A CAREER INCUBATOR entrepreneurship
A CALL FOR INNOVATION
MORE THAN
JUST A JOB voices
HE ABDULLA BIN HAMAD AL ATTIYAH HE YOSUF HUSSEIN KAMAL HE DR HAMAD BIN ABDUL AZIZ AL KUWARI HE DR SULTAN BIN HASSAN AL DOSARI HE DR IBRAHIM AL IBRAHIM SHEIKH FAISAL BIN QASSIM AL THANI
partnerships
CREATING VALUE FOR QATAR
NATION
BUILDING IN YOUR HANDS development
WHAT THE INDUSTRY NEEDS FROM YOU
content
do
it right now Highlight the very best of your key strengths and achievements....
career
17.
“QCF is a specialised window for young Qataris”
hand in hand: We build the nation
HE Yosuf Hussein Kamal, Minister of Economy and Finance, talks to Career about how Qatar’s recent political, socioeconomic developments helped rehabilitate the society.
HE Dr Sultan bin Hassan Al Dhabet Al Dosari, Minister of Labour, charts out the Ministry’s policy and programmes for better placement opportunities for Qatari youngsters.
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17. 19. 22. 24. 39. 43. 2
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Career 2009 - 2010
“QCF is a Specialised Window for Young Qataris”
Hand in hand: We build the nation
Ministry of Culture Observing Qatar’s Vision
Qatar National Vision & the Future
TAPPING INTO Qatar’s Abundance
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
+53
Innovation
and Entrepreneurship If you are entrepreneurial-minded, and believe that you can create value for Qatar, now is the time to start up. Qatar is jazzing up its interest and ambition to become a knowledge-based economy and in this endeavour, entrepreneurs and their world-changing ideas
+ 5 books
you should read Highlight the very best of your key strengths and achievements....
22.
25. 13. 28. 44. 65. 73.
ministry of culture observing Qatar’s vision
Qatar national vision & the future
For HE Hamad Abdul Aziz Al Kuwari, Minister of Culture, QCF serves as a powerful stimulus for all generations of Qataris as far as the materialisation of the National Vision is concerned.
Dr Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, Secretary General, General Secretariat for Development Planning, talks about the challenges facing Qatar and the youngsters in a rapidly changing world and the way forward.
24.
“QCF is a Specialised Window for Young Qataris” Hand in hand: We build the nation
Ministry of Culture Observing Qatar’s Vision
Qatar National Vision & the Future
TAPPING INTO Qatar’s Abundance
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Career 2009 - 2010
3
nail that
opportunity Review the list of
employers before attending a career fair. Broaden your focus and include many types of employers.
a
ttending a career fair is great way to get acquainted with potential employers. And you can start as early as in high school. Attending a career fair is a great way to get exposure to multiple employers and develop your network of career contacts. It is also an opportunity to find out valuable information about various industries, corporations, and different career options.
What You Need To Do Review the list of employers before 4
Career 2009 - 2010
attending a career fair. Figure out which ones interest you the most and go there first. Broaden your focus and include many types of employers. Be organized. Bring plenty of copies of your rĂŠsumĂŠ and a folder or portfolio to hold all your materials. Introduce yourself. Be prepared with a brief introductory sentence for each employer. Tell them the type of position and career path you wish to follow. Ask specific questions about the organisation and career opportunities. Offer to follow up after the fair.
1.
State your objectives clearly.
2.
Highlight the very best of your key strengths and achievements
3.
The Short and to-the-point language gets the message home every time.
a CV that would clinch the deal! A Curriculum Vitae defines the response of a probable employer. It not only lists your achievements and qualification, but also shows how seriously you have taken the recruitment process. So it’s worth spending a lot of time and effort to get the feel and look right. The CV or résumé is an advertisement of sorts – to sell yourself. As a fresh graduate, seek the advice of your student counsellor if you are not sure on how to start off. Keep in mind that the recruiting companies will have hundreds of CVs to filter, so make sure yours stand out. Put the most important information and data right at the beginning. Keep the language crisp.
A GOOD START State your objectives clearly. Highlight
Ask for employer’s business cards for follow up discussions and correspondence.
What To Learn From Employers Employment and/or hiring trends. Skills necessary for different careers. Current/future openings. Salary, benefits, training, and other information about the organisation. Who to contact for follow up discussions.
What Employers May Want To Learn About You Specific career objectives. Individual strengths and weaknesses.
the very best of your key strengths and achievements
BE DIRECT Don’t use convoluted or flowery language. Short and to the point language gets the message home every time.
TAILOR MADE COVERING LETTER Make sure your résumé is targeted exclusively to that particular job or company. So you should be aware of the specific company needs and promote your skills and experience accordingly each time.
CLARITY IS KING your resume needs a clear and concise structure.
resume tells the truth. Embellishment would be fine, if there is evidence to prove it.
SPELL CHECK If you show sloppiness with spelling and grammar on your first impression, it says a whole lot more about you than your lack of language skills.
BI-LINGUAL RESUMES It would be a good idea to prepare resumes in both English and Arabic.
FONTS & FORMAT Use a template if required. Or if you are doing your CV from scratch, pay attention to font style and size and formatting.
BE HONEST
It sounds obvious, but make sure your
Contributions you will make to the organisation. Know your Job Interests and your Qualifications Be able to express your qualifications including strengths, academic preparation, related experiences, and skills (i.e. communication, technical, leadership).
Research Companies in Advance of the Fair Your research on firms will show Recruiters you are hard-working, eager, dedicated and goal-oriented. Review websites of companies you plan to visit. Ask Faculty about the firms and alumni working there
Allow Enough T ime and Plan Ahead Demonstrate confidence: make eye contact,give a firm hand shake, smile! Dress professionally. Recruiters like to know that you are interested. Write a follow-up note as soon as possible expressing interest and further research findings. If you missed a company, drop a note to express interest. Include your resume. Prepare for Follow-up Interviews Companies participate in fairs to identify prospective candidates for intern, co-op and career positions. They usually follow-up on their leads n
Career 2009 - 2010
5
nation building
a collaborative effort In an exclusive interview Career magazine,
HE Dr Sultan bin Hassan Al Dhabet Al Dosari, Minister of Labour, highlights the key opportunities available to Qatari youth and the ministry’s efforts to raise awareness on career options available.
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Career 2009 - 2010
Qatar Career Fair is a link between government agencies and private sector institutions on the one hand, and citizens on the other hand. It provides opportunities to the Qatari Youth HE Dr. Sultan bin Hassan Al Dhabet Al Dosari Minister of Labour
T
he Minister says that the scholarship programme of the Ministry of Labour has so far provided 150 citizens with educational opportunities in order to develop their personal and professional skills, and had agreements with a number of national institutions for providing scholarship for 10 citizens each year, and sending 110 job seeking young men and women abroad, including 66 females and 42 males. Al Dosari pointed out that the cooperation of the Ministry of Labour with Qatar Career Fair helped promote longterm objectives related to the development of Qatari citizens at a personal and professional level, and career-wise. He stressed that the Career Fair was an important means for introducing the nationals to professional development opportunities at various organisations and companies. “Qatar Career Fair is a link between government agencies and private sector institutions on the one hand, and citizens on the other hand. It provides the chance to get acquainted with the opportunities available at those companies, and determines the extent of compatibility between the experiences and aspirations of the Qatari youth and available opportunities.”
Distinct Role Dr Al Dosari affirmed that the Ministry of Labour, through its participation in the Qatar Career Fair, is seeking to harness all the means available to provide rehabilitation and employment opportunities appropriate for citizens in Qatar. Al Dorsri said he believes that Qatar Career Fair is a way to identify the opportunities offered by the various actors. “Qatar Career Fair can be a unique platform to encourage the citizens to find a career through orientation seminars, meetings and presentations. It would also guide them towards appropriate opportunities. The Fair will also give exposure to avenues open in scientific and academic development, that can be availed to continue studying in order to get a higher certificate that allows the citizens to enter the labour market at higher positions and develop their careers better,” he adds. According to Al Dossari, there is a need of permanent presence of educational and training institutions like the Supreme Education Council at the Qatar Career Fair to introduce the scholarship system, as well as the importance of the role of institutions such as Qatar Petroleum, Qatar University, Qatar
Aeronautical College, and other educational institutions. The Minister thinks the importance of career fairs such as the Qatar Career Fair is reflected in the provision of opportunities for lectures, meetings and awareness campaigns that clarify the education and training opportunities, the areas and benefits that will help the citizens choose between taking a career pathway or continue their education to follow a career longer than just taking a job.
Development: A basis for Qatarisation HE the Minister of Labour said that his ministry continues to make tireless efforts in providing job opportunities for citizens. This is done by engaging them in advanced programmes to get diplomas that qualify them to gain technical and managerial capabilities in accordance with the requirements of the labour market. And also by appropriate and strategic placement. “We hope in the future the organising committee of the exhibition will have a greater role of coordination with various agencies to provide appropriate opportunities and jobs for citizens, ensure those job opportunities are properly offered during the exhibition, taking applications of the right candidates and
Career 2009 - 2010
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1.
Qatar Career Fair can be a unique platform to encourage the citizens to find a career through orientation seminars, meetings and presentations. It would also guide them towards appropriate opportunities.
clarifying the requirements, rights and duties of each job and develop the procedures from just accepting CVs to interviewing and selecting the right candidates.” “The labour market in Qatar is now seeking to attract qualified and experienced citizens, to reduce dependency on expatriate skills. To cover this shortfall, the ministry, in coordination with educational and developmental institutions in the Qatar such as the University of Qatar, Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Aeronautical College, Community College (under incorporation) and Career Development Centre (established by Emiri Decree No. 55 for the year 2009), is developing specialized studies in various professional, technical and administrative fields.” Al Dosari added that the Labour market needs to be involved in the reorientation of Qataris, especially high school graduates, to provide them with the appropriate scientific knowledge and practical experience through training programs. This will ensure the provision of theoretical knowledge and practical applica8
Career 2009 - 2010
2.
Qatar Career Fair can be a unique platform to encourage the citizens to find a career through orientation seminars, meetings and presentations. It would also guide them towards appropriate opportunities.
tion in the specific areas required by the market. His Excellency the Minister confirmed that his ministry is seeking, through coordination with the Center for Continuing Education at Qatar University and Career Development Center, to provide specialised programmes to college graduates holding degree in disciplines not required in the Labour market for their rehabilitation in the required areas and jobs, in order to prepare them professionally for the required areas. “The ministry seeks to train university graduates in certain disciplines within the areas of their actual work to qualify them to enter the Labour market. It has been agreed with Aljazeera Media Training and Development Centre to train media graduates in specialized areas information for the media entities in Qatar such as radio, television and the press.”
A call for the people of Qatar His Excellency the Minister of Labour called on the citizens, whom he considered the first stakeholders of Qatarisa-
3.
Qatar Career Fair can be a unique platform to encourage the citizens to find a career through orientation seminars, meetings and presentations. It would also guide them towards appropriate opportunities.
tion, to give serious attention to identifying the occupations available that match their actual aspirations and needs. He confirmed the need for serious commitment to the required work because the Qatari vision is to make the citizens pioneers and leaders that carry out the tasks and activities required to provide a decent living and contribute to building young Qatar under the leadership of His Highness the Emir and The Heir Apparent.
The pace of Qatarisation Through the efforts of the Ministry of Labour in the implementation of the Qatarisation policy in the country and the cooperation of various government and private sector institutions, 10432 Qataris were employed during the period 20 Ocober 2007 to 10 October 2009, including 4815 males and 5617 females. The majority of employed Qataris were high school graduates: 5495; followed by University graduates: 1698; diploma and vocational degrees holders: 222; and finally holders of higher qualifications (Higher Diploma / Masters / PhD): 119 citizens
in figures HE The Minister of Labour Dr. Sultan bin Hassan Al Dhabet Al Dosari confirmed that the Ministry of Labour coordinated with private sector institutions through signing agreements to send job seeking citizens abroad to get higher qualifications in preparation for employ-
31 Qatar Telecom (Qtel)
HSBC
20
ing them. “The ministry’s scholarship program has provided educational opportunities for 150 job seeking citizens. It was agreed with those bodies to send 10 citizens abroad each year. 110 job seeking young men and women were sent out of the
17
International Bank of Qatar
CBQ
10
country according to those agreements, including 66 females and 42 males,� he added. The following is a list of the organisations sponsoring international scholarships:
9
Bank BNP Paribas
Doha Bank
8
6
Barwa Bank
Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Sharq and Sheraton: 2 each hotel, except for Sheraton which sent 1, according to the agreement signed between the Ministry and Qatar National Hotels Company. Many of the private and government organisations signed training agreements with the Institute of Management Development for the training of candidates to be appointed at those bodies in the administrative, technical and IT fields, His Excellency concluded. Career 2009 - 2010
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start early & reach early tips for the high schooler
Conduct Informational
Interviews: Talk with people who are working in occupations that interest you. Consider using a tape recorder to take notes. Ask your counselors or parents to assist you in arranging field trips to see various work environments.
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Career 2009 - 2010
Think about what you like doing and what environments you prefer to work in. Then begin looking for careers that play to those strengths.
F
iguring out what to do for work is a process that happens over time, rather than a single one-time decision. Career Planning is a developmental, thought-provoking process. You must examine yourself: your interests, your temperament and your values. You then need to think about what you want in a job.
Establish Tentative Personal/ Career Goals Write them in terms of short range and long range objectives, with an emphasis on what you plan to do after high school. Remember, you must continue your education and training beyond high school in order to support the life style you want.
Discuss Your Career Goals With Counselours, Teachers, And Family Ask their advice, and encourage their input so you can evaluate their suggestions and ideas along with your own.
Explore Occupations and Gather Career Information Store your collection of materials, articles, and pamphlets in a loose leaf binder or scrapbook. Find out what education or additional training will be required to pursue the careers of your choice.
Conduct Informational Interviews Talk with people who are working in occupations that interest you. Consider using a tape recorder to take notes. Ask your counselors or parents to assist you in arranging field trips to see various work environments.
Develop a Resume of Activities, Honours, and Achievements This can be used later when you apply for part-time jobs and volunteer to work in community and civic activities.
Assemble a List of Admission Requirements and Qualifications This list will assist you in determining how competitive you are. Two and fouryear colleges, military organisations, and trade schools have entrance requirements. Collect college catalogs and other brochures. Ask about open house activities.
Visit Colleges or Other Education/ Training Sites Talk to professors and administrators, interview students, sit in classes, tour facilities, read the bulletin boards and get copies of its newspapers. Develop a list of questions to be answered, and names, addresses and phone numbers of key contacts. Make sure that the institutions offer the type of education and/or training you will need to pursue your career choices. Inquire about the placement of their graduates
Focus on Strengths and Interests Rather than starting out by exploring careers and seeing which one you can fit into, begin by thinking about what you’re good at and what you like doing. Maybe you’re amazing at math and like to build things in your spare time, or maybe you get joy out of helping your classmates edit their English papers. Think about what you like doing and what environments you prefer to work
in. Then begin looking for careers that play to those strengths.
Research Potential Careers Don’t wait until your final year of college to decide whether or not you like the professions you found fascinating in high school. Look for opportunities to learn more about potential careers and the people who pursue them. Internships, volunteer experiences, and job shadowing can be great ways to do this. If you know any adults whose job sounds interesting, see if you can arrange to talk to them about it, observe them at work, or even help out after school. Consider reading books about careers you find interesting, as well, but be sure to balance glamorised or fictionalised accounts with real-world observations and experiences to avoid disappointment. Career exploration and research don’t have to stop at high school, either. You don’t need to go to college with a career plan set in stone, nor do you need to wait for your department or advisor to take the lead on preparing you for a career or showing you what options exist. Feel free to choose classes that interest you and find time outside of school to continue to learn about what people with your degree can do. Try to take advantage of opportunities to gain exposure to and experience in fields you find interesting. Keep your mind open to every opportunity, and never say too early: if you start early, you will be there early, too n
Career 2009 - 2010
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