Here at Unity, a common commercial job we recruit for is administrator. While it may not be the most glamorous of titles, this is an important position and administrators can be employed by a wide range of businesses covering a number of different industries. 

What does it take to be a success in this role? We've provided five tips on how you can be a better administrator below.

Find a system that works for you
Administrators need to be some of the most organised employees in a business. The duties of this role are widespread, and to keep on top of everything you need find a way of organising your workload that works for you.

For some people, this may be as simple as creating a to-do list, while others may like to utilise an online calendar or get their phone/computer to provide reminders when a particular task needs doing. 

Do whatever works for you, but make sure you're on top of your workload and able to manage your time effectively.

Always listen
The role of administrator can be quite a collaborative position and you'll often be required to work alongside people from other teams and departments. When doing this, it's vital to always listen. This is the key to successful teamwork in any job and when everyone is listening to what each other is saying, things get done far more effectively. 

Get qualified
If you want to move up the career ladder, why not strengthen your CV with some qualifications? An NVQ in business administration is available, as is a BTEC. Earning these qualifications will provide you with skills and experience that will help in your day-to-day work and could also be the difference that separates you from another candidate when applying for a new job.

Be ready to learn
To get ahead as an administrator, you should always be willing to learn new skills. Whether it's getting to grips with a new computer system or finding out about a new product or service your company offers, administrators should be lifelong learners.

Take the initiative
The best administrators are able to take the initiative and get things done without waiting for things to be spoon-fed to them. This is an ability that not everyone possesses and if you can demonstrate it, you'll undoubtedly make a good impression.

Ready for your next administrator role? Have a look and see if we have any vacancies on offer at the moment.

Social media, we just can't get enough of it. From Facebook and Twitter through to Pinterest and YouTube, people are spending more than time than ever sharing information and interacting with others online. 

However, it's important to think about the impact your social media footprint might have on your career. We are now using social media so much that you can find out a surprising amount of information about a person simply by taking a look at their various online profiles.

Unsurprisingly, recruiters have not been slow to take advantage of this and many now assess a candidate online when weighing up their job application. As a result, it's important that you take this into consideration when looking to make a career change and ensure your social footprint does not have a negative impact on your chances.

Facebook

Facebook is the social network that tends to contain the most information about a person. Thankfully, it's also one of the easiest to keep under control. By altering the privacy settings on your account, you can tailor exactly who can you see your profile and updates. 

You can go into quite some detail here and can even adjust your account so that certain updates are only seen by certain people. From a job hunting perspective, we suggest you simply edit your privacy settings so that only friends can see your profile and updates. 

That way, you'll be able to post whatever you like without worrying that a recruiter may see it. This is perfect if your profile is likely to contain a few photos in which you may have had a drink or two. 

Twitter

After Facebook, one of the next places a recruiter will look when tracing a candidate's social footprint is Twitter. It's a little bit harder to keep your tweets under wraps, as having a private profile means people have to follow you before they can view your posts. 

This can make it hard to attract new followers and, as a result, isn't an option many people choose. The best way to ensure your tweets don't affect your job hunting chances is to always think twice about what you post and if you think it could be negatively interpreted by a recruiter, steer clear. Doing this shouldn't be too hard, as most people are unlikely to tweet anything that would deter a recruiter anyway. However, it's always better to be safe than sorry. 

LinkedIn

Another social network that can have a big impact on job hunting, albeit in a different way, is LinkedIn. This site is essentially a Facebook for business professionals and developing a strong profile is an ideal way to boost your chances of landing a new position. 

Your LinkedIn profile should provide a full outline of your career history and can be used to allow recruiters to access information that wasn't included in your CV or cover letter. Receiving endorsements for your skills and abilities from colleagues can demonstrate your value and show a potential employer that you were well respected in previous positions. 

Another advantage of LinkedIn is the opportunities it provides for networking. The social network makes it easy to connect with other people in your profession, giving you the opportunity to enter interesting discussions, learn new things and make useful contacts.

Stay savvy

Once you get a new job, it's important to stay social-savvy. Whether it's complaining about their boss, or posting photos of themselves out and about when they are supposed to be off ill, people have lost their jobs as a result of social media posts, so you should always think about the possible implications of your online activity, whether you're hunting for a new position or not. 

In less than a month's time, parking professionals from all across the UK will be descending on Birmingham for one of the biggest events in the industry calendar.

Parkex 2015 will take place at the National Exhibition Centre from April 21st to 23rd and we take a look at what guests can look forward to below. 

Organised by the British Parking Association (BPA), the event will see more than 120 global suppliers showcasing the latest parking products, services and technology. 

Innovations covering all areas of the industry will be on display, including civil enforcement, parking management, ticketing and access control. 

Will you be there?

So, why should you attend Parkex? Well, the event is the largest and most important parking industry exhibition in Europe and last year's edition attracted more than 2,000 professionals from the sector. This makes it an ideal opportunity to do a bit of networking and make some new contacts. 

If you're looking to move up the parking career ladder, we thoroughly recommend attending Parkex. You'll be able to keep abreast of the latest developments in the industry and may well learn things that will come in handy in your day-to-day work. 

The event's website provides a concise explanation of why visiting Parkex is worthwhile: "Parkex 2015 is all about you. It's about you joining your fellow parking professionals, and giving your profession a unified voice. It's about helping you to reduce your costs, improve efficiency and keep up to date with product development. And ultimately, it's about the possibility of discovering that new technology, that useful contact or new idea which transforms the way you work."

Parkex is free to attend and with the National Exhibition Centre served by Birmingham International train station, it's very easy to get to from anywhere in the UK. 

Of course, another reason why you should take a trip to the event is because we will be there too! Unity will be the only recruitment company exhibiting at Parkex, so feel free to pay us a visit and have a chat about your career opportunities. 

You'll be able to find us at Stand P33. Until then, why not see if we have any parking job vacancies that suit you?

When the recession struck in 2008, we were forced to become familiar with bad news when it comes to the jobs market. 

Thankfully, things have improved significantly in the past year or so and new government figures suggest employment in the UK is starting to thrive again, which is great news if you're on the lookout for a new job.

Indeed, the coalition claims to have helped an average of 1,000 people into a new position every day since it came to power in 2010. 

As a result, the overall employment rate has reached 73.3 per cent, which is a record high. The private sector has played a big part in this achievement. It now employs 25.5 million people, which is more than ever before. 

Those of you looking for a new job will be delighted to hear that vacancies are also at a record high, standing at 735,000 at any one time.

Work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith stated: "As a country we should be proud that there are now record numbers of people in work, record numbers of job vacancies available, and the lowest unemployment rate since 2008.

"For every single day that this government has been in power we have seen an average of 1,000 more people in work."

Even more good news is that fact that wages are on the rise too. According to the coalition, private sector pay increased by 2.1 per cent over the course of the last year.

The UK has been out-performing its international rivals when it comes to jobs growth, with a faster rate of expansion than all of the world's major economies.

For many jobs, the application process is now a fair bit more complicated than simply sending off your CV, having an interview and then receiving an offer of employment.

It is becoming increasingly common for businesses to invite candidates to assessment days, in which you'll undertake a series of tasks designed to test your suitability for the job on offer. While we've all got experience of job interviews, many of us have never faced an assessment day. With that in mind, we've put together some top tips to help you get the through the process successfully.

Prepare, prepare, prepare
As with a job interview, preparation is vital if you're to make a good impression at an assessment day. Learn as much as you can about the job on offer, as that way you'll be aware of skills and attributes the employer is looking for you to demonstrate.

Some businesses will fill you in on what the assessment day will entail in advance, while others will not provide too much information. If you do know what's going to be in-store, make sure you prepare suitably and have all of the information or resources you're likely to need. 

Some assessment days will require you to give a presentation. Preparation is particularly important here as there's nothing worse than having to stand up in a room full of people and not know what you're going to say.

Teamwork makes the dream work
Almost all assessment centres involve some form of teamwork. This can be a strange experience, as you are essentially having to work alongside the people who are your rivals for the job on offer. However, it's vital that you put this to one side and focus on being a good team player.

After all, being able to work collaboratively is a key requirement for most jobs and you're unlikely to impress the assessors if it's clear that you're only trying to look after number one. The worst thing you could do is start arguing with your fellow candidates or shooting someone else's ideas down. By all means, stand up for your own views, but make sure you do so in a diplomatic and respectful manner.

Ensure enthusiasm
The easiest way to fail an assessment day is to look as if you don't want to be there. Be enthusiastic at all times and embrace all of the activities you have to undertake with a smile. Just like in an interview, the people assessing you want to be sure that you actually want the job on offer. Being enthusiastic is the best way to demonstrate this.

Be yourself
Assessment days can be nerve racking experiences, especially if you've never done one before. Despite this, it's important to not let the nerves get the better of you and to be yourself as much as possible. Remember, employers want to see the real you and don't be afraid to let this show. 

It's often easy to spot someone who is trying to be something they are not and even is you succeed in putting on a front, there's a chance you'll end up in a job that's not suited to your real personality.

Remember why you're there
Throughout the assessment day process, it's vital that your end goal remains in sight. You want to show the business that you're the right person for the job on offer. In each of the tasks you have to undertake, think about how they relate to the position and what sort of skills the employer is looking for you to demonstrate. Everything you are asked to do will be relevant to the job and make sure you bear this in mind at all times. 

Want more tips and guidance on how to make sure you land that job you're after? The Unity website is full of useful advice. Why not start by taking a look at our interview videos?

Are you a telesales professional looking to improve your performance? Maybe you're on the lookout for a new job and think honing your skills will help you land a better position? Whatever your situation, our top telesales techniques might be able to help.

Know who you're speaking to
Telesales is always a lot easier if you know who you're going to be speaking too before making a call. This way you'll sound more personal rather than simply coming across as yet another cold-caller. You may also be armed with some information that can help you close the deal. 

Putting in the time to research your targets before you pick up the phone is nearly always worthwhile. It's also important to have a clear idea of your goals before you start a call, if you're not clear on what you're trying to achieve, you're much more likely to fail.

Know your script 
Most organisations have a telesales script for a reason and it's important that you know this inside out. Fail to do so and you may well miss out important information that could prove costly in the future.

But sound unscripted
Knowing your script is vital, but the best telesales professionals are able to do so while sounding unscripted. This is very important because it allows you to sound far more natural and engaging. Most people are automatically suspicious of being sold something over the phone and this feeling only intensifies when it sounds like someone is simply reciting a script. 

Leading telesales professionals are able to deviate from their script when necessary, but then bring the conversation back on track at key stages. This flexibility can often make all the difference. 

Patience is a virtue
If there's one skill telesales professionals can't do without, it's patience. Rejection is simply a part of the job and only those telesales who can shrug this off and preserve will thrive in this industry. If a lead is a non-starter, don't get disheartened, just move on to the next one. The best telesales professionals can stay positive and enthusiastic in the face of adversity. 

This positivity should come across in the way you speak. Focus your efforts on the benefits of the product or service you are offering rather than simply listing its features.

Ask questions
Telesales professionals need to be good talkers, but being a good listener is also very important. The best way to utilise your listening skills is to ask questions, this could provide you with some useful information, but also helps to add a nice personal touch to your call. Asking questions makes a sales call into a conversation and this is the best way to break down the suspicion and mistrust a potential customer may have. 

There's been plenty of good news concerning the jobs market in recent years, with the recovery continuing to gather pace. 

The latest Report on Jobs from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG has added to this positive momentum. 

It revealed that February saw the fastest rise in permanent job placements for four months, while temporary billings rose at the quickest rate since last September. 

Bernard Brown, partner and head of business services at KPMG, commented: "Recovery in the job market is gaining real traction, and this should help shore up consumer confidence in the run-up to the election."

The report revealed overall demand for staff grew at the strongest rate in four months. This has helped to drive salaries up, which is always good news. Wages rose at more or less the same pace as in January last month, while the rate of growth was slightly higher for temporary and contract staff.

More positive news has been provided by the REC's latest JobsOutlook survey, which revealed close to eight in ten businesses plan to hire more permanent staff over the next 12 months. Some 41 per cent said they expect to take on more temporary workers during this period.

REC chief executive Kevin Green explained: "Many businesses are prepared to pay more for temporary workers in order to boost productivity and capitalise on the improving economic climate."

The organisation's research certainly paints a positive picture for the jobs market. Why not take advantage of this by moving on to a new position?

We have all manner of commercial and high street vacancies on offer, so take a look and see if anything catches your eye.

Here at Unity, we've had a high number of account management vacancies recently, as businesses look to bolster their client relations teams. 

With years of experience at recruiting for the position, we know a thing or two about what it takes to be a success in this role. Here are a few tips and tricks on how you can become a better account manager and perhaps develop the skills needed to take your next step on the career ladder. 

Listen
All account managers are great at talking, it's part of the job description. But are you a good listener? If not, this is something you'll need to work on if you're aiming for career progression. The best account managers are able to listen to clients and colleagues and use the information they gather to deliver the best possible service. 

Be contactable
Nothing frustrates clients like an account manager they can never get hold of. Of course, you're busy, but the best account managers are able to organise their time in such a way that no one feels like they are being ignored.

Trust your colleagues
One of the biggest mistakes an account manager can make is to try and do everything all by themselves. The best people in this position are able to trust their colleagues and work alongside them effectively. Nothing will irritate your colleagues more than if you try and do their job for them. After all, you'd be pretty annoyed if someone in another role started trying to tell you how to manage your clients.

Under-promise, over-deliver 
It's a simple technique, but it works extremely well. Whenever dealing with a client, try to under-promise and over-deliver, that way you'll always be exceeding expectations. For example, if you know a piece of work will be completed in two days time, why not tell the client it will take three days? They'll be impressed when the finished product is delivered a day early and will place even greater value on your service.

Of course, this concept should be applied within reason; there's no point under-promising to an extreme level, but by doing so in an understated manner, you can make a real positive impression.

Remember what you were hired for
As an account manager, one of your main priorities is to ensure your clients are happy. However, you always need to remember that your number-one concern is to get results for your business. It can be easy for some account managers to forget this as they try too hard to please everyone, but, at the end of the day, your employers' needs must be at the forefront of your thinking.

Think you've developed the skills to move on to your next account management role? Head to our vacancies page and see if anything catches your eye. 

We know a thing or two about CVs here at Unity Recruitment. Thousands of resumes pass through our hands every year and it's easy to separate the good from the bad. 

Poor-quality CVs tend to feature the same old mistakes and these can ruin someone's chances of securing a new job. After all, even if you've got all the necessary skills and experience, you'll struggle to get a new position if your CV is letting you down. 

Read on for an overview of these common failings and what you can do to avoid them.

Poor presentation

Recruiters look at thousands of CVs and will normally make a snap decision about whether a candidate is worthy of closer attention or not. This means presentation is crucial. If your CV looks disordered and the important information isn't easy to find, recruiters will simply discard it. 

CVs should be structured with the most relevant information as close to the top of the page as possible, where it is easy to see. If this is buried further down the document, there's a good chance recruiters will never find it.

Keeping your CV as concise as possible is important. Trimming your resume down so it's no more than two pages at the very most can be difficult and may take a lot of time and effort, but it will be worth it, as recruiters love a CV that is short, easy to read and doesn't waste their time with irrelevant information. Remember, anything you don't say on your CV can always be mentioned in your cover letter.

Nothing new

When you have to look at CVs for a living, you become very used to reading the same old cliched stock phrases. Countless numbers of resumes are filled with generic statements such as 'I am a very hard worker' or 'I am dedicated and driven'. These essentially tell a recruiter nothing and will be repeated on most of the other CVs they look at.

To make your CV stand out it should say something about you as an individual. Try and demonstrate what you have actually achieved in your previous jobs, rather than simply recycling tired cliches.

It's also important to ensure your CV is customised to suit the specific job you are applying for. Sending out a stock document for every single position is unlikely to get you very far.

Attention to detail

Nothing kills a CV like a lack of attention to detail. If a recruiter spots a typo in the first couple of sentences, it's unlikely they will read on any further. Many people forget to include important information on their CV. Indeed, we've even come across some that even fail to include the candidate's name!

Take the time to carefully check your CV for any errors and make sure nothing is missing. Get a friend or relative to have a look if you're worried you might have missed something.

Now that you've improved your CV, it's time to go out and get that new job. Have a look at the vacancies we currently have on offer and see what takes your fancy.

There's been plenty of goings-on that will be of interest to people with parking jobs this month. We take a look at some of the main stories below.

RAC Foundation hits out at private parking charges

Parking has been in the headlines this month, with the RAC Foundation releasing a report that hits out at the charges being handed out for private parking across the UK. According to the organisation's research, millions of motorists may have been illegally fined for parking on private land and could be entitled to repayments totaling tens of millions of pounds.

The RAC Foundation said many people are receiving tickets for up to £100, many of which it claims have no legal basis. 

John de Waal, a barrister at law firm Hardwicke, who has produced a report on the issue for the organisation, stated: "Payments at the level that operators presently demand as sanctions are unlikely to count as genuine pre-estimate of loss; they should be seen by the courts as penalties, which means they are unenforceable."

Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, added: "Ministers thought that the ban on clamping would end parking problems on private land. As we warned at the time, they were wrong. They allowed a system of ticketing to emerge which is barely regulated."

He said the organisation would like to see the legality of private land parking charges tested in court - a case that would be of great industry to the parking sector as a whole. 

BPA hits back

The RAC Foundation's claims have drawn a response from the British Parking Association (BPA), which has defended the way in which private parking is managed. It noted that there are 34 million vehicles on the UK's roads and said it has been forced to introduce "effective self-regulation given the government’s resolute refusal to provide for proper regulation".

"It’s very easy to avoid parking enforcement: don’t park where you shouldn’t and pay when you should, and it's important to remember that the vast majority of motorists never receive a parking ticket," the BPA stated.

It pointed to independent adjudicator POPLA as an avenue motorists can explore should they be unhappy with a charge they have received. The BPA said in excess of 57,500 appeals have been submitted since POPLA's launch in 2012 and there has never been a case in which a parking operator has rejected the adjudicator's decision. It added that the appeals judged by POPLA equate to only one per cent of the tickets that have been issued since its launch.

Patrick Troy, BPA chief executive, stated: "POPLA offers motorists a simple, free appeals service for parking tickets issued on private land."

Whether the RAC Foundation's claims are accurate remains to be seen, and the BPA has presented a convincing defence of the parking sector. However, it would be beneficial for the industry as a whole if any rogue practices are rooted out.

Upcoming events
The next few months will see some upcoming events that may be of interest to parking professionals. On March 6th, the British Parking Awards - run by Parking Review and Landor LINKS - are taking place in London, while on April 21st the parking exhibition Parkex will be held at the NEC in Birmingham.