Résumé
Annie Makoff BA (Hons), MA
Profile
Professional writer with a strong journalism and PR background. Specific experience in HR-related editorial, social media, SEO web content and disability issues. Possesses excellent communication skills and has a proactive and methodical approach to her work.
Achievements
- Co-founder of DisabledEntrepreneurs.co.uk
- Produced articles and opinion pieces for HR Magazine on behalf of corporate clients for PRinHR.co.uk
- Broke the mental health cuts story as a reporter at Disability Now Magazine
- Controlled the online Jobsgopublic.com profile via the blog (audience of 1.3 million)
- Produced public sector-specific content to HR website Changeboard.com on behalf of Jobsgopublic
- Produced a prestigious print magazine and e-newsletter and maintained the website as SEN Magazine Editor
- Worked as a voluntary reporter in Romania for an EXPAT Magazine
- Reviewer for Rough Guide Accessible Britain 2012.
Employment
Freelance journalist and PR account manager (2008-present)
I write for Disability Now and Disability Magazine and I am a PR Account Manager for PRinHR.co.uk, who works with a range of clients in the HR field. I am also the reviewer for the Rough Guide Accessible Britain 2012 and produce web content for SEO content specialists, iTrigga.com
Reporter for Disability Now Magazine (11/2010-08/2011)
I produced a range of articles such as profiles, hard-hitting news pieces and features, reviews and web-related content whilst building and developing strong relationships with contacts in the field of disability.
Marketing Assistant for Jobsgopublic (01/2010 – 10/2010)
- Implemented consistency in the Jobsgopublic brand in external communications and by designing new sales collateral
- Created candidate-focused weekly blogs and monthly client-focused blogs
- Wrote external sales communications to a database of over 5,000 clients and 260,000 registered candidates
- Data cleansed via Salesforce CRM
- Collated website content for the new careers advice section and the client-focused forum.
- Assisted sales team with producing sales-related documentation.
Freelance, various organisations: Able Magazine, PRforHR & Penarth Management (03/2008 – present)
I freelanced for Disability Now and Able Magazine whilst managing the PR for a consultancy firm in South Wales, Penarth Management.
Customer Service Advisor for the Journal Subscriptions Department at SAGE Publications
05/2009 – 11/2009 10/2007 – 11/2008 03/2006 – 09/2006
- Handled complex customer queries and requests
- Managed two journal donation schemes for institutions in developing countries
- Processed invoices and payments
- Developed and implementing statistical workload reports
- Additional: sub-edited several issues of the company magazine and volunteered as a reading mentor for a local primary school
Magazine Editor for SEN Magazine, the journal for special educational needs 10/2008 – 04/2009
- Researched, sourcing and writing feature articles and news bulletins
- Interviewed key contacts in the sector
- Commissioned articles from set briefs
- Maintained the magazine website and writing the monthly e-newsletter
- Represented the magazine at exhibitions and shows
- Sub-edited the magazine and monthly e-newsletter
NB: I undertook placements at YQ Magazine and Psychologies Magazine from March – July 2007 as part of my PG MA course.
Work Placement Experience at Brasov Visitor Magazine, Romania 01/2006 – 03/2006
Carried carrying out extensive background and field research, conducting interviews with key contacts and writing feature articles.
Temporary Work as an Archivist 07/2005 – 01/2006
Included archive work at a Children’s Home, cataloguing database reports for the Birmingham & Midlands Institute, and assisting in the photographic digitisation project at The National Archives in Kew, Richmond.
Play Worker for Wishing Well Project Summer Play Scheme for Referred Children 08/2004
Included working creatively with referred children, following training.
Qualifications & Training
09/2006-09/2007
University of Central Lancashire: PG MA in Magazine Journalism (Merit)
Internal Examinations: Public Administration for Journalists: (Pass) Law for Journalists: (Pass)
External Examinations (National Council for the Training of Journalists, NCTJ):
News writing (Pass), Handout (Pass), Shorthand: 80WAM (Pass), Law (Pass) Sub Editing (Pass).
09/2002 – 07/2005
Manchester Metropolitan University: BA (Hons.) Contemporary Arts: 2:2
Additional Skills
- Highly computer literate. Regularly use Microsoft Office Suite and the Adobe Suite (professionally trained in using design programs) and very familiar with Salesforce CRM, Communicator, WordPress and Jobsgopublic back-end recruitment system for Jobsgopublic, Aspire
- Worked with Google Analytics to monitor Jobsgopublic’s 78 additional websites.
- Touch typing speed of 75+ wpm
- Languages: German (intermediate) and currently teaching myself Romanian.
Interests
British and European History, arts and crafts, creative writing (I have been working on a novel since 2003), reading, psychology, current affairs, museums & heritage, wildlife, photography.
- References available on request.
