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It is a common thought that talking about money with your boss or in an interview is a tricky subject and you would think this is even more the case during these hard times. It seems that most people currently looking for jobs are scared of talking money for two reasons, one being that their not currently worth as much as they had thought or secondly, someone less experienced will come along and work for less.

But you can talk about money during an interview; you just need to be clever about it.

Before going to an interview, you should know what your salary expectations are, in line with the current trends. To get a reasonable figure you should research on the internet, talk to finance and accountancy recruitment specialists and read up on salary surveys. Once you have a figure in your head you can be clear about your expectations when asked. This position will allow you to know how to be flexible when the subject is brought up.

Going into interviews especially for finance jobs, you shouldn’t be in the mindset that the employer is the one completely in charge. Some people can feel this way if they have been made redundant and are desperate for work. If you can keep cool and have the relevant background and experience then you will be in a strong position. The fact that a company is looking for new employees in these hard times and you have made it into the interview stage, shows that they really need someone with your skills in their organization.

One common problem facing the recruitment world at the moment, is a lot of experienced people are aiming for junior roles just so they can get back into the workplace. But organizations want to know that their new employees will be committed to the company and feel these experienced individuals will probably jump ship as soon as the market starts to improve. If you are in this position, you will need to convince the employer you are in it for the long term. To help this you should talk about how you hope to progress through the company and your long term goals within the organization.

Once you have been offered a role, you will be in a stronger position to negotiate on your salary. The key here is to not appear greedy, show you are pleased in securing the job and explain how your proposed salary fits in with the current market place. If they do not offer exactly what you want, you should bear in mind that a slight in reduction in the expected amount isn’t that bad in this climate.

Good luck in your job hunting.

Prior to the worldwide economic slowdown we were encouraged to use our credit cards as a source of easy flexible credit to help fund luxury purchases. This free spending culture is perhaps best epitomised by the slogan ‘whack it on the plastic’. However for many people this led them to build up large credit card balances on which they were only able to pay the minimum monthly repayment on. If you are in this situation you probably can’t see a way of ever reducing this debt. But with the following suggestions and professional advice a debt free future can be secured.

So how can you work your way towards a clear credit card? The first step is perhaps the most obvious- stop using the credit card. The more you spend, the more you have to pay back. With every purchase you are only digging yourself into a deeper hole. If necessary cut up the card to ensure you will not keep using it.

Next switch your balance over to a credit card that offers a better interest rate than your current card. This will help slow down the rising cost of your debt. Ideally you are looking for a card that offers a 0% interest rate for a selected period. During this time you will be better able to clear your credit as your won’t be accruing extra debt in interest.

If you have any savings it may be worth using these to pay off your credit card. There is no point saving money in one place and be obligated to a debt in another. Pay off that credit card and once you are debt free you can concentrate on saving again.

However if you don’t have any savings then the only way you will have a clear credit card is to pay off more than the monthly minimum. Even if it’s only a small amount extra each month it will help you to slowly reduce that debt. The best way to arrange this is to sit down and make a list of all the money coming in and all of your outgoings. How much do you have left once the bills have been paid and you’ve budgeted for food etc? This will give you a guide to how much you can afford to pay off on a monthly basis. To ensure you stick to this budget see if you can set up a direct debit to pay off the card.

It’s not always easy to clear your credit but with careful planning and a prudent approach to your spending you can soon bring your credit card balance under control.

Accidents happen all the time. Unfortunately they are a way of life, yet some of them can be avoided. It seems that more and more people are making personal injury claims due to road traffic accidents.

It would be fair to say that the majority of us don’t drive to the same standard that we did when we passed out test. Over time we have become lazy and less cautious of the dangers that lay in front of us. So what can we do to become safer drivers? We need to remember some of the things we were taught whilst learning to drive and combine it with a little common sense.

1. Accidents at junction. The two main factors for this type accident include:

a.      A lack of awareness from the person pulling out of the junction. Very often they don’t look long enough and refuse to slow down enough at the junction to register the flow of the traffic.

b.      Unfortunately responsibly also lays in the hands of the other driver in regards to their speed. The two combined can cause a fatal mistake for some.

2.      Over Taking
With so many other road users such as caravans, lorries, cyclists and tractors it becomes all too easy to be impatient with these slow moving travelers. Many drivers find themselves taking unnecessary risks to overtake and gain a few seconds over this type of traffic. It’s worth while remembering that you should not be over taking on a corner or on the brow of a hill. You also need to remember at all times, that when over taking ‘what if some one is doing what I’m doing on the other side of the road?’

3.      Always look right
Roundabouts are always another popular place for an accident. By not looking properly and becoming impatient whilst waiting for a gap an accident is on the horizon for many car drivers. Consider these two factors with the thought that people using the round about might not be in the correct lane and you should approach the roundabout with a little more care.

These three tips alone could help you avoid any un-necessary collisions with other road users. Just remember to be considerate and un-agitated and driving will become more of a pleasure than a chore.

So you may have heard about bank charges and bank charge refunds but may be wondering what they are. Some of you may have already experienced an unfair bank charge, these are when banks will charge you £30 for accidentally dipping into your overdraft by a pound or something similar. Some people have obviously been hit a lot harder than this and received multiple unfair bank charges.

The theory on why people are making claims for refunded bank charges is that bank charges are said to be unlawful. But not surprisingly the banks don’t agree with this, so this subject has been much debated and has been taken to court.

The main argument that people are making is the banks should only make charges that are in proportion to the costs. According the Unfair Terms in the Consumer Contract Regulation a charge should not be more than the cost to the provider. So if you dip into your overdraft by a pound or have a direct debit payment that bounces then some banks have been charging up to £39 each time. The cost to the bank for this service is sending a computer generated letter to you which most people would agree does not cost the bank £39 a time. One professor has estimated that the actual costing of you going getting a bank charge is between £2.50 and £4.50.

The latest news is that claiming bank charge refunds are on hold while the courts decide which direction to take the situation. But this currently this doesn’t apply to people in financial hardship who can still claim bank charge refunds.

It is thought that hundreds of thousands of people are currently in queue to have their bank charges refunded so it would be advisable to join the queue and see if you can make a claim.

The ruling on where you stand with bank charges is changing, so it is a good idea to seek advice from a finance specialist about what you can do and whether you are eligible to have your bank charges refunded.

In times like these paying the bills can be a most stressful commitment. Meeting the needs of the bank as well as keeping the family fed can be a balancing act that many are unable to undertake. It seems that houses all around the world are at risk of being lost by the owners and those with a celebrity style status have become no exception.

The former home of Jimi Hendrix made news recently when it came to light that the home was to be torn down. Hendrix’ childhood home was declared a ‘shack’ and is to be demolished by local authorities. The Seattle council claimed that the property has become an eyesore after years of neglect. Many fans are mourning the loss of the house as to them it wasn’t a wreck but considered as the childhood home of the great legendary rock star. One of the most famous musicians to be born in Seattle some considered it a shame that no city body stepped in to intervene.

The building was purchased by developer Peter Sikov but after many attempts to relocate the property to reside opposite Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery (where Hendrix is buried) had been turned down it seemed that the endeavor was a lost cause. Yet Sikov is still looking on the demolition of the property as a positive thing. The remains of property can be auctioned off for charity he explains “Can you imagine a guitar made out of wood from Jimi’s house?” he asks. “Who wouldn’t want that?”

Yet not all houses of the famous fall foul to the redevelopment of the local area. The National trust continues to make a great deal of effort in maintaining and preserving the family homes of the famous. One such house that the trust is now responsible for is that of former Beatle John Lennon. The property at 251 Menlove Avenue in Liverpool was the childhood home of this Rock ‘n’ Roll icon. Raised there since the age of 6 by his auntie and uncle, Lennon was brought up in the semi detached property and stayed there for many years, the national trust boasts that some of the earliest Beatles tracks where written there.

For many people the change of a developer or the National Trust buying up their house in their hour of need is a fantasy at best. There are many companies that offer a Quick Property Sale and a Cash for Property service. This service will enable you to get your finances back on track and a few of the companies also offer you the chance to stay in your home with a Sell your Property and Rent Back option. For more information on this service follow the links to the site.

In life there are many things that you can’t prepare for and one of which are accidents. If you are the victim of an accident then you could be entitled to an accident compensation claim.

An injury could leave you with long or short term pain and why should you have to suffer? If the accident was not your fault than there is a good chance that you will be able to make a claim. Perusing a UK accident claim is becoming more popular and more excepted in society. Getting justice for an accident as well as financial aid could help with the burden of any loss of earnings that might be incurred.

Many accident sufferers are unable to work due to the nature of their injury. The pain in some cases can be quite intense. A broken rib from a car traffic accident or an injured back from a work related mishap are some just some examples.

An accident, bedsides having physical implications can have a massive impact financially. This is never more true that those who have a family to look after. A reduction in income can leave the family short of money which can impact on all areas of family life. Things like, being unable to make payments on bills, loans, and the mortgage. Being unable to provide basic essential things like food, without having to borrow money from friends and family. Just these few key problems can put a lot of extra pressure on other members of the family and those around you.

There are some great accident compensation claim companies out there that will be able to help you. Taking all of these elements into consideration and being honest will maximise your claims potential. Ensuring that you get the most from your injury and offering a no win, no fee service can be a great way to know you have a good deal and really get all that you are entitled to.

Everyone will be well aware that finding a job whilst in a recession can be extremely difficult as unemployment numbers are higher than ever. Job hunting can be hard in area such as the financial sector which has been hit hard.

The first thing we suggest is looking at the industry itself, if you have been made redundant and your employers are downsizing in the financial sector, is it a sector you want to still work in. If yes then you are going to have to patient and be persistent. Things aren’t going to magically change and everything will be back to normal. Employers will be looking for passionate and dedicated people who can help them through the tough times. Once you have thought long and hard about the industry and whether you want to continue working in it, you need to think of what career you would like within it. Many people who have been made redundant find it hard to find a position doing the same job and for the same salary. After trying to find a suitable replacement that matches the job you are looking for the skills you have, it maybe worth seeing what other careers you can use your qualifications and skills in.

Another technique for job seekers who are finding it hard to find the ideal job is to consider applying for jobs that maybe lower on the career ladder and at a lower wage. This would mean that you have an edge over the competition as you have experience and relevant skills and you can work your way back up. This may not sound ideal, but in these tough times it might be a tactic like this that gets you back working in the finance sector.

One of the best ways you can prepare yourself for finding a new finance job is to make sure how competitive each position will be. You need to be fully prepared and to make sure you have a professional appearance this includes your resume, cover letter and things like social network profiles. One of our best tips is to make sure your social media profiles are clean and don’t have anything you would like a potential employer to see. It is not unusual for employers to add you as a friend on facebook and take a look over your profile. To boost your online presence, you should consider creating a LinkedIn profile and networking with peers in your industry.

It seems obvious advice, but it is even more important in these tough times. Make sure you customise each cover letter, CV and communicating e-mails to the person you are sending it to and the position you are looking at. Make sure you stand out from the competition, but make sure you are truthful, lying or bending the truth will usually be discovered and can lead to embarrassment or worse.

Financial Recruitment companies, job boards and executive recruiters should all be used effectively in your hunt for a job. Networking with people in the industry is also a great way to find out whether people are aware of any positions available, services like LinkedIn and Twitter are great for things like this. You never know putting a message out there, that you are looking for work could lead to your dream job so don’t write it off.

These tips are only some suggestions on how to find employment during recession, but nothing can beat good old hard work and persistence.

Thousands of people are injured in public places every year. It has been said that a third of all patients in some hospitals a&e have suffered a trip of slip accident. So what can you do if something like this happen to you, well the law will help you recover compensation to cover injuries and any financial losses you incur? But it is very important that you seek advice from a professional accident claims company, many offer no win no fee services.

Most accidents that happen in the public are due to loose paving slabs in pavements or slips in shops like supermarkets. A lot of accidents also happen involving children and dangerous public hazard. As long as the danger is something that should have been safe guarded, then there will be grounds for a claim.

For some people going to a solicitor can be a very daunting task and can be a scary thought so here are some steps to help your solicitor. First off as soon as you can, you should write a clear description of what happened in your accident, this will help when you have to explain what happened to your solicitor.

The next step is to take down the names and details of anyone who witnessed your accident as they may need to give evidence.

When it comes to accidents in public places, the more complaints that have been made against the hazard will help your case. Your solicitor may want to contact other people that have been affected by it.

Photographic evidence will greatly help your case. So it is important they are clear and of good quality. The next best thing to a photograph is a sketch showing the situation. These should be taken as soon as the accident happens so that the people responsible can’t cover anything up.

It may seem like common sense, but you do have a limited time to take a claim to court from when the accident happened. Court proceedings need to happen within 3 years from when the accident occurred unless you were under 18 at the time and then you have up until you are 21 to take the claim to court.

We will cover the next steps in your accident compensation claim next month on the blog, but until then make sure you get advice from a professional before going any further.

If you are looking for accountancy jobs then you will probably already know about the professional bodies that regulate the training and work of accountants. But for those of you would like to know more, we have put together a brief guide to the professional bodies and types of accountancy jobs you will qualify for.

ACA - Chartered Accountant Audit

ACA jobs involve visiting clients in audit teams and reviewing financial records and business operations to ensure the company’s accounts are in order. Employers will be chartered accountancy firms of all sizes.

These jobs benefit from lots of variety as you will be visiting lots of different business, you will be given lots of responsibility and will deal with a wide range of people. The downside to the job is the long hours that you will spend on training and the job itself. Employees with good exam results and that work hard can look forward to early responsibility and fast promotion.

CIPFA - Chartered public & finance accountant

These roles involve managing financial services such as income collections, providing advice to management of massive organisations. The business that will employee people in these roles will be local authorities and public sector bodies. These roles are very satisfactory as you get to be directly involved with running large and important organisations. The downside is that the areas you will be working in a rife with financial constraints and politics.

ACCA - Chartered Certified Accountant

ACCA jobs deal with managing accounting systems, auditing financial records, investigation anomalies, preparing financial statements, improving processes and procedures and advising clients on tax and financial issues. These accounts can either work for private practices, public sector organisations or private sector companies.

The positives with this type of job is that you can specialse in any industry and you get an overview of the whole enterprise.

Negatives are that the qualification is hard work to get, the job is quite high pressured and there is a negative image of it.

CIMA - Chartered Management Accountant

CIMA jobs are more management related than the other qualifications. The role deals with providing financial information to help protect companies financially. You will provide management information, improve existing procedures and processes and select implement and develop management systems. These roles are lot less number crunching than the others and involve a lot more management.

It has been warned that the recent amount of redundancies could lead to personal injury claim numbers increasing. People have speculated that history may repeat itself after claims rose a lot during the last economic crisis.

Many large companies have decided to make cutbacks and redundancies to help survive the current climate. So how will this affect compensation claims, well Kieran Jones from Weightmans’ disease unit has noted that during the late 1990s some very large garment and textile manufacturing factories had to be closed down in Nottingham and Derbyshire. This lead to very large numbers of redundancies adding to this a campaign was set up including newspapers and leaflets that discussed free hearing tests and compensation that could be obtained from various companies including these textile firms. Subsequently thousands of claims were made against the three main textile employers in the area and their insurance companies. Even though a lot of these claims were made about conditions that were perfectly legal and held no weight, it didn’t stop the number of claims.

Employers should help avoid situations like this by making sure that they have relevant documentation that will cover them incase any claims will be made against them. One of the biggest problems is that when some factories are closed down, the building will be demolished meaning that the working environment cannot be inspected if a claim is made.

It is in the best interest of both the insurers and the company itself both keep records of all relevant information and documentation to help defend themselves if another large number of accident compensation claims are brought against them. Other wise they could be in big trouble.

It should also be noted that the government overhauled the laws and rules for injury claims last year. These changes have made the process much quicker and cuts costs for both the businesses and claimers. The processes have been streamlined to try and avoid settlements that have taken months and even years in the past.