Do you have strong organisational ability, are good with computers and have excellent interpersonal skills? If so, a career as a parking notice processing officer might be just up your street. Read on to find out more about this role.

What does it involve?
The primary function of the notice processing officer is to provide a responsive service to users of parking services and serve as their first point of contact. This can involve dealing with enquiries and complaints from the public, processing appeals and parking permits, and working alongside legal authorities and bailiffs. 

Some of the other common activities officers have to undertake include :

• Invoicing 
• Processing refunds
• Data entry
• Monitoring appeal win rates
• Maintaining records

On occasion, notice processing officers may be required to represent the organisation for which they work at adjudications, as well as attending seminars and other working groups and functions.

What skills and experience are needed?
So what skills and experience do you need to make it as a notice processing officer? Experience of parking regulations is always helpful and for some positions this is mandatory. Other roles are open to people without specific parking experience, but you will be expected to pick things up pretty quickly.

What else do you need? Experience of working in a customer service-based profession is key, as much of your day-to-day work will be spent dealing with the public. You'll need excellent communication skills and to be able to deal with potentially difficult conversations in a professional manner. Being able to work under pressure is also vital, as the workload for notice processing officers is often quite high.

As you can see from the typical duties described above, this role can be incredibly varied and to be a success you need to be adaptable, and not afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new from time to time.

Other skills and experiences that are important include :

• Strong IT skills and confidence using business management software 
• Good written English 
• Being capable of working effectively as part of a team
• Being able to follow instruction and use one's own initiative
• Experience of multi-tasking
• A positive can-do attitude
• Being able to keep up with changing legislation

What are working conditions like?
This is primarily an office-based role, although you may be required to attend external events such as adjudications and seminars on occasion too. Notice processing officers nearly always work as part of a team under the leadership of a manager. Working hours tend to follow the standard Monday to Friday, nine-to-five pattern, although evening and weekend work may sometimes be required.

In terms of pay, salaries for this position are usually somewhere between £16,000 and £25,000. Notice processing officers are often employed by local authorities and sometimes private companies to whom this work has been outsourced.

Next steps
Do you think you have what it takes to be a notice processing officer? Take a look at our vacancies to see if there are any positions going in your area. Here at Unity we have been helping people build their parking careers for years and will do our very best to help you find the ideal job.

What's gone on in the world of rail this month? Read on to find out. 

New plans for northern rail

The government has unveiled its new plan for improving rail services in the north of England. Existing services are to be maintained and capacity will be increased on key routes as part of the project.

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin stated: "Rail services across the north are vital for passengers and for the economy. By helping people access work and leisure more easily, we are securing long-term economic growth across the region."

Among the improvements that are set to be delivered include more carriages between Manchester and Blackpool, greater capacity on Cumbrian Coast services and electric trains on the Manchester Victoria to Liverpool and Liverpool to Preston routes.

Other projects will see new services between Manchester and south Cumbria, as well as the maintenance of an hourly service between Manchester Airport, Sheffield, Doncaster and Cleethorpes. Finally, services between Manchester, west Yorkshire, north Yorkshire, Yorkshire coast, Humberside and the north-east will all be guaranteed a minimum of three carriages or 181 seats.

Fare freeze begins 

The government has also put into place a freeze on rail fare increased. As of January 2nd, regulated fare rises have been capped at the rate of inflation, marking the second year in a row this measure has been enforced.

"We are investing in the biggest rail modernisation since the Victorian era, and fares have a crucial role to play in funding these improvements," Mr McLoughlin commented.

As a result of the freeze, regulated fares will not be able to rise by more than 2.5 per cent this year. The government has also removed train operators' ability to increase individual fares by as much as two per cent or more. These companies have been asked to improve the information they provide when people buy tickets.

According to industry figures, 97 pence of every pound spent on rail fares goes back into the network, be it through maintenance, improvement works, or staff and train costs.

Shadow business secretary and Southern Rail spat

January has seen the shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna become embroiled in a spat with Southern Rail concerning the number of late train services run by the franchise. 
 
Writing on Twitter, the politician stated: "Surprise surprise...@SouthernRailUK train to Streatham Hill delayed. Totally shabby service. On the case."

Southern Rail responded the train was delayed due to an earlier problem. However, Mr Umunna pointed to Network Rail statistics that show less than half (40.9 per cent) of the franchise's trains arrived on time, claiming this is evidence of an "endemic problem", the London Evening Standard reports.

Network Rail defends Christmas actions

Network Rail has defended the way it handled the disruption to rail services in London over the Christmas period. Overrunning maintenance work meant King’s Cross was closed on December 27th and passengers were instead transferred to the much smaller Finsbury Park. The station struggled to cope with the huge numbers of travellers and many people missed trains due to overcrowding.

Network Rail’s operations director Robin Gisby stood by the decision and said he would make it again, even though he admitted the conditions were not ideal.

"Finsbury Park was entirely unsuitable compared with King’s Cross but there was nothing else we could do. Any other decision would have caused even more discomfort for passengers," he stated.

Mr Gisby was speaking to the Commons transport committee, which is looking into how the disruption was handled. Network Rail has revealed it will look into the possibility of moving major repair and maintenance works away from the Christmas period.

Interested in working in rail? Contact Unity to discuss your options.

Have you ever watched The Apprentice and thought you could do a better job of selling than the suits running around London like headless chickens in the hope of earning Lord Sugar's favour? 

If so, why not try to make a career out of it? A job in sales can be rewarding and lucrative, with plenty of opportunities for progression. Here are a few reasons why becoming a salesperson might be right for you.

Show me the money
If earning a good wage is one of your main career aspirations, sales will be a sound choice. Many sales positions are commission-based, meaning you'll earn extra money on top of your salary depending on how much you sell. 

This means your performance is directly connected to your pay and the better you are at your job, the more you will earn; not many other professions can say that. Businesses need good salespeople to survive and that means they often reward them with high pay and commissions.

Keep control
Another major positive associated with sales is the amount of control you have over your own working day. Salespeople are often responsible for arranging their own appointments and managing their day-to-day work. As long as you are bringing in the sales, it's common for your employer to leave you to your own devices.

Be a people person
Do you enjoy meeting new people and want a job that's highly sociable? Sales could be right up your street. Being a people person is key to success in this profession. Quite simply, if people don't like you they are unlikely to buy the product or service you're offering. Salespeople often have to deal with customers from all walks of life and building good relationships is key if you're to be successful in this career.

Look the part
If you're the kind of person who likes to look their best, sales allows you to get suited and booted every day of the week. Whether you're a man or a woman, image is important in sales and a good appearance will only increase your chances of closing a sale. What better way to spend your commission than on a new outfit?

Job security
Sales is a relatively secure profession to get in to. Businesses rely on salespeople to sell their products and services and there will always be a need for this kind of job. This means that if companies are forced to let staff go, sales personnel are likely to be in a more secure position than other workers.

Satisfaction
Salespeople love the feeling of closing a deal. When it comes to job satisfaction, it doesn't get much better than that. One of the best things about sales is that you get to directly experience the fruits of your labour and the results of your hard work as soon as you shake hands on that deal.

Moving on up
If you've watched The Apprentice, you'll know that sales skills are highly prized in the business world and many people start their career in this area before moving on to management and more senior roles. Indeed, even Lord Sugar himself started off as a salesperson.

Think you've got what it takes to be a success in sales? Take a look our guide to see if you have the necessary skills to make it in this profession.

Conflict is an unavoidable part of life as a civil enforcement officer. While extreme cases involving violence are thankfully rare, having to deal with disgruntled motorists is still part and parcel of the job, as many people are never happy to find themselves being handed a parking ticket. 

To be a successful officer, it is vital to know how to handle these situations and avoid them escalating into something worse. With this in mind, we've put together five conflict resolution tips that could prove useful. 

Listen and reiterate
There are few things that annoy people more than when they feel they are being ignored. If someone is already unhappy, this can tip them over the edge. As a result, it's vital to always listen to a driver's complaint, even if it seems as though they are in the wrong. This way, the situation is less likely to escalate and you'll have a better grasp of the facts.

Another useful conflict resolution tool is reiteration. By reiterating what is being said to you, you'll make it clear you're listening to the other person and understand what they are saying.

Respond to emotion without emotion
The key to successful conflict resolution is to stay calm. If you're faced with an angry motorist, the situation will only get worse if you get angry too. Wherever possible, you should meet emotion without emotion, regardless of how worked up the other person is, you need to stay calm and professional at all times. This helps to diffuse the situation and prevent a minor incident escalating into something worse.

Patience is key 
They say patience is a virtue and for civil enforcement officers this is definitely true. While it can be hard to be patient when faced with angry, and often unreasonable, motorists, it's just what officers have to do. You need the patience to see past a person's initial anger and work out the real root of the problem if you're to reach the right conclusion. Being patient will help you to stay calm and avoid stress - it is a skill that civil enforcement officers cannot do without.

Think about body language
Words are key to successful conflict resolution, but they are not the only thing that can have an impact on these situations. Your body language can speak volumes in any sort of social situation and is particularly important during conflict. Certain gestures, such as pointing or waving your arms around, can be interpreted as threatening and will only serve to make a situation worse. 

The best thing to do when dealing with an angry motorist is to use neutral but confident body language, such as standing up straight and keeping your arms by your side.

Explain the options
Any interaction with a motorist should end with the civil enforcement officer explaining what their next steps are. In most cases, this will be letting them know about the appeals process and what they can do in order to try and get their charge overturned. 

Looking for your next civil enforcement officer job? Unity Recruitment can help.

Great news. You've been offered an interview for that dream job. However, just thinking about sitting down in front of your potential employers is bringing you out in a cold sweat. Don't worry, you're not alone, the vast majority of us get nervous before a job interview, but there is no reason why it should affect your chances of the landing the position. 

Here a few tips for how you can overcome the post-interview jitters and have the best chance of getting that job. 

Be prepared

Nothing breeds confidence like good preparation. You're far more likely to be nervous going into an interview if you haven't done your research and don't feel ready for whatever questions the interviewers are going to throw at you. Preparation isn't just about the interview itself, you also need to think about things from a logistical point of view. Plan your journey to make sure you arrive in time, as being late will only increase your nerves. If you can, try to find out who you'll be speaking to in advance, this way they'll seem less daunting when meeting them face to face. You can learn more about how to prepare for an interview by watching our video.

Try to relax

If you're well prepared, there is no need to spend every waking minute worrying about the interview. Once your preparation is done, try to unwind and do something that helps you calm down. For example, while travelling to the interview you can listen to music or read a book. Make sure you get a good night's sleep ahead of the big day and set yourself up with a good breakfast. This will all help you stay calm and keep on top of those nerves.

Think positive

If you go into the interview with a negative mindset, you're far more likely to come out of it with a negative result. Focusing on the positive will help you control your nerves. Think about what makes your right for the job on offer and try to put this across during the interview. It might sound cheesy, but it's amazing what positive thinking can do and you'll find the whole process far less daunting if you try to stay optimistic and upbeat.

Be confident

As well as thinking positively, it's importance to act in a confident manner too. You don't have to walk into the interview room boasting about how brilliant you are, but it's vital to seem self assured and confident in your own ability. After all, if you don't look confident in yourself, why should a potential employer be?

Interviewers know that people get nervous and won't judge you because of this. However, it is important not to let your nerves overwhelm you. Try and project a confident image by smiling, offering a firm handshake, sitting up straight and meeting the eye of the people you are talking to. Acting confidently can help to calm some of your nerves and make you feel more relaxed. It's incredibly cliched, but being yourself will also help you get the better of the jitters. You're much more likely to feel uneasy if you're trying to act and speak in a way that isn't natural.

Take time to unwind

Once your interview is over, it's important to take some time to relax and unwind. If things didn't go as well as you'd hoped, don't dwell on it, just try to think about what you could do better do next time. Remember, whether you get the job or not, you'll still have gained valuable interview experience that can help you in the future.

The interviewer should let you know when you can expect to hear back from them; if they don't, make sure to ask them at the end of the interview. Should the specified period pass and you still haven't heard back, don't be afraid to get in touch and find out. If the interviewer is still deciding between you and another candidate, this could be enough to swing things in your favour. Even if you haven't got the job, this can still be used an opportunity to receive some useful feedback.

The extent to which parking costs can vary in the UK has been revealed in a new report.

JustPark, the company behind an app that allows drivers to locate available parking spaces, has released new analysis of just how much it can cost motorists to leave their car in different parts of the country.

It revealed that - perhaps unsurprisingly - London is the most expensive UK parking location, with daily costs of up to £35 per vehicle.

There is a significant gap between parking prices in the capital and second place holder Edinburgh, where they come in at an average of £19 per day. Cambridge is close behind in third place (£18.60), while Brighton came in fourth (£18).

In addition, visitors to Oxford city centre can expect to pay an average of £15.90 to leave their car for a 24-hour period, while daily parking costs in Reading can be as much as £14.30. The seventh most-expensive place to park a vehicle in Britain was revealed to be Bristol, with an average parking cost of £14 per day attributed to the city.

Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow also featured in the top ten.

The prices analysed by JustPark do not necessarily relate only to local authority-owned car parks - something that lead member for transport at Brighton and Hove Council Ian Davey highlighted.

For instance, the costs could be for driveways that are rented out at a privately-arranged price through the mobile app.

Mr Davey explained that money raised by the council through charging for parking is put to use elsewhere in the city.

"Any surplus from parking in Brighton and Hove is invested back into transport for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors," he continued.

"Specifically, the surplus was used to subsidise free bus travel for older people (9.2 million), which is expected to rise to over £10 million this year, as well as transport infrastructure, road safety and public transport improvements."

Whether you work in parking, rail or the commercial sector, there's a good chance you'll be looking to 2015 as the year in which you take the next step on the career ladder. If you've been thinking about pursuing a new job, but haven't quite got around to it, the new year represents the perfect opportunity to get started.

With this in mind, we've compiled a short list of new year's resolutions that could help you find your dream job. 

Nail your CV
If you've been in the same job for a while, there's a good chance your CV has been somewhat neglected. A watertight resume is key to moving up the career ladder, so it's time to open up the document and get your CV fresh and ready to go. You'll obviously need to update it with your latest career information and this should be as close to the top as possible, as in the majority of cases it will be most relevant to the position you're applying for.

If it's been a long time, it may be worth completely re-writing your CV from scratch. That way, it will be most reflective of who you are now rather than who you were in the past.

Brush up on your interview technique
Been a while since you last had a job interview? Feeling a bit nervous about the prospect of getting back into the hotseat? It's probably time to have a think about your interview technique to make sure you're ready to become a fully-fledged job hunter once more. We've put together a number of useful videos that can help you with everything from how to answer difficult questions to what to wear.

It's nearly always the interview that makes or breaks a job application, so it's important to be as well prepared as possible.

Learn something new
Nothing boosts your chances of landing a new job as much as developing new skills. Quite simply, the more skills you have, the more likely you are to get noticed by an employer. So, why not take advantage of the new year to start learning something new? Depending on what career path you're looking to take, there is likely a number of different qualifications you can earn, either through your existing employer or independently. This could well be the difference that sets you apart from other candidates.

Start networking
'It's not what you know, it's who you know'. We've all heard this old saying and there can be no denying that having good contacts can take you a long way up the career ladder. If you've never networked before, 2015 could be the time to start. Developing a presence on LinkedIn is an easy first step and you can follow this up by attending industry events and trying to get your face known among industry circles.

Let us help
If you're looking for a new job in 2015, why not let the team at Unity Recruitment help? With years of experience behind us, we know what it takes to make progress on the career ladder and it's our aim to help you find the perfect job. We specialise in parking, but our expertise doesn't stop there, as we have placed jobs in a wide range of sectors from sales through to delivery drivers. 

So, if you're looking to make a new start in the new year, get in touch and we'll do all we can to set you on your way.

Christmas is over for another year. The presents have been opened, the turkey has been eaten and before long the festive jumpers will go back into the wardrobe for another 12 months.

However, before we completely return to normality, there is the small matter of new year. 2015 is on the horizon and, as ever, this is the time of the year when we start making our resolutions in a bid to improve our lives.

One of the most common pledges people make at new year is to find a new job in the next 12 months. Indeed, according to research from YouGov more than one in five make a new year's resolution that focuses on a career change. If you would like a new job in 2014, why not consider entering the parking industry? Here are five reasons why working in parking might be worth your while.

Get active
According to YouGov, 51 per cent of people make a new year's resolution to do more exercise and improve their fitness, while 47 per cent aim to lose weight. Getting a parking job could actually help you achieve these goals. For example, civil enforcement officers spend the majority of their day on their feet patrolling a beat. This is a great way to stay and shape and stop the pounds from piling on.

Perks
There are plenty of extra perks to working in parking. Hours can be flexible and many parking roles are in the public sector, meaning there's a good chance you can enjoy more generous pay, pensions and holiday allowances.

Not going away
Few things are certain in life, but that people will always need to park is. As long as we continue to drive cars, we will have to park them and that means there is guaranteed to be some level of demand for parking professionals. Indeed, the UK's cities and roads are becoming increasingly busy and congested, which means the need for effectively regulated parking is paramount if the country is to keep moving.

A helping hand
When people think of parking professionals they often imagine jobsworth employees who are desperate to hand out as many tickets as possible. In reality, things are actually quite different. Civil enforcement officers are not incentivised to penalise drivers, they are simply there to ensure parking regulations are adhered to. 

What's more, helping the public is actually becoming a more important part of the position. Officers are being encouraged to offer more of a customer-based service, in which they provide advice and information to the public on everything from parking rules to giving out directions.

Variety
While civil enforcement officers are the external face of the parking profession, this is not the only job the sector has to offer. There is actually a decent level of variety in the industry, with a number of different positions available. These can range from appeals officers, who deal with parking disputes, to traffic engineers, who manage the flow of traffic in towns and cities. Whatever your skillset, there may be a parking job for you.

Have the reasons above convinced you to pursue a parking career in 2015? If so, take a look at our vacancies and don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

What's been going on in the world of parking this month? We take a look below.

Smart car fine overturned

One of the more unusual parking developments of recent weeks was the overturning of a fine given to a Gloucestershire driver who parked her smart car at a right angle to the kerb. The £50 penalty was slapped on Vanessa Price by Gloucestershire County Council, but after a year-long battle she will no longer have to pay up.

While this parking method is commonplace for smart car drivers, the civil enforcement officer in question fined Ms Price because her vehicle overlapped the white bay markings. After taking the case to a tribunal, it was ruled she had not breached any traffic regulation order and the fine has been repaid.

Strange as this case is, it has raised questions about exactly what the law is regarding smart car parking. A spokesperson for the British Parking Association told the BBC: "As far as we are aware, we have not come across this particular issue before. But vehicles have to follow general parking laws, regardless of the type of vehicle and the size of the space they're pulling in to.

"There is no law that specifies the size of a parking bay, but there are guidelines. Roads can be different widths so parking needs to be managed appropriately."

Jail term for officer attacker

A man who attacked a civil enforcement officer has received a prison sentence. A suspended sentence of 12 weeks was given to the attacker, as well as 180 hours’ community service, a three-month driving ban and more than £500 in fines.

While rare, incidents such as this are an unfortunate risk for officers and hopefully this sentence shows the authorities will hand out tough punishments to anyone who attacks a parking professional.

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, Dudley Council cabinet member for transport, stated: "We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour towards our parking wardens and we welcome the sentence the magistrate passed down."

Parking incomes fall 

Income generated through parking fines has fallen for a number of local authorities across the country. According to the Express and Star, the amount brought in this way has fallen by £240,000 in Staffordshire. The local authority has attributed the drop to an increase in the number of motorists obeying the law.

A total of 3,283 penalty notices were issued in the county between April and September, which is a drop of 16 per cent compared to the same period last year. These tickets were split evenly between on-street and off-road parking. One in five were cancelled following an appeal.

Staffordshire is not the only place where a fall has been reported, as in Wolverhampton the amount raised through parking fines has fallen to a five-year low. A total of £2,772,112 has been collected in the Black Country city, which is down from £3,143,458 in 2009. However, the city council still made a profit of £784,145 from its parking enforcement actions last year.

This news follows on from government figures that revealed a total of £1.4 billion was raised in parking fines last year. Such a figure equates to £160,000 being raised every hour for 12 months.

Looking to take your next parking career move in 2015? Here at Unity we specialise in the industry and could have the perfect job for you.

What has been happening in the rail industry in the build-up to Christmas? We take a look below.

Passenger opinions sought in East Anglia 

Passengers have been called to help shape the future of train services in East Anglia. A government consultation was launched on December 9th, which asks for travellers to give their opinion on how the region's rail sector can be improved.

Rail minister Claire Perry commented: "We are committed to putting passengers at the heart of the rail network. This consultation will help us prioritise the improvements that people want to see. I really encourage everyone who uses the railway in East Anglia to tell us what they think."

Plans are already afoot to improve rail services in East Anglia, with one project aiming to reduce the journey time between Norwich and London to 90 minutes. The next franchise in the region will start in 2016 and the results of the consultation will be used to help determine the services the new operator should offer.

Nearly 140,000 new seats for London Midland

London Midland Passengers are set for a boost, as close to 140,000 new seats are going to be added to the operator's services. Some £62 million is to be invested into improving travel between London and the West Midlands and this is one of the major upgrades that is being undertaken.

Of the 139,000 new seats, 64,000 will be in and out of London Euston, while 75,000 will be in and out of Birmingham New Street.

Other developments will include more direct trains between Birmingham, Coventry, Rugby, and London and faster services between Northampton, Milton Keynes and the capital. There will also be more fast trains between Crewe and London and more frequent services between Redditch and Birmingham.

Transport minister heads to Manchester

Major investment is currently being undertaken to improve rail services in the north of England and transport minister Baroness Kramer visited Manchester on December 11th to see some of the developments for herself. She witnessed the extensive refurbishment work currently underway at Manchester Victoria station, which is part of a wider £1 billion programme of improvements in northern rail services. 

"Good transport links are at the heart of the government’s plan to build a stronger economy. I am pleased to see that Network Rail and the on-site team have been able to deliver this scheme whilst maintaining an operational railway," Baroness Kramer said.

Confirmation for East Coast Mainline franchise

Last month, it was announced that Inter City Railways, a venture between Stagecoach and Virgin, had been handed the East Cast Mainline franchise. Now the agreement has been finalised with the signing of a contract on December 10th.

Set to begin in March next year, the franchise will run for eight years and is expected to provide a wide range of benefits. These include 75 more station calls each day on routes from London and new direct links to Huddersfield, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Dewsbury and Thornaby. 

Proposals have also been put forward for extra trains to London from Bradford, Edinburgh, Harrogate, Leeds, Lincoln, Newcastle, Shipley, Stirling, and York. Some 2,200 additional seats will be made available across the whole fleet, which represents a 50 per cent increase on the current number. Meanwhile, some £140 million is set to be invested in improving trains and stations.

Martin Griffiths, chief executive of Stagecoach Group, stated: "We look forward to welcoming staff into the Stagecoach and Virgin family and making Virgin Trains East Coast a huge success."

Want a career in rail? Contact Unity to speak about your options.