Career

We all know that sometimes it s very difficult to convince employers that remote workers can actually get the job done without their constant supervision. However, I have had some success finding and getting telecommuting jobs because of one key practice I demonstrate to my prospective employer how he can monitor my work. I do this by recommending web tools that allow my supervisor or manager to keep an eye on me remotely.
Yes, there are business stables like e-mail and cell phones that keep us in constant touch with the office, but they are still limited in scope. Effectively monitoring the work of the teleworker is a large concern for many managers and supervisors. Recently however, I realized the solution to this problem of employer s trust had nothing to do with convincing them that telecommuting good or a benefit to them. The true concern is how to keep track of me (the teleworker), the same — if not better — than if I was physically in front of them. In fact, my ability to answer this pressing question is exactly how I gained my last three telecommuting positions I demonstrated to the employer just how he/she could monitor my progress remotely. And surprisingly enough, the web tools I recommended to do this are free or very inexpensive.
Just to give you an idea of how I convince employers to hire me (using this web tool strategy) I created a presentation called, The Best Web Tools for Telecommuting, where I demonstrate the use of my favorite web tools that will help my manager keep abreast of my work. What are these tools? Well, my favorite ones are:
Qlipboard : The software I used to create the above presentation (what I call e-resume slideshows). This free software allows the teleworker to take screen shots of their work and show their boss exactly what they have done that day. It s like a slideshow with voicemail, you can add your voice over the information you capture to produce questions, show the flow and direction of your work, or problem solve . . . the uses for this little bit of software is endlessly valuable to the telecommuter.
Skype : If you have never heard of this little system, this is an excellent piece of free software that allows you to make free phone calls you and your employer just need to register. Attach a little video camera on your computer and you and your boss can have a face-to-face meeting! But the really nice feature of Skype is the videoconference capabilities up to nine (9) Skype members can attend a conference. This is an excellent tool for collaboration on complex multi-stepped projects that involve a group of people working in different locales.
Instant Messaging: We all know how wonderful this little piece of technology is truly, it s the staple of my web tool kit. It not only let s your boss know when you are logged onto your computer working, but it allows you to quickly contact your boss or colleagues to ask or answer quick questions. My favorite IM service is Meebo It s web-based, so you can use it anywhere. But most importantly, it allows you to access all the major IM services like MSN, AOL, Yahoo and Google. So, no matter where you are and what computer you are using, you can communicate with your employer, no matter what IM service your manager uses.
Google Calendar: Probably the most important tool in your arsenal. Your boss can keep track of your meetings, when you will be in the office, teleconferences and phone calls you ve made that day, when you are due to come into the main office basically he/she can keep track of your work load with one glance. But the greatest advantage of this tool is that it can be accessed from any device . . . your boss computer, his buddy s computer, his PDA or cell phone, because it s on Google.
Having these four tools in my telecommuting tool-belt has really helped me become a successful telecommuter. I have learned that in many cases, the reason employers don t want to use telecommuters is because they have no idea how they are going to work with and monitor someone working outside their physical reach. If you, the professional telecommuter, can outline the tools that you will use, the way you will use the tools to achieve the job, and how they can measure your results . . . it opens the employer s eyes to possibilities that they never considered before.
So if you are serious about telecommuting, get your tools together. Don t just give the employer a resume, present them with a proposal of how you are going to achieve the work and the tools you will use to ease their worries. Show them how to use the tools for their benefit. With this strategy, you will find more minds opening to telecommuting every day.
Happy Hunting!
Rosalind Mays 2007 All Rights Reserved
Rosalind Mays began a little Virtual Assistant Business part-time that grew into full-time occupation and then wrote The Real Deal on Telecommuting because all her friends wanted to work from home as well. Now, she s trying her hand at blogging. Visit her at Telecommuting Millionaire Blog. She invites you to come join the fun and work from home.

Airports require precise equipment and staff in order to ensure every day s smooth operation and safety. There are many services involved that one doesn t notice when passing through an airport but essential in order for the airports to be able to function and these services are referred to as airport support services. Baggage handling systems, ticketing counters, safety of the airports and aircrafts, engine test cells, maintenance of the hangers and airports, utility infrastructure and catering facilities are some of the services available under airport support.
There are specialized companies that are contracted by the airports and other major aviation industries in order to provide these services and equipment, which in turn require professional staff to manufacture, install and run these services. Even through the aviation industry has had a few drawbacks in the past, we still need to travel in order to work, meet people and/or vacation in the places of choice and the fastest way to get around the world still remains by means of air, which puts the aviation industry in demand.
Choosing a career in aviation industry will prove to be a success as you will always be in demand no matter where you want to work in the world. Aviation Support is a recruiting company, which places qualified personnel such as yourself in aviation support services in UK as well as around the world; if you are an aspiring student on your way to make a career in the aviation industry and/or want to get a fascinating job from which you will always have something to learn then, contact your local recruiter and let them help you find the prefect job for your qualifications.
For decades, recruiting agencies have provided professional assistance to those who want to make a career in the aviation industry and have established relationships with aviation corporations and manufacturers in the industry who appeal to their expertise to acquire the right personal the job. Register today with the best recruiting agencies today and access their job bank data, which is usually updated on a daily or weekly basis with all the new positions made available from various sources and apply online for the position in the airport support services applicable to you. Many recruiters also publish a newsletter that will be sent to your inbox directly once you are registered and that will keep you updated on the latest news of the industry.

Establishing a successful sales career is a tough goal to accomplish. The sales industry is highly competitive and not everyone makes it. It can be difficult to find your way, since those with the knowledge and experience you need are often your competition rather than your mentor.
A successful sales career starts with learning to focus your passion. In the offices of recruiting agencies and firms around the UK, there is an appreciation of raw talent and a system to channel that desire with a variety of comprehensive training programs.
There are a variety of recruiting agency programs meant to provide written, role-play, presentation, and oral evaluation. Having the advantage of a recognized sales qualification is a vital part of having a successful career in sales. Prospective employers recognize that certification and extensive study give you extra value as a member of their team.
The advantage of using recruiting firms doesn t stop after accredited training sessions and the sales simulations. To make sure that you have a successful sales career, agencies assign recruiters and trainers to provide ongoing training and support during your initial months and years in the field. These professionals typically have years of experience in both training and sales, giving them a perspective that is important for young recruits.
Agencies, firms, and personal coaches alike offer a variety of professional development options for their recruits and clients. Smaller firms and individual coaches often provide e-mail and phone contact whenever a recruit needs guidance or assistance in a particular area of their job. Larger firms offer ongoing development seminars, partnerships with universities, and multi-tiered development programs that run over the first several years of a recruit s employment.
Opportunity is also a big factor in a successful sales career. Landing the right job with the right company is critical. The best recruiting agencies make sure that their recruits have the interview skills needed to land the job. They often provide comprehensive coaching, addressing all the details needed by the new professional. As well, optional coaching is usually available after employment in order to make sure a sales person is not slipping in their techniques.
One of the most important selling points of a recruiting agency are the types of jobs they offer exceptional sales recruits. Indeed, sales professionals need to know that the agency is providing a connection to exclusive jobs unavailable to them during their job hunt. There is a recruiting agency for every type of sales recruit, from those who want to work in a more intimate, small business environment to those interested in climbing the corporate ladder.
Scott Deane is the Marketing Manager of meta-morphose international, a specialist graduate sales training agency. The company have graduate jobs in the UK and Internationally.

According to the 2007/2008 USA Compensation Planning Survey from Mercer HR Consulting ", " Despite the strengthening of the economy and growth in the labour market, wage increases will remain unchanged in 2007 and in 2008. We will " discfuss some of these rate increases later in this article. Results of the survey included responses from more than 1000 employers across the United States to the conservation practices to more than 12 million workers.
The survey found that employers in the United States award on average pay increase of about 3.8 percent. According to the previous data is just a little more than 3.7 percent awarded in 2006. According to Steven Miller of HR Magazine ", Mercer predicts that wage increases will remain flat at 3.8 per cent in 2008. & Quot; A conclusion, Miller contends " according to the World Wages in the production budget survey, which found a company in the United States of planning general wage increase in the budget in the amount of 3.9 per cent in 2008. & quot;
Employers in the United States was still a bit leary to increase wages, which would increase their budget, decrease their bottom line. In turn, employers indicated to put greater emphasis on the company& 39;s top performers, offering performance incentives that will be discussed in a small bit.
According for Mercer s survey of workers who were high performers will receive an average increase of about 5.7 percent, those deemed eligible to receive an average of about 3.5 per cent and below-average performers will receive only 1.7 percent. All these figures are for 2007.
Incentives of course, is the best way to encourage and sustain the most popular artists, as well as average and below average level employees to perform even better. In Mercer survey identified a number of differences incentives. For example, effective managers are expected to receive payment of premiums of about 27 percent, although the average is lower performers would receive only 10 per cent. The huge differential, and, of course, motivator.
Steven E. Gross, a world leader in Mercer s effectiveness and benefits consulting said recently in HR Magazine that & quot; incentives are a useful tool to support the high level of productivity without increasing fixed costs base payment ".
The The survey also showed that 86 percent of companies offer short-term incentives, and beginning in 2004, 22 per cent increase in workers eligible for these benefits, and that the payments on average higher than in previous years, when it surveyed.
The Mercer HR Consulting survey found the following statistics for wage increases in the budget for the year 2007 and 2008.
In 2007 All employees will receive an average of 3.8 percent, 4.1 percent, guidance, 3.8 per cent, trade ( sales and sales) 3.8 per cent, manual / management, 3.7 per cent and trade / manufacturing / service received 3.6 percent. In 2008, some budgets will increase and the couple remain the same, only with managers indicating a decrease. For example, all staff, office / clerical and trade / manufacturing / service will remain steady in 2008 2007 g., managers and professionals, will fall from 4.1 to 3.9.
One of course, the labour market is on the rise , but with the economic decline in some areas of the market, it looks like employers are still a little leary that the bottom line until they know their respective industries boom again.
By: Bruce A. Tucker

What do u think? What Bill Gates, Bill Clinton and obviously great personalities like Abraham Lincoln share in common? They share the thing which no one thinks of. Yes, they believe in Intuition, the science of knowing.
Everyone has intuition. It is hard to explore but not impossible. Ultimately, it leads to great solutions to problems and great decisions.
Do Bill Gates ever was aware of, that he would be one of the richest person in the world at a time, not sure, but he had(has) the intuition that took him to the heights never attained.
Abraham Lincoln got defeated for the Illinois legislature in 1832. As this one, he got his most defeats to run for the presidential race, but end up winning in 1861 as the president of USA. This was all because of his intuition which he was proud of.
Believing in intuition is as great as doing practicals. So, do believe in YOUR intuition because you have that much of potential.

The job market for railway workers in the United Kingdom and Europe is as strong as ever, with new rail lines being built to accommodate higher needs for public transit. Tourists, residents, and passersby are beginning to see the fruits of increased railway capabilities, with new lines offering more opportunities to get where they need to go. Railway professionals of all experience levels may be excited about the new job possibilities but more rail lines do not necessarily mean easier access to jobs. Railway providers, whether public or private, have high standards for every position they hire.
The various barriers to entry for railway workers means they need to think creatively about the job hunt. Railway professionals need to polish their interview skills, their CV, and all of the application materials that they will need. In addition to these basic steps, a savvy professional will see out new resources for finding open jobs in the railway. The key for any professional is not to use one resource liberally but draw from a variety of job resources in order to get the best picture of the job market.
One great job resource for railway professionals is to look directly at the website of a railway provider. Government rail pages, independent providers, and industry job sites alike offer daily updates on available jobs on the railway. Railway professionals can start by looking at job listings, build up a list of contacts, and assess the type of work environment they can expect by looking at testimonials or reports by the company.
Another job resource for railway professionals looking for their first big break is general job sites. There are a wide range of general sites available for all Europeans that feature special sections for open railway jobs. The benefit of utilizing these job sites is that they offer quick applications and an ability to archive the many jobs which a professional may apply to.
While the last two resources are great for the railway professional looking for an open job on their own, a recruiting agency can help guide the job hunt more effectively. Railway aspirants that want to maximize their time should work with an agency because they do the important leg work of marketing your talents to railway clients. As well, the exclusive nature of open jobs through recruiters means that a railway professional can focus on being themselves, not competing with other applicants.
About the author Wynnwith Rail specialise in rail recruitment and rail jobs throughout the UK. Areas of particular specialisation include rail engineering jobs, electrical engineering jobs and Network Rail recruitment.

Meetings! Where Minutes are Kept and Hours are Wasted.
A survey respondent told me, Meetings are my big timewaster. I have literally spent entire days in meetings. I not only get nothing done at my desk but also inherit additional work. I suppose if I could wish for one thing it would fewer meetings. Hey, I can dream, can t I?
Yes! Let s dream a little. Wouldn t it be nice to have a pass that says, Get Out of a Meeting Free ? Here are some ideas for making your meetings more productive:
Consider the timing. If you re someone with the ability to call a meeting during a certain time, seriously consider the best time to hold it. Corporate America has trained most people to be morning people. Our natural energy cycles cause us to be up or have prime time first thing in the morning. Unfortunately, many people insist on holding meetings at that time. Some kinds of meetings are good during prime time, like those involving brainstorming, problem solving, or strategic thinking. Routine staff meetings, project updates, or information-only meetings should be held during lulls in productivity. Similarly, a brainstorming session on Friday afternoon at three o clock will probably not yield the best results.
Establish a code of conduct for your department or organization. Without a set of rules or protocols for holding meetings, people do their own thing, creating unpredictability between different meetings. I just facilitated a training session with a corporate division with 75 people. Together, we created the following Code of Conduct, which will govern their future meetings:
1. Meetings are only allowed 9-4 Monday through Thursday and 9-1 on Friday.
2. An agenda, along with any pre-work, is required 72 hours in advance of the meeting, clearly outlining the objective of the meeting. If a purpose can t be defined, cancel the meeting. Outline the time requirement for each item on the agenda and the responsible person.
3. If meeting is not within these guidelines, each attendee has ability to question the meeting.
4. Be sensitive to time constraints and deadlines of other departments. Match the importance and complexity of the issue to the length of the meeting.
5. Meetings should only be 50 minutes (rather than one hour) or end ten minutes before the top of the hour, so attendees can make the next meeting that begins at the top of the hour.
6. Meetings will start and stop on time, unless all in attendance agree to extend the time. Try to finish early if possible; don t stretch the meeting. Attendees may get up and leave at the stated end time. You can ask the previous group to leave if you have the conference room reserved.
7. Use the meeting for items requiring dialogue, decisions, or team building only, not informational items.
8. If the meeting is canceled or the room has changed, the leader is responsible for calling all attendees to notify them of the change. If you can t attend, you must notify the leader.
9. Put people in later time zones at the beginning of the agenda. Or if an attendee s presence is only required for small portion of the meeting, let that person speak first, and then leave.
10. Ensure that all invitees really need to be there.
11. You may send a delegate in your place, if the person is capable of making decisions and can sign off or take away an action item. Let the leader know you re sending someone.
12. Come prepared and read advance materials. Bring your own copies of any documents. If you will not be adequately prepared, notify the leader.
13. If the leader or key decision maker no-shows, attendees may leave after 10 minutes.
14. Use a timekeeper (appointed by the leader) to keep the meeting on target and follow the agenda. Don t limit meaningful conversation.
15. Eliminate any discussion that involves only two people.
16. Appoint a scribe for the meeting. When something comes up that s not on the agenda, the scribe records it on an easel pad labeled parking lot. The scribe also creates one minute minutes during the meeting (a list of who is responsible for/what/by when).
17. Don t stop meetings to bring latecomers up to date, except in the case of emergency.
18. During the meeting, respond to emergency 911 pages only. If you must take a call, step out of the meeting room.
Get your group together and facilitate (or have someone else facilitate) a discussion and create a similar code of conduct. Reportedly, these rules have greatly reduced miscommunications and improved meeting productivity!
Lastly, try to reduce the time you spend in unimportant meetings. Can you send an alternate? Can you call the meeting chair and ask to report first, and then explain that you have another meeting on its heels and you need to depart in a timely manner? Can someone tape record the meeting for you to listen to in your car?
Here s to the meeting revolution—where minutes aren t taken and hours aren t wasted!
Make it a productive day!
(C) Copyright 2004 Laura Stack, MBA, CSP. All rights reserved. Portions of this newsletter may be reprinted in your organization or association newsletter, provided the following credit line is present: “Laura M. Stack, MBA, CSP, is “The Productivity Pro” and the author of Leave the Office Earlier. She presents keynotes and seminars on time management, information overload, and personal productivity. Contact her at 303-471-7401 or Laura@TheProductivityPro.com.”

Graduates of UK universities who are just entering the sales and marketing field should understand the responsibilities they will be expected to fulfil. Sales and marketing specialists in a variety of industries typically work on a diverse portfolio, with several clients juggled in the air at once. Specialists will typically work with recurring clients but there are always new clients, with unique needs, who need the attention of the young professional. As well, the creative work of developing ad campaigns and taking out clients is balanced several times over by administrative work. In the end, the life of a young sales and marketing specialist can be pretty stressful.
However, young professionals in the UK need to rise above these pressures. After all, the way a sales and marketing specialist handles the daily stresses of their job demonstrates their capability for more advanced jobs. Young professionals need to be able to handle their job responsibilities and exceed expectations in order to succeed in their career.
The question for these specialists is how to get the most out of their potential. The bad news for graduates is that there is no silver bullet that eliminates the doubts that make work tough. Indeed, many professionals in sales and marketing would be quick to tell graduates that a dynamic approach to daily work is the only sure path to success.
The good news for sales and marketing specialists is that there are plenty of tools to success in their profession. One common way in which new specialists develop their skills is to take advantage of every education opportunity at their disposal. Online courses, local universities, recruiting firms, and corporate-sponsored courses are great ways to boost knowledge.
Another way to improve skills is to volunteer time for projects outside of a specialist s purview. For example, a retail marketing specialist can help perform pricing and inventory jobs in men s wear when their specialty is in small electronics. This type of cross-departmental volunteerism, when time allows, can help a specialist develop a broader range of knowledge and a better relationship with their co-workers.
Finally, sales and marketing professionals should develop a sophisticated knowledge of their industry. Whether it is IT products or telecommunications, specialists need to be able to sell their client s products against dozens of other competitors. Reviewing industry publications, speaking with colleagues at conferences, or reviewing a competitor s website can go a long way toward success in sales and marketing.
About the Author: Mark Doherty is a Director of Alexander Chapel Associates. A specialist sales recruitment company with a focus in IT sales jobs, logistics jobs and supply chain recruitment.

Dictionary*says:
To honor by solemn ceremonies or by refraining from ordinary business; to hold up for public acclaim; to observe a notable occasion with festivities.
What it REALLY means:
To acknowledge your accomplishments, big and small, in a way that is meaningful to you; to pause in the daily race of what s next? in order to honor what is, what you ve created for yourself and others in your life.
Why it MATTERS?
Often our time and energy is focused on evaluating what has happened in the past or planning for a new goal or project, leaving little space to enjoy your present. Making time to CELEBRATE allows you to appreciate your personal and professional successes as they happen and encourages continued momentum. CELEBRATION eases you forward with a carrot as opposed to pushing yourself with a stick.
Questions that INSPIRE:
Reviewing 2005, what are you proud of, pleased with or grateful for? If you did not CELEBRATE then, how can you CELEBRATE now? What would it be like if you incorporated CELEBRATION into your life on a regular basis? What and How will you CELEBRATE today?
I would love to hear your answers and comments. Take 45 seconds to reply to these questions at http://www.JulieCohenCoaching.com/contact.html. I will keep all responses confidential and reply directly to you.
* (Webster s New Collegiate Dictionary, 1977, G. & C. Merriam Co.)
© 2006 Julie Cohen, http://www.juliecohencoaching.com Julie Cohen, PCC, is a career coach. She helps her clients clarify and achieve their professional and personal goals including greater career satisfaction, life balance, leadership development and personal growth. For questions, comments or to discuss this article, Julie can be reached by visiting http://www.juliecohencoaching.com/contact.html

The economic realities of educating a growing number of university students have been reckoned with my millions of graduates around the world. States, regional governments and nations that once offered free public education for college students now apply fees to help maintain high teaching standards. Your experiences with post-secondary education up through graduate school will invariably include a college student loan. The delayed expenses of a university education need to be reckoned with upon graduation in a responsible manner. Your financial and professional future hinges on full payment of your loans.
There are many ways to deal with a college student loan beyond setting up regular payments through your employer. The foundation of your postgraduate finances should be a responsible use of credit. Many graduates are exposed to credit card and loan offers during their university years that are designed to bilk money from naive students. You can avoid the typical problems of bad credit after graduation by shopping for credit cards with the right rate. Your wallet should not be overflowing with cards that are left unpaid. There are various services on the Internet that allow you to shop for rates, terms and conditions to help you manage your credit. Responsible credit use means more money for loan payments and savings.
Your living expenses should be kept within your means while you repay your college student loan. The temptation to find an expensive place on your own after graduation can be incredibly strong. You need to create a monthly budget based on your current income and your ongoing expenses to determine your means. You can live with a roommate in a flat including utilities to split costs while you start your career. Graduates should also avoid an excessive number of meals out on the town to save some money each month.
The use of student loans through private banks and other lenders can help you deal with debt through consolidation. Consolidation schemes allow you to shift all of your debt onto one account at a different rate with a longer repayment schedule. Every college student should consider consolidation of their loans after graduation as one way to deal with an increasing debt burden. The problem for graduates who choose this method of loan management is the proliferation of banks and companies offering rates that are too good to be true. A little research and a focus on your long term financial health can help you get through the college student loan process.
About the author: Mike Sandiford is the Sales Manager at JustClick, who are a leading source of Graduate Jobs and Graduate Careers, also offering a Graduate Lifestyles portal with news and reviews on current affairs.