Group items tagged

Base from official figures, Britain is finally "on track" to recover from the economic crisis with employment back at the same level as in 2008. The economy grew by 0.6 per cent between April and June despite earlier speculation that there may have been a renewed recession. This has been followed by another rise earlier in the year. There are optimistic signs of growth with employment and the number of hours worked returning to pre-crisis levels, ending a five-year slump. But, in totality the size of the economy is still way smaller than previous to the crisis and politicians were last night eager to stress that Britain still faces years of austerity and improbability before it will have fully recovered. George Osborne, the Chancellor, said that the country was "on the mend" as he prepared to make improving the economy his key message at the next general election. "The figures are better than forecast," Mr Osborne said. "Britain is holding its nerve. We are sticking to our economic plan. "Britain is on the mend, but we've got to stick with the plan because there's still a long way to go." David Cameron, who went on his annual summer holiday, added: "We are on the right track - building an economy for hard-working people." Nonetheless, senior politicians also gave warning to people "not to get carried away"and stressed that ministers were not complacent. Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, said that he would not be prepared to declare that the economy had recovered before there had been another "two or three years" of strong growth. Neil Bentley, the deputy director-general of the CBI, said that the figures confirmed that Britain was on the road to recovery although there were likely to be "a few bumps ahead". "Underlying conditions are quite weak as consumers are still saddled with debt and despite the global economy picking up, the potential for getting knocked off course remains," he said. According to the O

On November 8, Friday, President Barack Obama tries to shift the national conversation to economic growth from anger over insurance policy cancellations under his signature healthcare law, as he visits the Port of New Orleans. The next day after Obama said in a nationally televised interview he was sorry some Americans were dropped by their health plans because of changes mandated by the Affordable Care Act, he will tour a busy cargo and cruise ship port, the White House said. Again, he will convey the message that the United States should spend more on its roads, bridges and ports as a way to create jobs and strengthen U.S. firms through increased trade. Said on Friday, he will speak after the government that employers added 204,000 jobs in October despite a 16-day government shutdown, although the jobless rate ticked up to 7.3 percent. The White House expected that there would have been 120,000 additional jobs created in the month if not for the shuttering of government offices regardless of the surprisingly strong employment report. The administration has repeatedly said that the economy would be growing more rapidly and job growth would be more robust without the shutdown, prompted by Republican efforts to defund or delay the healthcare law, known as Obamacare. Yet, the jobs report suggested the impact of the shutdown on the economy was slighter than many had thought. The Mississippi River port will provide Obama an appropriate setting to discuss about his proposal to spend $50 billion to repair and upgrade the nation's infrastructure and efforts to expand trade. The president "believes that exports are central to our national economy and has made increasing exports a major focus for his administration," the White House said in a statement. However, because of lingering questions about Obamacare, Obama's efforts to press Congress for more spending to strengthen economic growth will be overshadowed. The failed even out of the online signup process for in

Westhill Consulting & Employment - Welcome to Westhill Consulting & Employment where you can find a job that will click for you!

Find a job in a recovering economy simply by not giving up on finding one. Maintain a positive attitude and knock on doors instead of waiting for an opportunity to knock on yours. Find opportunities, grab the job, be aggressive and apply to varieties of companies. The more jobs you apply to, the more likely you are of getting one. Update your social media profiles and career network pages. Notify your personal and professional network that you're on the market, refer to Westhill Consulting Career and Employment, Australia, and let them know what you're good at. You will never guess how powerful word of mouth is, so make sure that when you talk with people who might be able to help, let them know what kind of work you are interested in. About 70 percent of jobs are never put on a job board, meaning, they're filled via personal recommendations and connections so make use of these in every way you possibly can. This way you can also avoid scams since these are all from personal connections. Highlight something in your resume or interview that makes you stand out from the crowd of applicants, may it be a certification in your field or a volunteer job from your past employment. If the job situation really feels unwelcoming, consider changing your field to an area that is flourishing. For more info: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Westhill-Consulting-Employment/496648630414940

By 25 active operators in Southeast Asia with 46 rigs, the contracting conditions have been challenging due to the collapse in crude oil prices while exploration and production spending have pressured both utilization and day rates in the region INTRODUCTION Southeast Asia is rich with hydrocarbon resources. The region is made up of Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Jakarta Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. According to Shell, the Indonesia oil industry and what subsequently became Royal Dutch Shell are closely connected. Shell discovered commercial quantities of crude oil in Sumatra just over 100 years ago. Moreover, Shell was the first to bring a drilling rig to the region and the first to discover oil off of Brunei in 1958. Today there are about 25 operators active in Southeast Asia with 46 rigs (Jack Ups, Semis and Drillships) currently contracted. Forty one of the contracted rigs are drilling, and five are waiting on location or in shipyards. In addition to the rigs that are contracted in the region, there are eight cold stacked units, nine ready stacked units, and one unit in the shipyard without a contract for a total supply of 64 rigs. Thus, total utilization in the region is 72% and ready utilization is 84%. While indications are that Jack-Up Market fundamentals have begun to stabilize. Southeast Asia only has eight semisubmersibles actively drilling in its waters (one other is contracted but not currently working). Four are off Malaysia, two are off Vietnam, one is off the Jakarta Peninsula, and another is off Myanmar. However, the drilling Jack Up count is significantly higher at 31 (four others are contracted but not currently working). Malaysia has the highest Jack Up count at twelve, followed by Vietnam with seven, Thailand with five, Indonesia with four, Brunei Darussalam with two, and East Timor with one. There are also two Drill ships working in the region. One is off Malaysia and the other is of

Westhill Consulting Career and Employment Tips: Teaching English abroad "Under the Table" Without a Work Visa - What Does it Mean? There are thousands of Americans teaching English abroad in dozens of countries around the globe likeBangkok in Thailand, Jakarta in Indonesia, KL in Malaysia or Beijing in China. What do 90% of them have in common? In addition to enjoying the international adventure of a lifetime,they are teaching English "under the table." In other words they are not legally working in those countries with a work visa. This is commonplace, even routine, in dozens of countries around the world, but it is not technically legal. The first matter is to understand that there are different types of visas that you will use to teach English abroad and that regulations vary from country to country. Please refer to our article, "What is a visa and do I need a visa to teach English abroad?" source: http://www.westhillconsulting-career.com/blog/2014/03/28/westhill-consulting-career-employment-tips-teaching-english-abroad-table-without-work-visa-mean/ What does it mean to teach English abroad "under the table," without a work visa? Typically the following:  You don't have official permission to work in that country.  You are officially working illegally.  You probably entered the country where you are teaching on a tourist visa (in many countries a tourist visa will enable you to stay legally in the country for 90 days) and in many cases, you will stay on and teach English on a tourist visa that has expired or lapsed (this will be the case in countries like Italy and Spain where tourist visas cannot typically be renewed). In such cases, you are not only working illegally, but you do not have a valid visa to legally be in that country either.  In other cases, such as Argentina, you canrenew your tourist visa or get a new one before your original visa expires (example day 85 of your 90 day visa), often by leaving and re-entering t

http://www.westhillconsulting-career.com/blog/2014/03/17/seizing-opportunities-south-east-asias-oil-gas-industry/ Since 2010, South-East Asia has consolidated its position as an important contributor to the global downstream market with Petronas' recent announcement of its plan to build the new RAPID facility in Malaysia one further example of the region's growing importance. In reality the timing couldn't be better - as populations across Asia continue to grow, the demand for fuel will grow exponentially, offering oil & gas operators a real opportunity to make a significant contribution to the region's continued economic development. However, with this growing demand comes additional pressures, and with the sector still vulnerable to fluctuating oil prices, operators can ill-afford to rest on their laurels. The need to ensure their operations are as productive as possible and that cost inefficiencies are stripped out from the very outset, is arguably more important than ever before. Minimizing operational costs When it comes to new projects oil & gas operators have traditionally been good at minimizing their CAPEX spend. However, there has been much less focus given to limiting the cost of operation of their assets. With maintenance costs typically responsible for 20-30% of the overall OPEX expenditure, this is one area where the downstream sector in South-East Asia is increasingly focusing its attention. According to some analysts the costs incurred across the globe in maintaining the next generation of oil & gas assets could equate to $0.75 trillion highlighting the scale of the prize that could be on offer here. For a typical refinery the operational expenditure is principally dictated by three prime factors: the quantum of work carried out on the asset, the efficiency at which it can be delivered and the agreed cost rate of the resource used. In each instance there is an opportunity to significantly reduce cost outlay by focusing on a range of inter

Half of the companies said they were already planning to use their expertise by investing abroad Companies in the UK oil and gas sector expect to create up to 39,000 jobs over the next two years. A survey of 100 companies, commissioned by the Bank of Scotland, found expectations of employment growth had increased since last year. A clear majority (69%) of executives in the companies were optimistic about their growth prospects in 2014/2015. A total of 38% of those responding said a shortage of skilled workers would be their greatest challenge. Continue reading the main story "Start Quote Scotland should reap the largest share of these new jobs, however other parts of the UK will benefit from expansion plans" Stuart White Bank of Scotland International expansion was cited as a priority by 64% of those taking part. Key areas for investment were Africa, North America and the Middle East. 'Expand internationally' The survey found 46% of companies were already planning further growth in foreign markets over the next 24 months. The research was carried out by BDRC Continental and companies were chosen to reflect a range of size, location and service type. A similar study carried out last year indicated companies in the sector would recruit an additional 34,000 people over two years. Bank of Scotland commercial area director Stuart White, said: "The findings of this report are excellent news for the economy, demonstrating the employment-generating nature of the oil and gas industry now and in the future. "With most of the UK's oil and gas firms clustered in Aberdeen and the north-east, Scotland should reap the largest share of these new jobs, however other parts of the UK will benefit from expansion plans. "The report also highlights the growing challenges posed by the lack of a skilled workforce." For more information: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=3200182 http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?p=65310369#post65310369

The following is a collection of expert advice from our panel on the challenges and opportunities for women in development http://www.westhillconsulting-career.com/blog/2013/08/29/women-development-18-tips-career-success/ Ayse Cihan Sultanoglu, UN assistant secretary-general, New York, US. @csultanoglu To get to the top, don't be afraid of starting at the bottom: In building a career in development it is important that you experience living and working in developing countries. This could mean that you must be willing to do something that you had never really considered or something that is out of your comfort zone. Young women shouldn't be afraid of starting at the bottom. The problem is not at the top, but at middle management level: Not having women in top positions isn't the challenge or attracting women at entry levels also does not seem to be too difficult either but the lagging numbers of women in middle-management positions is the problem. Make sure you are adaptable: In any field, you need to renew yourself constantly, maybe more so in development. It is diverse, dynamic and constantly evolving because of its very nature so there is always room for innovation, learning and sharing. Jackie Asiimwe, country manager, Wellspring Advisers, Uganda. @asiimwe4justice Emotions make a leader authentic: Women are being branded as too emotional making it seem that emotions are a bad thing. In my own leadership journey, I have decided I will embrace my emotions because they are part of what makes me human and woman. Emotions are part of being an authentic leader. We cannot be clinical about leadership, Jackie Asiimwe said. Rushanara Ali, shadow minister for international development, London, UK. @rushanaraali We need anti-discrimination laws that are properly enforced: nowadays, anti-discrimination laws to protect women in the labor market and public institutions are very crucial in any society. If those laws are not properly enforced then too often women h

Source: http://westhillconsulting-career.com/ http://www.westhillconsulting-career.com/blog/ http://westhillconsulting-employment.bravesites.com/entries/general/westhill-consulting-and-employment-5-tips-for-changing-careers http://www.arto.com/section/blog/ViewEntry.aspx?id=5758057&EntryID=4720895

Australian businesses predicts 2014 to be a good year for growth, expecting that sales, profits, investment and employment will increase to their highest level in 12 months. Dun and Bradstreet's latest Business Expectations Survey shows capital investment and employment intentions have rebounded from negative territory in the previous quarter to sit above their 10-year average levels. Dun and Bradstreet's economics adviser, Stephen Koukoulas, says expectations for employment are particularly encouraging and should allay some people's concerns about job security. "While we're still not quite at the very strong levels for employment and hiring intentions just yet, it's clearly lifted over the last 9-12 months or so," he said. "And it's suggesting to us anyway that employment will start to lift to a more sustainable pace in the first half of 2014." The survey also explains a quarter of firms designed to raise the cost of their products and services throughout the first three months of this year 2014, a move that may prompt the Reserve Bank to lift interest rates. "It would require a global negative shock to cut rates again in our view," Mr Koukoulas said. "But more likely if the economy is stronger, if we do get a pick-up in selling prices showing up in higher inflation in the next quarter or two, then I think not only do we not have interest rate cuts coming through but the focus of the market will be more on when will the RBA start lifting interest rates and how aggressively will they do it." According to the survey, optimism among Australian businesses is also on the rise, with two-thirds of firms feeling more positive about growth prospects this year compared to last year. Employment objectives have recovered from an interpretation of -1.1 in the last quarter to 8.8 in the present quarter, the highest level in three years, at the same time as the outlook for capital spending was back from -0.4 to 7.2.

http://www.westhillconsulting-career.com/blog/2014/05/19/jobs-growth-oil-gas-firms-uk/ Companies in the UK oil and gas sector anticipate creating up to 39,000 jobs over the next two years. One hundred companies were surveyed, commissioned by the Bank of Scotland, since last year found expectations of employment growth had increased. A clear majority (69%) of executives in the companies were optimistic about their growth prospects in 2014/2015 while 38% of those responding said a shortage of skilled workers would be their greatest challenge. Whereas 64% of those taking part cited that the international expansion was a priority. Key areas for investment were Africa, North America, Jakarta, Indonesia and the Middle East. Westhill Consulting Career and Employment, Australia's survey says 46% of companies were planning by now for a further growth in foreign markets over the next 24 months. The research was carried out by BDRC Continental and companies were chosen to reflect a range of size, location and service type. In the previous year, a related study was carried out saying that the companies in the sector would recruit an additional 34,000 people over two years. Bank of Scotland commercial area director Stuart White, said: "The findings of this report are excellent news for the economy, demonstrating the employment-generating nature of the oil and gas industry now and in the future. "With most of the UK's oil and gas firms clustered in Aberdeen and the north-east, Scotland should reap the largest share of these new jobs, however other parts of the UK will benefit from expansion plans. "The report also highlights the growing challenges posed by the lack of a skilled workforce." Mr White said new specialist apprenticeship schemes could help address the shortfall. "The results also demo

http://www.westhillconsulting-career.com/blog/2014/04/07/working-abroad-find-jobs-overseas/ Westhill Consulting Career & Employment out of Australia has many more tips and warnings about working in Southeast Asia. 1. What are the benefits of working abroad? There are so many its hard to only pick a few! If you study or specialize in a foreign language, an obvious benefit of working abroad is immersion into your target language. You'll also be fully experiencing a new culture, which typically proves both challenging and rewarding. Professionally speaking, employers find candidates with extended experience abroad attractive, as it showcases an individual's understanding of the global economy. Working in a multi-cultural office often means developing advanced intercultural and interpersonal skills. You could test out the experience of working abroad by taking a working holiday - see our article: 10 Paycations: how to make money on holiday - but you'll never know the benefits unless you take the leap of faith and try to work abroad - go for it! 2. What types of jobs are on offer for those looking to work overseas? The most common job pursued abroad is teaching English. Those who speak English as a native language find that their skills and expertise are in high demand in a range of (often well paying) locations. These jobs are typically short-term (one year or less) and can be taken in both major cities and rural areas. Other popular options include business consultancy, food service, tourism companies and property. Many people choose to work for a company from their home country that allows for short term trips abroad to complete work. 3. Where is it easiest to find jobs abroad? For an English-speaking native, without a doubt, the easiest job to find abroad is a teaching gig. If you tr

There is a common perception with employers in Qatar that Europeans are expensive to employ. You have to have a skill set to break in and justify your fee. Once in you are plain sailing.

The total of Americans filing new requests for unemployment assistances fell more than anticipated, signifying that a severe stoppage in job progress last month was perhaps a deviation. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 36,000 to a seasonally adjusted 280,000 for the week ended Sept. 13, the Labor Department said last Sept. 11. It was the lowermost level ever since July. Claims for the previous week were studied to show 1,000 more applications received than formerly reported. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims falling to only 305,000 last week. Westhill Consulting Career and Employment, Australia is also feeling the growth since last year, an example were the upsurge in the economy in Indonesia which eventually paved the way of many job openings in Jakarta. Since then, lesser complaints were reported. The four-week moving average of claims, measured a better amount of labor market drifts as it irons out week-to-week instability, fell 4,750 to 299,500. A Labor Department analyst said there were no special factors influencing the state level data. This month's data covered the period during which employers were charted for September's non-farm payrolls. Claims drop 19,000 between the August and September survey times. That proposes payrolls growth bounce back from August's eight-month low, which most economists terminated as a fluke, noting that payroll improvements tend to be lesser in August for the reason that of problems regulating the data for seasonal variations in hiring. Employers appended only 142,000 jobs to their payrolls in August, breaking six consecutive months of job upsurges above 200,000. The jobless claims report displayed the number of people still getting benefits after an early week of aid dropped

In a relationship, there are martyrs, the ones who still stick even when they are already hurt or in pain. There are also playboys and playgirl, the ones who jump from one partner to another. Same happens in your work and depending on your personality; you can either be a martyr or a playboy. According to previous articles written by Westhill Career and Employment, an Australian-based company centered on career development and professional etiquette, an average person is expected to change careers several time their lifetime. As pointed by a study conducted in Jakarta, Indonesia, 20-40 years old employees tend to jump from one job to another at least 5 times. One of the main reasons for the career change is that people often don't make informed decisions or may want to expand their horizons. Reviews on how to find a career right for you or on how to stay in your job are frequent. This information is crucial in each individual's growth. Making informed decision can certainly increase the likelihood that you can be satisfied with your job and ensure your tenure. Changing a career may be tough for so many people since they don't have that much reason to give up. But how will you know if you already have to leave? Here are some of the main pointers to know if you have already reached rock bottom in your career: 1. There is a big Change in your Life When you chose your career, your life may have been different than it is today. Unless