I am currently employed as a Teaching Assistant at a highly respected Secondary School, and will continue to work there for the remainder of this academic year, with a few to achieving qualified teacher status next year. This role has allowed me to work with a variety of pupils, of differing age groups, abilities and needs. This experience has provided the ideal preparation for me as I look to embark upon a career within this profession, affording me not only with great confidence within a classroom environment, but also a brilliant opportunity to observe a wide range of teaching techniques on display.

Since graduating from University I have enjoyed employment as a waiter at a very popular local restaurant and carvery. This has been a highly enriching experience for me in terms of developing my interpersonal skills with people of all ages and backgrounds. I have demonstrated my composure and strong customer service skills when working with large parties of people, at times serving parties of up to forty guests at a time. The challenge of satisfying this many people under a high pressure situation has given me great confidence and assurance that the skills I have acquired at Degree level are directly transferable to a more practical ‘hands on’ working environment. I have been able to develop great levels of patience, calm and understanding whilst working here, skills which I believe will stand me in great stead within future employment. I have received some fantastic customer feedback during my time here, with several customers writing positive comments about me personally on Tripadvisor. I have certainly earned the trust of my employer, who has chosen me to train many new members of staff.

During my time as a local door-to-door salesman I gained numerous valuable experiences which have helped me to develop my own personal confidence and the way in which I interact with others. The nature of door-to-door sales required me to be extremely polite and respectful of customers. The fact that I was required to sell products to customers in their own homes is heavily reliant upon building a rapport with the customer and I have been able to secure many lasting bonds with individuals in my local community. I gained experience in meeting and arranging deadlines both with customers and with my superior. This experience taught me that customer satisfaction is of paramount importance and that as a salesman it was my duty to ensure that the consumers were completely happy with the products and service that they received.