The full interview can be read on Simply Office Jobs and we thank Emma for taking the time to share her career experience with us. Here is a snippet;
Any recommendations for job-seekers looking at a similar career path to you, or indeed working as a Legal Secretary?
Do as much research as possible about the career you want to pursue. Find out what qualifications or experience you need and how you can enhance the skills that you already have. Be dedicated and positive and you will succeed.
Previous Jobs:
Legal Secretary at Ashfords Solicitors
Senior Administrator at the National Association of Paralegals
Manager for the National Association of Paralegals.
Read the full interview with Emma.
Wednesday 19 November 2008
Tuesday 11 November 2008
Presenteeism on the Rise, Stay at HOME if your are ILL!
Sickness itself seems to have been effected by the credit crunch. 'Presenteeism', coming to work when you are ill, has been rising since the onset of the current economic downturn. Workers feel that they should be seen to be going the extra mile and coming into work when you are ill showing your commitment to the role and the company.
The problem is that coming in to work when you are ill can have repercussions for both the ill employee and the rest of the workforce. You could make yourself worse resulting in a long period of time off and also you could infect other members of the work force, something your boss will not be pleased with!
So our advice - you really stay at home when you are not well. This article sums it up nicely.
The problem is that coming in to work when you are ill can have repercussions for both the ill employee and the rest of the workforce. You could make yourself worse resulting in a long period of time off and also you could infect other members of the work force, something your boss will not be pleased with!
So our advice - you really stay at home when you are not well. This article sums it up nicely.
Monday 3 November 2008
Bar Humbug!
According to Peninsula Business Services/Employment Law christmas is cancelled this year – well at least in terms of office parties!
Peter Done, managing director of Peninsula, speaking to The Recruiter Magazine said: “The economic downturn has forced a lot of companies to cull their Christmas celebrations. With the economic conditions the way they are, firms just cannot warrant spending money on a Christmas party. These events represent a considerable cost to any firm, whether they employ five people or 50, and many employers consider this another process in tightening their belt and making their company more cost efficient. Firms who have been forced to make people redundant may also consider spending money on a Christmas party inappropriate, as well as detrimental to the streamlining plan they are implementing in their business.”
What are your thoughts? Is your firm holding a xmas party? Do they pay or do the employees pay?
Tuesday 21 October 2008
HOW TO KEEP YOUR JOB IN THE CURRENT CREDIT CRUNCH
Michelle Jones, Marketing Manager for Simply Online Services Has a Few Tips!
Fearful of losing your job? In these economic times it is no surprise. With everyone from the Prime Minister to your Receptionist is looking worryingly over their shoulders as job security is becoming increasingly important. The cliché is often ‘last in first out’ and in this article I will outline how to make sure you do your best to hold on to your job, regardless of how long you have been in your current position.
The key is making yourself indispensable within your company and we don’t mean by sleeping with your boss!
12 Tips to help secure your Job;
Ø Treat each day as if it was your first – don’t take extra time on your breaks or waste time on facebook, emailing friends or selling/buying things on ebay. Be really positive and up-beat about what you have to do that day and complete everything realistic.
Ø If you have spare capacity at work ask for extra tasks – don’t over commit though as it will make you look like you can’t cope
Ø Go to your bosses with solutions not problems
Ø Innovate at work – think of ways to save the firm money and time
Ø Stay on top of current trends & let your bosses know that you are – maybe do a monthly newsletter addressing current issues in the market
Ø Update your skills and acquire new ones. Take up the offers of training and even seek out training that will add value to your role and as result, the company’s.
Ø Generate sales leads even if you aren’t in sales – think of friends, family and others in your immediate circle who may work for businesses that could use your services
Ø Don’t be a clock watcher, in fact make an effort to arrive early and leave later on a regular basis
Ø Don’t pull any ‘sickies’ – if you are genuinely unwell, go into the office and then be sent home. Make sure any appointments for dentist/doctors are at the least disruptive time to your firm.
Ø Don’t get involved in office politics, gossip or cliques - save your energy for working. Also - keep your own personal problems out of work.
Ø Be professional and well turned out at all time. Don’t roll in with a hang-over or say anything derogatory about your work colleagues (especially the boss). Earn a reputation for being dependable, professional, and cooperative.
Ø Be known - the more people who know you, know your strengths and abilities, know your value to the organization, the less likely you are to be put on that redundancy list.
It is important to maintain your work life balance and not to become a slave to the job. Don’t allow yourself to be exploited by your employer, make sure that you are being rewarded for your efforts. However, if you have any inkling that your company are making cut-backs then put the extra effort in now and it could be your saving grace.
Michelle Jones ©
Fearful of losing your job? In these economic times it is no surprise. With everyone from the Prime Minister to your Receptionist is looking worryingly over their shoulders as job security is becoming increasingly important. The cliché is often ‘last in first out’ and in this article I will outline how to make sure you do your best to hold on to your job, regardless of how long you have been in your current position.
The key is making yourself indispensable within your company and we don’t mean by sleeping with your boss!
12 Tips to help secure your Job;
Ø Treat each day as if it was your first – don’t take extra time on your breaks or waste time on facebook, emailing friends or selling/buying things on ebay. Be really positive and up-beat about what you have to do that day and complete everything realistic.
Ø If you have spare capacity at work ask for extra tasks – don’t over commit though as it will make you look like you can’t cope
Ø Go to your bosses with solutions not problems
Ø Innovate at work – think of ways to save the firm money and time
Ø Stay on top of current trends & let your bosses know that you are – maybe do a monthly newsletter addressing current issues in the market
Ø Update your skills and acquire new ones. Take up the offers of training and even seek out training that will add value to your role and as result, the company’s.
Ø Generate sales leads even if you aren’t in sales – think of friends, family and others in your immediate circle who may work for businesses that could use your services
Ø Don’t be a clock watcher, in fact make an effort to arrive early and leave later on a regular basis
Ø Don’t pull any ‘sickies’ – if you are genuinely unwell, go into the office and then be sent home. Make sure any appointments for dentist/doctors are at the least disruptive time to your firm.
Ø Don’t get involved in office politics, gossip or cliques - save your energy for working. Also - keep your own personal problems out of work.
Ø Be professional and well turned out at all time. Don’t roll in with a hang-over or say anything derogatory about your work colleagues (especially the boss). Earn a reputation for being dependable, professional, and cooperative.
Ø Be known - the more people who know you, know your strengths and abilities, know your value to the organization, the less likely you are to be put on that redundancy list.
It is important to maintain your work life balance and not to become a slave to the job. Don’t allow yourself to be exploited by your employer, make sure that you are being rewarded for your efforts. However, if you have any inkling that your company are making cut-backs then put the extra effort in now and it could be your saving grace.
Michelle Jones ©
Unusual Excuses for Work!
As we are fast approaching halloween I wanted to share with you some very unusual excuses for being later for work. I am sure you've heard some corkers so why not share them with us.
"I’m too drunk to drive to work."
"I accidentally flushed my keys down the toilet."
"I had to help deliver a baby on my way to work." (employee was not in the medical profession)
"I accidentally drove through the automatic garage door before it opened."
"My boyfriend’s snake got loose and I’m afraid to leave the bedroom until he gets home."
"I’m too fat to get into my work pants."
"God didn’t wake me." (employee didn’t believe in alarm clocks and thought a higher power would wake her when she was ready)
"I cut my fingernails too short, they’re bleeding and I have to go to the doctor."
"The ghosts in my house kept me up all night."
"I forgot I was getting married today."
"My cow bit me."
"My son accidentally fell asleep next to wet cement in our backyard. His foot fell in and we can’t get it out."
"I was watching a guy fixing a septic pump, fell in the hole and hurt myself."
"I was walking my dog and slipped on a toad in my driveway and hurt my back."
"My house lock jammed and I’m locked in."
Tuesday 7 October 2008
It's official - we are live ......
Simply Online Services has launched www.SimplyOfficeJobs.co.uk - a resource for permanent and interim jobs within the office marketplace. Simply Office Jobs caters for a variety of niche roles including administration, secretarial / PA, receptionist, accounts, customer services, typist and data entry.Go visit and Register your details today.
Monday 29 September 2008
Top 10 tips for hosting the Perfect Meeting
Courtesy of Regus Serviced Offices (Swindon, Windmill Hill Business Park)
According to Regus – the world’s largest provider of flexible workplace solutions – organisations which are settling for cramped, under-equipped and poor quality meeting facilities in hotels offering poor value for money, could be risking new business deals. All Regus centres offer fully equipped and air-conditioned offices, professional meeting rooms, business lounges and state of the art videoconferencing facilities, with smart, professional staff.
Regus say that businesses are wasting thousands of pounds each year because of time wasted on poorly planned meetings. To help organisations work smarter, Regus has produced a short guide to running better meetings.
Regus top 10 tips to running the perfect meeting.
1. Pick the most central and time-efficient location for the people attending (and make sure everyone has maps and clear meeting times)
2. Be flexible on venue – successful meetings can take place in person, by conference call or by video-conference. Be aware of the time pressures on colleagues and the costs of travelling long distances.
3. Pick the right meeting room for your purpose – would boardroom, roundtable, or classroom style work best for you?
4. Pre-book your technology – screens, projectors, video-conferencing (and someone to help you work it, if required!)
5. Brief attendees in advance – make sure everyone knows the agenda, purpose of the meeting and desired outcomes
6. Arrive early to set-up and remind yourself of the details of the meeting
7. Chair the meeting firmly – plan out the time allowance for each agenda point and aim to start and finish on time
8. Ensure clear and detailed notes are taken – either by you or delegate the job to someone else at the meeting
9. Wrap up the meeting by reiterating agreed actions, responsibilities and next steps
10. Follow-up the meeting promptly with the contact report and next meeting dates
We are sure as office professionals you will find the above very interesting.
According to Regus – the world’s largest provider of flexible workplace solutions – organisations which are settling for cramped, under-equipped and poor quality meeting facilities in hotels offering poor value for money, could be risking new business deals. All Regus centres offer fully equipped and air-conditioned offices, professional meeting rooms, business lounges and state of the art videoconferencing facilities, with smart, professional staff.
Regus say that businesses are wasting thousands of pounds each year because of time wasted on poorly planned meetings. To help organisations work smarter, Regus has produced a short guide to running better meetings.
Regus top 10 tips to running the perfect meeting.
1. Pick the most central and time-efficient location for the people attending (and make sure everyone has maps and clear meeting times)
2. Be flexible on venue – successful meetings can take place in person, by conference call or by video-conference. Be aware of the time pressures on colleagues and the costs of travelling long distances.
3. Pick the right meeting room for your purpose – would boardroom, roundtable, or classroom style work best for you?
4. Pre-book your technology – screens, projectors, video-conferencing (and someone to help you work it, if required!)
5. Brief attendees in advance – make sure everyone knows the agenda, purpose of the meeting and desired outcomes
6. Arrive early to set-up and remind yourself of the details of the meeting
7. Chair the meeting firmly – plan out the time allowance for each agenda point and aim to start and finish on time
8. Ensure clear and detailed notes are taken – either by you or delegate the job to someone else at the meeting
9. Wrap up the meeting by reiterating agreed actions, responsibilities and next steps
10. Follow-up the meeting promptly with the contact report and next meeting dates
We are sure as office professionals you will find the above very interesting.
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