Wheels 2 Work making your commute work for you

Wheels 2 Work â€" making your commute work for you by Tom Bunkham Do you struggle to get to your place of work or training? Perhaps you’re a shift worker or mobile carer, and public transport isn’t suitable for your requirements? Well help is at hand.Wheels 2 Work Association is an organisation that represents all Wheels 2 Work schemes across the UK. It was launched in January 2013 by the Motorcycle Industry Association, with Department for Transport funding.The schemes are independently run, sometimes by charities, social enterprises or local authorities, but share a common goal of giving a leg up to people who are unable to work (or study) because of a lack of transport.We recently met with Stevie Muir at Wheels 2 Work Association to find out what exactly how the Wheels 2 Work schemes could help you:The Big InterviewQ: So Stevie, what is Wheels 2 Work Association?A: Wheels 2 Work Association is an umbrella organisation for Wheels 2 Work schemes across the UK. It helps spread best practice, encourages sustainability and helps with procurement, giving small schemes bigger purchasing power.Q: Who are Wheels 2 Work schemes are suitable for?A: Wheels 2 Work schemes are suitable for anyone over the age of 16, struggling with transport to get them to work, college or training.  W2W clients often live in rural areas, but not always.  If you are in any doubt as to whether you would qualify, just ring your local scheme to find out.W2W schemes are popular with shift workers and mobile carers, whose working patterns don’t fit easily around public transport timetables. People who work in pubs or restaurants and can’t get late night transport are also frequent users of W2W schemes. The website also has an interactive map, which shows if there is a scheme in your area.Q:  Are there any restrictions on usage?A: These vary by scheme, but generally not, although you obviously have to look after the moped, scooter, motorcycle or cycle, wear your protective clothing and ride safely.Q:  How is it funded?A: The W heels 2 Work Association is funded by a Department for Transport grant, but the individual schemes get funding from a variety of sources.  Many are now supported through Local Sustainable Transport Funding, which is a pot of money made available to local authorities to solve transport problems with sustainability in mind.Q:  How does it work?A: Wheels 2 Work schemes are all run independently and therefore operate slightly differently, but the basic principle is the same: a loan of a moped, small motorcycle, or scooter is made for a period of time (usually 6 months) to people who would otherwise have no access to suitable private or public transport.A fixed sum is paid weekly or monthly, which includes the hire of the vehicle, tax, and insurance. It also covers protective clothing and usually training too.  The loan period gives people the chance to make longer term plans for transport, perhaps to save up to buy something themselves.Q:  What transportation options are available?A: I t depends on what the scheme has to offer, but usually mopeds, scooters and small motorcycles.  Some schemes have electric motorcycles.Q:  Do you provide training and safety advice?A: Yes, Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) is generally included within the weekly loan cost, so no cost to the client.  Protective clothing is provided and must be worn as a condition of the loan.  Many of the schemes offer enhanced training and give lots of advice about riding safely, which is reinforced regularly.Q:  How many schemes are there in the UK?A: There are currently 38 schemes, but one opens every few months, so there could be more by the time you read this.  If there isn’t one in your area, then write to your local council â€" there may be one in the planning stages.Q:  Whats the best thing about working for Wheels 2 Work Association?A: The Wheels 2 Work concept is a lifeline to so many people, so it’s a message I am passionate about helping to spread.  It’s vital the government cont inues to back this through encouraging local authorities to make funding available to schemes, both old and new.It’s also important to highlight the scheme to road safety professionals too â€" as Wheels 2 Work offers an effective blueprint for introducing people to motorcycling in a safe and structured way.Q:  Why do you Love Mondays?A: I feel optimistic on Mondays that I am going to get everything done during the week. Anything seems possible on a Monday!If you would like to find out more, visit  www.wheels2workassociation.org/Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Career Development

How Effective Are Meetings Really

How Effective Are Meetings Really Do meetings seem like a waste of time to you? Theres nothing worse than having your already jam packed day interrupted by a meeting that you deem unnecessary and at the end of the day is much really achieved in them? Research suggests that staff become quickly bored in meetings, meaning that they lose focus and dont listen to what is being discussed. So how effective are meetings really and what can be done to make them more engaging? Lane End Conference Centre have put together a few statistics about the efficiency of meetings and how you can get more out of them. How much do meetings cost? Meetings cost UK companies £15,979 per head, each a year. They cost the most for Fortune 500-2000 companies, setting them back £354.34 per meeting. What different types of meeting are there? Decision making: Come to a final conclusion on  a business matter. Information sharing: New information, facts and figures are shared with the attendees. Brainstorming: Generate new ideas and discuss thoughts and opinions. Updates:  New updates and strategies are passed on to attendees. Sales: Sales strategies and outcomes are discussed. The facts Most meetings (26%) last between 30-60 minutes. 37% of employee time is spent in meetings. 47% of workers consider too many meetings the biggest waste of time. 39% of meeting attendees admit to nodding off during the meeting. Are meetings effective? Those in a management role (74% senior managers) feel that meetings are essential and can be effective. However, meeting attendees consider them a waste of time and are unfocused. How can meetings be improved? Make your meetings shorter. Include engaging and vibrant visuals. Use brainstorming techniques. Learn more below! [Image Credit: Shutterstock]

5 Best Resume Writing Services in Salt Lake City, UT

5 Best Resume Writing Services in Salt Lake City, UT You may have all of the hometown pride in the world, but you won’t be saying many saintly things about the City of the Saints if your job search is ineffective.And, by all means, that’s human.Finding a job is hard. It doesn’t matter whether you’re just starting out in your career or are a seasoned executive looking to transition into a new role. No matter what the case may be, it takes effort to get hired.Sometimes it takes bringing out the big guns to get the job done.And in this case, the heavy artillery exists in the form of professional resume writers.Check out our top 5 list of the most skilled professional resume writers Salt Lake City has to offer. If you want a resume that will impress hiring managers and get you moved to the top of the pile, you’ll need a great resume. That’s where the gurus come in.Check out our list of the top resume writers in Salt Lake City and get ready to take your career to new heights.Best Resume Services in Salt Lake CityIf you are in a hurry and don't want to read our detailed reviews below, here is a list of the Best Resume Services in Salt Lake City:Find My Profession (that's us!) RedRocketResume Empire Resume Promoted Resume OmittedAnd now for the detailed reviews...1. Find My ProfessionFind My Profession is not just a top-notch resume service available in Salt Lake City. We are a global company headquartered in the US on a mission to master effective, ATS compatible resumes that convert into offers.A major perk of Find My Profession is that we are not a one-person shop.Collectively, our team of elite resume writers has experience in 85+ unique industries/professions. This allows us to assign you a professional writer (in the United States) based on your unique background and experience.We are also not a resume factory. We will never use “ghostwriters”. You will have your resume writer’s name, email, and phone number for direct communication.With 100+ 5-star reviews and a 60-day interview guarantee thatsp eaks for itself, you can sleep easy knowing that your satisfaction is our #1 priority.Pros:Find My Profession commits to working with each client until they are completely satisfied. Don’t worry about having a limited number of edits, or a set amount of time with your writer.Cons:Find My Profession is a virtual/online company. While we provide services in your city, we don’t have a physical office.Also, with a focus on more senior positions, our entry-level resume service may be a bit pricey for recent graduates.Turnaround: 3-5 business days. Can expedite to 2 business days.Cost: $395-$895Phone: (831) 888-0967Don't take our word for it, check out some of our 5-star reviews.Trustpilot2. RedRocketResumeRedRocketResume is a Salt Lake City resume writing service that wants to help you “aim higher” and take your career to new heights. This team of Utah resume writers has built a 5-star reputation while offering relatively accessible mid-range pricing. Although their lead time is on the longer side, RedRocketResume offers 24-hour service for clients who need their resume in a rush.Pros: RedRocketResume is a moderately priced resume service. They have great reviews of their Salt Lake City resume writing services all over the web, which offers reassurance that your investment will pay off.Cons: RedRocketResume is a team of four, so you might get a different level of service and/or skill depending on who your resume writer is.Turnaround: About one week. 24-hour service availableCost: $239 - $449Phone: (801) 661-93663. Empire ResumeEmpire Resume has a heap of positive reviews from past customers, thus pointing to a reputation for both exemplary service and exemplary results. With pricing on the lower end of the spectrum when compared to many of its SLC competitors, Empire Resume offers a great bang for your buck.Pros: There is only one Salt Lake City resume writer at Empire Resume, which means that you don’t have to worry about inconsistencies amidst the compa ny’s resume writers. You will receive the same quality of resume as everyone else.Cons: Having just one resume writer is both a blessing and a curse in this case. Empire Resume is a quite popular Salt Lake City resume writing service. If they are too busy, they might not be able to take your resume on â€"â€" especially since they’re a one-man show.Turnaround: Not stated.Cost: $199 - $299Phone number: (801) 690-40854. Promoted ResumePromoted Resume may be new to the Salt Lake City resume writing game, but that doesn’t mean they are taking a backseat in the industry. This emerging SLC resume writing service is already garnering tons of satisfied clients thanks to the affordable and efficient services that Promoted Resume offers.Pros: Despite their status as a fledgling Salt Lake City resume writing service, Promoted Resume has already worked with over 400 customers.If you’re just in the market for a resume revision, Promoted Resume will do so for just $35. That’s undoubtedly a great deal.Cons: Since Promoted Resume is a new service, they do not have the years and years of experience that other resume services have.Turnaround: Not stated.Cost: $35 - $300Phone number: (801) 810-14555. OmittedIf you are a resume writing service in Salt Lake City and you think your service is worth sharing, send us an email today!This List Serves The Following Areas Salt Lake City, Utah:Ogden, Logan, Sandy, Orem, Provo, Vernal, Price, Moab, St. George, Cedar City, West Valley City, Grantsville, Tooele, Spanish Fork, Nephi, Delta, Fillmore, Beaver, Panguitch, Mount Pleasant, Spring City, Ephraim, Mt. Pleasant, Helper, Wellington, East Carbon, Monticello, Green River, Layton, Roy, TremontonBest Executive Resume Services In AmericaNot worried about finding a local company? Want to work with the best of the best? Check out the Best Executive Resume Services.Best Resume Writing ServicesBy Major CityBelow you will find a handful of lists on all of the top-rated resume writing se rvices we could find.Whether you are looking for a local resume writer to meet in person or you just want to work with a resume writer in a particular location, this list should help you find what you are looking for.Allentown Hartford Portland Atlanta Houston Providence Austin Indianapolis Richmond Boston Jacksonville Sacramento Bridgeport Kansas City Salt Lake City Buffalo Las Vegas San Antonio Charleston Los Angeles San Diego Charlotte Memphis San Francisco Chicago Miami San Jose Colorado Springs Milwaukee Seattle Columbus Minneapolis Silicon Valley Dallas Nashville St. Louis Denver New Orleans Tampa Detroit New York Tucson El Paso Orlando Ventura Fort Worth Philadelphia Virginia Beach Grand Rapids Phoenix Washington D.C.

Sell Your Brand On Performance Review Day - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Sell Your Brand On Performance Review Day - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Sales techniques apply 100% to helping you earn an improved performance review. Planning ahead from day one will help you avoid lost time. The first rule to adhere to is, always sell yourself to management. This is accomplished by embracing documentation. I am not one for paperwork but the essentials are easy to organize in terms of files on your computer. Communication between you and management is essential. Verbal communication is for brief casual updates. Year-round let management know what you are working on and how you are progressing. Should problems arise in your work, provide the problem and the perceived solution. Ask for managements input on the steps you are about to take. By obtaining agreement on the best way to proceed, you establish “buy-ins” with management thereby sharing in the responsibility for the solution. On the occasion you do not see eye-to-eye on resolving the problem, analyze the situation to find areas on which to negotiate a better process for resolving. Email enables documentation with ease. Provide updates on where you stand on your projects. As you work through the challenges, provide your manager with updates for resolving the problems along with their end solution. All correspondence between the two of you will go into your projects file folder. Your manager will be ecstatic to know where you stand without having to ask you, and thrilled to read all has been resolved. Another file worthy of consideration would be a simple monthly word document. Each monthly page contains three categories: Accomplishments, To Be Continued, and Projects to Be Discontinued. A quick bulleted list for each category will be the perfect documentation for performance review day. Your manager will appreciate the brevity, complete recap of the year and having your accomplishments listed for proof that you deserve a raise and possibly a promotion. The day prior to your review, take time to consider the past year. Review your starting point and how you moved to where you are today. Which hurdles were you able to overcome? What were your best achievements? Are these reflected in your documentation and correspondence? Selling points to address on your review include the value your achievements bring to the company. Do they match with company values, goals and your stated objectives? Are you a team player, have you helped others in the company advance too? Include these in your presentation if the answer is yes. Practice your presentation in the mirror checking for a friendly smile on your face and sound in your voice. Do so until you believe you look and sound confident. Take note of the high points of what you want to say but do NOT memorize. You are about to have a conversation so your part is to sound natural and conversational. On Performance Review Day, print out the file of all of your past correspondence with your manager. Highlight the encouraging email you received. No one can argue with evidence of your success in print. Story-tell (1-2 minutes) about the hurdle you overcame for your grandest achievement of the year. Begin by using a low-pitched voice finishing with a highly excited one as the story ends. Get agreement you did a great job. Conclude with the high points for the year get further agreement you did a great job. All of these techniques combined serve to build trust and credibility, as well as clearly identify your personal brand as one who over-delivers on expectations. You are now positioned for an improved review and a Smooth Sale! Author: Elinor Stutz, CEO of Smooth Sale, LLC authored the International Best-Selling book, “Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results” and “HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews”. She provides corporate consultation, training, coaching, and Inspirational keynotes. Elinor is available for consultation. Call (800) 704-1499 today.

4 Battle Tested Leadership Skills of High Performing Leaders

4 Battle Tested Leadership Skills of High Performing Leaders By now you are aware thatleadership takes presence. But in my experience, leaders today have arguably fewer opportunities to show it. Especially if you head up a digital business or lead teams spread out across multiple locations, you’re faced with generating “remote” influence at the same time that the people right there in your office need to be motivated too.While I’ve always been pretty outgoing, it took me some time to create the kind of leadership presence that could inspire the people who work at my companyâ€"and it’s always a work in progress, especially as the daily features of the modern business crowd. I used to get frustrated, for instance, when employees texted me about something I thought they could easily figure out. I felt I deserved an office.evalBut over time, I’ve learned that some of those habits were just my pride or personality getting in the way of my real priorities as a leader. I discovered that if I learned what my team truly needed from me, I co uld impact them greater by giving back.These are the four habits that I’ve found helpful for building my leadership presence in a way that’s meaningful, productive, and consistent.1) Working In The TrenchesI like to know what everyone else is doing and thinking and what they’re working onâ€"without turning into a micromanager. You don’t need to be a distant figure to project authority. You probably shouldn’t be. You don’t want your employees’ dumbstruck awe and reverence, after allâ€"you want their dedication, commitment, and creativity.Since I like to be in the middle of the action, this has suited my personality well. I like to know what everyone else is doing, thinking and working onâ€"without turning into a micromanager.I’ve discovered that wanting to know those things is all about being interested in the individual as a person, not as an employee. And that simple habit can serve leaders well whether they’re managing remote teams for employees who are right the re in front of them.Your sense of your presence as a leader won’t mean much if your staff find you inaccessible. When team members reach out on Skype or feel comfortable walking right up to share an idea with you, you’ll know you’re getting this right.2) AuthenticityBeing present is more than just a persona or a level of accessibility, though, many leaders are running around with their sleeves rolled up, but they may not necessarily be “present” and engaged in what they’re doing. It’s easy to tell when that’s the caseâ€"they sort of look like the lights are on, but no one is home. evalWe like to talk ourselves hoarse about“employee engagement,”but we seldom use the same terms to discuss leadership. For me, being engaged meansletting the other person know that I’m actively listeningand interested. I try to ask questions and offer encouraging words when I see they’ve delivered on something.But you can’t fake this. This type of real-time, one-on-one interactio n has to be authenticto the person observingit, or it’s just not real presence. Being “all there” isn’t just something to focus on when discussing work projects, though. I go to lunch with my employees, plan some fun days outside the office, or just join them on their walks during breaks. It’s in these simple situations that I often feel I can connect most authentically.After all, your presence as a leader can’t just arise during the heat of battleâ€"you need to build relationships during the calm, enjoyable moments where your team members are likely to feel relaxed, open up, and share what’s on their mind.3) Conversation and StorytellingFor me, being enthusiastically conversational comes naturally. But I’m a talkerâ€"andthe art of conversationtakes more than just dominating the discussion. Instead, it means listening and asking questions without interrupting.evalI’ve had to learn more about the value of body languageâ€"not only my own, but also being able to turn into what others’postures, expressions, and gestures are subtly telling me. These easy-to-miss conversational cues can often tell you more accurately what somebody’s thinking.Leaders who are present don’t keep their emotional distance. I also like toshare stories with my team because it’s an easier way for me to get my point across. And speaking of “engagement,” you’ll probably get more of it, more naturally when you use laughter and a lively narrative.That can be critical for remote teams. When it comes to my remote staff, I make sure to check-in and have a quick exchange regularly, so they feel involved and know that I’m interested in what they are doing. And there’s always room for chitchatâ€"it’s never all business all the time.4) Emotional IntelligenceLeaders who are present don’t keep their emotional distance. If anything, this diminishes any sense of presence by preventing a real, human connection from taking place. I’ve found it’s especially importa nt for me to convey warmth and concern to those who don’t see me interact with others in the office every dayâ€"those only communicate with me by phone, Skype, or chat.Maybe it’s a special birthday gift or encouraging somebody to take the rest of the day off because of a personal situationâ€"whatever the occasion, I try and let everyone know that I know they’re people with their own lives, concerns, and stresses. What’s more, you don’t have to let them know thisloudlyâ€"you do it through actions, one person at a time.None of these leadership skills and habits can be developed overnight. I’ve struggled with all of them. It’s taken memuch practiceand testing to see what actions are best received by my employees.Plus, once I’ve established these behaviors, it’s never meant I could switch on autopilot from that point forward. Leadership presence isn’t about your persona or your bearing. It’s about what you do each day. And actions need to be takenâ€"repeatedly, del iberately, and with a constant eye to their results.

How to penetrate your target companies - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

How to penetrate your target companies Most job seekers meet somewhere between 3-5 people at their target company during an interview process. They usually only meet these people once â€" on interview day. But what is the value of meeting more people? Well, obviously, the more people you meet the more knowledge you’ll have about how the target company works. You can meet them well in advance of your first HR contact. You can research them in advance and test them (friendly? Stuffy?) on your interview day. But there is also the awareness campaign that you should be doing with target companies â€" to make yourself known to possible interviewers or HR/recruitment team. Ideally, you should be actively looking to penetrate your target companies throughout the process, during an offer negotiation as well as during your first 90 days. The more you are known to your target company, the better your odds of finding a job there. Just to be clear, though. To penetrate means that you create awareness of your candidacy/unique skills with as many people as possible. If others know you (or know of you), the risk in interviewing you and hiring you goes down. It especially important in a hiring market that favors the employer.?So how do you penetrate a company in advance and during your interview process? 1. LinkedIn â€" hopefully you are already using Linked In and using your connections to reach a much broader group of people. Many of them may work now or in the past at your target companies. You absolutely have to be actively building a strong network here and actually using it. Find out what groups people at your target companies have joined and become a member. That way you can e-mail them directly and begin to network within the group. 2. Facebook â€" If they have a page on Facebook, become a regular contributor there. First “like” their page and then begin providing feedback. “Share” and “Like” their content. 3. Phone/reception staff â€" being upbeat and friendly never hurts you. So every opportunity you have to network, should be taken. Even if only a brief few seconds, your demeanor matters to someone who gets hammered all day with requests. A simple “how’s your day”, if it is genuine, can help someone and help you on the day you arrive for the interview. And don’t think the opinion of the phone operator or greeter is insignificant. 4. Ask to meet others â€" you can always ask during the interview whether you could be introduced to others. Wouldn’t you want to meet people on your team or others working at the same level? Or someone in a key cross-functional support role. All they can say is “no”. But don’t just ask HR. Ask the people you interview with if there are others at the company who would be open to a few questions. You never know, maybe you’ll get an invite to the company’s Thu night drinks!:-) 5. Blogging/Public Relations â€" If you have a blog. Especially if it is industry related (technology) or key function related (marketing), you could highlight your target companies. Highlight key initiatives, new products or the upcoming charity event. And then send a link to their public relations team or firm. 6. Company website â€" Who runs the website at your target company? How about writing up some feedback for the webmaster? Or writing a review of their site on your blog? Offer to write a product review on Amazon. This one is endless! 7. Industry Conferences â€" Find out where your target companies go to show off their new products and services. While you might have to drive a few hours or get on a plane, this is a target rich environment. Since other similar companies will likely be there as well. As you can see by trying a few of the ideas above, you can become known to your target companies in a way that should be seen as highly beneficial to both parties. Assuming your approach is a confident one and you are not appearing desperate. Sending your resume to every recruiter in the company for jobs you are not necessarily qualified for will most definitely NOT act in your favour. Hopefully you can see how each of these work together as part of an integrated strategy to build awareness of you and the impact you could have on their company. What are your ideas to penetrate a target company? What has worked for you? Please leave your comment below! _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Margaret Buj is an interview and career acceleration coach who specializes in helping professionals get any job they want at their best ever salary. If you want to find out how recruiters read resumes, why you’re not getting hired, how to sell yourself successfully in a job interview and how to negotiate your best salary yet, you can download her ‘You’re HIRED!’ free video course at http://www.Interview-Coach.co.uk To contact Margaret, please email margaret@interview-coach.co.uk

The Best Example of Clear and Concise Writing

The Best Example of Clear and Concise WritingThere are many questions you might ask yourself when you are reviewing the writing styles of the different people who have inspired you. Often times people write beautifully when they are excited, but have trouble when they are 'down in the dumps'. I have been writing my entire life and have found that the first thing that jumps into my head when I'm down is a good 'to do' list, followed by a final call to action.In this article I want to show you how to use this writing style in your daily routine. The purpose of this is to provide you with an example of how to communicate with clarity and conciseness. When it comes to writing, there are three types of people that you will come across. Let's talk about each one.The first type of person that I want to look at as the best example of clear and concise writing for is yourself. Your goals and your mindset can make or break your success with writing. This is the person that has been dragging hi mself through the jungle for days on end trying to figure out how to get to where he needs to be. You need to give yourself permission to move forward in your writing as well. Just because your 'down in the dumps' doesn't mean that you shouldn't continue your writing life.The second type of person that I want to look at as the best example of clear and concise writing for is you. When you know exactly what you want to achieve and are passionate about it, everything else will fall into place. If you allow yourself to be uninterested in something, you may have a hard time starting. Your mindset must be positive when it comes to writing in order to write properly.The third type of person that I want to look at as the best example of clear and concise writing for is your readers. You are your readers and you are their one chance to see your writing. The more they enjoy what you are doing, the more likely they are to trust you to help them achieve their goals. After all, you have already done the research to help them attain their goals. Simply be as authentic as possible, and give yourself permission to let go of any prejudices or preconceived notions that you might have when writing.Remember that the first person that I was talking about as the best example of clear and concise writing for is YOU. Everything that you write down will always be fresh. Sometimes what you write is so good that it actually becomes history! Your story needs to be constantly kept alive, and whether it is inside your head or on paper, it is all important.As I mentioned, the person who is known as the best example of clear and concise writing for most of us is ourselves. Our goals and our mindset will always dictate our success with writing. It all comes down to knowing what you want and feeling excited about it.In closing, the person that I wanted to talk to you about the best example of clear and concise writing for was YOU. In order to start writing in the best way possible, you need t o be passionate about it.