By Hilary Diack

If anyone tries to tell you there are no good jobs up for grabs just spend a few minutes checking out these sites. Add to these the plethora of career sections on the websites of most large companies and you will be spoilt for choice.

Bayt

Bayt is a comprehensive site for positions in Egypt and the Middle East region. It offers loads of useful information as well.

www.bayt.com/en/egypt

EFE Egypt

EFE Egypt was established in 2007 to give youth a brighter future while helping businesses find the skilled entry-level employees they need. EFE Egypt has launched programs to prepare unemployed Egyptian youth to succeed as employees and entrepreneurs.

www.efe.org/our-network/egypt

Amcham

The American Chamber of Commerce has a great website with a variety of jobs in well-known companies, many of which are multi-nationals. You can upload your C.V. or browse through their database.

www.amcham.org.eg/online_services/recruitment

Vacancies for Fresh Graduates

This is a good site for new graduates to check. Jobs posted seem to be with dynamic companies that offer good growth potential.

www.facebook.com/vacancies.for.fresh.graduates.Undergrads

Linked In

If you are a member of Linked In and looking to change your work you can access their database of interesting positions. To top it off, they will keep you posted as to anything in the market that might interest you as well.

jobs-listings@linkedin.com

Jobs Egypt

You can actually find positions available throughout the region in addition to a wide selection in Egypt. The site is updated regularly so is a handy resource.

www.jobs-eg.com

Cantalop

Cantalop is a job search engine that aims to revolutionize the way people search for jobs in Egypt; an easy-to-use online tool.

www.cantalop.com

Wuzzuf

This relatively new website has a great database of good jobs in many fields. Well worth a look!

www.wuzzuf.net/jobs/egypt

Dubizzle

This well-known resource has a diverse range of job listings for Egypt and the region.

www.egypt.dubizzle.com

A Day in the Life of…

By Hilary Diack

Cairo East Magazine brings you a personal glimpse into a typical day for two of our city’s young business professionals.

Name: Mahmoud Farahat

Age: 37

Education: Bachelor of Architecture, University of Miami & a Masters in Architecture & Urban Planning from Rome, Italy. 

Current Position: Senior Project Manager in SODIC

CEM: How long have you been working in this position?

MF: I have been working in SODIC since April 2010.

What were you doing before and why did you change track?

Prior to moving to Egypt to work for SODIC, I used to be a Director/ Chief Architect at Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design Firm working on large scale billion dollar projects in Miami and Dubai.   This is different from what I am doing now in that before I worked as a consultant, designing and creating construction documents, whereas now, in SODIC, I am working as a client representative managing consultants, contractors, budgets, time and quality.

I am and always will be an architect. I have worked all over the world in the construction field and as a consultant for more than 10 years; so therefore, expanding my experience to managing projects from the client’s perspective was a natural progression which allowed me to have a more holistic view of managing a project from all angles. This, I strongly believe, makes me a more proficient and skilled architect with a greater understanding of how to ensure a project’s success.

Please describe your typical day, from wake up to sleep.

I am at work by 8:30 am where I begin with a cup of green tea with lemon. My document controller then brings me all correspondence that must be either answered or distributed. This is followed by a meeting with my staff to obtain updates on progress of construction, tenders, variations, and issues that require upper management.  I then proceed to do a site walk-through with contractor and supervision consultant to check on progress and make comments. After that, I proceed to SODIC HQ and coordinate all outstanding paper work and payments with all internal departments such as Procurement, Planning, Costing and Contracts.  Finally, I prepare a report on a weekly basis that goes to upper management indicating progress updates as well as highlighting risks that require escalation.  I then drive home through traffic, on the phone most of the way, still resolving work issues.  Once home I sit back, relax and have my dinner either at home or with the love of my life.  Usually I end the evening with a movie or just interesting conversation before finally retiring to bed.

How much time is spent on paper work and correspondence?

I would say 20% – 30% of my day is dedicated to paper work and correspondence.

What do you normally do for lunch?

My lunch is basically a quick sandwich, which is usually eaten at my desk in between meetings.

What is the best part of your day?

The best part of my day is walking through the project site and watching the project come to life in front of my eyes.

What is your tip for success?

Work hard and motivate those working with you. Always challenge yourself as well as your team to be more efficient and most importantly to not be Mr. Fix-it, but rather, be the one that is able to foresee and circumvent problems rather than wait for them to happen.

Name: Tamer Fahim

Age: 34

Education: Bachelor of Science, NYIT (New York Institute of Technology)

Current Position: GM/Owner of Jupiter Eclipse Training

CEM: Tamer, when did you establish JET?

TF:  I opened the company on the 31st of Dec 2009. We have been operational as a corporate training company focusing on teambuilding/coaching and soft skills training for the past five years, growing slowly but surely.

What were you doing before and why did you change track?

I was the Marketing Director for Avon cosmetics and before that the Brand Manager for CHANEL in Egypt. I have always been a self-starter and proactive, with my own unique perspective on things. I kept wondering why I should make money for someone else, if I had the skills to create something of my own. So I decided to set up my own business. Of course I was blessed to have a family business already running which I used as a stepping stone: a dynamic team-building enterprise that was founded over 14 years ago by my mother.

So what would be your typical day, from wake up to sleep?

My day starts at around 6.00 am with an early bike ride with my dog and then I hit the gym. A good breakfast is a must, and then I am off to work to be at my desk between 8.30 to 9.00 am. One of the things I love about my business is it always comes with surprises; every day is a new day, working on our team-building projects both inside and outside Cairo for our expanding client list. The JET team exists in an industry that needs a lot of innovation and creative thinking outside of the box, so every day we look for positive ways to develop the business.

What about routine tasks? How much time is spent on paper work and correspondence?

Not a lot, maybe an hour during the day maximum. Our work program is hands-on and dynamic and we back it up with a detailed but easily managed planning and communications system.

What do you normally do for lunch?

I normally bring my lunch from home, nothing can beat that!

What is the best part of your day?

Landing a team-building or coaching contract with a client. And ofcourse, when a longstanding customer calls us and asks for another training session. We feel a burst of adrenalin when a new or existing client comes to us with a challenge. That is what we work for.

What is your tip for success?

Innovation is KEY.  What separates you from your competition and always keeps you a step ahead is being innovative and creative.

Sell, Trade, Donate or Simply De-Clutter

By Hilary Diack

Wardrobe overflowing? Cupboards need sorting out? Tripping over the kids’ toys? All signs that a serious down-sizing of unneeded items is in order. You can turn some items that are still relatively new into cash, or simply donate them and have the benefit of knowing that someone else will be able to put them to good use. Our choice of links worth checking out follows below:

Bikya Book Café

Bikya has become a cultural hub where art, literature, music, and knowledge mesh with second-hand books. A perfect home for books you have already enjoyed!

www.facebook.com/BikyaBookCafe

CSA (Community Services Association)

CSA in Maadi supports local women entrepreneurs and charitable organizations through sales of items in the Village Gift Shop or donation of clothes through La Boutique consignment store.

www.livinginegypt.org

EpiscoCare

Your donation of second-hand items helps EpiscoCare combat poverty in two ways. The second-hand items they receive will be sold very cheaply to beneficiaries at their Community Development Centres in the poor local communities, allowing marginalized people to buy things they otherwise would not have been able to buy. At the same time, the money earned on second-hand sales is used in EpiscoCare’s programs, thereby supporting their empowering efforts by equipping people with basic skills, education and health care.

www.episcocare.org

ESMA

The helpers at ESMA animal shelter work untiringly to care for homeless pets. The shelter survives on donations from the community, so any items of good used clothing and unneeded furniture are appreciated by the staff and their young families.

www.esma.org

Freecycle Cairo

If you have something to sell, give away or exchange, or are looking for something, this Facebook page is for recycling any items within Cairo, to the benefit of the environment and your wallet. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

www.facebook.com/FreecycleCairo

Karama

Karama is a community charity development that seeks to assist homeless individuals living on the streets in Egypt.

www.facebook.com/KaramaCharity

Kayan Charity

Kayan is a non-profit organisation, based in Cairo, whose mission is to make the life of children with special needs in Egypt better. Donations for Kayan can be in the form of clothes, vehicles or money.

www.kayanegypt.org

RecycloBekia

RecycloBekia is an electronic waste recycling company based in Egypt and serving the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. RecycloBekia gets engaged in the collection of e-waste products ending with the creation of high-quality secondary raw materials, which limit the extraction and the impoverishment of new raw materials.

www.facebook.com/recyclobekia

Galal Zekri-Chatila Takes us on his Bicycle Across Egypt

By Nahla Samaha

“I’m planning to cover every inch of our dear beloved country,”

For most of us, adventure can entail driving across town for a bite to eat, changing our brand of shampoo, or staying up past 1 am. For a very special brand of people like 21 year-old Galal Zekri-Chatila, adventure entails leaving the comforts of home (and car), and taking it upon himself to singlehandedly promote Egyptian solidarity and tourism armed only with a bicycle and a dream.

About to embark on a five-month journey across Egypt on his bicycle, Zekri-Chatila sat down with Cairo East Magazine to chat about his insane passion for his country and the road, as well as his upcoming grand adventure.

A Bicycle and a Dream

Zekri-Chatila’s love for the desert road began in early childhood on travels with his parents, “I always imagined myself riding a horse mounted with my camping gear for a long adventure travel,” he recalls. His first foray out of his comfort zone came at school age when a young Zekri-Chatila hiked from Cairo to Suez on a school field trip, “a year later I was one of the co-leaders of the scout team, and I joined a cycling journey from Cairo to Ismaeleya,” he says.

Three years later, 17 year-old Zekri-Chatila found himself cycling to Sukhna just as political events were taking a dramatic turn during the Jan 25 Revolution. Despite the threat of road thugs, Zekri-Chatila went ahead with his journey with the intention of proving that Egypt is safe and beautiful, and that there was no reason to feel unsafe.

Fast-forward to a year later, Zekri-Chatila accomplished another milestone with his cycling journey to Nuweiba. Completing the trip to Nuweiba inspired his touring Egypt dream, and so at age 19, he began with a 19 day, 1650 Km journey across the Western Desert; a feat that further fueled his confidence and determination to traverse Egypt corner to corner on his bicycle.

“I’m planning to cover every inch of our dear beloved country,” says Zekri-Chatila of his upcoming five-month journey, “I’m planning to go west as far as Saloum, and Siwa, and south as far as Shark Owaynat, Abou Simbel, Shalatin and hopefully Halayeb, then north up to Port Said,” he says. A journey that Zekri-Chatila calculates will cover a distance of 8000 Km over a period of five months.

Seems like a lot of hard work and a lot of hassle. A lot. But for Zekri-Chatila this is what living is all about, “For some this is the trouble, for me this is life itself,” he asserts. “I’m willing to risk my life for a happy moment in the middle of nowhere. A life that is out of the book, far away from what any lens can project. This is where we actually belong, in Mother Nature,” he fervently contends. “We are now living in a chaotic city, ruled by political turmoil, affected by environmental issues that have destroyed our spirit. We encourage each other not to be productive, not to dream big, we kill the possibility of realizing our dreams or believing in the impossible,” he solemnly says.

Nuweiba & The Western Desert

Taking to the road is not without its obstacles and obscurities, “In some towns people thought I was a foreigner,” he says of his 1650 Km tour of the Western Desert, “Even when I spoke in Arabic they still wouldn’t believe me unless I showed them my national ID.” After being mugged while on the road, Zekri-Chatila’s emergency response team managed to replace all that was stolen. “On the other hand, one day I lost 300 pounds at a police checkpoint, the following day the man called me to inform me that he found 400 not 300 pounds, and he delivered the cash via the Egyptian post office.” It’s situations like this that reaffirm Chatila’s love for Egypt, and further encourage him on his mission of elevating Egypt’s image and uniting its people.

Zekri-Chatila also managed to gain some fans along the road that would cheer for him and show their support, like truck drivers and travelers. Some police checkpoints allowed him to pitch his tent on their premises, while others went as far as offering him food and shelter indoors, “I must say that I was never rejected by any ambulance station, they would always host me after making sure that I was clean,” he fondly recalls.

Obstacles lay at every turn for Zekri-Chatila. Road encounters and natural obstacles like weather conditions including high winds, uphill roads, and lack of water, “But we must learn that every problem has its solution,” says the adventurer. While cycling to Nuweiba a police officer at a checkpoint warned Chatila against proceeding any further, “he said the village I was about to pass through didn’t have an ambulance station, or a cafeteria, and that it was controlled by a gang of thugs who had kidnapped and killed some people and dumped their bodies,” says Zekri-Chatila. But Zekri-Chatila’s passion and determination trumped any fears he may have fostered, “I went ahead anyway because my main objective of these trips is to break free from the fears that are limiting our dreams and productivity,” he says confidently.

Not one to lose sight of his health while on the road, “To stay hydrated is the key factor for a healthy outdoor adventure,” he says, “I usually eat lots of carbs and proteins on these trips to stay energized.”

Five Months on Two Wheels

Zekri-Chatila has been preparing for his upcoming five-month journey for more than a year. He planned out every single day of the entire trip, studied weather patterns, wind statuses based on wind behavior of the year before, “this is to plan the direction I shall I be heading in order to estimate the time I’ll need to cover a certain distance,” he says of the exact science it takes to plan his trip. “I also study my maps on a very intensive scale, I locate all the potential stops on the road, all the telecom towers located on the roads as well so I can have an idea of when I won’t be connected.”

Zekri-Chatila is also training with coaches from Train for Aim, as well as Revive. He has been undergoing physiotherapy to ensure that his joints and muscles are in the desired shape. And while he’s getting fit, so is his bicycle, which is getting a custom overhaul at Ain Bicycles.

Seeing Egypt Differently

Cycling to distant locales in Egypt has given Zekri-Chatila a brand new perspective on the country. Certainly one that you can’t attain from the comforts of city living.

“After touring around the Western Desert of Egypt, I realized that the Egyptian personality is so unique, very respectful, and very kind,” he lovingly says. “Egypt is a great place to live, the only issue is that people limit themselves; they don’t chase their dreams because they think it’s impossible. We end up all living in the same way, which is quiet boring. I rarely see Egyptians who know the map of Egypt for example, which is a shame.”

“Traveling isn’t about the North Coast or Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt is full of unseen heavens,” says Zekri-Chatila.

His travels have also deepened Zekri-Chatila’s philosophical views, “I started to believe that everything happens for a reason and that with your power, you can turn the bad moments into good ones,” he says. “One of the biggest lessons I have learned is to follow my heart,” he admits. Chatila’s views on money have also changed, “You can never buy your youth, or good times. Working for money in order to achieve happiness is a crazy equation that would control all your moments, and you will never get enough from saving money,” he says.

Zekri-Chatila had the chance to inspire many other young potential adventurers when he spoke at the TEDx Youth Talk, “I went on that stage with Cheetah my bicycle, and she was standing there, cheering me on after carrying me for 1650 km across the Western Desert,” he happily recalls.

You can follow Zekri-Chatila’s journey across Egypt, which will commence in October, through Cairo East Magazine, on the trip website www.egypton2wheels.com, and through www.facebook.com/galalzekrichatila as well as @galalzekri on Twitter.

Professional Advice on Landing a Job

By Hilary Diack

Landing a coveted job is all about making the right impression by showcasing your skills and potential in the right way. Cairo East Magazine chatted with Alex Krikor Tcherasson, SPHR, HR consultant, to get his advice for new graduates.

CWM: What are the key points to consider when seeking employment?

AT: The four points to consider when applying for a job vacancy:

1. CV preparation

2. Before the interview

3. During the interview

4. Employment offer

What are common mistakes people make when compiling their C.V.? What should they include and what should they avoid?

A well-prepared CV, comprised of 2 pages maximum, will attract a potential employer’s attention and it should contain the following:

­Personal details (name, phone number and e-mail address)

­Business objectives and aspirations (2 – 4 lines)

­Technical skills if any (summer training for example)

­Personal qualities (abilities)

­Achievements (social activities, sport activities etc.)

­Education

Tips:

­Avoid long colorful decorated CVs

­Avoid copying CVs from the Internet

­Use bullets and short sentences

­ Use Arial or Universe font, size 12

­ Focus on your strengths and qualities as a human being

How can candidates make the right impression in a job interview?

Before the interview:

Read about the employer.  Being knowledgeable about the business you are trying to join gives an excellent impression

­Dress appropriately (preferably formal), be well groomed

­Arrive 10 – 15 minutes before the interview time

­Bring additional copies of your CV, they might be needed

­Bring copies of any documents that might help during the interview (certificates of training, awards etc.)

During the interview:

­Enter the interview room confidently

­Don’t cross your arms or legs

­Listen carefully with no interruption

­If you are asked to introduce yourself, make it in less than 2 minutes.  Focus on your studies and business objectives

­Never answer a question you don’t understand.

­Say that you don’t know if you have no answer; it shows professionalism

­Make your statements short and clear

­Always maintain eye contact in a relaxed manner

­Ask about the potential for acquiring new skills and career path in the company

­Ask about the next step

Tip:

Don’t ask about the salary at this stage.  If they volunteer to tell you, then it is ok to discuss it

What qualities does an HR manager usually look for when meeting a potential employee?

The focus is usually on knowledge and mainly abilities such as communication, creativity and customer orientation. Taking this into consideration helps job seekers when preparing for an interview

What are the most important things to keep in mind when considering a new job?

Most job seekers don’t really know how employers evaluate them when applying for a vacancy which opens the door for irrelevant interpretations when rejected.  Employers focus on finding a candidate profile that should match the vacancy competency model.

If your application is successful the following points should be discussed before signing an employment offer/contract:

Position title

Start date

Offered salary

Contract type (annual, temp, open…)

Benefits

Other requirements

Armed with a positive attitude and a will to work hard you should now be on the path to a rewarding career.

Courtesy of El Sewedy company

Throwing a Little Light on the Subject of power conservation which is a hot topic these days, so we spoke with Mohamed Salama, Product Manager of leading lighting company El Sewedy to learn more about energy-efficient lighting, what is available, and where.

CEM: What is the difference between LED and CFL lamps?

MS: Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) are smaller versions of standard fluorescent lamps (neon). They consume much less energy but provide light that is comparable to incandescent lights. Also, they can generally replace standard incandescent bulbs. CFLs use one-fifth to one-third the electric power of a standard lamp and last eight to twelve times longer. A CFL has a higher purchase price than an incandescent lamp but can save over five times its purchase price in electricity costs over the lamp’s lifetime.

LED is a light-emitting diode (LED) product that is assembled into a lamp (or light bulb) for use in lighting fixtures. LEDs use one-fifth to one-third of the electricity used to power a standard lamp, and last fifteen to thirty times longer. An LED lamp has a higher purchase price than an incandescent lamp but can save over fifteen times its purchase price in electricity costs over the lamp’s lifetime.

What are the price, life (working hours) and energy consumption figures of an LED lamp compared to Compact Fluorescent lamps?

CFL: Price 15-35 EGP, depending on wattage and lamp shape. Life is 6000-12000 hours, depending on the brand and quality. 

LED: Price 40- 120 EGP, depending on wattage and lamp shape. Life is 15000- 35000 hours, depending on the brand and quality.

What are the available shapes, lighting colors and models for indoor use?

CFL lamps come in spiral shape, U-shape, A-shape, mini globe and globe as well as candle shape. There are also indoor reflectors and spotlights. The color options are Cool Daylight (white) and Warm Light (yellow). LED lamps are available in A-shape, globe, candle, indoor reflectors and spotlights in the same color options.

Any model mentioned above can be used in outdoor applications so long as they are protected inside a lighting fixture the same as any normal lamp. For landscaping we can use outdoor reflectors (Par lamps). Price ranges are the same as mentioned above.

What are common misconceptions concerning energy-saving lamps?

One is that they are harmful to the environment. Another is that they don’t have enough shapes or that they only come in a spiral shape. Many people believe that they are only available in white! Energy-saving lamps are available in both Warm Light and Cool Daylight tones.

Often people think incorrectly that energy-saving lamps are only imported. El Sewedy Electrical Solutions have one of the biggest factories in the Middle East and North Africa for energy-saving lamps.

Where are locations where the lamps mentioned can be bought?

They are widely available at places like Hyper Market, Spinney’s, Mahmal Supermarkets, Carrefour and lighting fixture shops. You could even try any electrician near your house, just ask for our brands, El Sewedy Lamba,  El Sewedy Xtra  and Megaman.