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stormbind

Hi everyone Smile

I'll provide you with a little background: I had a very unwanted career that was more or less imposed on me by circumstances. About 4 years ago, I had an operation that released me of my burden. After that, I retrained for something that I find more enjoyable, and today, nobody responds to my CV - not even a single recruitment agent!

Is my CV really that untouchable? My cover letters do not explain what happened. Instead, they highlight the benefits of changing career paths etc.

Do you think adding this would be positive or negative?

IMPORTANT EVENT
2005
Bournemouth, BUPA

• Due to NHS inaction, for several years I had suffered from a difficult injury that prevented regular working hours; this had been addressed by freelance work

• Underwent expensive medical surgery at BUPA and returned to full-time productivity

This is my CV (with some names removed)
==========================================

RATIONALE

Although I originally trained in the development of dynamic Internet applications, I switched to management in 2004 and to the creative arts in 2006. My aim is to make audiences happy, because doing this well requires listening, learning, and deriving unique strategies.

EDUCATION

MA (Lond) Visual Anthropology
Anthropology & Media Practice
(Pending)

BSc (Hons) Creative Computing
Computer Science & Fine Art
1st Class Honours

SUMMARY OF RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated an ability to reflect on design issues
Wrote a thesis on digital mediation of affect and cognition
Applied grid systems and colour to interactive media
Used typographic design for websites, cinema and fine art
Gave seminar on feedback loop between user and designer
Led talks in perceptual psychology & Gestalt theory

• Practiced in Goldsmiths digital media & art studios
Collaborated with Cambridge on narrative development
Joined indigenous rainforest people for three months
Created narratives constrained by found video footage
Practiced automation in non-linear media editors
Participated in graduate exhibitions and screenings

• Experienced developer with interaction design
Experienced the role of project manager
Flash, JavaScript, XML, CSS for client side interfaces
Perl/CGI and PHP for server side applications
Java with OpenGL for cross-platform development
Programmed automation in Max, MSP and Jitter
Built affine transformations and convolution kernels
Waveform interpolation, noise and texture generation

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Studio-based production
2008 - 2009
Full time, Goldsmiths
UK/Philippines

• During fieldwork, I demonstrated versatility and arbitration while managing a team that faced unexplored rainforest, undocumented languages, and alien cultures

• Project leader in script, camera, sound, lighting and editing; studied media production and trained in using non-linear suites such as Final Cut Pro

• Responsible for procurement, project completion, personnel safety, equipment maintenance and logistics in extreme conditions

• Last September, my twenty minute documentary film received a public cinema screening in London

Studio-based design
2005 - 2008
Full time, Goldsmiths
London

• Achieved a unique synthesis of computer science, media culture and visual art. Graduated with 1st Class Honours

• Coordinated an inter-departmental study of semiotics, psychology, and philosophy in fine art at the UK's leading creative university

• Mentored by a leading Goldsmiths' designer, I approached design briefs through fieldwork observation and seminar presentations that led to further creative briefs for interaction design

• Successfully synthesised interaction design and multimedia programming with Java/OpenGL; Max/MSP/Jitter; Flash

• Led my own experiments in the digital communication of psychological performance using pressure-responsive keystrokes, and ranked best in programme

• Collaborated with Cambridge University on non-linear narratives and completed MFA year one as part of my BSc

Consultant
2004 - 2005
Freelance, Solicitors
London

• Promoted a strategic vision by explaining web technologies, search engine optimisation, interoperability and graceful degradation to senior sponsors

• Gained broad experience as project manager between sponsors, line managers, suppliers and staff. Trained staff in the use of Apache, Photoshop and Dreamweaver

• Technical responsibilities lay in business analysis, algorithm design and implementation of business logic using SQL and ASP.NET

Developer
1997 - 2004
Freelance
Birmingham

• Analysed clients' requirements and produced technical documentation to UML guidelines

• Successfully achieved software engineering, asset optimisation and performance testing to agreed time-scales

• Produced audience-centric prototype and interaction design using bitmap editors, Dynamic HTML/CSS and Flash

• Demonstrated the ability to write data driven programs in any language. Examples include JavaScript/AJAX, Java, Pascal, CGI/Perl or PHP

Technical Advisor
1996 - 1997
Full time
Birmingham

• Identified compatible hardware and software upgrade paths for individual client needs

• Provided hardware fault and performance testing, computer system repairs and retail services

• Included part-time study of Computer Science and Information Management

Assistant Manager
1995 - 1996
Full time
Birmingham

• Achieved a 20% sales increase in the retail division; responsible for the day-to-day running of one branch, animal welfare, and site security

• Successfully researched environment and veterinary knowledge to provide ecological and ichthyological advice to clients (ichthyology is the study of fish)

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