Simon Hopker

Simon J. Hopker’s Curriculum Vitae Personal Details: Full Name Simon John Hopker Address: Centro, Florianopolis Mob:- Email:-I am a 27 year old englishman with recent and continued experience in sales and tourism. I am an excellent oral and written communicator of the English language (I was awarded full marks for my advanced level English Language coursework). I also have the ability to problem solve creatively and effectively, independently and collaboratively. My Portuguese is improving everyday with the help of Duo Lingo, conversing with locals and picking words up from my Brazilian girlfriend. I enjoy proving myself to new employers, always giving my best with honesty and integrity. This being said, I am also very ambitious with my own projects. For the last two years I have been co-creating an online radio experience called BetPo Radio that is very close to being available to the public. Here in Brazil, I am also co-creating a British event experience called Gringo Lingo which will allow Brazilians to practice their english in a fun and informal environment whilst at the same time learning about the history of British culture, music, food and anything everything else British. Key Skills: 1) Excellent verbal and written english communication skills. 2) Proven ability to add value in a team environment. 3) Highly intelligent with the ability to think creatively and proactively. 4) Exceptional budgeting skills with a keen ability to cut costs and make savings when required. Previous Education: ● ● ● BA History and Politics, University of Liverpool 2012 (Classification 2:1). 3 A-levels A-C (A-History, A-English Language, C-Psychology). 9 GCSEs A-C (A-English, B-Maths) Current Education: ● Since the beginning of the year I have been learning Brazilian Portuguese from an online tutor via skype and using DuoLingo everyday for at least 30 mins. ● I am also completing two courses online on the subjects of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) as well as a Mindfulness and Meditation course. Current Situation Regarding Work: I am looking for work on the island of Florianopolis. I am here with a tourist visa but want to live and work in Brazil for the foreseeable future. I believe this country has great potential and could compete very seriously on the world stage. Having English speaking workers, I believe, is key to realising that potential, as is using their knowledge and perspective as a foreigner. This is obviously a way in which I can add value to any Brazilian business. Previous Work Experience: • Property Steward and Tour Guide for English Heritage (April 2015-December 2016) Working for the English Heritage, the biggest charity of it’s kind within the UK alongside The National Trust, was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and the best job I’ve ever had. English Heritage looks after sites such as Stone Henge, Kenwood House, London and many other buildings of historical interest to England’s heritage. I worked at Down House: the family home of Charles Darwin, the most noted and influential biologist of all time. Here I was in charge of opening and closing the house. Making sure visitors (including quite a lot of Brazilians) had an extremely enjoyable experience, and of course, that that they all bought a guide book! Working here gave me great confidence with speaking with people from many parts of the globe and a real appreciation on the international impact Darwin had on many people with an interest in science. • Team Leader for Wesser (September 2014-April 2015) In this role I managed a team of up to 5 members fundraising on behalf of St. John Ambulance. A first aid charity with a long history within the UK. Although this was in some ways a straightforward door to door fundraising job that allowed me to save money for my personal projects, I found myself learning a lot in terms of management skills as well as proving to myself that positivity and determination (in some horrible weather), when I want to achieve something, as well as desire, discipline and focus, are incredibly important components in becoming a successful person and doing a jobproperly. My selling ability and personal skills improved immeasurably in this role also. • Business Savings Expert for Make It Cheaper (August 2013-August 2014). Make It Cheaper are one of the biggest utility brokers for SMEs in the UK. Based in the heart of London, I worked in the Energy department, handling electric and gas contracts for our customers. Here I improved my ability to work towards targets in a tough and competitive environment, gained a London style work ethic and remained disciplined on a daily basis, learning how to communicate effectively with other businesses and business people. • Senior Telefundraiser for Listen UK (October 2012-July 2013) Listen are the UK’s leading fundraising charity call centre. While I was working for Listen the organisation won numerous awards and were, and still are, renowned for, not only the quality of the results they produce, but also the quality of the calls they make. I raised tens of thousands of pounds for various charities and was one of the top performers in my team. It was here that I began to learn my negotiating skills, but it was also a place where I learnt about the huge amount of problems in the world. Past Travel Experience: Between finishing my A-levels and beginning my degree, I took two years traveling the world. On the first trip, I spent time in India, Thailand, Laos and Burma. The second was spent in South America, visiting seven countries in total, including Brazil. As an eighteen/nineteen year old I found these experiences some of the most useful and memorable of my life. Most recently I have taken short trips into Europe visiting countries such as Spain, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria and Bulgaria. Experiencing new places and cultures has improved my social skills greatly and it has allowed me to learn how to get along with people on a global scale, which I believe to be increasingly important in a progressively globalised world. The reason I am in Brazil again is for two reasons. The first is after spending time in Brazil, 7 years ago, and to be honest, not making the most of it. I was determined to come back and do it right. I have already achieved many goals already since coming back. Now I want to stay and live within the country. Not simply travel. The other reason I am here and not in the UK is because over the last decade I have seen the UK decline and I believe it is going to continue to do so with the rest of Europe and the USA going in the same direction. I wanted to get off the sinking ship. The West has had its time in the sun and new powers are emerging. Brazil could still be one of them. I want to help make that a reality. Hobbies: My main three hobbies are cooking, performing as a poet, singer and actor and playing chess. I have always been a lover of good food because I am a greedy guts. Though on a slightly more serious note, I believe feeding your body well is paramount to succeeding in the rest of life. Back in England I performed regularly as Si Pi the Po (my poet alter ego). I enjoy performing and find it pushes me to be brave and show people who I am. Chess is a game I love due to its infinite complexity and challenge on the brain. It allows me to relax whilst at the same time it allows me to improve my strategizing ability and my ability to think fast whilst under pressure. My family, friends and girlfriend are very important to me too. Creating solid and valuable relationships, I believe, are essentially the most important things we have in life. I find nurturing these relationships improves my relationship with myself and allows me to grow as an individual. References: Miss Bryony J Atkins, General Manager, Down House Telephone: (- Email:-Prof. Dr. Dmitri van den Bersselaar Email:-