation, detail and localisation standards.
• Used exceptional genre knowledge and up-selling skills to maximise sales opportunities.
• Maintained quality of service by staying up-to-date with knowledge of new genres and industry trends.
• Protected company assets by implementing loss prevention and shrink control standards.
• Established attractive sales floor by shelving and organising books in available spaces.
• Accepted card, cash and cheque payments in POS register system.
• Prepared orders for customers with wrapped, bagged and boxed items.
• Organised displays to promote inventory and encourage customer purchases.

This was my first ever experience of work. Here, I:

• Preserved historically significant and valuable documents.
• Planned and implemented digital archive management and electronic records storage.
• Archived government papers, photographs and maps in established systems.
• Acquired archival materials to build and develop archival collection for research purposes.
• Collected and appraised archives, artefacts and records of historical interest.