What are the major developments that people with rail jobs should be aware of this month? We take a look below. 

Competition begins for new East Anglia franchise

The search has begun for the next operator of the East Anglia franchise. Procurement documents have been released by the Department for Transport (DfT), which detail what potential bidders need to consider if they wish to compete for the contract.

Among the improvements a new operator will be expected to provide include shorter journey times - especially into London - and fewer cancellations and delays, as well as investment in local stations.

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin, stated: "East Anglia has a thriving economy and I want it to be served by the best train services possible. Giving the region train services fit for the 21st century is vital to connecting people with jobs and businesses with customers."

Those companies that make bids for the franchise will be shortlisted following a pre-qualification stage. They will then be invited to submit detailed proposals, with the winning company set to take over in October 2016. 

Some 354,000 passengers use the East Anglia franchise's five routes each day.

Free wi-fi on trains from 2017

Passengers on certain trains in England and Wales will be able to access free wi-fi from 2017 onwards. Some £50 million of funding will be provided to bring this connectivity to trains on the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern, Southeastern, Chiltern and Arriva Wales services.

The DfT has revealed train operators are currently being asked to detail how they will meet this requirement and any franchise bid will now have to include this specification.

Rail minister Claire Perry stated: "I am determined to improve journeys for rail passengers. Free wi-fi is a priority for many as being able to keep up with work, connect with friends or even check the latest journey information online helps make rail travel more productive."

Port of Sunderland regains rail link

This month has seen the first trains arrive at Port of Sunderland for 20 years. Network Rail has spent £600,000 to reopen the route, which it is hoped will improve the north-east port's economy by allowing cargo to be transported by rail.

"I am proud to see this historic port being put firmly on the map again for freight and maritime projects and gearing up for more business," commented Mr McLoughlin, who visited the now operational route earlier this month.

24-hour tube plans announced

February has seen the government announce plans to implement 24-hour services on some areas of the London Underground, as well as the London Overground and Docklands light railway.

Under the proposals, the Metropolitan, Circle, District and Hammersmith and City lines will run all day long, adding to existing proposals to take the Northern, Victoria, Piccadilly, Jubilee and Central lines 24-hour from September this year.

While this would be good news for customers, the rail industry's reaction has been mixed. Mick Cash, leader of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport, described the announcement as a "blatant pre-election stunt" and claimed the necessary consultation has not been undertaken for what will be a significant change to existing services.

Parking is a more varied sector than many people assume, encompassing a number of different job roles. However, whether you are a civil enforcement officer, appeals officer or parking manager, there are some skills every professional in the sector needs.

Know-how
Let's start with the obvious - if you're going to work in parking, you need to know about it. You don't have to be an expert from the start - many people come into the sector with limited parking knowledge - but you will need to learn fast and quickly become familiar with the relevant rules and regulations for your position. Without this expertise, you won't get too far.

Customer service
Pretty much every parking role involves some level of customer service. Whether it's handing a ticket to a motorist on the street, or processing an appeal, parking professionals need to know how to deal with the public. 

As anyone who's ever received a parking ticket can probably testify, people are often not too happy when they find they've been hit with a charge, and this means having good conflict resolution skills and being able to remain calm under pressure is vital.

Adaptability
One of the key traits everyone working in parking needs is adaptability. All of the positions available in the sector are quite varied and require the ability to deal with new challenges and occasionally step outside of your comfort zone.

Ready to take the next step in your parking career? Take a look at our vacancies or get in touch to discuss how we can help you!

It's safe to say civil enforcement officers haven't always had the best reputation with the public. A lot of effort has gone into trying to alter this negative perception and thankfully people's opinions are beginning to change. 

However, there are some common misconceptions that remain and influence the public's view of parking professionals as a result. We bust a few of these myths below.

Chasing commission

Perhaps the greatest misconception about civil enforcement officers is that they receive a commission for every ticket they hand out and prowl the streets looking for motorists they can fine in order to boost their bank balance.

This is simply not true. Officers are paid a salary and this is in no way impacted by the number of tickets they issue to the public. Bonuses may be available in some roles, but these are simply linked too good performance in the same way as any other job.

Where does the money go?

So, if the money raised through parking charges does not end up straight into civil enforcement officers' pay packets, where does it go? The majority of the funds raised from fines are used to carry out maintenance work on roads and other public facilities and are an important means of income for many councils and local authorities.

Here to help

People commonly see civil enforcement officers as figures of authority who are essentially out to get them. In reality, this is very far from the truth. A lot of effort has been put into making the civil enforcement officer role more customer-friendly in recent years and officers are actively encouraged to provide a helpful service for the public. This can range from providing information on parking and traffic to giving directions to tourists.

Making a difference

It's not particularly obvious, but the work undertaken by civil enforcement officers is actually making a positive difference to the UK. The number of cars on the road is growing with every passing year and without the enforcement of parking regulations things would quickly grind to a standstill due to the traffic chaos.

Want to work in parking?

Looking for your next civil enforcement officer or parking job? Contact the specialists. Here at Unity we have years of experience in the sector and have found thousands of jobs for parking professionals in Greater London and beyond.

Maybe you're thinking about starting a parking career? If so, take a look at our civil enforcement officer job profile and see if this is the right position for you.

If you're looking for a new job, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has good news for you.

The organisation's latest JobsOutlook survey has revealed eight in ten employers plan to take on permanent staff over the next three months. What's more, just seven per cent of businesses plan to reduce their workforce in this period.

For the year as a whole, some 76 per cent of companies expect to take on more staff, which is great news for anyone looking to take the next step on the career ladder.

REC chief executive Kevin Green said: "Businesses are increasingly thinking about expanding their numbers and many are telling us that they can’t take on more work without more staff."

It was also revealed that 43 per cent of companies plan to take on more temporary employees over the next three months, while 46 per cent expect to do so over the year as whole. Responding to growth was highlighted as the main reason behind this recruitment drive.

According to the REC's Report on Jobs for December, which was produced alongside KPMG, the month saw a strong increase in the number of people appointed to permanent jobs. 

"Recruiters are helping an increasing number of businesses find new permanent employees," Mr Green said, while also revealing salaries are rising due to employers competing to hire people with the best skills.

The REC and KPMG found that organisations in every sector were looking to take on more staff in December.

Looking to take advantage of the increase in businesses hiring? We can help. Whether it's parking jobs or commercial careers, our team can find the right position for you.

A delivery driver's mission is to get from A to B as quickly as possible. The faster they can do this, while staying within the law of course, the more deliveries they will be able to make, generating more income for their employer.

So, how can you improve your delivery times in order to enjoy these benefits? Read on to find out. 

Plan your route
It may sound obvious, but thoroughly planning a route is key to a successful delivery. Thanks to satnavs, this is much easier than it used to be, but it's still worthwhile to spend a bit of time thinking about the route you're going to take. 

Having a plan is particularly important if you'll be driving in an area you're not familiar with, it will reduce the chances of getting lost and allow you to better react to any unexpected delays or diversions. Taking some time out to plan your journey may seem unnecessary, but it has the potential to significantly reduce the time you spend out on the road.

Be flexible 
An advantage of planning your journey is that it gives you the potential to be flexible. You can never predict what might happen out on the road and having the ability to take an alternative route if your first choice is out of action is key for delivery success. 

Be realistic
The need for speed can make it tempting for delivery drivers to be somewhat unrealistic when working out how long a delivery will take, but this will only have a negative impact in the long-run. 

Customers will be left disappointed if a delivery does not arrive when they expect it and if you're trying to get to your destination unrealistically fast, there is a much greater chance you'll be caught speeding or involved in an accident. Taking a realistic approach to journey planning is the best course of action for all involved.

Be prepared
Fail to prepare and prepare to fail; the old saying might be cheesy, but in the case of delivery drivers it's true. Ensure you are fully prepared for every journey and have everything you need. That way, you'll dramatically reduce the chances of any hold-ups occurring.

Make sure your vehicle is ready too. Checks should be carried out on a regular basis to ensure your car, van or lorry is in good working order. After all, nothing holds up a delivery like a broken down vehicle. Ensure the fuel tank is topped up and that you've got enough juice to get to where you need to go.

Here to help
Interested in starting a career as a delivery driver? Or maybe you think its time for a change and are looking for your next job in the sector? Whatever your motivation, the team at Unity Recruitment are here to help. 

Take a look at our job profile if you want to find out what being a delivery driver is like and check out our vacancies to see if there are any positions going in your area.

The CV and cover letter has been sent, you've received confirmation, and now your interview is less than 24 hours away. 

Whether it's for your first ever job or taking another step up the career ladder, the night before an interview can be a nerve-racking time for all of us. 
 
Here are five things you should try and do to make sure you wake up in the morning with the best possible chance of getting out there and landing that position.

Finalise your preparation
Ideally, you will have got most of your interview preparation done ahead of the night before your interview. However, this is still a good time to go over everything again and make sure you're armed with all the necessary information. 

Your preparation should involve learning a good deal about the company in question and you need to know the job description for the role you've applied for inside out. Other things to think about include possible answers for some of the questions you expect to be asked and printing out any materials that may be required, such as your CV or examples of past work.

Think of some questions
The bulk of the interview will be spent by you answering questions, but it's very important that you manage to ask a few of your own as well. This serves a number of purposes. First of all, it will allow you to find out some more information about the job on offer, while it will also help to demonstrate your interest in and enthusiasm for the position. 

It's worthwhile to spend a little time thinking of some possible questions you could ask, as this could be the difference between success and failure.

Plan your outfit
Appearance counts for a lot in interviews and you want to look your best. There's nothing worse than waking up on the day of the interview and finding your tie is missing or your dress has got a stain on it. Checking your outfit the night before will ensure you don't run into any wardrobe-related problems and you can work out a contingency plan if needed.

Don't leave anything to chance
The best way to approach an interview is to make sure you don't leave anything to chance and consider all of the details. A good way to spend the night before the big day is to double check you know where you are going and how you will get there - nothing creates a bad impression like turning up to an interview late. Make sure you know which part of the building you'll need to get to for your interview and, if you can, try and find out who will be interviewing you. These are small details, but they could have a big impact.

A good night's sleep
The last thing you want to be doing the evening before an interview is pulling an all-nighter. Getting a good amount of sleep will not only help you to feel fresh and relaxed on the day of the interview, but it will give your appearance a boost too. After all, you might not make the best impression if the interviewer thinks you've been up all night. 

Before you hit the sack, try and spend some time unwinding. Whether it's reading a book or watching a bit of TV, do something that will help you relax, and there's less chance you'll get into bed fretting about what tomorrow might bring.

Want more job interview advice? Take a look at our videos.

Changes have been proposed to the system that is in place for appealing against rail fare penalties.

The Department for Transport has announced that adapting the current process would help to make conditions fairer and more consistent across the board for train passengers in the UK.

At the moment, if an individual is found to be travelling without a valid ticket on a rail journey, the train operator can immediately present them with a financial penalty that needs to be paid within a set time period - usually 21 days.

Then, the passenger can appeal through one of two official bodies - the Independent Revenue Collection and Support or the Independent Penalty Fares Appeals Service - if they believe they have been fined in an unfair or incorrect manner.

However, with extra trains and seats being added to rail routes up and down the country and passenger numbers increasing, the government thinks the current system could be made fairer.

Rail minister Claire Perry commented: "More people are using our railways than ever and passengers rightly expect that we take strong action against fare dodgers. But passengers penalised through no fault of their own must be treated fairly.

"That's why we have listened to passenger groups and are working with the rail industry to improve the system so it is clearer, fairer and easier to use."

Several potential changes have been put forward, which include establishing an independent body to make final decisions regarding appeals, meaning passengers would not have to pay their fines until this stage of the appeals process was complete.

In addition, the government wants train operators to stop threatening individuals with criminal sanctions if they are travelling without a proper ticket, as it believes this is inappropriate.

What's more, operators and appeals bodies would be required to provide the Department for Transport with regular data relating to penalties so the government can check they are complying with the updated code of practice.

For those with the right skills and aptitude, a sales career can be one of the most invigorating and rewarding options on the market, with the promise of steady progression, generous financial recompense and an opportunity to form personal connections with customers and colleagues alike.

However, getting a job in sales requires a specific approach to tailoring your CV if you really want to mark yourself as the outstanding candidate and land the role of your dreams. Here are a few basic but invaluable tips that will let prospective bosses know you have what it takes to succeed in this fast-paced world.

Demonstrate your personal skills and attributes
Being a great salesperson isn't something that just anyone can do. It can be a demanding job that requires mental flexibility, tenacity and an ability to think on your feet, while top-notch interpersonal and communication skills are also an absolute must.

Moreover, salespeople need to understand the needs of the business and be geared to work towards the company's goals, meaning they should be target-driven, financially motivated and endowed with an entrepreneurial spirit. Communicating this via your CV should be considered a top priority.

Be specific about your achievements
The best way of making it clear what you can offer a prospective employer is to be specific and precise about the value you've delivered in previous roles. Resist the temptation to resort to vague allusions about "exceeding goals", or to waste space by going into too much detail about job descriptions - instead, offer cold, hard facts that offer concrete proof of your talents.

This might include the percentage by which you were able to exceed your targets and the company's market share growth under your stewardship, or examples of new client wins and sales increases attributable to you. The more specifics you have to hand, the stronger your CV will be.

Highlight your awards
If you've won awards and honours for your salesmanship, make sure to highlight them prominently in your CV, particularly if there are plenty of them. Once again, specifics are desirable, as this will allow employers to see at a glance why you were chosen for your honours.

On the other hand, you don't want to risk overselling yourself based on minor accolades - a few salesman of the month prizes spread over years won't look all that impressive unless they're backed up by a wider pattern of achievement.

Showcase your progression
Although bosses will want to see evidence that you're already an accomplished seller, it's also important that you show you're motivated and keen to carry on growing. That's why demonstrating your career progression is vital - try and write your CV in a way that illustrates areas in which you've taken on greater responsibility over time, or shown the ability to gradually improve upon your performance. That way, future employers will feel that your best is still to come.

Take a targeted approach
Just like in sales, writing a CV is all about knowing your audience. You need to make sure that you're able to demonstrate how your skillset can benefit the company you're applying to specifically, and that means tweaking the text with different organisations in mind.

For smaller firms, you might want to show how you're able to compete with the big boys, drive growth and open up new markets, while a larger business might be more interested to know about your experience of working with major-scale budgets, teams and contracts. With the proper research, you'll be able to make employers feel you're tailor-made for their position.

By bearing all of these ideas in mind, you'll be able to put yourself ahead of the chasing pack and land a job worthy of your time and talent.

If you enjoy getting out on the open road, a career as a delivery driver could be perfect for you. But what does it take to succeed in this position? We take a look at five skills every delivery driver cannot do without below.

Drive like a pro
Let's start with the basics - if you're going to be a delivery driver, you need to know what you're doing when you get behind the wheel of a car, van or lorry. You'll spend the vast majority of your working day out on the road and as well as being a good driver, you'll need to enjoy it too, otherwise you're likely to find the role quite difficult.

Every delivery driver needs a good driving record and the correct licence for the type of vehicle they're looking to drive. You also require the physical wellbeing to spend long periods on the road, such as good eyesight and colour vision.

Keeping up concentration
Enjoying being on the road is not enough to be a good delivery driver. You also need to be able to maintain concentration at all times. Delivery drivers are often required to cover large distances and the chances are you'll be driving for far longer than you would in normal everyday life. 

Quality communication
While skill behind the wheel and concentration are vital for delivery drivers, there are other attributes that are necessary too. For instance, you'll need good communication skills, both written and verbal.

There is a fair deal of paperwork involved in most delivery jobs and drivers are expected to fill out forms and file reports accurately. You'll also have to liaise with other members of your team and customers on a regular basis. 

Attention to detail
The little things can make a big difference for delivery drivers. If you're to get from A to B on time you'll need to plan your route carefully and take into account any disruptions that could possibly throw you off track. A big part of the role is paying attention to your vehicle too. A breakdown is a nightmare for a delivery driver and by keeping an eye on your car, van or lorry, you'll stand a good chance of nipping small issues in the bud before they become major ones.

Customer care
Another skill that is important for delivery drivers is customer service. While you'll spend most of your time out on the road, when you arrive at your destination you'll often be interacting with a customer and this is a crucial element of the job. After all, people are unlikely to use a delivery company whose drivers are rude and unfriendly. 

From time to time, drivers may also be required to deal with difficult situations, such as a customer who is unhappy with their delivery or angry at it being late. A good driver has the communication and customer care skills to handle these occasions in a calm and professional manner.

Think you have what it takes to become a delivery driver? Take a look and see if we have any vacancies that suit you.

Read on for some of the interesting developments in the parking industry this month.

BPA speaks out on confusion

The British Parking Association (BPA) has spoken out on parking confusion among motorists following a statement from the Citizens Advice Bureau that revealed it has seen an increase in the number of people seeking advice on the issue, especially in relation to parking on private land. 

BPA chief executive Patrick Tory stated: "Unfortunately Citizens Advice fails to mention in their advice that if a motorist’s appeal is rejected by a parking operator in the BPA's Approved Operator Scheme they can take their appeal to POPLA, an independent appeals service for motorists in receipt of parking tickets issued on private land. Over 50,000 motorists have done this since 1st October 2012 when it was introduced. It is a free and simple process and the decision is binding on the operator, but not on the motorist."

Mr Troy also pointed to a website - Know Your Parking Rights - that has recently been launched by the BPA to address the issues highlighted by Citizens Advice.

"We work closely with organisations that represent the consumer to continuously raise standards in the private parking sector and we would welcome Citizens Advice's involvement so we can achieve still higher standards," he added.

Stafford officers help to fight crime and keep community safe

In Stafford, the role of civil enforcement officers has expanded beyond ensuring parking regulations are adhered to. 

According to the Staffordshire Newsletter, the professionals have been playing an active role in helping to combat crime in the area of late. Officers twice reported suspect activity to the police, leading to an individual being detained for suspected drugs offences and an uninsured car being discovered.

The parking workers have helped the community in other ways too, as officers have twice aided members of the public who have suffered a fall and stayed with them until ambulances arrived. One individual even scaled a garden fence to assist an elderly woman who had fallen over. Meanwhile, another parking professional took a lost child to the police, who were then able to contact the youngster's guardian.

Stafford Borough council parking manager Steve Allen praised the actions of the local authority's officers, saying they serve as its "eyes and ears".

Local parking stats revealed

Statistics regarding parking enforcement on the Isle of Wight and in Derby have been released this month. For the former, it was revealed some 1,631 penalty charge notices were issued in December, with 1,355 paid in full by the end of the month, On the Wight reports.

Some 284 informal challenges were received in December, while two appeals have been reported so far this month and issued to an independent adjudicator. On the Wight said the number of penalty charges handed out in December is significantly lower than the average of 3,000 per month that were issued during 2010-2011.

Meanwhile in Derby, it has been revealed that the City Council brought in £1.4 million through parking fines in the year up to April 2014. The figure has attracted criticism, but the local authority said all of the money raised has been reinvested in improving roads and car parks, the Derby Telegraph reports. According to the RAC, English councils brought in a total of £667 million in parking charges during the period in question.

In Dover, the Dover Express has reported that parking charges will be frozen for the duration of the next financial year.

Looking for your next parking job? The team at Unity Recruitment are here to help.