Zamir Aslam

I am a confident proactive individual with a wide range of transferable skills which can be utilised in any role. A strong communicator, both written and verbal, fluent in four languages, excellent customer service skills and an ability to use my own initiative as well as being a strong team player. I have extensive knowledge and experience in an advice and guidance role working with people of all ages and backgrounds.

Team Leader / Volunteer Co-ordinator / Community Engagement at CGL (2023-03 – Present)

Working as a team leader, leading on the Employment Training and Education provision. Managing a team that covers all of Manchester helping service users on their recovery journey giving them the opportunities to fulfill their potential. Also working as the volunteer co-ordinator, recruitment, training, and ongoing development of volunteers within our service.

Caseworker at Perennial (2022-09 – 2023-02)

Working as a caseworker for an occupational charity. Providing specialist casework, taking a holistic approach to all aspects of service users lives from benefits and welfare, housing, wellbeing etc. Working intensively with an allocated caseload of clients to help them overcome their issues. Identifying presenting issues and investigating causal issues to help empower and support service users to achieve the best possible outcomes for them.

Benefits and Welfare Officer at Community Gateway Association (2021-09 – 2022-09)

I provided tailored and expert advice on benefits and welfare. I dealt with people from all backgrounds and all circumstances, dealing with clients ranging from addiction to mental health. The job consisted of applying for relevant benefits, appeals for benefits, welfare advice and sign posting to relevant partner agencies. Working with external partner agencies such as social services, care workers, police.

Customer Advisor at British Telecom (2018-11 – 2020-09)

My role here consists of providing excellent customer service at all times. Listening to the customers requirements and ensuring that all needs are met in a timely professional manner. In this role I have to deal with many challenges and every customer has varying needs so I must provide a tailored service to each customer. This role enables me to use my fantastic customer service skills as well work as part of a team as well as work using my own initiative.

Benefits and Welfare Advisor at Blackburn and Darwen Carers Services (2016-10 – 2018-10)

Due to my extensive knowledge of benefits and welfare this was a very rewarding job. The role was in partnership with Shelter the homeless charity. I provided tailored and expert advice on benefits and welfare. I dealt with people from all backgrounds and all circumstances, dealing with clients ranging from addiction to mental health. The job consisted of applying for relevant benefits, appeals for benefits, welfare advice and sign posting to relevant partner agencies.

Floating Support Officer at Calico Housing (2015-07 – 2016-09)

This job role involved helping clients from varied backgrounds many from the most vulnerable groups in society. I would visit clients in their homes and provide varying support from benefits to welfare to debt to health and well-being.

Advisor at Jobcentreplus (2012-10 – 2015-07)

My role as an advisor entails the following, to assess the abilities, interests, achievements and help find work and learning opportunities using various resources such as jobcentre plus website and career services and resources. to work on a plan of action with the individual, which will vary for each person depending on their level of skills, needs and competencies, and support them as they carry it out. The role strongly involves developing relations with employers, training providers, colleges and the general public. I must keep up to date with occupational and labour market information and lead discussions and advise clients on job roles and availability.

The role of an advisor working for the DWP in the jobcentre also entails being up to date and aware of the benefits system. Advising clients on benefits received, benefits they may be eligible to and what help there is available, therefore and extensive knowledge is required and i must stay up to date with the current policies. In this role I have learned to deal with vulnerable customers ensuring all relevant provisions and needs are met to provide the best possible for outcome.

Customer Advisor at DWP Pension Service (2006-05 – 2012-10)

To provide excellent customer service in a fast -paced contact centre telephony environment to a diverse range of vulnerable and non-vulnerable pension age customers. Dealing efficiently and effectively with a wide range of complex customer enquiries using a range of secure computer systems. Provide a quality service by understanding the end-to-end claimant journey, appreciating where your role fits in and identifying the right actions and interventions (including the need for specialist action where, for example, there are language barriers) to best support claimants and your colleagues.

Uphold the principles of Social Justice at all times; by supporting claimants through difficult times, offering them sound advice and providing them with the relevant tools you will enable them to transform their lives for the better. Set up new claims, deal with enquiries and issue benefit payments in prescribed circumstances by making and receiving calls and via electronic means.

Customer/Finance Advisor at Barclays Bank (2004-10 – 2006-04)

My Role involved, Processing cheque, cash and direct debit payments and withdrawals, setting up and maintaining customers' accounts, dealing with enquiries, promoting and selling financial products and services to customers, using a computerised system to update account details general administration tasks such as maintaining records, opening post and sending letters to customers, operating uk and overseas currency tills, helping customers with loan and mortgage applications.

Dispensing Assistant at Pyramid Chemist (1997-08 – 2001-08)

Taking in and handing out prescriptions, dispensing prescriptions, using dispensary and stores computer systems to generate stock lists and labels, helping to maintain reasonable dispensary stock levels, ordering items for use within a department, receiving, loading, unloading incoming goods from wholesalers, manufacturers.

BSc Hons in Business Information Technology Management – Manchester Metropolitan University AQA (2001-09 – 2004-07)

GNVQ in Business Information Technology – Habergham Sixth Form (1998-09 – 2001-07)

GCSEs – Habergham AQA, OCR (1993-08 – 1998-05)