http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/open-jobs-as-a-logistics-manager-in-the-uk.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/open-jobs-as-a-logistics-manager-in-the-uk.html Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0600
However, the competition for these positions is incredibly heated. Several factors make the open jobs available in the automotive industry difficult to attain. Hundreds of thousands of graduates are leaving universities throughout the United Kingdom and Europe searching for jobs with major UK firms. This means that there are hundreds of applicants for every logistics position, which can mean a talented professional gets lost in the shuffle. As well, automotive firms in the UK have high standards for logistics professionals, especially management level positions.

Logistics professionals interested in open positions with automotive companies need to utilise a variety of resources. A narrow view in the logistics manager job hunt means that many opportunities may be left by the wayside. Graduates and experienced professionals alike need to search for open positions in a variety of media.
For those already in the automotive field and looking for logistics position, using their network of colleagues is a great first step. Through years of work, logistics professionals build connections with automotive professionals and logistics managers with various companies. A quick conversation and continued contact with this network ensures that any potential openings can be pursued before they are advertised on the open market.

New graduates who want to rise quickly through the ranks to logistics management positions need to recruiting firms or training programs. Recruiting firms who work with automotive firms can locate the right connection between a professional’s needs and the needs of a hiring company. As well, graduate trainee programs can help put logistics aspirants on the fast track to entry level jobs with the opportunity for advancement into management positions.

These first steps need to be supplemented by more traditional methods of job hunting. Reviewing company websites for logistics manager positions can provide a good picture of the job market at present. Online job sites are a great way to apply to a number of logistics positions with a few clicks of a button. Logistics managers need to think about their ideal workplace and mobilise as many resources as possible to achieve this ideal.

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Richard Taylor Edwards is the Managing Director of Talisman Executive, a specialist recruitment agency for construction careers and construction jobs in the UK and Europe.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/open-mechanic-jobs-in-the-uk.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/open-mechanic-jobs-in-the-uk.html Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0600
There are plenty of open mechanic jobs in the UK at any given time. Graduates and young professionals who don’t mind getting a little dirty while they fix automobiles can find their ideal job pretty quickly. The biggest decision for auto mechanics is deciding whether they want to work with an automotive shop or a dealership. Both environments are nurturing to auto mechanics, though in very different ways.

Most auto owners in the UK are familiar with the various free standing mechanic shops available in their community. Petrol stations, car washes, and auto mechanic shops all feature stations for a variety of auto needs. Mechanics are needed often for these positions, as they are a great entry level position for new graduates. The benefit to this work is that a good portion of the work is simple tasks, including tire rotations and oil changes. This means that they can work on a larger number of cars in the average day than their counterparts in car dealerships. However, one of the issues with auto shop jobs is that the pay is usually lower than at dealership shops.

Auto dealerships in the United Kingdom offer a wide range of benefits to mechanics who accept their open jobs. Sophisticated repair and diagnostic equipment is made available to mechanics, largely as an investment in happy customers and quality work. As well, dealership mechanic jobs often have higher wages and benefits than at other mechanic positions. Finally, dealership work is fairly steady and can create challenges on a daily basis for mechanics looking to broaden their experience.

The shortfall of auto dealership mechanic jobs is that they can offer too rigid a corporate environment for some mechanics. Mechanics often like to converse with the consumers directly and offer a variety of solutions to their auto problems. However, the specialisation and regimentation of the auto industry extends into its auto service centres. The real choice in finding the right mechanic openings is how important customer service is to an individual applicant.

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Richard Taylor Edwards is the Managing Director of Talisman Executive, a specialist recruitment agency for construction careers and construction jobs in the UK and Europe.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/rising-through-the-ranks-as-a-company-secretary.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/rising-through-the-ranks-as-a-company-secretary.html Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0600
However, many young professionals entering the automotive industry fail to see the potential of rising through the ranks as a company secretary. This oversight can be damaging to those who want to rise quickly up the corporate ladder to management or supervisory positions. Indeed, administrative assistant and secretary positions are great ways to rise through the ranks of an automotive firm for the right candidate.

One reason why company secretary positions are great launching pads to advanced positions is the connections these professionals establish. Company secretaries speak with executives and other professionals throughout the industry, in addition to professionals in other industries working with automotive firms. As such, secretaries with the right skills and ambition already have the requisite knowledge to rise to other positions in the firm. The references they build by these regular interactions are integral to future success.

As well, company secretaries have to exhibit the skills necessary for management or supervisory positions. Clear communications, as mentioned, are a part of any secretary’s repertoire. As well, the ability to organise multiple tasks at one time and delegate to temporary workers or assistants prove invaluable in future positions. Finally, company secretaries are intimately familiar with the various departments within the firm.

However, the most important aspect of a company secretary’s job is the dissemination of information to their supervisors. Secretaries learn a lot about the inner workings and politics of a firm’s executive board just in the commission of their daily tasks. As well, company secretaries are often asked to summarise reports, write letters, and updated website information on behalf of an executive. By simply doing their jobs, company secretaries build a comprehensive knowledge of the automotive industry and the firm that they work for. Company secretaries in automotive firms build a strong reputation within their department and the general firm simply by fulfilling job expectations. Graduates and young professionals need to know that company secretary jobs are a great spring board to advanced positions.

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Richard Taylor Edwards is the Managing Director of Talisman Executive, a specialist recruitment agency for construction careers and construction jobs in the UK and Europe.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/selling-a-piece-of-yourself-as-a-product-marketing-manager.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/selling-a-piece-of-yourself-as-a-product-marketing-manager.html Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0600
Managers at product marketing departments throughout the United Kingdom have a tough task on their hands. After all, auto firms have to compete in the general marketplace for the attention of consumers. As well, they need to compete with international auto makers in terms of attention in the specific market sector. Finally, product marketing managers need to work with designers and business people on how to find creative marketing solutions in every media.

The most important way in which a product marketing manager can ensure success in their field is to think of each product they advertise as a part of themselves. Personalising automobiles and other products allows a marketing manager to develop campaigns that make them proud. While it may be difficult to personalise something like an automobile, it is necessary to build the best marketing materials.

One way that a product marketing manager can sell a piece of themselves in each campaign is to observe the production process from start to finish. By observing the production of the item they are marketing, they become better connected to the production aspect of their employing firm. Indeed, automotive firms will encourage product marketing professionals to check out finished vehicles in order to find areas that should be highlighted in marketing campaigns.

Another way that a marketing manager can personalise the automotive marketing program is to ensure that every piece of material has a little bit of their imprint on it. This means that a product marketing manager develops a calling card or signature marketing tool that can be identified in the firm’s various marketing efforts. For example, a professional may use a certain type of font in product market campaigns that expresses their creativity. These small touches can make a product marketing manager proud of their work while feeling like the success of their employer is in some small part due to their efforts. In order to maintain focus, exceed expectations, and succeed in their jobs, product marketing managers need to bring a little of themselves into every part of their job.

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Richard Taylor Edwards is the Managing Director of Talisman Executive, a specialist recruitment agency for construction careers and construction jobs in the UK and Europe.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/succeeding-as-an-automotive-marketing-director.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/succeeding-as-an-automotive-marketing-director.html Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0600
Due to the high stress and importance of their job, automotive marketing directors may not realise that they need to sharpen their skills in order to succeed in their jobs. A director who is immersed in managing multiple marketing campaigns can often lose sight of how they can improve upon themselves. These marketing executives need to ensure that they are at the top of their game not only for their own professional success but the overall success of the firm.

The question for automotive marketing directors is how they can improve upon skills while in the thick of their stressful lives. The first step in increasing productivity in automotive marketing positions is to develop an inventory of skills needed for daily success. Automotive marketing directors may be busy during their days but they need to take a few minutes to review this list of skills and determine whether they are getting the job done. These inventories are an important first step towards success.

A marketing director may realise that they are not keeping up with the latest in industry news. Marketing directors in the automotive field need to stay updated on what their firm is doing, what other firms are doing, and the major trends in the automotive industry. The Internet makes finding news very easy and an automotive marketing director, with trade publications and news sites available with the click of a button.

Automotive marketing departments also need directors who are creative. Directors need to look back to past campaigns on a regular basis in order to avoid repetition in corporate marketing. As well, directors need to speak with their designers and developers to determine the best way to promote new product lines. A combination of conversation and creativity can lead to great campaigns.
Finally, automotive marketing directors need to be strong communicators. Directors can organise informal meetings, one-on-one sessions, and online forums in order to stay in contact with their subordinates. The ability to communicate with co-workers reflects on the ability of a director to communicate product information to the general public.

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Richard Taylor Edwards is the Managing Director of Talisman Executive, a specialist recruitment agency for construction careers and construction jobs in the UK and Europe.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/improving-skills-as-a-paint-shop-manager.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/improving-skills-as-a-paint-shop-manager.html Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600
While paint shop workers may think that the manager position means that you have to stop learning, they are mistaken. Paint shop managers often improve their skills and learn more about the industry in the first few months in their new position than they did as paint shop employees. Managers need to be accountable to their superiors and their subordinates, as both expect them to fill a certain role. In dealing with both groups, a paint shop manager can improve their skills quickly to become a more effective professional.

Paint shop managers need to deal with executives, general managers, and other upper management professionals on a regular basis. New vehicle lines come through the paint shop which need a special set of colors in a hurry. Old vehicle lines are overhauled and need to include new paints and finishes for dealerships around the UK. The demands from above are very high for paint shop managers, who have to stay focused and maintain their attention on the paint shop every minute on the job.

In dealing with upper management professionals, a paint shop manager can improve their skills through attentive listening. Paint shop managers often have to sit in meetings about new product lines. When people running the meeting ask for questions or suggestions, a manager should chime in. Demonstrating an interest in the project will maintain focus, increase knowledge, and show upper management that they care about the end product. As well, staying updated on the latest corporate and industry news is vital to clear communications with management.

Paint shop managers also have to deal with their staff members on a daily basis, who have individual agendas and goals. The best thing for a paint shop manager to do is to speak with his crew as often as possible one-on-one, in order to gain a better perspective about the paint shop environment. Managers who demonstrate their interest in their subordinates, no matter what industry they work in, will have successful careers.

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Richard Taylor Edwards is the Managing Director of Talisman Executive, a specialist recruitment agency for construction careers and construction jobs in the UK and Europe.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/managing-time-as-a-projects-director.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/managing-time-as-a-projects-director.html Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600
As such, projects directors need to be able to organise themselves effectively. However, simply organising the desktop and cleaning out computer file folders frequently won’t get it done. Projects directors need to maintain a strong organisational structure and an updated schedule in order to exceed expectations in the automotive field. There are a few ways in which projects directors can manage their time in order to achieve success.

The first step towards managing time is to keep appointments short. Projects directors should not be fooled by the usual half hour slots that computer scheduling software allows. Automotive directors benefit in several ways from cutting their meeting times in half or in thirds. Projects managers, designers, and engineers need to keep their proposals and issues concise, disallowing any filler or wasted time. As well, more appointments can be fit in around longer meetings, making the daily schedule more flexible.

In addition to cutting down appointment times, projects directors also need to establish quick huddles with their managers and professionals. These huddles, in lieu of regular sit down meetings, allow the projects management staff to get together quickly and go over any daily issues that may arise. As well, board rooms and long conference tables make it difficult to establish a rapport between directors and their subordinates. Impromptu forums for projects staff mean an opportunity to catch up a bit and develop stronger communications.

Finally, projects directors need to learn how to prioritise their various tasks effectively. The simple way of prioritising projects is to look at the due dates or “drop dead” dates on a project. However, several projects may be required immediately, which means that these projects may need to be done simultaneously. Delegation of projects management to their subordinates can help directors on some level. However, projects directors need to look at the overall profitability of a project in order to determine its priority level.

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Richard Taylor Edwards is the Managing Director of Talisman Executive, a specialist recruitment agency for construction careers and construction jobs in the UK and Europe.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/improving-yourself-as-a-purchasing-manager.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/improving-yourself-as-a-purchasing-manager.html Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600
However, purchasing managers needs to realise that there are simple ways to improve their daily lives and exceed expectations. The key for any purchasing manager is not to lose the forest for the trees, or the company pens for the corporate budget. Purchasing managers who focus on every aspect of their job and improve on those aspects little by little will find themselves better able to handle the stresses of their job.

One way to improve as a purchasing manager is to take a few additional minutes each day to review industry and corporate news. Purchasing managers, like other management professionals in automotive firms, need to be aware of the direction of their company and the strength of the competition. By reviewing press releases, analysis, and news, purchasing managers are better informed on how their decisions will influence the firm.

Purchasing managers should also schedule a short meeting daily with their buyers and other professionals. While purchasing professionals have plenty of meetings with outside vendors and others within the firm, an informal stand up meeting can create a better sense of teamwork. As well, these informal sessions can keep everyone updated on what the office is doing as a whole to improve the corporate lifestyle of their employer.

Finally, purchasing managers in the automotive field need to be able to speak in different manners with diverse groups. A manager may have a meeting with shareholders in the morning, a lunch meeting with a vendor, and an afternoon meeting with company executives. All three groups require a different approach and a purchasing manager needs to learn these approaches in order to succeed. The best advice that can be given to a purchasing manager is to listen carefully to what different groups have to say and research their needs prior to meetings. By demonstrating interest and concern for their needs, a purchasing manager can become more successful and make their firm more successful as a result.

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Richard Taylor Edwards is the Managing Director of Talisman Executive, a specialist recruitment agency for construction careers and construction jobs in the UK and Europe.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/landing-a-position-as-a-head-of-development.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/landing-a-position-as-a-head-of-development.html Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600
The question for many auto development professionals is how to achieve a position as a head of development. After all, most development heads have decades of experience in the automotive industry and have worked through the ranks to land their job. However, there are opportunities for experienced development professionals to cross over from one company to another in order to head up a new development department or take over for a retiring head. Nonetheless, there are few advertisements in the newspaper or online for heads of development with a major automotive firm.

Experienced professionals unknowingly have the first ingredient toward finding a development head position. Many development professionals attend conferences and work with many colleagues during their years in the automotive industry. Development workers need to utilise these connections in order to find out information about potential positions opening up throughout the industry. A development worker may have a former colleague who works at another auto firm. This colleague may know about an opening that may be coming up for their company’s head of development position. This type of informal network is necessary for ascension into management positions in the automotive industry.

A second resource for development job hunters looking for the head spot are executive recruiting firms. Throughout the United Kingdom, there are firms that focus on management and executive level positions in a variety of industries. These firms can help a potential development head promote their candidacy to various companies while helping them refine their skills for the series of interviews necessary to land the job.

Development professionals in the automotive field need to set themselves up early for upper management positions. Executive hiring committees look for a willingness to lead, creativity, knowledge of the industry, and a commitment to creating a great product. Professionals who cultivate a reputation and become known as a leader in the development field can write their ticket to the development head position of their choice.

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Richard Taylor Edwards is the Managing Director of Talisman Executive, a specialist recruitment agency for construction careers and construction jobs in the UK and Europe.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/learning-to-succeed-as-an-automotive-hr-manager.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/learning-to-succeed-as-an-automotive-hr-manager.html Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600
Automotive HR managers need to learn how to succeed in their jobs for a number of reasons. Exceeding expectations and performing in an exemplary manner will be noticed by automotive executives, especially in regards to a talented work place assembled by an HR department. As well, HR managers who are successful in their job ensure that their subordinates have the tools and confidence to succeed in their jobs. In essence, the automotive HR manager’s success provides a domino effect throughout the firm.

The question then is how an HR manager can learn to succeed in the automotive industry. The first step for these management professionals is to assess their communication skills. Obviously, those who hired the automotive HR manager in question knew that they had the potential to be a great communicator. However, effective communication requires hard work and constant awareness of how different people need to be communicated with differently. By understanding how they communicate in various situations, an HR manager is aware of their shortcomings and may implement solutions to these issues.

As well, automotive HR managers need to exude confidence in everything they do. From hiring decisions to simple paperwork on behalf of an engineer, HR managers need to demonstrate that they are confident in their own abilities. Confidence is infectious in the workplace and will lead to a more competent HR staff.

Finally, automotive HR managers throughout the UK need to be fully aware of the industry in which they are hiring. While an experienced HR manager may be familiar with general trends in the automotive industry, this is insufficient in finding the best talent in the marketplace. Indeed, the difference between a strong staff and a weak one falls largely on the ability of an automotive HR manager to find exceptional talent before their competitors do. HR managers need to review trade publications and news sites in order to stay ahead of the curve on hiring needs in the industry.

About the Author:
Richard Taylor Edwards is the Managing Director of Talisman Executive, a specialist recruitment agency for construction careers and construction jobs in the UK and Europe. For more visit www.talismanjobs.com and http://www.talismanjobs.com/construction-careers.html

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Richard Taylor Edwards is the Managing Director of Talisman Executive, a specialist recruitment agency for construction careers and construction jobs in the UK and Europe.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>