The Akhtaboot Blog

Akhtaboot Announces the Winner of “Win an iPhone 4S with Akhtaboot” Contest

2012-01-18T06:49:00.000-08:00

Akhtaboot – the career network is proud to announce Farah Azar as the winner of “Win an iPhone 4S with Akhtaboot” contest. The contest attracted hundreds of eager participants from all over the Middle East to share their experiences with Akhtaboot in a 45 second video talking about what they like the most about the career network.

Farah was one of the 20 finalists whose videos were posted on all Akhtaboot Facebook Fan Pages for members to view and “like”, and he was announced winner after receiving the highest number of likes from fans, friends and viewers.

Rana Qubain, Social Media Strategist at Akhtaboot said:

“After 3 months of anticipation, we are happy to announce the winner of Akhtaboot’s first ever video competition. We have started this contest to reward one of thousands of true and loyal fans and users. The energy and enthusiasm of our users continue to affirm the success of our efforts in linking the right person to the right career opportunity. We’d like to thank everyone who participated in helping us launch our first-ever social contest with such a huge response."

Farah Azar, winner of the iPhone 4S said: "Upon graduation, I came across Akhtaboot which is the ideal platform in terms of jobs offered in the Middle East and ease of use, and through the website I learned about the competition and decided to participate in “Win an iPhone 4S with Akhtaboot”. Thanks to the entire Akhtaboot team for this wonderful opportunity."

This contest provided a unique way for Akhtaboot’s community to become a part of the career network with video testimonials coming in from all over the Middle East.

TAWDHEEF Recruitment Show, Abu Dhabi - 31st Jan - 2 Feb

2012-01-18T03:57:00.000-08:00

TAWDHEEF – the leading recruitment exhibition is all set to take place from 31 January - 2 February 2012 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

TAWDHEEF provides the perfect opportunity for qualified Emiratis and other experienced professionals to meet companies from a variety of industry sectors including Banking, Oil & Gas, Aviation and many others.

Come meet the Akhtaboot Team at TAWDHEEF Job Fair where you can:

Meet with companies from a variety of industry sectors that are seeking qualified professionals
Receive advice on your CV and job-searching techniques from recruitment specialists
Find your dream job at the Interview Room conducted by Ershaad.ae (exclusively for UAE Nationals only)
Attend free seminar sessions that will be conducted by HR Managers from leading companies
Enter competitions and win fantastic prizes!

Important timelines to note:

Tuesday, 31 January 2012: 11am - 7pm (UAE Nationals only)
Wednesday, 1 February 2012: 11am - 7pm (UAE Nationals only) (11am - 2pm Ladies only)
Thursday, 2 February 2012: 9:30am - 7pm (Open to all Nationalities)

Pre-register your visit online to avoid the queue and be automatically entered into an exclusive draw to win a brand new iPad 2!

Advance Your Career This Holiday Season

2011-12-18T23:10:00.000-08:00

We all wait for the holidays! Whether it’s Eid Al-Adha, Christmas, New Year’s, these are seasons for relaxation with friends and family, a time where you can sleep as much as you want, eat and hang around with no care in the world. For many people regardless of career level, holiday season is a time when work is low on your list of priorities. Most people stop working, stop blogging and stop any work-related activities all together.

While not taking time off can do your career more harm than good, staying on top of your job and up-to-date during holidays can help you get ahead of competition and advance your career. With just a bit of minimal work, you can set yourself apart from the crowd and dedicate a small amount of your time-off to work. Akhtaboot is here with smart tips to help you go this extra mile and get ahead of others during the holidays.

Self Education

Dedicating an hour or two daily to educate yourself on things that are relevant to your business will always do you good. Perhaps it’s a new but relevant topic that you are not familiar with or maybe you came across a new piece of research that you haven’t had the time to read. Bring your laptop home, research on new creative ideas to bring back with you to work. Get a relevant book and devote some time to read whenever you’re free. There is actually a saying that states: “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young”, and another great person said, “Formal education will make you a living; self education will make you a fortune.”

Think Long Term

If you’re an employee handling the social media department of your company, the worst thing to do is to just stop answering people’s inquiries, stop posting news and events and stop blogging. Of course you don’t need to write as often but getting a few posts out there because chances are you’re going to be one of the few people out there who are still writing. You might also want to start planning conferences you want to attend. Usually we’re busy at work and don’t have the time to organize and keep things neat, so this is a good chance for you to keep on track. You may also organize key contacts and email them. Keep building the relationships with clients over the holidays, send out holiday cards. Make sure that when 2012 starts you are top of mind for everyone that knows who you are.

Work hard, Play hard

It’s totally fine to give yourself a break! Don’t feel guilty about it; we all need a vacation every once in a while. Spend time with family and friends, celebrate the holiday with loved ones or work on a hobby that you rarely get the chance to devote time to. Sleep for long hours, eat healthy and go to the gym. Doing so will help you feel enthusiastic and energetic after you go back to work. Work hard, Play hard!

Going back to work after a holiday vacation is typically something we all dread. After all, you were just getting used to staying up really late reading or spending your days watching football. While it naturally may be a jolt to your system when you first get back to normal work schedule, trying to prepare for work before the end of your vacation can help reduce the discomfort. Go back to your regular sleep routine before the holiday ends, check your emails to get yourself organized before going back to work after a long holiday.

The Akhtaboot team wishes you and your beloved ones a healthy, happy and stress-free holidays!

Akhtaboot as one of the Fastest Growing 500 Companies

2011-12-04T03:56:00.000-08:00

Akhtaboot – the career network is proud to announce that it has been included in the “Arabia Fast Growth 500” List, a project of AllWorld Network which highlights the ranking of the fastest growing companies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Turkey, and Pakistan.
In the Levant, Jordan took first place with 27 fast growth company winners, followed by Lebanon with 14 winners, Palestine with two winners, and one winner from Syria. Overall, Jordan was fourth on the Arabia500, competing against the much larger economies of Turkey, Pakistan, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

Yousef Shamoun, Co-founder and CEO of Akhtaboot said:

“Being selected as an Arabia Fast Growth 500 company is an honor as well as a true testament to the efforts of our team who have played an instrumental role in helping Akhtaboot achieve sustained growth year-over-year. With this announcement, we reaffirm Akhtaboot’s commitment to delivering the best online recruitment services to help link job seekers from across the MENA region with their dream jobs.”

Each entrepreneur on the Arabia500 ranking has grown an average of 40 percent annually between 2008 and 2010, created an average of 200 jobs per company, and is succeeding in industries from web technology to food, and construction to consulting. The Levant winners are in Istanbul for the 2nd Global Summit on Entrepreneurship, December 3-5.They will meet with Arabia500 winners from 11 other countries and will be recognized by Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan.

Read more about Arabia500 company rankings and view the full company list.

Akhtaboot to Power PepsiCo Jordan’s Recruitment

2011-11-16T01:18:00.000-08:00

Akhtaboot - the career network is proud to announce the launch of PepsiCo Jordan’s Career Connect solution, “Powered by Akhtaboot”, which will provide PepsiCo Jordan with their own fully integrated and branded jobs section with the ability to post unlimited job postings and receive job applications directly onto their careers section on their own website.

As part of Akhtaboot’s relentless efforts in providing world-class recruitment services to its clients, PepsiCo Jordan will be able to make the most of their Career Connect solution with a single point of contact for all of their recruitment needs with a variety of CV filtration, and organization tools, making the hiring process simple, efficient and as cost-effective as ever.

Ms. Hawar Hijazi, Human Resources Manager at PepsiCo Jordan said:

“Our Human Resources team at PepsiCo - Jordan is truly delighted and impressed with Akhtaboot’s Career Connect service as it will help us find the right people to add to our existing human capital. The relationship we had with Akhtaboot as recruitment solutions provider over the past few years has proven to be both successful and fruitful in helping us reach our objectives as a leader in the food and beverage industry. We are definitely looking forward to a successful extension of our collaboration.”

With Career Connect, Akhtaboot goes beyond helping companies simply find the right candidates; it actually provides companies with a one-stop recruitment gateway that is specifically designed to cater to the employment needs of companies.

Akhtaboot Launches Its Own URL Shortner Akht.bt

2011-11-15T00:18:00.000-08:00

Akhtaboot – the career network has announced the launch of its own URL shortener Akht.bt that will be used for posts that link to official Akhtaboot pages, making the sharing process more convenient than ever with shorter and easier to remember links.

Mohamad Haj Hasan, COO and Co-founder of Akhtaboot said:

“URL Shorteners play an important role in social networking websites like Twitter and other micro blogging services. The Akhtaboot team can now create custom short URLs with excellent keywords for easier monitoring and control over the shortened links. We also think it's pretty cool to have our own customized short URL!”

Akhtaboot users and followers can now visit Akht.bt shortcuts with confidence that they will always end up at a page for Akhtaboot.

Akhtaboot Unveils Smart Recommendations Feature

2011-11-03T00:54:00.000-07:00

Akhtaboot - the career network recently launched Akhtaboot SmartJob Recommendations feature, which entails sending a weekly SmartJob Recommendations email to job seekers consisting of more relevant jobs, based on the communities they are interested in, countries they prefer to work in and the experience highlighted in their profiles.

In yet another step towards providing world-class recruitment services to its clients, Akhtaboot SmartJob Recommendations feature aims to help recruiters target more relevant candidates to their vacancies with focus on the country of residence of job seekers.

Yousef Shamoun, CEO and Co-founder of Akhtaboot said:

“As part of Akhtaboot’s constant efforts to help companies achieve the biggest return on their recruitment efforts, Akhtaboot SmartJob Recommendations feature provides an added benefit for companies through promoting jobs that truly suit the qualifications of job seekers who have specific information listed in their Akhtaboot profiles.”

In essence, this new targeting feature makes Akhtaboot job postings even more relevant to the audience, thus, reflecting the industry shift toward more relevance in advertising.

Akhtaboot TAG-Knowledge Host Their Second Successful Job Fair

2011-10-31T02:23:00.000-07:00

Under the patronage of Jordan's Ministry of Labor, H.E. Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman and CEO of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization inaugurated the second Akhtaboot TAG-Knowledge job fair, the biggest career event for the year 2011 in Jordan.

For the 2nd year in a row, Akhtaboot - the career network and the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Knowledge Center (TAG-Knowledge), join forces to organize their ever popular job fair, which was held on the 26th and 27th of October at TAG-Knowledge headquarters, Queen Rania Street.

The opening ceremony witnessed the participation of officials from the Ministry of Labor, representatives of the participating companies along with many concerned entities and individuals. The job fair also attracted more than 10,000 aspiring professionals and fresh graduates of different industries and career interests.

Mr. Yousef Shamoun, Akhtaboot Co-founder and CEO said:

“We are truly happy to renew our partnership with TAG-Knowledge as our cooperation has proven to be a key factor in the success of our 2010 job fair. Akhtaboot and TAG-Knowledge job fair 2011 is a continuation of last year’s success and a true fulfillment to the mission of the Akhtaboot Cares Initiative in tackling the unemployment problem and helping match the right person to the right career opportunity.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Tareq Hammad, TAG-Knowledge Executive Director said:

"H.E. Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh is extremely satisfied with the outcome of this year's event and we are proud to partner with Akhtaboot again in organizing this job fair and we will work on making it an annual event.”

The 2-day event also provided career related workshops targeting job seekers on CV and interview skills in addition to other career-related topics. The event was sponsored by Bank of Jordan (Platinum Sponsor), Umniah (Gold Sponsor), Pepsi Jordan and Bell Amman (Silver Sponsors), The Online Project and Addustour Newspaper (Media Sponsors).

About Akhtaboot Cares Initiative

The Akhtaboot Cares Initiative (ACI) is a comprehensive CSR program that was developed through partnerships with a number of second parties and educational institutions in the Middle East and GCC region. Through the ACI Akhtaboot maintains an ongoing presence in the region’s educational institutions and career-related events by developing and executing specific training programs that are tailor-made to educate graduates-to-be and job seekers on how to approach the job market and to smoothen their transition into the professional world.

About TAG-Knowledge

TAG-Knowledge is the latest initiative by Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh to perform its corporate social responsibility towards the Jordanian and Arab communities, and to be a hub for promoting intellect and knowledge, developing Arab youth and human resources, and qualifying the largest number of local professionals by providing them with competitive skills through exposure to knowledge and developments in the international community under the direct supervision of TAG-Org experts and Umniah's exclusive sponsorship.

Want to Win an iPhone 4S with Akhtaboot?

2011-10-20T02:27:00.000-07:00

Akhtaboot - the career network is proud to announce the first-ever “Win an iPhone 4S with Akhtaboot” contest. All you have to do is shoot a 30 - 45 second video of yourself talking about your experience with Akhtaboot; how Akhtaboot helped you land your dream job, what do you like about Akhtaboot…etc. You can be funny, serious, talk in English, Arabic, or both... Basically, be yourself!

How can you enter the contest?

Like one of the following Akhtaboot fan pages: Akhtaboot – The Career Network, Akhtaboot - UAE, Akhtaboot - KSA, or Akhtaboot - Egypt.
Unleash your creativity with a 30 - 45 second video of yourself on what you like most about Akhtaboot!
Send the video to: contest@akhtaboot.com, along with your name and contact information (Mobile phone and personal email).

Selection of the winner

All videos delivered to contest@akhtaboot.com will be reviewed by a panel of Social Media Specialists and narrowed down to 20. Areas they would look at:

Content
Creativity
Originality
Relevancy
Uniqueness

The 20 final videos will be posted on all Akhtaboot Facebook Fan Pages on a specific tab called “Why I love Akhtaboot” for members to view and “like”.

People can start liking the videos for one month after the submission period is over.

The video that gets the highest number of "Likes" wins.

The winning video will be announced on the 10th of January, 2012 and will receive an iPhone 4S. The winner will be interviewed and videotaped and the interview/video may be used for promotional purposes including: a press release covering the contest, blog posts, Akhtaboot social media channels and newspapers.

For more information on the Rules and Regulations of the contest, please visit: http://www.akhtaboot.com/contest_2011.html

Motivating your Employees without Breaking the Bank!

2011-10-20T02:12:00.000-07:00

Many employers to this day still believe in the good old saying that “more money equals happier employees”. But, contrary to popular belief, it is important for managers to focus on the top non-monetary motivating techniques that put employees at the core of your business strategy and stop them from jumping ship once a better offer is on the table. While non-financial motivation can be a challenging task, if done with the right combination of leadership and management skills it can increase job satisfaction and employee morale.

While employees wouldn’t mind a good pay raise, there are also other ways to motivate staff for higher productivity and to push them to go over and beyond established goals, without breaking the bank. Fortunately, Akhtaboot is here to give you some “out of the box” motivation tips without busting your budget.

Flexible Working Hours

From family obligations, friends, sports, hobbies to other activities, a flexible schedule or the occasional afternoon off can definitely help employees meet some of these commitments. Many companies are witnessing the benefits flexible working can bring to staff performance, motivation and productivity. In today’s hectic business world, more and more employees are demanding more flexibly in working hours in order to achieve work-life balance. Most flexible working hours schemes have a “Core Time” period during the day when employees must be in the office. A typical core time would be between 10 am to 4 pm. With the exception of core times, employees have the flexibility to start and finish work within flexible timelines at the beginning and end of each working day.

Invest in Social Functions

Holiday parties and company outings are some of the tried benefits that help boost employee morale. Companies have found that events such as parties and outings promote a team atmosphere. Create some casual days where employees can dress casually before a certain holiday or on their birthday. Launch contests where the prize entails getting some time off. Decide on specific days throughout the year where employees can go out of their offices and work outdoors. These are perfect opportunities that create a sense of belonging to the company and for employees to bond. You will be surprised that many employees will actually prefer time off over extra cash.

Fair Treatment

Employers must understand the fact that employees unconsciously assign values to each of their various tasks and accomplishments. Employees who are highly motivated are the ones who perceive their compensation to be equal to their contributions when compared to peers. It is important for companies to recognize this and reward employees based on their contributions to the success of the organization. Keep in mind that fair treatment does not entail that all employees are treated in an identical manner. For example, flexible working hours might be effective for motivating a working mother even more than a pay raise, while additional training may motivate younger employees.

Consider your Employees’ Career Goals

While it can be difficult to get a precise answer to the different career goals of all employees, companies that show interest in the career paths and personality types of their staff are considered employers of choice! Have your employees describe a previous project that they felt good about, then see what aspects of that can be repeated. Keep in mind that some employees may say that they want to work on a prestigious project, only to discover that it isn’t what they expected. Matching the right person to the right project is no easy task. To identify the right person successfully, relevant qualification and work experience should also be considered as primary determinants.

Managing the Learning Curve of your Top Talent

When it comes to motivating and retaining your best employees, always remember that they are on the look to bulk up their CVs with exceptional information. They will stay long enough to prove their worth as long as they are on the fast track. Once they feel that their learning curve is going straight, they will start looking for employment elsewhere. It is important to allow all your employees a chance to reach their career goals at your organization. Training is one way to do that. Organizations sometimes use seminars as a contest prize or to show appreciation to employees. The ability to change rapidly, be flexible and learn quickly are highly valued in the workplace, and these are skills you can teach your employees.

It is an expensive mistake for companies to base employee motivation on money only. Fair and competitive compensation will always be a vital element to finding and retaining key personnel. However, additional cash is not always the only answer to motivate employees, and in many cases not even the best answer. Keep in mind that non-monetary incentives have trophy value and are more likely to be acknowledged than would be the case if the award were in cash. Using a variety of financial and non-financial motivation techniques without over-reliance on monetary compensation will lead to long term organizational success and staff motivation.

Akhtaboot to Power Dar Al-Dawa's Recruitment

2011-10-09T06:44:00.000-07:00

Akhtaboot - the career network is proud to announce the launch of the Dar Al Dawa Development & Investment Co. Ltd. Career Connect solution, “Powered by Akhtaboot”, which will provide Dar Al Dawa with their own fully integrated and branded jobs section with the ability to post unlimited job postings and receive job applications directly onto their careers section on their own website.

As part of Akhtaboot’s relentless efforts in providing world-class recruitment services to its clients, Dar Al Dawa will be able to make the most of their Career Connect solution with a single point of contact for all of their recruitment needs with a variety of CV filtration, and organization tools, making the hiring process simple, efficient and as cost-effective as ever.

Raed Ali, Human Resources Manager at Dar Al Dawa said:

“The wonderful relationship we have shared with Akhtaboot as a recruitment solutions provider over the past few years has been both rewarding and impressive. With the Career Connect solution, we are looking forward to building on our successful partnership with this user-friendly recruitment hub thatwill help us find the experiences, skills, and qualifications that add to our existing human capital and help us reach our objectives as a leader in the pharmaceutical industry in the region.”

Living Core Values

2011-09-20T05:31:00.000-07:00

Expressing the Personality of your Company with Core Values!

We have an entire universe of values, but some of them are so indispensable that with all the changes in society, government, politics and technology, we still abide by them. Core Values of an organization are those basic principles which form the corporate culture of a company and set it apart as a great place to work at.

In the ever-changing business world, core values are constant. Core values are not descriptions of the work we do or the strategies a company employs to accomplish its mission. They actually define the framework in which employees go about their work and the way they are expected to interact with and treat other stakeholders both inside and outside the organization.

At Akhtaboot, the core values we believe in and practice continue to guide the way we operate and are fundamental to our success. They are as follows: Integrity and Ethics, Respect, Family Environment, Ownership and Learning.

Why Have Core Values for your Company?

There are many obvious advantages that core values can bring to an organization. The most important benefit is that they let clients, potential consumers and employees know what the company is all about. Core values provide key pointers to be followed when building and maintaining relationships with the media, customers, public and other stakeholders. Core values also represent a reference point in the decision-making process. If an important decision is to be made, core values are always considered before making the final call.

Discovering Your Company’s Core Values

Creating a set of solid corporate core values is one of the most significant aspects of strategic planning. With that being said, there are still many companies that do not give much weight to setting up their core values, and as a result they stand nowhere in today’s business world. Core values are to be created by first allowing each and every member of your employees to determine all the possible positive points of your company, and then realizing how these points can be used for the betterment of the services the company provides. A core value can be anything that the company does best, such as commitment to excellence, integrity or family environment. Make sure that your company core values are in line with the industry you are operating in.

Discovering your Personal Core Values

In order to discover your own core values, you must first understand who you are and what you’re bringing to your workplace. This isn’t an easy task; it needs lots of thinking and careful consideration. Ask yourself the following questions: ‘What are your values?’ ‘What do you stand for?’ ‘What do you believe in?’ ‘What is important to you?’ it might take you days to figure out the right answers for you, however doing so will definitely help you figure out what your core values are. There’s something about actually writing down your values that makes you more committed to living them!

It Gives you a Sense of Purpose

When you don’t know or you haven’t clearly defined what you stand for on both the corporate and personal levels, you end up drifting along with no sense of purpose. Instead of basing decisions on an internal compass, you make choices based on circumstances and social pressures. You end up trying to fulfill other people’s expectations instead of your own, and before you know it, life has passed you by and you haven’t even accomplished half of what you were hoping to do. Going through life without core values is downright exhausting and leaves you feeling empty and worthless. Conversely, living a life in line with your core values brings purpose, direction, happiness, and wholeness.

Who Are You In Business With?

When it comes to setting your own core values, another crucial question to ask yourself is: Who are you in business with? You may have to ask yourself this question more than once throughout your career. It is often said that two things will actually determine who you become five years from now, the books you have read, and the people you deal with. Once you know what your own core values are, you can start to attract those of the same values, making your business connections that much deeper.

Core values play an important role in setting the goals and motives of a company. In business terms, core values are the rules, regulations, and guidelines that are to be followed to ensure the smooth running of the business. Which core values a company adopts and how consistently they are followed, will influence how clients and employees perceive it. Unfortunately, there are numerous companies out there that seem to promote their core values while behaving in complete disregard of them. Always remember that core values are the essence of the corporate culture and an expression of its personality.

Akhtaboot Rolls out Video Applications

2011-09-13T23:43:00.000-07:00

As part of its commitment to being at the cutting-edge of online recruitment, Akhtaboot - the career network has launched their video application feature for employers. This feature provides companies with the option of asking job seekers to record and save a 60-second video answer to a question specified by the company as an application requirement, resulting in more specific and targeted candidates.

Rather than an employer just posting a simple job description and receiving CV applications, the video functionality will allow recruiters to do a preliminary screening of the candidates’ communication skills without getting involved in the time-consuming process of interviews and practically evaluate how they present their experience and skills, all from within the Akhtaboot online platform.

Mohamad Haj Hasan, COO and Cofounder of Akhtaboot said:

“We believe that this feature will add a completely new dimension to the recruitment process in a way that only the Internet can. I have personally tried this feature out, and I was wowed with the results! It basically allows employers to have a mini-interview and significantly simplifies and streamlines the recruitment process. We are very excited to offer this feature to our clients.”

The video feature also aims to allow job seekers to personally market themselves by presenting a quick video that speaks directly to employers, thus helping them stand out and land their dream job.

Interested in trying out the Video Applications feature? Apply to Akhtaboot's latest vacancy "Recruitment Consultant" now!

Akhtaboot as Official Employment Partner of Oasis500

2011-09-11T01:53:00.000-07:00

In yet another step towards supporting the young Jordanian entrepreneurs, Akhtaboot - the career network signed a partnership agreement with Oasis500, in which Akhtaboot will provide all eligible Oasis500 companies with the revolutionary Career Connect platform, a fully integrated and branded jobs section, with the ability to post unlimited job postings and receive job applications directly onto their careers section on their own website.

In addition, Oasis500 companies will also receive a wide range of online recruitment and social media services to help post their vacancies across the World Wide Web. Akhtaboot will provide all these services to Oasis500 companies as part of the Akhtaboot Cares Initiative – Akhtaboot’s CSR arm. Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Mohamad Haj Hasan, COO and Co-founder of Akhtaboot said:

“We are truly pleased to have this partnership with Oasis500, as they play such a significant role in shaping the entrepreneurial landscape of Jordan and the MENA region. Our cooperation is an important part of Akhtaboot’s entrepreneurial ecosystem that aims to support the next generation of Jordan’s entrepreneurs and promote economical growth for our region. With Career Connect, Oasis500 startups will be able to find the right candidates for their vacancies with a single point of contact for all of their recruitment needs.”

Akhtaboot – Oasis500 partnership announcement was made during a press conference on the 6th of September, highlighting a number of exciting, fast-growth and investment-ready early stage ICT, digital media and mobile companies in the MENA region. Oasis500’s second Angel Investment Event is scheduled on the 12th September, where a new crop of startups will be given the opportunity to pitch to and network with attending early-stage, international and local investors.

Akhtaboot Cares Initiative Signs a Cooperation Agreement with Ruwwad

2011-09-07T05:54:00.000-07:00

Akhtaboot Cares Initiative - Akhtaboot's CSR arm - has recently signed a cooperation agreement with Ruwwad, a community empowerment organization that helps disadvantaged areas in Jordan overcome marginalization through youth activism, civic engagement and education.

As part of the agreement, Ruwwad were provided with Akhtaboot's Microsite solution, a revolutionary service, Powered by Akhtaboot, featuring their very own fully integrated and branded jobs section, allowing website visitors and job seekers to search and apply to jobs directly onto the careers section on Ruwwad's website.

A career training session on CV writing and interview skills was also conducted today by Akhtaboot at Ruwwad's headquarter, Jabal Al Natheef, as part of Ruwwad's Enrichment Program, in which 35 young, college students will be equipped with the necessary skills to help them become more employable in today's competitive job market.

The Effects of Employee Satisfaction on Customer Satisfaction

2011-08-22T02:13:00.000-07:00

Empowering your employees to act in your customers’ best interest!

There is a clear connection between employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction. While it is difficult to quantify the impact of employee attitude on the satisfaction level of your clients, one fact remains the same: satisfied customers will keep coming back and referring your company to their friends and business acquaintances. It is obvious that there are significant benefits to be gained from trying to improve an organization's service quality, and that's why managers devote so much time and money to training programs that provide employees with guidelines on the specifics of dealing with customers. What managers don't fully understand is that such attempts are, to a certain extent, shallow! Real improvements in customer service start with providing superior service and support to the employees themselves.

Akhtaboot is here to provide you with tips on how to make sure your employees are happy and satisfied and in return are giving their maximum in providing the best services to your customers.

Hire Better!

Because not everybody is capable of working on a computer while handling a phone conversation, HR managers must first define the company’s future employee needs to deliver the right customer experience. Company culture, details of the job and specific competencies also need to be evaluated and understood in order to develop an effective hiring model. While finding exceptional client servicing employees who can do efficient post-call work is important, it is actually not as important as finding employees who can listen and respond with empathy to clients, and who have the ability to identify issues and deliver specific answers effectively and efficiently with emphasis on first call issue resolution. By systemizing the hiring process, using a more strategic approach and taking time to analyze the job and your employee competency needs, you will be able to identify and hire candidates that better meet the needs of your organization and who are more likely to stay in their positions for a longer period of time.

Trust and Respect

Trust and respect are the basis of pretty much all successful relationships, and it’s certainly no different in employee relationships. One of the best ways to determine the level of trust in a company is to examine assumptions regarding intentions. Do policies and procedures seem to assume that employees act on their best intentions or their worst intentions? In other words, are the policies in place mostly to ensure employees don’t do things they are not allowed to do, or to ensure employees have the right environment to do the things they should be doing? An excellent way to test respect is in how input is heard from the different members of a team. Are people’s ideas that presented with detail and backed with supporting evidence taken seriously? This doesn’t mean that all ideas must always be accepted and implemented. However, if the idea is ultimately rejected, it should be rejected with the same level of thought and supporting evidence.

Show Appreciation

Employee attitudes typically reflect the moral of the company as a whole. In areas of customer service and sales, happy employees are extremely important because they represent the company to the public. Satisfaction, however, is not linked solely to compensation. Sure, a raise or extra benefits will probably improve employee contentment, at least temporarily, but small, inexpensive changes can have a long-term impact such as showing ‘Appreciation.’ Appreciation means making your employees feel important and that they are a vital part of a common goal. The result of doing so will sure be manifested in better customer satisfaction.

Instill Confidence

With a solid framework for hierarchy, clear accountabilities and matching authority, employees can begin to make decisions about their daily work with confidence. As those decisions become more and more effective, employees become more self-confident. Self-confidence is definitely a vital element to success in all aspects of life. Confident employees find it much easier to do what’s right for customers and for the company.

Create an Atmosphere of Growth

A Job is more than a source of income, it is actually a venue for employees to grow and learn. Companies that invest in their employees’ growth will not only have happier employees; they will have more productive employees who generate better and better ideas for improving the company service level. This means mentoring employees, training them in areas even beyond their current scope of responsibilities, being more transparent about aspects of the business that are interesting to particular employees and more. Creating more skilled and more knowledgeable employees has an extremely high ROI.

Measurement is Key

Companies with a highly evolved sense of the impact employee satisfaction makes on customer profitability constantly measure everything: customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, process efficiencies and bottlenecks. This enables them to determine what’s working and what’s not so as to make adjustments accordingly. Periodic re-evaluation also enables your company to benefit from the fresh ideas of your current and new hires.

“People are our most valuable asset”, “Our employees come first” and “We’re only as strong as our people”. These statements have been around in the workplace for decades, yet countless companies seem to be in denial of just how accurate those statements are. Many business owners think that they only need to pay attention to paying customers, providing them with exceptional service. Yet, it has been proven that keeping your employees satisfied with their work experience, providing them with challenges and allowing them to have a sense of ownership in the business can have a tremendous effect on customer satisfaction and loyalty. The correlations are clear: Satisfied employees generate satisfied customers, who in turn build long-term relationships and spend more money!

Akhtaboot Cares Initiative at the Launch Event of the “Leader in Progress” Program of the German-Jordanian University

2011-08-17T03:19:00.000-07:00

As part of Akhtaboot’s continuous efforts to help the less fortunate in pursuing their education and finding the right career path, Akhtaboot Cares Initiative (ACI) has recently participated in the Leader in Progress Scholarship Fund Initiative, a charity program organized by the students of the School of Management and Logistics Sciences of the German Jordanian University.

Akhtaboot Cares Initiative - Akhtaboot’s CSR Arm - provided a donation for the purpose of supporting outstanding orphan students in pursuing their university education. In addition, Akhtaboot will also take an active role in helping the orphan students in planning their career paths and in landing the right job upon graduation.

In celebration of all donating companies, the German Jordanian University organized a charity Suhoor to support the Leader in Progress Scholarship Fund Initiative. The Suhoor was held under the patronage of Her Highness Princess Alia Tabbaa, President of the German Jordanian University, at the Sheraton Hotel - The Sanctuary terrace on Tuesday the 16th of August.

About Akhtaboot Cares Initiative

The Akhtaboot Cares Initiative (ACI) is a comprehensive CSR program that was developed through partnerships with a number of second parties and educational institutions in the Middle East and GCC region. Through the ACI Akhtaboot maintains an ongoing presence in the region’s educational institutions and career-related events by developing and executing specific training programs that are tailor-made to educate graduates-to-be and job seekers on how to approach the job market and to smoothen their transition into the professional world.

About The Leader in Progress Scholarship Fund

The Leader in Progress scholarship fund was created by the German Jordanian University students who wanted to contribute to the society of our beloved country, Jordan. This initiative is intended to close the gap social classes and even the wider gap between large businesses and social institutions. Driven by the vision of his majesty King Adbulla II, the initiative is geared mainly toward youth education.

Google Adwords Case Study on Akhtaboot as a Success Story: Akhtaboot is Taking on the Online Recruitment Market with all 8 Tentacles!

2011-08-09T23:45:00.000-07:00

Google AdWords has recently chosen Akhtaboot as a success story in a recent case study conducted on a selection of online portals utilizing Google AdWords services in the Middle East.

Akhtaboot is a Jordanian-based career network that is committed to providing a user-friendly, effective and efficient way of linking the right person to the right job opportunity. Founded in 2007 in Amman, Akhtaboot currently serves as a career network for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with branches set up in Dubai and Riyadh. It has seen exponential growth since its inception, and it is seeing a phenomenal increase in traffic and users with every passing day. In May 2011, Akhtaboot made it to Jordan's Fastest Growing Companies List.

Since the launch of Akhtaboot, it has used Google AdWords as a key tool in growing the business. Yousef Shamoun, Founder and CEO of Akhtaboot, says: "We use most advertising/marketing platforms. We have noticed that we get our best results from our online advertising campaigns, specifically Google AdWords. Our target audience is primarily online, and Google provides us with the necessary tools to effectively and accurately track our ROI." As a result of using a combination of very targeted AdWords campaigns and continuous SEO efforts, Akhtaboot experienced a significant annual growth of 168% in registrations and sign-ups.

Being a purely online business, Akhtaboot today relies on AdWords for 20% of all its traffic. It uses AdWords to grow its database of qualified CVs, to get company clients to use its services, as well as for branding and exposure. It has used both search as well as display ads in its campaigns, experimenting with different messages, and tracking corresponding clickthrough-rate and cost-per-conversion. Performance of the campaigns is also optimized through regular phone calls with the Google AdWords team, which, as Yousef describes it, "have been instrumental in improving our results and were very responsive to our needs". What separated AdWords from its competitors was the return on investment. Having used other online advertising programmes, Yousef commented that "We are very pleased with the ROI achieved from our Google ad campaign even when compared to other online mediums."

Akhtaboot started to use Conversion Tracking to measure its success in February 2011. "Conversion tracking", says Yousef, "is great. It helped us identify the exact number of conversions from both our English and Arabic campaigns. Conversion Tracking helped us identify the bottlenecks in our registration process, and ultimately we were able to tweak our registration process and reduce our cost-per-conversion."

Akhtaboot has recently started experimenting with Conversion Optimizer, an AdWords feature that uses Conversion Tracking data to get more conversions at a lower cost. Preliminary results show that there has been an increase of 14% in conversions and a decrease of 18% in the cost-per-conversion.

Through AdWords, Akhtaboot managed to strengthen its brand equity as well as to extend its services to new geographical countries. Yousef is highly confident that Google AdWords is essential for the success of their business. Akhtaboot plans to expand and open local offices in most of the countries in the MENA region to stay in close contact with job seekers and companies alike and to be able to serve them in the most effective and efficient manner.

Check out more success stories of Google AdWords users.

Akhtaboot Launches “Career Connect”

2011-08-01T02:13:00.000-07:00

Akhtaboot - the career network is proud to announce the launch of its revolutionary new service: Career Connect for your company, powered by the Akhtaboot jobs platform. Career Connect will provide companies with their own fully integrated and branded jobs section, with the ability to post unlimited job postings and receive job applications directly onto their careers section on their own website.

The launch of the Career Connect service follows the recent release of the revamped employer side of Akhtaboot, which includes several new improvements, ranging from new time-saving functionality to easier navigability. Career Connect is now going a step further by giving companies their own branded careers section, with benefits including:

Customized Design: companies will enjoy a fully integrated job board, branded with the company name, logo and job content, powered by “Akhtaboot”.
Social Media Integration: companies can link their Twitter and LinkedIn pages to their “Career Connect” platform for maximum exposure of their posted jobs.
Branded Facebook Application: companies can now link their Career Connect platform to their Facebook Fan Page, allowing fans to search for and apply to the posted jobs from within Facebook.
CV Email Drop Functionality: allowing companies to gather all CVs received by email into one database, along with the ability to filter all CVs through a revolutionary text search box. CVs can either be soft-copy attachment or hard-copy scans, and the Akhtaboot system is powered by OCR technology to handle any kind of CV.
Additional Customized Sign-up Fields: for more specific and targeted job applications that meet the requirements of any company.

Mohamad Haj Hasan, COO and Cofounder of Akhtaboot said:

“Our core business expertise lie in the development of cutting edge recruitment solutions to help our clients pursue their business objectives. With Career Connect, we offer our clients a single point of contact for all of their recruitment needs”.

With the launch of Career Connect, Akhtaboot goes beyond helping companies simply fill their vacancies; it actually provides companies with a recruitment hub that is specifically designed to make the hiring process simple, efficient, and as cost-effective as ever.

Going Social!

2011-07-20T03:30:00.000-07:00

The Best New Tool for Online Job Search If Managed the Right Way!

Remember the old job hunting days when you had to actually call and visit the company offices yourself to fill out an application or drop your CV? Not to say that these days are long gone, but the attention nowadays is shifting towards Social Media – the new player in today’s job market. While finding a job through social media won't replace traditional methods anytime soon, but it certainly has its perks. More and more employers these days are making the most of their social media presence to drive brand awareness and attract job seekers to their businesses. With that in mind, social media networks can be your best friend and your worst enemy. If you don’t manage your social profiles in a smart way, it can actually hinder your efforts in landing a job and even cost you your current job. Akhtaboot is here to the rescue with career-saving tricks to help you effectively manage your online presence.

Take Control of your Online Image

Whether you are currently employed or seeking a job, having a digital presence on the web is a valuable chance to create your personal brand and affect how people who don’t know you think of you. Let’s face it; no matter how professional you really are on the job, you can actually lose a whole lot of respect by how you handle yourself online. When it comes to your social profiles use neutral pictures that do not show detail into your personal life. Be careful what you write about yourself in your status updates, tweets and blog posts. Publishing inappropriate content about yourself or your employer may be detrimental when seen by a potential or current employer.

Be Proactive

Social Media has made it acceptable to connect with companies and professionals you don’t actually know. Conduct periodic searches to identify the top companies you’d like to work for. Follow recruiters on your account and address them directly for a few times before you actually inquire about any potential vacancies. Doing so will help you learn a lot about them and their companies, but make sure that you don’t spam them with too many inquiries. Twitter has become the leading platform to directly connect with companies to communicate with them on specific topics and to find jobs. Follow online recruitment portals on Twitter such as @Akhtaboot and stay up to date with the latest job openings and career-related articles and news.

Produce Content to Attract Industry Attention

An excellent way to use your online presence to your advantage is to post things that will make your network of professionals think highly of you and help you position yourself as the go-to expert in your business landscape. Use your network to share news and information about industry-related topics with great commentaries. Try to be the first to publish relevant news and articles and don’t ignore the importance of speed when it comes to replying to comments and questions. Recognizing the importance of social engagement to the recruitment process, Akhtaboot developed its Facebook application (http://apps.facebook.com/akhtaboot) to include a social recommendations feature to boost your Akhtaboot profile in front of employers. By linking your Akhtaboot account to your Facebook profile, you will now be able to give and receive personal recommendations about your top personal traits within a career context, in addition to searching for and applying to jobs directly from within Facebook.

Integrate your Online and Offline Efforts

No matter how social media savvy you are, there’s still a very strong chance that you will need to complement your online job hunt with some offline measures. Every time you apply for a job, there's a big chance that someone with the power to affect a hiring decision will be seeking you out online. Bearing that in mind, perhaps it's worth taking the time to sort out and tailor exactly what those people can discover about you. A smart way to do so is to add links to your blog, LinkedIn profile and Twitter ID on your CV. Before a job interview, learn about a potential employer by following the company Twitter stream. Google your name before you go in. If anything shady comes up, be ready to address it in the interview.

All job seekers want to stand out from the crowd that is filled with many good candidates who are eyeing similar positions. This is where social media can tip the scales to your advantage. In many industries, a lot of employers are making the most of social media to fill their positions and find potential candidates that have the necessary requirements. With that in mind, what may be okay to share with friends is possibly not employer-friendly in the professional atmosphere. Whenever you share or tweet anything, keep in the back of your mind: "Who is going to see this?"

Working Smart

2011-06-23T05:59:00.000-07:00

Stepping on the fine line between hard work and smart work!

“Working Smart, not Hard” is a popular get-rich-quick concept among workers in today’s business world. Although there is a great difference between working hard and working smart, most of the time employees mistake “smart work” for only doing the bare minimum while getting a fat paycheck at the end of each month. This is not actually the case for nothing can be achieved without hard work. However, there are some strategies that can be employed to help you work smarter by reducing the amount of energy you put on to accomplish each task. Akhtaboot reveals 6 techniques that can help you achieve more with half the time.

Focus on Important Tasks First

Have you ever felt like you spend a lot of time being torn between multiple tasks, but at the end of the day you don’t feel like you’ve really accomplished anything significant? When it comes to working smart you need to focus on completing the most important tasks with the greatest impact on your career and company goals. An excellent way to find out your key tasks is to narrow down your three most important items for the day by asking yourself: “If I could only do three things today, what would I feel the most fulfilled in doing?” Understand your working habits and what tasks take you the longest time to complete and do the most tedious on the times you are most productive.

Shortcuts are Allowed

We all perform dozens of similar actions every day. But what really makes smart employees different is that they always try to optimize work processes to get things done faster and more efficiently every day. Taking shortcuts doesn’t necessarily mean that your work will become less valuable or complete, it means, analyzing the flow needed to accomplish tasks and then understanding if that whole process is necessary. Try to come up with smart ways to complete the same assignments with the same outcome, but in a more resourceful ways.

Dare to Delegate

It goes without saying that we only have 24 hours a day; so our valuable time should be used in places where we can make the most impact. For the lower impact tasks that needs to get done such as administrative work, make sure that it’s delegated to someone else. If you are a business owner, study the aspects of your work such as accounting and design that can be outsourced to others. Smart employees know that there's no need for them to learn and get hands-on on every single thing, especially if it's not related to the core of their job. Being a perfectionist sometimes prevents you from achieving more. Let go of the perfectionist mindset and stop obsessing about the minor details and specifics of the tasks delegated to others.

Keep your Losses to a Minimum

Everyone hates to fail but what most people don’t realize is that failing is an essential part of success. Working smart is all about learning from your bad moves and overcoming them. Don’t invest your time and your resources into a lost cause, there’s no point. Do what you can to salvage the situation and understand what went wrong and why, and then move on. Make sure that you don’t repeat the same mistake twice in the future.

Stay Ahead of the Learning Curve

Working smart is all about your ability to see the big picture. You need to constantly work on your skills and knowledge if you want to position yourself as an indispensible part of the company. Don’t narrow your scope as you need to be able to adapt and evolve with the times. Keep in mind that companies no longer focus on the number of working hours spent on the job but on how flexible and adaptable employees are.

Stop Feeling Guilty About Time-Off

Many employees choose not to take time off due to too many responsibilities or stress at work. While some simply claim that they do not have the time and resources to plan a holiday, smart workers understand that a tired person can’t do meaningful work. Asking for a vacation can be done the smart way too. Plan your holidays during the slowest season is one example of this. Another suggestion is to plan for how your most critical tasks will be covered before you leave with the help of your colleagues.

For some reason people seem to think that they have to be miserable for the first few years of their working lives in order to get anywhere on the professional level. Lots of younger people have this notion that if they work hard, everything will be fine and fall into place for them. This is the wrong way to go about trying to succeed. In this day and age it’s not about the experience you have but your ability to learn and apply what you have learnt that makes you most valuable.

Akhtaboot Employer Side Undergoes a Major Upgrade

2011-06-21T05:28:00.000-07:00

Akhtaboot- the career network (http://www.akhtaboot.com) has undergone a major upgrade on the Employer side of Akhtaboot to include several new improvements, ranging from new time-saving functionality to easier navigability. These new employer features include:

A revolutionary one-page application, resulting in the most user-friendly recruitment engine in the industry.
The ability to preview CVs without the need to download them first, which will greatly reduce the time spent in looking for qualified candidates.
Improved filtration and CV search functionality as well as a more logical display of candidates. This will help companies identify and target the right candidates more efficiently.

Mohamad Haj Hasan, COO and Cofounder of Akhtaboot said:

“The revamped company side marks our team’s one-year of hard work to evolve Akhtaboot's recruitment solutions to the next level. I am proud that these upgrades will improve hiring, reduce employment costs and result in more jobs for the region. I want to thank our dedicated team for all their efforts.”

The new features are based on the feedback received from Akhtaboot users and are in line with Akhtaboot’s constant efforts in making its website the easiest, most user-friendly and efficient jobs platform in the industry.

Office Politics: The Game Everyone Plays

2011-05-24T00:12:00.000-07:00

How to Win in a World Where Hard Work and Talent Aren't Enough!

Believe it or not, almost every workplace is a political environment. While many say that they don't engage in such games, there’s actually little truth to that. Even though we probably might not realize it, we are all engaged in office politics to a certain extent. While the word politics implies doing absolutely anything to get ahead, office politics is really all about building relationships to get things moving at work. As an employer your take on office politics may differ significantly from those whom you supervise. While managing office politics can be a difficult thing to do in diverse companies, trying to maintain a healthy, productive political environment is crucial for success in today’s complex workplace.

Being an office politician might come naturally to some but to others it can develop over time out of necessity. With that being said, one fact remains the same: top performers are those who master the art of winning in office politics. Akhtaboot unveils 5 smart tactics to help you win the political game, the “Ethical” way!

Master the Fine Art of Tactful Bragging

Most employees think they have only two choices when it comes to self-promotion; remaining under the table or sounding arrogant, but neither works! Good self-promoters know this: They’re always planting seeds for the future. They understand that doing a good job doesn’t mean that others will actually realize it. In order to become a top office politician, develop a personal track record as someone who gets results and don’t dwell on your mistakes or others will, too. Celebrate your successes gracefully and tastefully. You never know; it might actually rub off on your coworkers!

Don’t Stick with One Group

By sticking with the same people at work, you are more likely to miss out on the important information or the factual news in your company. Mingling with your coworkers during lunchtime or coffee break is the best way to keep up-to-date with all that is happening in the different departments. Office politicians don't cling too tightly to one crowd; they master the art of making good conversations with both peers and bosses. With that being said, make sure that you don’t become the office “social butterfly” to the extent that you aren’t getting your work done!

Profile Power Figures

Let’s face it; some people have more power than others either through their position or personality. Understanding the informal and formal network is key to becoming a successful office politician. Find out who's who in the organization and identify where the power and influence lay; who are the real influencers? Who is highly respected by everyone? Who has the last word in discussions? Once you profile power figures at your company, build relationships that are based on trust and respect with those who have the informal and formal power while avoiding empty flattery. Pay attention to the way they speak, network and work, and develop your strengths in a way that emulates their behavior.

Be Real to Yourself and Others

Standing up for the right things, being known as a person who is honest, dependable and fair are indispensible qualities of a true office politician. Practice what you preach; do what you say you will do. Whenever you hear something, take some time to evaluate how much credibility it has. Rise above personal conflicts and never rely on confidentiality. Assume things will be disclosed and so decide what you should reveal accordingly. Doing so, you might not be liked by everyone but you will be respected by most for sure.

Have your Say

You know that weekly 30-minute meeting that you all hate because it seems to drag on forever? These meetings might seem irrelevant and very common but they are one of the most important aspects to give attention to when it comes to office politics. Not only this is your chance to be with the people who have the most influence over your promotion, but your are being evaluated by both your peers and boss. Office politics demand that you come prepared for these meetings. Even if you don’t have much to say, be prepared to say something. If you miss your shot, rest assured that your competition will be waiting to pick up the ball.

Office politicking happens whether we admit it or not. Some people try to be noble and refuse to play the political game; they try to focus their efforts on their tasks and hard work hoping that they will be noticed and rewarded. But in fact, there is no such thing as not being part of it. Business is all about competition; from time with important colleagues, prestige, recognition, bigger salaries, to - of course - power. Don't hate the game of politics; step out of your comfort zone and play it to win!

Akhtaboot Parterns with KFUPM's for the 28th Career Day - Dhahran, KSA

2011-05-22T23:25:00.001-07:00

Dhahran, May 23, 2011: For the 3rd time in a row, Akhtaboot – the career network partners with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals 28th Career Day, attracting thousands Saudi students seeking to enroll and advance in the different fields of work Akhtaboot offers.

Akhtaboot’s participation comes as part of Akhtaboot Cares Initiative efforts in securing employment opportunities for Saudi citizens and graduates while providing training and guidance on how to successfully approach the Saudi job market with Akhtaboot career lectures and CV evaluation services. Thousands of students visited Akhtaboot booths to learn about the company's recruitment solutions as well as interact with the Recruitment Consultants on the different employment opportunities at Akhtaboot.

From the very beginning, Akhtaboot has made a significant contribution to the development of the country's job market while supporting the careers of young Saudis through targeted professional recruitment and training programs.

Akhtaboot Makes Jordan’s Fastest Growing Companies List

2011-05-19T00:45:00.000-07:00

Akhtaboot – the career network is proud to announce that it has earned the honor of being included to the “Jordan Fast Growth 30” List, a project of AllWorld Network which highlights the fastest growing privately held businesses in Jordan.

The Jordan30 are part of the “Arabia Fast Growth 500” that will be announced November 15-17, 2011 at the Arabia 500 Awards & Global Summit. Jordan will host the first Arabia 500 Summit, held under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah. This will be the largest convening of growth entrepreneurs ever held outside of the United States. Alongside Akhtaboot, companies- from all over MENA, Turkey and Pakistan are competing for a spot on the Arabia 500.

Yousef Shamoun, Co-founder of Akhtaboot said: “Akhtaboot was founded in 2007 by passionate entrepreneurs who wanted to make a difference in the Middle Eastern job market. Akhtaboot's success, for the most part, depends on its fantastic team and on its ability to link the right person with the right career opportunity. With Akhtaboot making the Jordan 30 List, we feel that we are on the right track with regards to helping people find jobs that are suitable for their skills and in line with their career aspirations, while on the other hand helping companies find the right talent.”

The Jordan30 bring to life Jordan’s knowledge economy with strengths in software, gaming, web communities, e-commerce, animation, telecom, health and education. What truly distinguishes the Jordan30 is the dominance of knowledge-based companies, with Jordan achieving the AllWorld #1 spot for a creative economy.

Congratulations to the Entire Akhtaboot Team!

Akhtaboot as Online Recruitment Partner in P&G Saudi Arabia University Campaign

2011-05-18T23:20:00.000-07:00

Akhtaboot is proud to announce that it has been chosen by Proctor and Gamble - a Fortune 500 multinational manufacturer of consumer goods - as Online Recruitment Partner of P&G University Campaign, a yearly career development multi-day event in Saudi Arabia targeting university students and graduates to be on how to sharpen their career related skills when it comes to looking for jobs.

The campaign will be dedicated to supporting over 8,000 students Kingdom-wide by preparing them on how to best land their dream job. Akhtaboot will be there to offer tips to job seekers on how to write an impressive CV and to prepare for a job interview. Akhtaboot will also give tips on how to best use its website to search and apply for jobs.

The 44-day event is going to cover almost all major Saudi universities in Jeddah, Riyadh and Addammam with a total of 44 university visits covering top Saudi universities all over the Kingdom.

Check out the event pictures on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/akhtaboot.saudi.arabia.jobs

The Akhtaboot Social Platform is Enhanced with Recommendations on Facebook

2011-05-10T02:59:00.000-07:00

In yet another step towards providing robust career networking functionality via social media, Akhtaboot – the career network (http://www.akhtaboot.com) has enhanced its Facebook Application by giving users a new valuable insight into their personal strengths through social recommendations.

Akhtaboot Facebook application (http://apps.facebook.com/akhtaboot) has social functionalities that include the ability to give and receive personal recommendations about your friend’s top personal traits within a career context. Akhtaboot also plans to build more engaging features in the near future with mutual benefit to both job seekers and employers alike.

Mohamad Haj Hasan, Head of Product Development and Co-founder of Akhtaboot, said:

“Facebook is all about personal networking and social engagement, and with so many people spending so much of their time on Facebook, we think this new development leverages the wealth of useful information trapped in the social graph and uses it to enhance the professional profile of users on Akhtaboot.”

By linking your Akhtaboot account to your Facebook profile, you will now be able to make the most of Akhtaboot’s new social recommendations feature to boost your profile in front of employers, in addition to searching for and applying to jobs directly from within Facebook.

It’s Not All About the Money Afterall

2011-04-27T23:51:00.000-07:00

What really makes employees happy at Work!

There is no doubt that employees expect to be able to pay their bills and maybe have some extra cash on the side. But with the implications of the current financial crisis, many of us have started re-examining our requirements when it comes to choosing a new company or job. While a fat paycheck might be tempting to take on a new job offer, everyday tasks and the company mission and culture can also be major factors in whether you will be content in your position or not.
When talking about employee job satisfaction, a number of relatively universal factors arise that are actually based on very basic psychological needs. Tackling into these sources of motivation will lead to a long-term sense of personal commitment and can definitely breed loyalty to a company. Said another way, it’s much easier to get employees to do something that has to be done because they want to do it.

So is it all about money afterall? Akhtaboot reveals the top factors that keep employees working at a company even when there are other opportunities out there.

Professional Development

High performing employees are learners by nature. They like to have career paths they can work toward. The moment their learning curves start going down, that’s when they start to think about quitting and responding to headhunter calls. In order for employers to keep their team engaged they need to find ways to challenge them and utilize their skills effectively. If an employee’s knowledge exceeds his or her current position, consider promoting them to a new job. The more valued your employees feel, the more engaged, motivated and happy they’ll be!

Job Security

With the massive layoffs as a result of the current recession, employees have returned to basics citing job security as one of most important aspects of employment. When it comes to motivating and keeping employees, job security is essential. Wise companies are starting to adopt new ways in helping their employees learn how to stay employable. If employees stay up-to-date and add value on their current job, most certainly they will be in the front seat of their responsibilities, not only tagging along for the ride hoping that they might get to a place they like. In other words, employees are expected to think and act like entrepreneurs!

Autonomy and the Sense of Ownership

Autonomy is the exact opposite of micro-management. Employees usually like having some control over their tasks and making decisions. It makes them feel as if they are a vital part of the business. Companies that create a culture of trust, clarity and openness in the workplace will definitely have more committed workers who are more interested in performing their jobs. Although the concept of autonomy is perceived differently among corporate cultures, the point is that in spite of the autonomy form applied at your company, companies that instill a sense of ownership and autonomy among employees have better performance, higher employee loyalty and lower turnover.

A Positive Work Environment

It only makes sense that employees who are happy within their work environment will be far more productive than those who are uncomfortable. If an employee is working in an environment where there is a lot of negativity among coworkers this can reduce his or her moral. The first step into creating a positive work environment is to try to maintain a zero tolerance policy for negative attitude. In order to create a workforce of positive employees, the fastest, simplest and cost-efficient way is to hire people who are optimistic and cheerful by nature. Leaders also need to be a role model by always displaying optimism, focusing on solutions and smiling.

A Visionary Boss

It is often said that people don't really leave jobs, they leave bosses. A great boss gives direction and guidance to his team members. An exceptional boss takes an appropriate interest in each employee as a person. Employees like to be challenged to do their best, so as a manager you need to know when to push and when to back off so as to draw out the best from your team. Exceptional leaders trust that the people they hire are smart enough to do their job, even if they might do it differently!

All companies understand the fact that it is generally less expensive to retain good employees than find new ones. When it comes to employee retention, companies tend to think about money as being the key motivator. While money talks to most people, it shouldn't have the final say. Companies need to set a culture that makes employees want to do a better job. To foster long term, sustained motivation, organizations must inspire employees to draw their motivation from the inside!

Akhtaboot Sponsors the "Ideal Ka'ek Cart" Project of Amman Baccalaureate School Personal Project Exhibition

2011-04-27T01:11:00.000-07:00

On April 27, 2011, Amman Baccalaureate School ABS held The Personal Project Exhibition which marked Grade 10 students’ celebration of their successful completion of their personal projects. This year's exhibition was divided into the different areas of interaction, which forms the foundation of the personal project and that is "Community and Service".

Akhtaboot Cares Initiative - Akhtaboot's CSR Arm, sponsored "The Ideal Ka'ek Cart", a project designed, created and presented by the talented, creative 10th grader, Tala Zuraiqat. "The Ideal Ka'ek Cart" project idea, which is inspired by the traditional street vendors of Amman, aims to provide locals with high quality street food at value-for-money prices for those who can't afford to spend much on good quality, nutritionally adequate food.

"The Ka'ek Cart" project grabbed the attention of attendees, both parents and business professionals and is now in talks with a governmental unit regarding taking it to the next level on a local scale.

The exhibition showed the excellent work, accomplishments, talents and originality of ABS students. A job well done to Grade 10 of Amman Baccalaureate School.

Akhtaboot - TAG Knowledge Society - First Job Fair 2010

2011-04-26T06:57:00.000-07:00

Workplace Competition

2011-03-22T00:55:00.000-07:00

Hold your Own in a Competitive Office Jungle!

Employers want the most that they can get from their employees. They are always looking for ways to keep their employees innovative and hardworking with incentives be it monetary, acknowledgment or something else that only the best worker can earn. While this may sound manipulative, there is nothing wrong with a reasonable amount of healthy competition to help push employees outside their comfort zone towards more productivity. If an employee is too relaxed while on the job, he or she will only do the bare minimum and turn in mediocre results. While the word competition means different things to different people, the very nature of the word implies that there will be winners and losers. Workplace competition can be a strong motivator but problems among coworkers may arise when too much emphasis is put on who is best. So what is there to be done about it? Akhtaboot reveals 6 smart strategies to help you win in today’s competitive workplace jungle.

Figure Out What you Can (and Cannot) Be the Best at

Imagine if you were able to build a career that revolves around what you are profoundly passionate about, what you can be the best in the world at, and what drives your financial engine? We all want to be the best at something, but few of us truly understand with egoless clarity what we have the potential to be the best at and what we cannot actually do. Just because you’ve been doing the same job for years doesn’t necessarily mean that you can be the best at it. You can be passionate about what you do, but if you can’t be the best at it and it doesn’t make sense from a financial point of view then you might as well just change the game!

Be More Than your Job Description

Sure, you can arrive to the office ahead of everyone, work overtime, do everything asked of you, but are you willing to take the extra step to do tasks that go beyond your normal job description? Just because you were hired for a marketing position, doesn’t mean that your accounting or sales skills wouldn’t matter anymore. In order to shine in today’s competitive workplace, try to be that indispensable person, who others can depend on and who can do just about anything. Nowadays, being good at your job is no longer enough. If you want to be exceptional at what you do, make sure that you increase your value by persistently updating your knowledge and skills.

Build your Relationships

In competitive work environments, employees almost always feel pressured to increase productivity and achieve personal goals, but this doesn’t mean that your relationship with other coworkers isn’t important for your own success. Finding a way to work together as a team can help compensate each others’ weaknesses and build on your collective strengths. Network internally with other departments and if you got some free time on your hands, volunteer to assist other areas of the company. Teaming up always helps with competition; it can actually help you come out way ahead.

Play by the Rules

It comes as no surprise that the chance of having backstabber coworkers in high performing companies is much higher than it is in mediocre business settings. An excellent strategy to survive and shine in such a workplace is to make sure that you reflect the regulations and policies of your company in your performance and attitude. If you play by the rules, your competitor can not point you out as being a violator. If you truly believe that a coworker is trying to sabotage your career, keep careful records of what you are doing with dates, times and a summary of each task you’re working on.

Streamline Similar Tasks

Every job requires a set of tasks during a typical working day. Maybe yours includes meeting clients or writing emails or reading online articles. Regardless, staying on top of all the tasks you need to perform is essential to your success in competitive workplaces. Organizing these daily tasks effectively helps you work smarter - not harder - and can definitely improve your productivity at the same time. Find ways to make your tasks go quicker, so the demands for your scarce resources get lower. You can create a file for standard email responses, create groups for your clients based on their financial value or prioritize tasks according to their importance.

Competition among coworkers has always been there. We compete with our coworkers for promotions, raises, and the ideal task. While it is true that the main interest is to get the attention of your direct boss, still it is indisputable that the company will benefit from this, as employees will try their best to compete with other coworkers in the company. A smart approach to workplace competition is to learn how to pick your battles. If a coworker is seeking credit for a relatively minor achievement, let it slide. Don't get too tangled up in the competition for praise that you ignore the importance of teamwork.

Soft Skills No One Should Go Without!

2011-02-22T00:41:00.000-08:00

Why Soft Skills Can be More Important than You Think

Most job seekers wish they could unlock the secrets to getting hired in today’s hectic marketplace. You don’t have to be a genius to know that it’s a tough time to land a job nowadays. Global unemployment, as officially measured, remains at record highs for the third straight year since the start of the economic crisis. But when it comes to landing a job, one fact remains the same: Employers aren't just looking for someone who looks good on paper; they want people who can add value to their business. Wouldn’t it be great if you could enter into the mind of a hiring manager and see what they’re looking for in the hiring process? With this information, you could tailor your personal skills to meet their requirements and easily land a great job.

So what sort of characteristics, skills and qualifications do employers look for when it comes to recruiting employees? Akhtaboot unveils these must-have ‘soft’ skills that can get you one step closer to nailing your dream job.

Communication Skills

Communication is definitely not only about the words you say; you can have an excellent vocabulary and still be a bad communicator. In fact, excellent communication skills are opposite; it is using fewer words while making a greater impact. According to studies words actually contribute to about 7% of meaning. This clearly shows that communication is more than just words; it’s the ability to convey thoughts, opinions, messages, suggestions, questions and answers in an appropriate and professional manner. Keep in mind that if you can’t get a message across clearly to motivate others to act upon it, then having a message doesn’t even matter!

Willingness to Learn

No one is born with unlimited knowledge on how to perform at work. No matter what your age is, no matter how much experience you have, you should always be willing to learn and improve your skills. This might sound cheesy, but no matter how you look at this, it is actually true. A great way to keep an edge over other job seekers in today’s competitive job search is to take advantage of any learning opportunity that comes your way. Join professional associations, subscribe to industry magazines and stay updated with innovations and developments in your field. In job interviews, stress your willingness to learn. If you’ve taken courses and attended workshops, seminars, conferences and other professional events throughout your career, make sure to tell your prospective employer about it. Always remember, those that know the most are the ones who aren't afraid to learn more.

Positive Attitude

We've all faced a negative work colleague or a depressing work environment at some point. Perhaps your experience was brief, or maybe it is the usual operating mode for you. It is also very possible that you are the source of negativity at work. Having a negative work attitude can definitely affect your success, job satisfaction and productivity. With the recent economic crisis, it can be difficult to maintain a positive attitude when it comes to your job hunt. Instead of falling prey to the negative work attitudes that surround you, make an effort to break the trend. Start by observing how you communicate with others; avoid sarcasm, look for the good in people and always stab people in the front. It is always nicer to get a pat on the back rather than to get stabbed in the back!

Teamwork Skills

Teamwork is one of the most valuable factors that contribute towards high levels of excellence within the company. You can easily judge a person's character by how well he or she works with other team members. Working side-by-side with people of different generations, cultures and demographics is an indispensible skill that is becoming more and more important in today’s workplace. Teamwork also includes the ability to persuade others, negotiate and compromise when you don’t agree with someone. It is amazing how much you can accomplish when it doesn't matter who gets the credit.

Work Ethics

Ethics is a key element for productivity, efficiency and job satisfaction in the workplace. The nature of the relationships you have with your colleagues sets the environment and the culture of your workplace. Accordingly, bad manners can destroy any positive mood or good vibes within team members. Ethics are a set of common personal characteristics that employers look for in a potential candidate. They include loyalty, courteous manners and respect for others. People who display respectful gestures, polite manners and professionalism will always be ahead of the job search game.

The rules for success in business are changing daily, yet people are still searching for the magical formula that can help them succeed in their careers. With that being said, more and more organizations around the world recognize that in order to gain a competitive advantage, they need to make sure their people know how to handle themselves at work, relate with their clients and peers. From showing empathy, optimism and extreme self-awareness to knowing what's going on around you, these vital competencies will allow the human aspects of your personality to shine.

Akhtaboot Gets Even More Social with Company Job Tweets

2011-02-02T05:39:00.000-08:00

Following the recent release of its new social features on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, Akhtaboot – the career network (http://www.akhtaboot.com) introduces a new Twitter feature that allows companies to link their Akhtaboot account to their very own Twitter account through the Company’s Settings page.

This feature will automatically tweet the company's non-confidential job postings on its own Twitter account in addition to Akhtaboot's Twitter account, thus giving those postings even more exposure all over the web. With this new feature, Akhtaboot offers companies one more way to target and attract social-media-savvy job seekers.

Mohamad Haj Hasan, Cofounder of Akhtaboot and Head of Product Development said:

"In yet another step towards embracing social media in the recruitment process, Akhtaboot's most recent integration makes it easier for companies to automatically share new job posting tweets with their established network of followers."

As Akhtaboot expands its presence on the web, several other exciting features are in the works to help businesses engage current and prospective employees.

What your Boss Won’t Tell you!

2011-02-01T06:20:00.000-08:00

The boss-employee story has two sides. While one side is all about the bitter experiences caused by our bosses, the other side clearly shows that employees are not the only ones having a hard time dealing with their bosses. Bosses too get sick of their employees at times; they not only have to stay on top of what their staff is doing, but they also have to deal with all kinds of employees.

Yes we acknowledge the fact that there are bad bosses out there, but despite being bad or unfair; bosses have to stay on top of things and keep an eye on what is going on in the workplace. Get the scoop as Akhtaboot reveals what your boss is probably thinking, but isn't willing to tell.

Yes, we are reading your emails

Most employees understand the importance of communication with external clients and other stakeholders. However, few address internal communication in the same way as they believe it will never be monitored. Well, things have changed and technology has taken over. Nowadays your boss can read your emails, read your chats, listen to your phone calls and monitor your computer. Just think about it this way: if you’re not willing to stand on your desk and shout something across the room, don’t put it in an e-mail, because somewhere down the road someone might read it. Always stay on the safe side; never use curse words, avoid discussing politics or religion and always double check the recipient’s email address!

I know when you’re faking the flu.

We all know how this starts. You wake up one morning and it's too beautiful outside to be missed or perhaps you've just gotten into bed and you'd rather stay in it, so you start thinking to yourself: “when was the last time I called in sick?” Calling in sick to work when you really aren't can be risky business. Employers are not only starting to investigate their employees’ fake stories, but they are also getting more creative in inspecting even believable excuses by asking for a doctor’s note, calling the “sick” employee to check-in, or even asking someone else to make the phone call. So in brief, a couple of coughs over the phone might not do the trick anymore. To avoid getting fired, save your sick days for when you are actually feeling unwell and remember that your boss was an employee once!

I’m your best friend...and your worst enemy

Having a friendly relationship with your boss is never a bad idea, but how close is too close? There’s nothing really wrong with being friends with your boss as it may seem like a natural extension of friendly office chit chat, but think twice before you get too close. Disagreements are natural between friends, but when your friend is your boss, it can make your work more difficult and may affect your career. Keep in mind that your boss is the one who provides your annual review and signs your paycheck. Since nothing lasts forever, there may come a time when you and your boss-friend have a disagreement and having a friendly relationship with him might leave you feeling even more bitter.

I don’t promote based on performance only

Although this may sound obvious, but being the most qualified person at work with the most experience is no guarantee you’ll be the one to get promoted. When it comes to promotions, make sure you’re on your boss’ good side, because having all the skills in the world will not matter if your boss thinks you’re hard to manage. Keep a record of everything you do that enhances the company's overall goals as that will show your loyalty and commitment to the organization.

You deserve a pay raise

In today’s economy, there's a good chance that you have gone for years now without a pay raise although you have done your part right. Your boss might be well-aware of the fact that you have worked overtime and assumed responsibilities beyond your normal job description, but still wouldn’t give you the raise you deserve. The best way to handle this situation is to have an honest discussion with your manager about what it will take to achieve these expanded responsibilities. Having a salary discussion is an important part of your work life. The better prepared you are, the more likely it is that you'll have the outcome you desire.

You should resign

Do you feel like you’ve hit a dead end in your current position? Unless you’re seriously under-performing, don’t wait for your boss to show you the door. If your boss never asks for your opinion, never wants to have a chat with you, and if you disagree with his style all the time, then your days are numbered. Unless you can get the quality of your work back on track, start looking for a new job. Make sure your resume is in order, start networking, and get yourself out there. If you are no longer up to the job, just leave. Why make yourself miserable and others too when you know that you can no longer perform?

Your boss has so much on his mind but will only share a few things with his employees. And to be fair, this behavior isn’t always as bad as it may seem as most of the time it serves the company and the employees well. Even though you may be on good terms with your boss, they still have obligations of their own. Keep in mind that the priorities might not include those of your own!

Akhtaboot Goes Social with LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter

2011-01-12T02:15:00.000-08:00

Akhtaboot - the career network, announced the launch of a cutting-edge feature that is designed to enable jobseekers to import their LinkedIn profiles into Akhtaboot with just one click. By allowing users to fill out over 70% of the required fields on their Akhtaboot account with just one click, Akhtaboot takes one more step towards having the fastest signup process in the industry.

Adding more social features to the mix, Akhtaboot earlier this month unveiled a Facebook Application that allows its users to search for and apply to jobs directly from within Facebook. With the Akhtaboot Facebook Application, users interested in looking for jobs won’t have to leave the comfort of their Facebook profile to log into their Akhtaboot account to look for and apply to jobs.

In addition, Akhtaboot is engaged in building its Twitter following and actively tweeting jobs on behalf of its client companies in order to spread the word about jobs virally across the web.

Mohamad Haj Hasan, Head of Product Development and Co-founder of Akhtaboot, said:

“Akhtaboot understands the importance of the ever-growing influence of social media on the recruitment process. We are always looking for ways to be first movers, and we feel that our new changes have solidified our promise of being a true career network for the MENA region.”

The ever-expanding career network is set to expand its tentacles to reach its users wherever they are on the web by having a solid presence on the major social media portals in the Levant and GCC region.

What Employers Don’t Want to Hear!

2010-12-15T01:58:00.000-08:00

The top 5 things not to say during a job interview

Job interviews are not a mystery or a horror as one might think. Despite the anxiety, formality, and inevitable nervousness a job interview can bring, it can actually be both an enjoyable and informative experience. In fact, with a killer CV in check, practice and preparation, you can easily ace any job interview you are confronted with.
A job interview is your chance to impress and put light on your professional achievements so make sure you are as prepared as you possibly can be to grab the opportunity with both hands and leave nothing to chance. The more you practice the art of interviewing, the more familiar you will become with the variety of questions and scenarios that you may be faced with.

Most job seekers know the ABC of a good job interview; dress the part, sit up straight, be confident, ask questions about the job...etc. But have they thought of what not to say? Although there are many things you should never say or ask during a job interview, most of us have said something that we’ve regretted as soon as we clamp our lips shut. You can say all the right things that can be said but with one mistake, one wrong move, you can kiss the interview goodbye. Akhtaboot presents you with 5 things you definitely should never say during an interview.

How much does the job pay?

Everyone wants as much money as they can get. Yet when it comes to job interviewing, asking the salary question can make it seem as if you are only interested in the money and not in the job itself. As a rule, wages and salaries are not to be discussed during the first interview unless the interviewer decides to open up the subject. An excellent way to handle salary negotiations during interviews is to research the range of pay in both your industry and country. Identify the qualifications required by the position you are applying for and state what you expect to get within a realistic range of the pay scale depending on how your qualifications match the company’s needs. You can also ask if they can give you a range of their pay scale for such a position and you can decide accordingly.

If you don’t mind me asking, what exactly is it you all do here?

Want to sound really unprofessional during an interview? Then this is the question to ask! Although we all understand the consequences of going to an interview unprepared, it is amazing how many job candidates still ask this question. Doing some research on the company is the least you can do to impress the interviewer. You can find some helpful information on the internet, in newspapers and the company’s annual report. Another smart thing to do during interviews is to ask questions that show you’re well prepared and excited to work at the company, not those which you should already know the answers to, or that can be easily found on the company's website.

What can your company do for me?

Interviews are all about your ability to sell yourself and what you can do for the company, not the other way around. Employers want employees who are interested in the job and the company, not just employees who are only in it for the cash.Prepare to talk about your skills and how you were an asset to your previous employer. Keep in mind that you’re the one being interviewed. While you should use this opportunity to decide whether the company is a good fit for your career, you shouldn't make it sound as if you'll be doing them a huge favor if they hire you. Keep your questions on company benefits to the second or even third interview, or wait for the interviewer to open the subject himself.

I don’t have any questions!

Employers can get a clear idea about you based on the questions you ask. Having no questions prepared sends the message that you are ill-prepared and not fully interested in the position. Come up with smart questions to ask the interviewer. There's no set number; it actually depends on what you need to know. However, it's highly unlikely that you would enter an interview without having at least three questions on your mind and prepared to articulate. You can ask to clarify anything that was discussed during the interview or you can ask about plans for new products or services. Show interest in the company and in the position!

I don't have any weaknesses!

The weaknesses topic is definitely one of the most feared questions to be asked during an interview. In most interviews, interviewers will ask you about your strengths and weaknesses to get a sense of the real you. They understand the fact that you are not going to totally reveal your flaws, but they do want to get a sense that they are talking to a genuine person. The key to answering the weaknesses question is to provide a weakness, and explain how you are planning on overcoming it. The smartest way to handle this topic is to be authentic!

Since no two interviews are the same, it is often not easy to be totally prepared for what to expect. However, even without knowing what questions you will be asked, you can focus on your presentation skills to make sure they are consistently sharpened before you go on a job interview. By practicing and developing your communication skills, you can gain an advantage on your competition and help avoid these common interview mistakes.

You’re Fired!

2010-11-01T23:56:00.000-07:00

Akhtaboot presents 5 Hidden Reasons for Getting Fired!

Most people get paid just enough money not to quit and work just hard enough not to get fired, yet, there are a number of hidden reasons that you might not be aware of that can lead to your dismissal. Although there are plenty of legitimate reasons to fire someone, many of which vary by the company culture and employer expectations. All in all managers have no right to fire employees unless they have a valid reason for doing so. Most of the employees who have quit their jobs think that they have left the company by choice, but in fact it is very possible that the company was considering letting them go before they resign willingly. Management may start using simple but powerful techniques to make you hate your job and leave. Some of these techniques include favoritism, setting unreasonable deadlines to make you work overtime and using unfair reward systems. Akhtaboot presents you with 5 things you might be doing that may cause you to get fired.

Unstoppable Negative Attitude

Your management and colleagues can only cope with negative attitude for a limited time. However, your manager might start taking corrective actions once you begin poisoning your whole team or department with your unending display of negative attitude. Even if you feel you had been unfairly excluded from a supervisory position or you have not been given the raise you were promised, do not start grumbling to yourself or to your co-workers. Managers may find negative attitude a cause for dismissal when it starts affecting the operations of the company. In this situation they may release an employee with a reasonable severance payment.

Being an office Jerk

Many of today’s employees spend their working days scrambling to please and prevent outbursts from the office jerk. An occasional fit of bad behavior may be excusable, but if an employee’s abusive behavior reaches the point that it injures the other person either physically or psychologically then he may be asked to leave the firm. Do not underestimate the effect of repeated verbal insults, sarcastic jokes or name calling. The absurd actions or downright inappropriate behavior of the office jerk reduces the productivity and morale of every other employee. Most office monsters have been created due to childhood or family problems. Nonetheless, that does not give them the right to disrespect and disregard the feelings of others.

Performance Problems

Some employees are sloppy and do not exert any effort in doing a good job. Unless their attitudes change for more productive beliefs, they will most likely be fired. Employers are often reluctant to dismiss an employee over performance issues that have some potential of being solved and improved. They would usually give the poor performer several warnings and enough time to enhance his work quality. However, if the poor performer does not meet his employer’s performance standards after they have been set and communicated directly to him, the employer can establish a legitimate cause for dismissal.

Bringing Personal Issues to Work

You had an argument with your spouse in the morning, so you take it all out on a colleague. You had a fight with your boyfriend or girlfriend, so you spend most of the morning work hours talking about it and taking advices from your colleagues. You have money issues and you can't meet your home loan payment, so your productivity drops. As you get more stressed, it seems more dreadfully harder to keep your personal life under covers. If the complaining habit becomes obviously noticeable by your co-workers and manager and starts affecting your performance as well as the productivity of others then your manager might feel that something has to be done about it.

High Absenteeism Rate

High absenteeism rate is a vital problem that might cause a lot of troubles to the employer such as reduced revenue. It is a disease that might be easily transmitted to the rest of the team. As long as one employee feels free to go on with such a behavior, the rest of the employees would assume it is only normal to do the same. When an employee takes extended or unauthorized breaks, leaves work without the approval of his supervisor or takes a day off without permission, it means that he has reached the final stages of the disease. In this case the employer can only eliminate the source of the problem and prevent the spread of the disease to the rest of the staff by firing the employee.

Reasons why managers would fire an employee may not be crystal clear at the first glance, yet, employees do not usually get fired unless they have been warned numerous times and have been given sufficient time to adjust their behavior. Employees may not be aware of their disruptive behavior and when confronted may immediately adopt a defensive approach or even deny the whole accusation. A more productive approach is to acknowledge your shortcomings so that you can shore up those areas with the appropriate solutions and skills and show signs of improvements to both your manager and co-workers. If you can improve in these areas on the job, you should take action now. Avoid an employment gap on your resume while achieving what you desire in your career!

Akhtaboot and TAG Knowledge Host a Successful Job Fair with over 8,000 Visitors

2010-10-24T01:16:00.000-07:00

Akhtaboot - the career network in partnership with Talal Abu Ghazaleh Knowledge Society hosted their first job fair at TAG Knowledge Center in Amman, Jordan to help connect employers with individuals looking for jobs. In total, the event drew 8,000 job seekers and 35 top regional and local employers looking to fill positions within their organizations.

The not-for-profit Job Fair was held as a CSR initiative of TAG-Knowledge and Akhtaboot Cares Initiative under the Patronage of His Excellency the Prime Minister of Jordan, Mr. Samir Al Rifai, deputized by HE Mr. Samir Murad Minister of Labor who said at the opening: "The Ministry always supports the various initiatives aimed at providing job opportunities for job seekers in accordance with the royal directives in granting a decent life and appropriate work environment for the Jordanians."

The Minister stressed that the government believes that finding job opportunities for the unemployed, empowering the youth and the development of human resources are top priorities.

"Such job fairs are considered a good chance for job seekers and employers to communicate. Not to forget that the effort to decrease unemployment percentage can’t be achieved but with the cooperation of the various parties and the private sector,” Murad concluded.

From his part, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh expressed his satisfaction with the joint efforts exerted by TAG-Knowledge and Akhtaboot that led to the success of the job fair: "I believe that this venue is a real chance for all those who look for work opportunities to communicate with the pioneering companies that are participating in the Fair" he said.

"The Fair also creates and enhances students' network that facilitates the circulation of information between those who attended the Fair and others who couldn’t" he added.

The Job Fair was describes by both job seekers and companies as well-organized, informative and truly helpful in linking eager job seekers with companies that are looking to hire candidates of all career levels. The event also provided career related workshops on CV Writing, Interview Skills and Successful Job Search Strategies.

Mr. Espeero Salman, Administrator HR at the Consolidated Contractors Company said:" Thank you for inviting us to your first job fair; it was perfect and well organized as expected from your professional team. I wish you the best of luck and we are looking forward to participating in your second job fair."

The job fair sponsored by LG, Umniah, AlGhad newspaper and The Online Project ran October 19th and 20th from 10 am till 7 pm at TAG-Knowledge Headquarters.

Akhtaboot and TAG-Knowledge Promise a Unique Career Opportunity at 1st Job Fair

2010-10-14T02:32:00.000-07:00

Under the Patronage of H.E. Mr. Samir Al Rifai, Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the first job fair organized by Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Knowledge Society (TAG-Knowledge) and Akhtaboot (http://www.akhtaboot.com) kicks off October 19 at TAG-Knowledge headquarters opposite the University of Jordan.

Set for October 19-20th, the job fair promises a unique experience for job seekers who are looking for a "genuine" opportunity to find a job and start their career.

"There is a definite demand right now for new ways to research and secure genuine job opportunities as well as gain leading industry insight on career tips and advice,"

TAG-Knowledge Executive Director Mr. Tareq Hammad said:

"Our goal is to create an environment that offers face-to-face networking opportunities with reputable companies that are currently hiring in the local market. The job fair is a great opportunity to look for a job or maybe a better job in various fields and industries," he added.

Meanwhile, the Co-founder of Akhtaboot (http://www.akhtaboot.com) Eng. Yousef Shamoun said:

"The Akhtaboot - TAG job fair will bring together both employers of choice and qualified job seekers from across Jordan. Employers will get the chance to physically interact with potential hires and conduct on the spot interviews, considerably improving their recruitment cycles. Job seekers, on the other hand, will also benefit from one of the largest gatherings of top notch companies, as well as career related workshops conducted periodically during the job fair.”

The easy-to-navigate floor plan at TAG-Knowledge just opposite the University of Jordan will feature pavilions dedicated to recruiting, career services, youth employment, education and training and entrepreneurship.

Attendees will also benefit from the various lectures provided by professional staff of both Akhtaboot and TAG-Knowledge which will cover skills of writing a resume, how to sit for a job interview and strategies adopted in finding a job in addition to others.

The job fair runs October 19th and 20th from 10 am till 7 pm at TAG-Knowledge Headquarters.

About TAG-Knowledge

TAG-Knowledge is the latest initiative taken by Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org), the Arab organization for global professional services and the regional professional leader with 73 offices in 29 countries & over 2000 professionals.

About Akhtaboot Cares Initiative

The Akhtaboot Cares Initiative (ACI) is a comprehensive CSR program that was developed through partnerships with a number of second parties and educational institutions in the Middle East and GCC region. Through the ACI Akhtaboot maintains an ongoing presence in the region’s educational institutions and career-related events by developing and executing specific training programs that are tailor-made to educate graduates-to-be and job seekers on how to approach the job market and to smoothen their transition into the professional world.

Akhtaboot's Latest Video: " Shukran Akhtaboot"

2010-09-21T00:15:00.000-07:00

Check out Akhtaboot's latest Video "Shukran Akhtaboot - شكرا أخطبوط" featuring the Akhtaboot Team as well as real life testimonials from some of our loyal users.

Akhtaboot Signs a Partnership Agreement with the German Jordanian University

2010-09-13T00:33:00.000-07:00

Akhtaboot - the career network and the German Jordanian University (GJU) have signed a partnership agreement on the 16th of August, 2010 on GJU campus. The agreement focuses on strengthening the relationship between Akhtaboot and the German Jordanian University through providing GJU students with Akhtaboot career-related services as part of Akhtaboot Cares Initiative, Akhtaboot’s corporate social responsibility arm.

The agreement aims at enhancing and refining the skills of GJU students and graduates-to-be through equipping them with all the necessary career-related tools and knowledge to prepare them for any challenges that might face them when approaching the job market. Akhtaboot will give university students the chance to regularly stay in touch with professional career consultants who will be available through a dedicated office at the University campus to give advice to students on the best way of writing an attractive CV and successful interview strategies. Additionally, Akhtaboot will be providing GJU students with lectures on how to approach the employment market with complete confidence.

Akhtaboot will also provide GJU with the Microsite Solution which features a fully integrated job board, branded with the University logo and content with highly targeted jobs powered by “The Akhtaboot Cares Initiative”, Akhtaboot’s CSR arm. German Jordanian University job seekers and site visitors will be able to benefit from the full features of http://www.akhtaboot.com directly on GJU website www.gju.edu.jo.

Yousef Shamoun, co-founder of Akhtaboot and Head of the Akhtaboot Cares Initiative said:

“Stemming from our continuous devotion to build relationships with top universities in Jordan and the Middle East. We are truly proud to partner with the German Jordanian University and provide its highly qualified graduates and students with our consulting services to be well prepared to face the job market. The German Jordanian University is known for its reputation as a center of academic excellence providing its students with an outstanding faculty, advanced technological resources and state-of-the-art facilities.”

The President of the German Jordanian University, Professor Labeeb Khadrah added:

“This partnership between the German Jordanian University and Akhtaboot delivers on our promise to offer our students the knowledge and understanding necessary to be able to plan their future careers. I’m very pleased with Akhtaboot’s honest concern and ongoing devotion to serve both job seekers and the business community through providing the German Jordanian University students, graduates and job seekers with Akhtaboot’s professional consultancy and user-friendly job search tools directly on the University website.”

About Akhtaboot Cares Initiative:

The Akhtaboot Cares Initiative (ACI) is a comprehensive CSR program that was developed through partnerships with a number of second parties and educational institutions in the Middle East and GCC region. Through the ACI Akhtaboot maintains an ongoing presence in the -related events by developing and executing specific training programs that are tailor-made to educate graduates-to-be and job seekers on how to approach the job market and to smoothen their transition into the professional world.

Akhtaboot-TAG Knowledge First Job Fair – 19th and 20th of October 2010

2010-08-31T00:30:00.000-07:00

Under the Patronage of His Excellency the Prime Minister of Jordan, Mr. Samir Al Rifai, Akhtaboot and Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Knowledge Society (TAG-Knowledge) are proud to invite you to take part in Akhtaboot-TAG Knowledge 1st job Fair to be held at TAG-Knowledge Society October 19th and 20th, 2010.

The not-for-profit Job Fair is held as a CSR initiative of TAG-Knowledge and Akhtaboot Cares Initiative and any proceeds resulting from any Job Fair organized in the future will be used to fund Akhtaboot and TAG Knowledge CSR Programs.

Recognizing a need to bridge the unemployment gap all over the Middle East job market, the Job Fair is to be held at TAG-Knowledge Headquarters in Amman, Jordan with the participation of a number of leading Jordanian companies and educational institutions covering different industries. The Career Fair will feature a two day exhibition style job fair including Career-related courses running all days long.

About the Venue:

Located in the heart of the University Street, TAG-Knowledge Society is a world-class venue which aims to support the Arab youth community in building their professional capacities, reshaping their skills, and upgrading their qualifications through state of the art information technology tools and customized knowledge facilities in order to ensure opportunity and equality with their international peers and to benefit from the wide experience TAG-Org has gained.

About the Akhtaboot Cares Initiative:

The Akhtaboot Cares Initiative (ACI) is a comprehensive CSR program that was developed through partnerships with a number of second parties and educational institutions in the Middle East and GCC region. Through the ACI Akhtaboot maintains an ongoing presence in the region’s educational institutions and career-related events by developing and executing specific training programs that are tailor-made to educate graduates-to-be and job seekers on how to approach the job market and to smoothen their transition into the professional world.

Akhtaboot Signs Microsite Agreement with Al-Zaytoonah University

2010-08-05T05:14:00.000-07:00

In yet another step towards the betterment of the Middle East job market, Akhtaboot - the career network (http://www.akhtaboot.com) singed a Microsite agreement with Al-Zaytoonah University on August 2, 2010 at Al-Zaytoonah University campus in Amman, Jordan.

The purpose of this partnership is geared towards providing Al-Zaytoonah University with Akhtaboot’s Microsite Solution, free of charge, as part of the Akhtaboot Cares Initiative, Akhtaboot’s CSR arm.

Akhtaboot’s Microsite solution features a fully integrated job board, branded with the University logo and content with highly targeted jobs powered by “The Akhtaboot Cares Initiative”. Al-Zaytoonah University job seekers and site visitors will be able to benefit from the full features of http://www.akhtaboot.com directly on the university website www.alzaytoonah.edu.jo.

Yousef Shamoun, co-founder of Akhtaboot and head of the Akhtaboot Cares Initiative said:

“Recognizing the importance of building working partnerships with top universities in Jordan and the Middle East, Akhtaboot’s Microsite Solution will serve as a one-stop professional recruitment solution targeting Al-Zaytoonah University highly qualified graduates and students visiting the university website. We have always been very keen to strengthen our relationship with such a reputable University and we are looking forward to build upon their collective strengths to provide job opportunities to their students, graduates and graduates-to-be.”

Vice-President of Al-Zaytoonah University, Professor Rushdi Al-Hassan, said:

“I’m very pleased with Akhtaboot’s honest concern and ongoing devotion to serve both job seekers and the business community through providing Al-Zaytoonah University students, graduates and job seekers with Akhtaboot’s user-friendly job search tools directly on Al-Zaytoonah University website. The enthusiasm and dedication of the Akhtaboot team to simplify the job search process for all concerned parties is truly impressive and we are looking forward to maintain a successful relationship with them.”

Akhtaboot – Al-Zaytoonah University Microsite solution represents a stepping stone towards spreading the word about Akhtaboot jobs out into the larger community, particularly aiming to reach university students, Graduates and Job seekers who are browsing university websites looking for jobs.

About Akhtaboot Cares Initiative:

The Akhtaboot Cares Initiative (ACI) is a comprehensive CSR program that was developed through partnerships with a number of second parties and educational institutions in the Middle East and GCC region. Through the ACI Akhtaboot maintains an ongoing presence in the -related events by developing and executing specific training programs that are tailor-made to educate graduates-to-be and job seekers on how to approach the job market and to smoothen their transition into the professional world.

Professionalism is for Everyone!

2010-07-19T02:08:00.000-07:00

Akhtaboot presents to you 5 keys to being a true professional.

We hear the words professionalism and business professionals every so often in our daily working lives. But only few people understand what really constitutes a true professional. To the surprise of many, it might actually be more than putting on a neat suit and managing an agenda. It actually takes people a lot of effort and work to gain the privilege of this title.

Almost all true professionals have an aura that sets them apart from the norm and gives them a killer edge over their peers within the same field. The good news for those who are just about to start their careers is that professionalism is the outcome of your attitude accompanied with your prolonged practical experience. This is a clear indication that the “born not made” myth is finally surrendering to a more rational approach. Those who were not lucky to inherent the qualities of a true professional in their DNA, can work on their on-the-job skills to start their journey towards being true professionals.

Maintain a Professional Appearance

Business professionals always take care of their appearance when it comes to dress code and grooming. They fully understand the impact their dress code has on the level of credibility and integrity perceived by clients and coworkers. Professional appearance will not only help you gain the confidence and the ability to influence others positively but will also put you in the right state of mind. The reason is that your appearance and the way you feel about yourself go hand in hand as the way you dress reflects your identity. If you don’t take the time to maintain a professional appearance at all times, you will be presenting the image of not being able to perform adequately on the job.

Be your Own Boss

Professionals take their work seriously, they have an ongoing need to learn and improve. They always go the extra mile to deliver a really world-class job even with minimal or no supervision at all. One of the essential traits of a professional is the ability to work un-bossed. This is a common challenge for many of us. A professional is always self-motivated and self-driven without the need for someone breathing over his neck for consistent improvement. This doesn’t mean that you should ignore your boss and work solo; a true professional always shows respect to those in authority and welcomes accountability.

Sustain a Positive Attitude and Work Relationships

Professionals always maintain a positive attitude at work. They always perceive problems and challenges as opportunities rather than a burden to be swept under the carpet. They tend to approach problems confidently and optimistically and they never let indecisiveness or fear of failure get in the way of their career development and personal growth. They do the best they can with what they have and they take pride in the results. When it comes to work relationships true professionals always maintain a high level of respect for oneself and others. They treat the secretaries, receptionists, janitors and all those who make the company run with the same recognition, respect and courtesy as they would their boss.

It’s all about Integrity

The most important aspect to being a real professional is integrity. Maintaining confidentiality is integrity. Owning up to your own mistakes is integrity. Appropriately using company resources is integrity. In general, most employees prefer shortcuts when it comes to deadlines, quality of work, or taking the extra mile. The thing about being a professional is to avoid shortcuts and to keep away from any kind of corruption or deception that might affect the business integrity, goodwill or competence. As a matter of fact, the true test of professionalism comes when temptation is upon you and yet you do not stray.

Master the Art of Business Communications

A true professional is always polite, considerate and classy when communicating with clients, coworkers and people in general. As perception is reality in the business world; rudeness on the phone, in person or in social events implies lack of professionalism. Another key aspect of business communication is to answer your calls and emails properly and promptly. Nothing sends a louder message of lack of interest, disrespect and rudeness than unreturned calls or unanswered messages. A true professional perceives every caller as a business opportunity not an interruption as they could hide potential opportunities. You never know when you might meet that caller who might be a great business prospect or even a future employer.

While job knowledge and target achievement are essential aspect of an over-achiever at work, being a professional is all about choices. Choosing to spend your time gossiping with coworkers, chatting online with friends or calling your parents on you company cell phone will set your business image for years to come among your coworkers, boss and clients. Keep in mind that being a true professional is both an attitude and a way of life.

When Clients Attack!

2010-06-17T05:04:00.000-07:00

Akhtaboot presents 5 types of clients that you most probably will face on the job and how to effectively deal with each one of them.

Clients are one of the most important assets to a company. However, some of your most profitable clients can be the most annoying as well. Like any other relationship, client relationships can be peppered with moments of confusion and frustration. Yet, with a good strategy in place you can bring harmony to your client relationships and create long term partnerships with them. Most employees who have direct contact with clients regularly face many types of clients; therefore, they should be able to handle different kinds of clients effectively. Akhtaboot presents 5 types of clients that you might meet at work and the best way to deal with each one of them.

The Bargain Hunter

Most Bargain Hunters are successful entrepreneurs who struggled their way to build successful businesses and gather their wealth. Therefore, they are not willing to spend a penny if they feel there is a way out of it. Those clients act as if the price you first offered is just the starting point for negotiations. The best way to handle Bargain Hunters is to give them a taste of their own medicine. This means to start with relatively high prices and then lowering them down to a point that is acceptable for both parties. If your company offers fixed prices, stress your service features while comparing your prices with those of your competitors.

The Urgent Client

Everything is an emergency for Urgent Clients. All their emails are of high priority. They may even stress that in the title of the email, the body and whenever they call you. They are workaholics by nature, working at night and on the weekends, and they expect everyone else they work with to do the same. Although they know that they are not your only client, they still act as if they are. The best way to deal with an Urgent Client is to make it clear from the beginning that some of their requests are unreasonable and that you need more time to be able to perfect the outcome.

The Absent Client

The Absent Client is the most stressful type of clients to deal with; they make you chase them around with phone calls and emails with no response whatsoever. An Absent Client may disappear for many days which might drive you to wonder if he is still in business. They will reappear eventually - without any warning - asking about the progress of the project. Remember one important thing; your best clients are the busy ones as they are the ones who are constantly in need of your services. Therefore, you should be able to keep them pleased by finalizing the work with minimum hassle and with the limited input you were provided with initially.

The Angry Client

The Angry Client is continuously and aggressively attacking your work, asking for changes and accusing you of not doing your job right. One important advice to take into consideration when dealing with this type of clients is to understand that they are not attacking you personally and that they are only expressing their frustration with the company as a whole. Therefore, remain calm and try to listen more than you talk. Stay patient and show them that you care by asking them more questions about the problem while assuring them that you will be handling the problem to their satisfaction.

The Appreciative Client

The Appreciative Client always praises your work and makes you feel special. They make your life easier by choosing the first prototype of every task that you finish. Appreciative Clients always refer your company to other people and might also recommend you personally to other companies. Therefore, reward goodness with goodness by giving them continuous attention and making them feel like a VIP. You can initiate a kind gesture by sending a thoughtful gift upon successfully closing the deal, as this will place you and your company name into his heart and mind.

Dealing with clients can sometimes be similar to dealing with children at their terrible twos. Clients can be whiny, demanding, impatient, moody and complaining which might result in ruining your whole day and adding more stress to your busy life. However, remember that you are dealing with a human being who is probably under a lot of pressure from a boss, a budget or a deadline. Know your clients and manage your relationship with them in order to keep them coming back for more. Keep in mind that good client servicing does not only result in building repeat business but also in acquiring referrals and generating positive word of mouth for years to come.

Akhtaboot at AIESEC's Career Development Seminar - Al Yarmouk University

2010-06-08T01:17:00.000-07:00

For the second year in a row Akhatboot – the career network participated in AIESEC’s Career Development seminar, which was held at Al Yarmouk University on the 7th of June, 2010.

As a learning partner for the years 2009 and 2010, Akhtaboot delivered 2 sessions on CV Writing and Interview skills to around 100 university students and AIESECers who showed great interest in the discussed topics. Both sessions aimed to provide graduates to be with the best ways to effectively tweak their CVs in today’s competitive job market while giving them advice on the best tactics to use when it comes to job interview preparation.

Akhtaboot’s participation was described by many as an “eye opener” to different career related issues and matters that would otherwise have gone unnoticed by students when approaching the job market.

Akhtaboot and TAG-Knowledge to Jointly Organize Job Fairs

2010-06-02T06:36:00.000-07:00

In an unprecedented step towards the betterment of the Middle East job market, Akhtaboot - the career network singed a partnership agreement with Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Knowledge Society (TAG-Knowledge) on May 31, 2010 at TAG Knowledge headquarters in Amman, Jordan.

The purpose of this partnership is geared towards organizing job fairs around the Arab world, starting with a three-day Career Fair in Amman, Jordan, to be held at TAG Knowledge Center - a fully functional entity designed and built around the world of students.

The Job Fair will be co-organized and launched this year as part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of TAG-Knowledge and Akhtaboot Cares Initiative - Akhtaboot's CSR arm.

The event will be held with the participation of a number of leading Jordanian companies and educational institutions covering different industries, while providing employment and training opportunities to both job seekers and graduates-to-be visiting the Career Fair. Any proceeds raised from the Career Fair will be used to support the CSR activities of the Akhtaboot Cares Initiative and TAG Knowledge Society programs.

Eng. Yousef Shamoun, co-founder of Akhtaboot and head of the Akhtaboot Cares Initiative said:

"Organizing a Career Fair has been a topic of discussion for some time now, especially after our successful participation in numerous job fairs in the GCC and Levant region. It is our hope that we will be able to create a yearly job fair where job seekers will walk away with a better idea of their career options and a great sense of accomplishment, and we believe that through our partnership with TAG-Knowledge, we can launch a series of successful job fairs starting with Jordan."

Meanwhile, Mr. Tareq Hammad, TAG-Knowledge executive director said:

"Joining forces with Akhtaboot aims at exploring new strategies in organizing job fairs that we might call a unique experience for job seekers and employers alike. Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh made it clear that students are the future and we, at TAG-Knowledge, feel that it is our duty to translate this into action."

The Career Fair will be co-branded and co-organized by both Akhtaboot and TAG- Knowledge and is scheduled to launch in a unique way where both job seekers and companies have the chance to meet face-to-face and take full advantage of career and training opportunities.

Akhtaboot Participates in King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Job Fair in Dahran, KSA

2010-05-26T23:18:00.000-07:00

As part of Akhtaboot’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence as the leading recruitment solution provider for the Middle East and GCC region, Akhtaboot has participated in King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Open Day for Employment, which was held on KFUPM campus during the period 17th - 20th of May, 2010, in Dahran, KSA.

The annual job fair was organized by KFUPM and was held under the Patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bin Fahad Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Governor of the Eastern Province. For the 27th year in a row, around 120 government organizations, private companies and institutions were invited to exhibit their field of activity, offer employment and training opportunities as well as to become acquainted with the University and its range of specializations.

The job fair was attended by 2,500 university students and job seekers, as the first 2 days were dedicated for KFUPM students only and the other 2 days were open for the public. Akhtaboot’s booth was approached by about 1,000 high caliber job seekers who truly reflected the high educational standards that KFUPM is known for.
Akhtaboot’s participation in this event marks its commitment to establishing a cooperative partnership between Akhtaboot and KFUPM, while maintaining an ongoing presence within KFUPM campus through the Akhtaboot Cares Initiative – Akhtaboot’s CSR arm.

Akhtaboot’s recruitment services were described by both companies and job seekers as unique and effective due to the user-friendly website, unique brand and excellent team, which as a result attracted a number of major companies who were looking to recruit high caliber candidates through Akhtaboot.

Akhtaboot Participates in Meydan Launch at Zara Expo on May 15th

2010-05-24T03:54:00.000-07:00

Meydan, a new age accelerator for Business Start-ups with focus on reducing time from Idea to Revenue (I2R), announced its official launch at Zara Expo Hall B - on the 15th May, 2010. The non-traditional event gathered under one roof a number of pioneers, thinkers, entrepreneurs, businessmen, investors and other Meydan community members to celebrate what might just be Jordan’s platform to develop a growing economy that rivals the best in the near future.

Initiated in 2010 by Al Jude for Science Care, Meydan runs three programs almost in parallel; the Accelerator, Idea Space and Volunteer program(s). These programs provide the Jordanian creative and innovative minds with the platform and support system that enables them to generate ideas and build upon them.

The value created at Meydan is 80% from wisdom and knowhow, and 20% from money with major focus on creating value@speed using packaged knowledge, proven tools, smart and hard work and the passion to make a difference.

With Meydan’s focus on innovative companies that are not afraid to show their thinking muscles in public, Akhtaboot was chosen to participate in the whiteboarding session of Meydan’s launch, which is a tool presenters use to illustrate their big ideas, both its value and business model. Presenters use 2X3m white-boards, 4 pens, and an eraser.

Akhtaboot showcased its recent CSR service - Akhtaboot Microsite Solution - a fully integrated job board which will be provided to universities and educational institutions, free of charge, to enable their job seekers and site visitors to benefit from the full features and targeted job content of http://www.akhtaboot.com directly on the university website as part of the Akhtaboot Cares Initiative - Akhtaboot’s CSR arm.

Adapting to a New Work Environment

2010-05-18T23:41:00.000-07:00

Akhtaboot presents a number of tips to help you overcome the challenges that might face you when starting a new job.

Have you ever been in a situation where your family had to move away and you were forced to change schools? Moving to a new job can have quite the same feeling. You will be going to a new position not knowing the kind of boss or colleagues you might face or the type of environment you might have to work in. Some companies may use the interview to brief potential candidates about their corporate culture, their policies and their work environment. However, you will not be able to fully understand the whole picture until you are actually put in the situation. The most difficult thing in getting a new job is the stress you might feel as a result of seeking a new support system within the new company while trying to fully comprehend the new rules and regulations.
It is very important to remember that it takes time to adjust to your new surroundings. The time span depends mostly on the people who comprise the organization; they might actually help you get accustomed to the new environment or may try to make it hard for you to cope. Here are a number of helpful tips to help you adapt to your new environment.

Prepare Yourself for Your First Day

Your first day will always leave an unforgettable and lasting impression on your coworkers and your boss. Start by getting a good night’s sleep in order to be well rested for the next day. Arrive to work ahead of time to show that you are organized and punctual. Moreover, dress professionally as people often judge you based on the way look. No matter how professional and experienced you think you are, many people will think less of you when you do not dress professionally. To learn more about workplace dress codes, read the article “Dressing for Success in the Workplace”.

Concentrate on Your Work

A great way to adapt to your new environment is by doing what you do best; work. Your colleagues will come to respect and admire you when they acknowledge that you are a well experienced, skillful person, they may even come to you for help in some areas where you are more knowledgeable than they are. Nevertheless, no one expects you to know everything, therefore, do not hesitate to ask questions when you feel there is a need to it. People usually like to help others and it generally makes them feel good about themselves.

Listen and Observe

Each organization differs in the way co-workers interact with one another and the way employees communicate with their managers. Therefore, spend the first few weeks observing and listening to your colleagues and managers in order to figure out the best way to function. By doing this, you may save yourself from making a public mistake. Do not try to impose new ideas and suggestions until you feel that the company has accepted you and that you fully understand the way they work. Otherwise, any comment from your side would be perceived negatively.

Make Friends

Making friends might not always be easy; it actually depends on the culture of the organization and on your own personality. If you have a shy personality, then you need to sharpen your people skills to actually get along. Be friendly, smile as much as you can even to people who you don’t know and initiate discussions about interesting topics. If you find resistance then stop trying too hard. Give it a break and mind your own business until your colleagues approach you.

Stay Away from Gossip

Gossip is very risky as it is almost always based on unverifiable information. You may gain a few friends through gossiping but you definitely do not want to start your career with a reputation for being a gossip. Remember that we live in a very small world where your reputation may follow you for many years. Therefore, you should ask yourself the question “Am I willing to trade my reputation for a few friends who might end up gossiping about me?” If not, make sure that you stay away from gossiping and do not give your feedback on something you are not sure about. Pretending to be busy with work when gossiping starts is a great way to survive a situation like this.

People prefer to stay in their comfort zone by staying in one company for many years and building upon their experience and seniority. Yet, if you feel unhappy, bored or unchallenged in your current job then you should realize that it is about time to start thinking about changing it. No matter how challenging the transition period may be, do not allow it to stop you from seizing new opportunities. Believe in yourself and follow the above tips in order to be able to start a new and exciting chapter in your life.

Akhtaboot Sponsors the Career Wellness Area at INJAZ 8th Annual Job Fair, LINK2JOB – April 28-29, 2010 at Zara Expo, Grand Hyatt - Amman

2010-05-01T01:10:00.000-07:00

For the 3rd year in a row, Akhtaboot - the career network has partnered with INJAZ for it’s annual Job Fair, LINK2JOB City 2010, which once again proved to be a first class hiring event in Jordan. The job fair was held at Zara Expo, Grand Hyatt Amman on the 28th and 29th of April, 2010. As a main sponsor of the Career Wellness Area, Akhtaboot Co-organized and managed the Career Wellness Area (Hall C) which was divided into 4 main sections, including The CV Clinic, Mock Interviews Area, The Career Intelligence Area and The Entrepreneurial Area.

The CV Clinic was comprised of HR professionals who provided personalized guidance to job seekers on how to write a professional CV in addition to one-on-one consultancy on the common mistakes they should avoid when writing their CVs and important elements they should include to stand out from the crowd in today’s competitive business world. Furthermore, job seekers were given the chance to test their interview skills at the Mock Interviews section before they actually head to company booths for the real thing.

Job seekers were also given the chance to test their English language proficiency as well as personality in The Career Intelligence Area in order to effectively choose the right job that matches their skills and character. The English Placement Test was provided by the University of Cambridge to determine the fluency level of each candidate. The MBTI Personality test was provided by Akhtaboot, the only career site in the Middle East that is qualified as a Myers-Briggs © (MBTI) provider, which is a tried and true indicator of your personality type in a career context

The Entrepreneurial Area, featured two round tables conducted by a number of well-respected local Entrepreneurs, such as Dr. Nader Atmeh founder of Keenwash and Hussein Natsheh, founder of Ciapple, who gave job seekers the opportunity to listen to some of the most astonishing success stories and to learn about the steps they need to take to fulfill their dreams.

The job fair aimed to link job seekers to the local business community where some of the largest companies in Jordan participated in order to perform instant interviews, screen candidates and provide them with work opportunities. Moreover, job seekers were given the opportunity to attend many career-related lectures that were given by professional trainers on CV writing, interviewing skills and workplace success.

Akhtaboot Announces Website Enhancements and Additional Service Offerings

2010-04-26T23:21:00.000-07:00

Akhtaboot (http://www.akhtaboot.com), the Middle East’s top career network, has undergone a major user-focused upgrade. Akhtaboot will roll out the updated, bilingual version of Akhtaboot.com to all its users worldwide with a dynamic new look and an enhanced feature set. The bilingual website was designed in direct response to a comprehensive survey targeted to disclose the underlying recruitment needs of both companies and job seekers. The newly enhanced website provides online visitors with dramatic improvements in navigation, speed, clarity and appearance in addition to a fully bilingual Arabic/English interface, allowing users to shift smoothly between the site’s English and Arabic views.

Improvements to the site include:

Improved look and feel - Enhanced graphics and page layouts providing visitors with a consistent look and improved user experience solidifying Akhtaboot’s presence as the leading doorway to jobs in the Middle East.

Simplified navigation and sign up - The simplified and consistent navigation allows users to find information faster and easier. Akhtaboot has also revamped and improved the critical job seeker sign up process in order to ensure a larger and more qualified database. In addition, the Employers tab will be placed in a more prominent spot to make it clearer for companies wishing to use Akhtaboot’s recruitment services.

New features for job seekers - Job seekers now have the ability to include a cover letter with their job application, notify a friend about a certain job posting and to mark a certain job posting as spam, emphasizing job seeker protection a top priority for Akhtaboot.

New features for companies - In an effort to give employers more control over their Akhtaboot account, companies can now create multiple user accounts with specific user rights and passwords assigned to each sub account. Multiple users can now use the same Akhtaboot account to post jobs and search CVs. Moreover, the credit list has vastly increased to include radio job postings as well as job postings targeting candidates locally or globally. Employers also have the option to feature a certain job posting or their company globally or locally on all pages of the Akhtaboot website in addition to being able to post different jobs under the profile of different companies within the same account.

Jobs page improvements - Searching for jobs has become quick and easy with Akhtaboot’s simplified filtration process. All job postings will feature corporate logos for enhanced visibility.

Expansion of CV search facilities - Akhtaboot has expanded CV search facilities to include the ability to send a certain CV to multiple email addresses as well as displaying CV notes in a thread that highlights the date, the time and the name of the person.

Enhanced crediting and online purchasing system - The power of activation is now in the hands of the recruiter. The improved website has features geared specifically to benefit employers through displaying client purchase and credit history. The online shopping experience has also been enhanced to include a shopping cart that allows employers to purchase multiple recruitment services and charge them all at once.

Revamped CV writing section – The registration process in the CV writing section of Akhtaboot has been modified by allowing job seekers interested in revamping their CVs to upload their old CVs upon submission of contact information.

The Boss from Hell: Akhtaboot presents 5 types of difficult bosses and the way to deal with each one of them!

2010-04-20T02:37:00.000-07:00

Conflict between a boss and an employee can be both exhausting and intimidating, yet it is bound to happen in any workplace. Difficult bosses vary in personality from being somewhat controlling and aggressive to being straight up abusive. The way employees handle their difficult bosses may determine their position in the company as well as their long term career success. Akhtaboot presents to you 5 types of difficult bosses and the way to deal with each one of them.

The Control Freak

Control Freak bosses always consider themselves to be overwhelmed and burdened with the task of protecting the ungrateful world from their own mistakes. They are convinced that no one can do things the right way unless they dictate the exact steps of doing it. Their behavior is definitely annoying, yet confronting them would only make the situation even worse. They will only see your behavior as evidence that you’re not interested in doing things right. A good way to deal with a Control Freak boss would be to reassure him that you are taking your tasks seriously, and that he can count on you in handling your own responsibilities effectively and efficiently. Hand over all your deliverable on time and make sure not to miss out on every single detail.

The Absent Boss

If you rarely see your boss and most of your conversations with him are a quick chat in the hallway, then most probably you are dealing with an Absent Boss. The worst part about working with an Absent Boss is that he is rarely aware of the problems caused by his absence. Absent Bosses are rarely present when their approval is required or when a procedure is unclear and their guidance is needed. The secret to getting your boss’s attention is stressing the importance of your work and how your boss’s input is crucial to the project at hand. Once you get his attention, talk in headlines by summing up what decisions he needs to make or directions he needs to give. It might take more effort from your side to get things done, but your manager will respect you for being assertive.

The Whip-Cracker

Most Whip-Crackers are workaholics who don’t have a life and they assume that their employees don’t have a life either. They push their employees to the extreme and are never satisfied with their output. They think that employees are irresponsible slaves who wouldn’t want to work unless they are forced to do so. In order to get you’re the Whip-Cracker off your back, work hard and do not let your work go unnoticed. Demand acknowledgment by showing initiative and introducing new ideas that would benefit the firm. Show your boss that you consider yourself a partner of the firm rather than an employee who only works for a living.

The Scheming Boss

The Scheming Boss is the most dangerous type of bosses who is always planning to fire one person or another. He is highly manipulative, keeping an innocent face while setting up a trap for his prey. He tries to protect himself and his position by firing brilliant and qualified workers who might get in the way of his career success. Always be honest and act with extreme care when dealing with this type of bosses. Don’t hesitate to state your opinion about a specific situation even if it is different from your boss’s opinion, but be careful not to point out his shortcomings as it will never go unpunished!

The Busy Boss

This type of bosses is always impatient with lots of things on his mind, yet he respects all of his employees. He expects everything to be done the instant he asks for it. He may not be fully focused when talking to him and may even surprise you with a “you didn’t tell me that” the next day. When talking to this type of bosses, try to repeat important issues more than once and make sure that he has grasped it and agreed to it by asking: “so this is what we have agreed upon, right?”. Moreover, keep evidence of your communications by sending official emails about each decision taken by you or your boss.

It’s often said that people do not quit a job, they quit a boss. While it is frustrating to work with one of the above bosses, it’s quite possible to be able to manage your relationship with them so that none of you would kill the other. Always remember that your boss is someone who is highly experienced with a lot of wisdom to share on how to reach the position he is in now. Keep in mind that bosses aren’t from another planet, although sometimes they seem to be!

Mohamad Haj Hasan and Yousef Shamoun of Akhtaboot Selected as Endeavor Entrepreneurs

2010-04-05T02:05:00.000-07:00

Endeavor invited ten High-Impact Entrepreneurs from Egypt, Jordan, Mexico and Turkey to join its network at an International Selection Panel held in Cairo, Egypt last month.

“In Cairo, Endeavor selected an impressive array of entrepreneurs that are running companies that will not only change industries but also create value-added jobs that are necessary for any growing economy. We are delighted that our Jordanian entrepreneurs, Mohamad Haj Hasan and Yousef Shamoun from Akhtaboot (www.akhtaboot.com), were among those selected.” said Endeavor Jordan’s Managing Director, Carmen Saad.

Akhtaboot - Arabic for “octopus” - is an online recruitment company serving the broader Middle East and the GCC markets. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Amman, Jordan, Akhtaboot offers an interactive and dynamic interface that provides job seekers and employers with high value products that maximize their goals. These products include online Job Postings, CV Searches, recruitment assistance services in addition to other specialized offerings.

“We are truly honored and humbled to have been chosen among some of the best companies in Jordan and the Middle East, and the acknowledgment is a true testament to the great creative work of the Akhtaboot Team. This is a time when both jobseekers and companies can and should demand excellence from their recruiting partners. It is great to get this confirmation from Endeavor that validates our efforts as well, and we are honored to be recognized in this way”. Said Yousef Shamoun and Mohamad Haj Hasan, Co-founders of Akhtaboot.

The International Selection Panel is the culmination of a rigorous multi-step Search & Selection Process where top business leaders interview and then offer guidance to entrepreneur candidates. Once selected, Endeavor Entrepreneurs are given strategic advice, access to key networks and other tools that will enable them to grow their businesses. Often overlooked, these local entrepreneurs are initiating private sector development in their respective countries.

Mohamad and Yousef join 9 other Endeavor Entrepreneurs in Jordan representing varying industries, who have been selected since Endeavor Jordan began operations in 2008.

About Endeavor

Endeavor breaks down barriers that prevent emerging-market entrepreneurs from reaching their high-impact potential. Endeavor identifies entrepreneurs leading high-growth innovative companies in emerging markets. These entrepreneurs are given world-class strategic advice, access to key networks and other tools that will catapult them to success. With Endeavor’s guidance they become “high-impact” - expanding employment, generating wealth and inspiring others to innovate. Often overlooked, these local entrepreneurs are now jumpstarting private sector development in their countries.

As of 2009,Endeavor Entrepreneurs throughout Latin America, Egypt, India, Jordan, South Africa and Turkey have created more than 98,000 new jobs and generated over $3.15 billion in revenues. For more information, visit www.endeavorjordan.org

About Akhtaboot

Akhtaboot (www.akhtaboot.com) is an online career network that is committed to providing a user-friendly, effective, and efficient way of linking the right person to the right career opportunity. Akhtaboot is a leading career network in the Levant and GCC region utilizing internet, radio, newspaper, and magazine advertising for employer’s job vacancies.

Get a Life! Akhtaboot presents 5 helpful tips for achieving work-life balance!

2010-04-04T23:30:00.000-07:00

Achieving the right balance between your work life and your personal life in today’s hectic business world is no simple task. Between work, kids, social and family commitments there is no time left for personal leisure. Nevertheless, you should remember one important thing “life is what you make it”. You have a choice to either surrender to whatever comes your way and live in chaos or you can be proactive by identifying your priorities and scheduling your activities leaving sufficient time for your personal obligations.

If you had to rate your work-life balance on a scale of 1 to 10, what score would you give it? If the chosen score was less than 5 then you have a serious problem that may lead to depression, exhaustion and maybe chronic stress. Akhtaboot presents 5 tips to help you get your work-life in balance.

Organize your Day

Give each activity in your life a fraction of your time. Get a calendar to help you organize your day by setting goals and scheduling appointments such as lunch dates, outings and even sleep hours. Most employees take work home almost every day. Technology has made us more readily accessible to those who needed to reach us urgently, but at what cost? Checking your Blackberry or laptop for work mail every 10 minutes can become one big work blur. Instead of checking your PDA every 2 minutes, stay at work for one extra hour to respond to all of your work emails. The more in control of your projects, tasks and your life as a whole, the less you need these things interrupting you from enjoying the rest of your non-work time. Always remember, work will always be there in the morning!

Learn to Say No

Have you ever felt that you can’t concentrate on the task at hand because every half an hour a coworker interrupts you asking for assistance? One of the most valuable tools for effective time management is recognizing that you don’t have to place other people’s needs before your own. Learning to say No to certain requests when there’s too much on your plate is an effective tool that you should master for better work-life balance. Always identify inquiries that simply aren’t worth your time for effective time management. This advice does not only apply to work but also to personal and social events. Next time you are invited to something, weigh the benefits and costs before saying yes to make sure you don’t compromise your own priorities.

Accept Help

Most professionals do not ask for assistance since they prefer to stay in control and figure things out themselves. Even if you have many years of experience, don’t feel ashamed to ask for help in any area where you lack sufficient knowledge. Moreover, learn to delegate when possible. That doesn’t mean to hand over all of your tasks and sit down doing nothing, but it means passing on some of your responsibilities to your subordinates. Always remember that many of your coworkers may be able to handle some of your work if you give them a chance. When it comes to life outside work, accept help from your partner, family members and friends. For example, ask one of your friends to watch your kids for a night out on the town.

Protect Your Private Time

You may probably think twice before skipping out on a business meeting, doctor’s appointment or a career-related event. Give your private time the same respect you give to your prescheduled appointments. Protect your personal time by turning off your work mobile and laptop whenever you are spending time outside the office. It is not healthy to be one click away of your boss or clients. Make it clear that they should not expect a response from you if they contact you after work hours or on weekends. Moreover, take a ten-minute break every two hours during work day to increase your productivity and efficiency.

Plan Fun & Relaxation

Fun and relaxation are definitely an essential part of leading a well-balanced life. Most of you would think that going on a vacation is not something one should plan beforehand. This is not precisely true. In today’s busy life people can’t afford to let things go unplanned as nothing will be accomplished. Figure out what you want to do while you’re vacationing, and do some research to find out just how you’re going to do that. You do not necessarily need to go abroad in order to relax; you can simply take a novel to the park and enjoy the outdoors, visit the gym or go for a long relaxing walk.

Many employees of today’s world are too busy making a living that they don’t make enough time to create room for their personal life. What you do in your life is in your own hands and finding a balance between your work activities and personal activities should not be left to chance. Work-life balance is all about setting your boundaries and communicating them clearly to everyone. Don’t be one of those who make work life itself and try to get a life of your own!

Akhtaboot Conducts the First Career Planning Lecture at King Saud University in Al-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

2010-03-19T02:29:00.000-07:00

As a step to fulfill the growing demand for online recruitment solutions in the Middle East, Akhtaboot - the career network - has expanded its operations to reach Jeddah and Al-Riyadh. Akhtaboot’s presence in the Saudi Market aims to provide both companies and job seekers with a higher level of onsite and local customer service. Akhtaboot’s offices in Saudi Arabia are run by Recruitment Consultants, HR and Marketing Specialists who are dedicated to provide an extraordinary variety of employment-related services for both job seekers and businesses of Jeddah and Al-Riyadh.

Akhtaboot has also continued its ongoing commitment to support the young graduates in Jeddah and Al-Riyadh through the Akhtaboot Cares Initiative, which is a comprehensive plan that was developed through partnerships with a number of third parties and educational institutions that aims to educate the young public on issues related to career planning, while creating awareness and readiness on different work-related issues.

As part of the “Akhtaboot Cares initiative”, Akhtaboot’s Area Manager, Dauod Abu Kasheh, along with one of Akhtaboot’s Recruitment Specialists, Atef Hajeer, have conducted their first lecture on career planning at Saudi Arabia’s oldest and most prestigious university, King Saud University, Al-Riyadh. The main focus of the lecture was to educate the attendees on the differences between a job and a career and the steps that they should follow in order to effectively plan their career. The interactive presentation was well received and feedback from the 150 attendees was overwhelmingly positive. One of the students commented: “God bless you, this is one of the most informative and inspiring lectures I have ever attended”.

Akhtaboot at The University of Jordan Job Fair

2010-03-11T04:36:00.000-08:00

As part of Akhtaboot’s ongoing commitment to support the young Jordanian graduates-to-be in their quest to find the right job and plan their career path, Akhtaboot - the career network participated in The University of Jordan job fair which was held on Mar 4th in the Deanship of Student Affairs.

The University of Jordan provided Akhtaboot with 2 booths; one of which was dedicated for interviewing University students and graduates who are interested in finding a job at Akhtaboot, where they can gain excellent experience in a dynamic environment that promotes continuous career development and skill improvement. The other booth was devoted for free CV evaluation where two of Akhtaboot’s HR specialists advised students on how to best structure their CVs as well as highlighting common mistakes they should avoid when writing their CVs.

The CV Evaluation Booth was set as part of Akhtaboot’s CSR initiative “Akhtaboot Cares”, which is a comprehensive plan that was developed through partnerships with a number of third parties and educational institutions that aims to educate the young Jordanian public on issues related to career planning, while creating awareness and readiness on different career related issues.

Bullying is Not Over Yet!

2010-03-07T02:23:00.000-08:00

Bullying is something we all hope not to have to deal with much beyond school days. Unfortunately, the bullies you tried to avoid at school will most probably grow up and follow you to the workplace. Adult bullying has become a common trend in both small and large organizations. Employees as well as managers should be able to easily distinguish between the various forms of bullying such as hostile communication, exclusion of certain employees, public humiliation, making some employees the target of particular jokes and using faulty language. In addition, employees who are being bullied should be able to handle the issue immediately; otherwise, it can result in high levels of stress, low self-esteem, lower productivity and possibly depression.

Most bullied employees simply choose to quit in order to escape the trouble and the stress, but why give bullies the victory when you can win the battle as well as preserve your job? While bullying obviously harms those directly targeted, it can also affect onlookers and ultimately lead to an unhealthy organizational culture. Akhtaboot will help you identify the main types of bullying behavior and the way to handle each one of them.

Chronic Bullying

This form of bullying is the meanest and cruelest of all as it is part of the individual’s nature and everyday behaviors. Chronic Bullies behave with an intention to harm and they have pleasure in torturing others. They usually target those who have low self-esteem levels.

How can employees survive a Chronic Bully and stop him from crossing the line? Humor is the ultimate solution. Using humor is the best way to disarm a bully. Telling a joke about yourself, will give the impression that you are not intimidated by the bully’s criticism and will help the bully let down his wall of insecurity. In general, when you make a bully feel that he’s an insider rather than the person who has to fight his way in, he becomes more approachable and easier to deal with.

Situational Bullying

This is the most common type of bullying and usually happens in specific situations such as, high stress levels at work, change, competition and conflict. In such situations, Situational bullies can turn on their colleagues through verbal abuse, intimidation and aggression. However, these acts are only temporary and tend to stop once the situational factors disappear or when they feel it is in their favor to do so. In fact, Situational Bullies can be very friendly when it comes to achieving their personal career goals.

When dealing with a Situational Bully, one of the common mistakes that you should avoid is to become defensive about the situation. Defending your actions through explaining why you did something signals weakness. Don’t argue with the bully as it will make him more hostile and will definitely blow things out of proportion. The Situational Bully tends to meet aggression with aggression. Instead, stay calm and keep the argument at a minimum. Again, the most useful piece of advice that you should follow in this regard, is to use humor to disseminate the situation.

Unaware Bullying

Some bullies might not be aware of their bullying behavior or the effects it might have on their colleagues. The Unaware Bully is someone who just happens to be in the mood for criticizing and commenting and is totally oblivious to what he is doing.

The best way to deal with Unaware Bullies is to ignore them because their bullying behavior is not intentional and most probably will not happen again. However, once the bullying behavior starts to reoccur, you must confront the bully and tackle the situation at once. A typical reaction of an Unaware Bully would be to become defensive as he might not be aware of his bullying behavior but most of them will stop and apologize.

If you have exhausted all your options and non of the above suggested solutions seemed to work, then you might be left with only one alternative and that is to communicate your problem to top management. Top managers have a huge responsibility towards keeping the work environment bully-free. They should be able to solve such situations immediately through creating a zero tolerance anti-bullying policy that details how employees should treat each other and the punishment that any employee will be subject to in case they mistreat one of their colleagues.

If your company is not supportive of making the changes that will help you feel less bullied, then maybe you should move on and find another Job. After all, if the corporate culture is one that won’t support and protect you from anti-productive bullying, do you really want to work there anyway? Well, maybe you do, for other reasons such as your compensation and the other people you work with. But if not, then it’s time you moved on. Just remember, bullies will always be there, in every industry and almost every company, so be prepared!

The Customer is Always Right, Right?

2010-01-19T02:25:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what makes some companies succeed where others fail? Successful businesses of today’s world have drastically changed their approach towards customer service to meet the challenges of today’s competitive marketplace by using the most recent and modern ways to increase revenue growth and create a culture of success in the months and years to come. One excellent way to achieve that is to place customer needs and concerns at the heart of the business, not on the edge. It is a known fact that satisfied clients are the best promoters of your business. A recent research has shown that satisfied customers inform an average of five other people about their good treatment while unhappy customers may tell around 11 people about their bad experience with the company.

Providing excellent customer service is a definitely a challenge for every Company but as customers ultimately pay the bills and pay the salaries, running away from it is not an option. Akhtaboot presents to you a number of important tips that you should keep in mind in order to handle customer complaints effectively.

Listen, Listen then Listen Some More!

Listening is perhaps the most critical element in workplace communications, yet it remains one of the least understood skills among employees. When it comes to handling complaining customers, you should really understand that it’s not about you as a person but about the products and services that your company offers. While you’re listening make sure that you don’t get defensive as this will stimulate even more anger. Stay calm and make sure that you understand the precise nature of the customer’s complaint. Repeat back the key points of their complaint to show interest. Be positive; at least this customer actually took the time and effort to complain!

Show Interest

You can show interest by simply asking questions about the problem in a caring and concerned manner. Make sure that you ask about the complainer’s name and mention it every now and then as you address him or her. When someone comes to you yelling, try to calm him down by saying “We can work together to solve the problem but first can you please tell me what exactly went wrong”. Identifying the exact problem will not only help you with that particular customer, but will help avoid more complaints in the future.

Say Thank You

As annoying as they may appear to be, complaints are actually positive. Many companies allocate a lot of resources and personnel in order to get customer feedback. You have been granted this gift free of charge so why keep on nagging about receiving a lot of complaints. Instead, the customer deserves to be thanked for approaching the company which such valuable information. A simple “Thank You” is the easiest way to make an outraged customer feel important and appreciated.

Offer an apology

Apologizing indicates that you are taking the complaint seriously and that you are truly sorry about any inconvenience the customer had to face. A genuine apology can actually strengthen a customer’s bond to a company, leaving him or her emotionally connected than a customer who has never experienced a problem. As a representative of your company you have a responsibility to actively work to regain customer goodwill even if it wasn’t actually your fault.

Fix the Problem

Distinguishing between a major and a minor problem can sometimes be tricky. You might overlook a fundamental problem at times and on other occasions you might spend considerable time trying to solve a minor problem which only exists in the mind of the complainer. It’s the responsibility of the customer service representative to figure out the validity and importance of the complaint.

Follow Up

Many customer care representatives think that bombarding complaining customers with follow up calls is essential to please them. Doing so might drive the customer to stop dealing with the company because of the disturbing phone calls. Nevertheless, following up with a customer who has previously complained to the services her received is essential when done in moderation. It signals care and reflects that the company has a sincere desire to keep customers happy.

Tracking customer complaints has become a priority for companies in today’s marketplace. Statistics show that 25% of customers are dissatisfied with their purchases, yet, only 5% actually complain. The other 95% either feel complaining is not worth the effort or they just stop buying because they do not know whom to turn to. Only about 50% of those who complain report a satisfactory problem resolution. Likewise, between 54-70% of customers who register a complaint will do business with the company again if their complaints are fully resolved.

Keep in mind that customer support is not just about fixing a problem, but forming a relationship with buyers and creating an opportunity for future sales. The quality and effectiveness of your products must be accompanied by good customer service in order to succeed. In today’s competitive market, companies that truly understand that it’s all about the customers and their experience with their products, their services, their organization, will be the ones left standing.

The Secret Formula to Employment: Akhtaboot unveils the 8 essential skills that employers consider when hiring

2009-12-31T02:30:00.000-08:00

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in education throughout the globe. Most parents are investing in their children by educating them and preparing them to face the highly demanding work environment. As a result, thousands of students graduate from universities with similar degrees. With that in mind, what really matters nowadays are the competitive attributes that distinguish you from other candidates. Akhtaboot presents to you the 8 essential attributes that employers look for in potential candidates. Try to master one or more in order to be able to compete effectively in the job market.

The Remarkable CV

“If you call failures experiments, you can put them in your resume and claim them as achievements.” Mason Cooley.

Don’t underestimate the power of a CV because a well written CV will certainly get you an interview. Your CV is the first instrument that you can use to exceptionally brand yourself. Therefore, use it efficiently to highlight your strengths and to bury your weaknesses. What is even better is to turn your weaknesses into strengths. For example, if you do not have a university degree, you need to emphasize your job experience. But the question remains: Will my CV get me a Job? Probably no, but an interview will!

Relevant Work Experience

“Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.” Barry LePatner.

Have you ever stopped to wonder why most of the employers you applied for have never called you back? One reason may be the lack of relevant experience. Therefore, set your long term career goals and plan your way to reach your goals by applying to jobs that will enable you to gain the relevant experience and prepare you for your dream job. After all, reaching the top won’t happen overnight!

Good Cultural Fit

“You just can’t fit a Cadillac in the India Cultural Center.” Dawn Hudson.

Managers tend to create a culture for their organizations that is compatible with their own way of thinking. The culture of any organization is a set of shared values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors among all employees. Research the company’s culture before you go to the interview and check if you match their general environment. In the interview, emphasize how you fit the culture by sharing experiences and stories that the Company can relate to.

The Ability to Work in Teams

“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” Henry Ford.

Learning to work in teams is vital element to your career success. Believe it or not it can sometimes be harder than working on your own. The good news is that you can definitely learn how to be an effective team member. Cooperate with other team members, try to share as much information as you can with them and don’t hesitate to offer help whenever your expertise is needed. In the interview, state real examples on how you have added value to your previous team members.

Problem Solving Skills

“Leaders are problem solvers by talent and temperament, and by choice.” Harlan Cleveland.

These days, managers prefer to hire people who can be counted on to solve problems and handle responsibility. It is not professional to go back to your manager seeking his help whenever you face a tiny insignificant issue. Instead, try to research and find the solution yourself. Remember that you can find any type of information over the Internet, so don’t go running to your manager until you have exhausted all the resources available to solve the problem.

Multi-tasking

“If you can’t ride two horses at once, you shouldn’t be in the circus.” American Proverb.

Some jobs require you to have more multitasking abilities than other jobs. If you have limitations to your multitasking abilities, try to apply for jobs that require more routine tasks such as sales. At the end of the day, managers want things to get done on time. Therefore, your most important mission is to set priorities for your tasks and manage your time in a way that enables you to finalize them.

Long-term Commitment

“Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes… but no plans.” Peter F. Drucker.

Companies’ biggest fear nowadays is the loss of employees’ loyalty and long-term commitment, especially after the recent financial crisis. Companies have been forced into lay-offs, which in turn have affected employees’ morale. Due to this fact, managers have become more hesitant to trust their newly hired employees until they show constant interest for the good of the company. Present new ideas, give your opinion about critical issues and offer help to your colleagues whenever you feel your expertise can add value.

Communication Skills

“The art of communication is the language of leadership.” James Humes.

Nowadays, soft skills are more important for managers than technical ones especially in areas where there is a lot of interaction with clients and outside parties. The perfect employee would be cheerful, diplomatic, patient and able to deliver complex information in a simple manner.

Remember that employers don’t expect to find all 8 characteristics in you. If you think that you have one or two, try to strengthen them and highlight them in the interview in order to impress the employer. Don’t waste time trying to create something you don’t have. Instead, focus on a couple of attributes and master them in order to shine!

Akhtaboot as Online Media Sponsor in the First Forum on Organizational Success and Excellence

2009-12-13T04:40:00.000-08:00

Mr. Philip Diab - CEO of Leadership Formation,Dr.
Amjad Al-Aryan - CEO of Pharmacy1, Osama
Fattaleh - COO of Aramex during the Pannel
Discussion

Under the Patronage of Her Excellency Suhair Al Ali, Minister of Planning, Leadership Formation held the first ever Executive Forum on Organizational Success and Excellence in collaboration with Akhtaboot as main online media sponsor. The event was held on December 9, 2009 at the Sheraton Hotel and attracted participants from diverse organizations and industries.

Attendees had the opportunity to learn from renowned leaders of global and regional organizations about best practices and approaches for excellence and growth in today’s business world. Featuring world-class leaders in the fields of project management, strategic excellence, leadership and governance, the single day event provided invaluable insights for corporations, non-governmental organizations and government agencies facing the challenges of growth, development, and sustainability.

Keynote speakers shared their personal experiences on topics regarding Organizational Success and Excellence. Speakers included: H.E. Suhair Al-Ali, the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation; Mr. Gregory Balestrero, the CEO of the Project Management Institute, a global association with nearly 400,000 members and a similar number of certification holders (PMPs); Ms. Linda Crompton, the CEO of BoardSource, an organization dedicated to advancing the public good by building exceptional non-profit boards and inspiring board service; Mr. Ricardo Vargas, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Project Management Institute(PMI); Mr. Philip Diab, the CEO of Leadership Formation, a consulting firm that enables organizational success in strategy, alignment, execution, and people.

In addition to keynote speakers, a number of panel discussions were held throughout the Forum, allowing local experts and members of the audience to tackle core topics related to leadership. Panelists included: H.E. Nadia Al-Saeed, General Manager of Union Bank; Osama Fattaleh, Chief Operations Officer of Aramex; Dr. Amjad Al-Aryan, Chief Executive Officer of Pharmacy 1; Khalil Khouri, Chief Executive Officer of NSCC; Andrew Cobb, Chief Projects Officer of Arab Bank; Haifa Najjar, Superintendent of the Ahliyyah School for Girls and Bishop’s School for Boys and GAM City Council Member; Amal Shabib, Chief Planning & Development Officer of Nuqul Group; Abed Shamlawi, Chief Executive Officer of Int@j.

As main online media sponsor, Akhtaboot has actively promoted the event through its website (www.akhtaboot.com) and other social media channels so as to attract Companies and individuals interested in learning about best practices and approaches for excellence and growth.

Wearing the Same T-shirt Doesn’t Make you a Team: Akhtaboot unveils the 9 essential roles that make up a successful team

2009-11-18T02:32:00.000-08:00

Teams have become a strategic tool in organizations’ success. Due to the recent financial crisis, organizations are restructuring themselves in order to be able to compete effectively and efficiently in the highly demanding market. Management in many organizations has agreed that teams are more flexible and responsive to the continuous changing environment than traditional departments. Teams have the capability to quickly unite, organize, coordinate, adapt and disband.

Contrary to the traditional belief, the success of a team depends less on how clever, talented or qualified employees are, and more on how they behave. Employees should be able to understand their team roles within a particular team; this will assist them in developing their strengths, managing their weaknesses and improving their overall contribution to the team.

Akhtaboot presents the nine roles that make up a balanced and successful team; each is grouped within three main types of employees.

Action Players: Result Oriented Employees

The Team Executive – Implementer

Have you never missed a deadline? Do you like to turn people’s ideas into positive action? Are you are willing to handle jobs everyone else avoids or dislikes? If you answered yes to all of the above, then you are an “Implementer”. Implementers rarely miss deadlines and are eager to turn decisions and strategies into defined and manageable tasks, sorting out objectives and pursuing them logically. However, most implementers are close-minded and inflexible.

The Doer – Shaper

Do you like to be challenged? Do you tolerate working under pressure? Do you usually say what’s on your mind? Do you do whatever it takes to achieve your goals? All the above characteristics define a perfect “Shaper” who gives structure and energy to the team and directs them towards achieving results. Yet, while they strive to achieve their objectives, Shapers sometimes forget to be sensitive to the feelings and perceptions of others.

The Perfectionist – Completer

Have you ever been frustrated from a teammate who worries excessively about minor details and refuses to delegate tasks? Sorry for the bad news, but you can’t kick him out of the team because nothing will be finalized without this annoying team member. What we call a “Completer” is a perfectionist who will often go the extra mile to make sure everything is just right. Completers are detail-oriented and motivated by their own high standards.

Saviors: Problem Solving Employees

The Genius – Plant

Don’t ever underestimate a “Plant”! He is quiet and silent, but when the time is right he astonishes the team with innovative and creative ideas. Plants are open-minded and willing to accept change. They are geniuses but have low communication skills, as they are unable to deliver and convince other team players of their ideas.

The Person Who is Loved by Everyone – Monitor

“Monitors” are fair and logical observers, they judge their colleagues based on what they actually see. In most situations and problems, Monitors will make the right decision, as they are unbiased and are able to see all options with the greatest clarity. They take everything into account; they move slowly and analyze all aspects of the situation. However, they can become excessively enthusiastic for some things without logical grounds, and they may face difficulties inspiring themselves or others to be passionate about their work.

The Know-it-all – Specialist

Have you ever felt that there is only one team member who you always can turn to when you are stuck or when you need information about a specific subject? He is the “Specialist” of the team. Specialists tend to be the most knowledgeable about their own particular field, as they are eager about learning and educating themselves. They are constantly working to improve their skills and wisdom. Specialists bring a high level of concentration, knowledge and expertise to the team, but they limit their involvement to cover this narrow aspect of team work.

Feeling Employees

The Leader – Coordinator

Have you ever felt deceived by a team member who only implies to others what they should do but he does nothing to help? Unfortunately, this team member is playing the leader role and he manages the team’s chaos. By default, the “Coordinator” becomes responsible for organizing tasks among team members. He explains group goals, sets the agenda and the timeline but does not dominate discussions.

The Fuel of the Team – Teamworker

“Teamworkers” are the oil that keeps the team engine running. They are good listeners and excellent in resolving conflict. The value of Teamworkers tends to show only when they are absent and when the team begins to argue and no one is there to solve the problem. Because of their unwillingness to take sides, a Teamworker may not be able to take decisive action.

The Thief – Resource Investigator

The “Resource Investigator” is enthusiastic; he vigorously pursues contacts and opportunities at the start of the project and passes his enthusiasm to other team members. He focuses his attention on building relationships outside the team rather than concentrating on internal issues. Unlike a Plant who strives to create new ideas, a Resource Investigator would rather steal them from outside parties. Yet, he tends to lose his energy by the end of a project and he starts to neglect small details.

The success of a team is not only about having all the above team member types, it’s also about the integration and coordination of these roles. Teams can be made up of 4 to 12 employees; therefore, it’s not necessary for a team to have all the 9 mentioned roles. Best teams, regardless of their size, try to utilize the benefits of each member’s role toward achieving a common goal, so keep in mind that wearing the same t-shirt doesn’t make you a team!

Akhtaboot at Maharat Face to Face Job Fair- Oct 19, 2009 at the Sheraton Hotel, Amman

2009-10-26T04:53:00.000-07:00

In its ongoing commitment to support Jordan’s young graduates to find the right job and plan their career path, Akhtaboot- the career network showed its continuous support to Maharat Program by participating in Maharat Face to Face job fair which was held on Oct 19th at the Sheraton Hotel, Amman.

Maharat is an Employment and Training Program for Jordanian recent graduates that provides a world-class development opportunity for Jordanian youth and companies. Akhtaboot and Maharat have always been partners in trying to leverage the Jordanian job market by giving job seekers the opportunity to grow their career related knowledge.

Maharat has granted Akhtaboot two booths; Akhtaboot’s CV evaluation booth where Maharat graduates were given free advice on how to rewrite their CVs, common mistakes they should avoid and important elements to make their CVs stand out from the crowd in today’s competitive business world. The second booth was devoted to interview Maharat graduates through giving them the opportunity to work in Akhtaboot, where they can gain excellent experience in a dynamic environment that promotes continuous career development and skill improvement.

It’s Not Only What You Say that Counts: Master the Art of Non-Verbal Communication

2009-10-21T02:36:00.000-07:00

Employees usually underestimate the effect of their body language and their non-verbal communication. Your body language and facial expressions are very important in social settings, meetings, interviews and everyday work life. They can affect people’s perceptions of your intentions, as non-verbal communication often conveys more to listeners than the words you speak.

Employees will be able to send stronger messages to their audience when their verbal language matches their non-verbal language. Here are six non-verbal signals that every employee should consider in the workplace.

Facial Expressions

Your face reveals both the type and the intensity of your feelings. Your eyes are especially effective for indicating attention and interest, influencing others, regulating interaction and establishing dominance. For example, in the Arab world eye contact is very important when you are in an interview or a meeting; it conveys confidence and implies respect for the other party.

Facial expressions are not only useful for expressing feelings, but can also be used for hiding them. Employees sometimes use fake facial expressions to hide their anger or frustration toward an unsatisfied customer or a disappointed boss. Make sure that you use the right facial expressions in the right context.

Gestures and Postures

Whether conscious or unconscious, gestures and postures can reveal whether you feel confident or nervous, friendly or hostile, assertive or passive, powerful or powerless. Being able to effectively interpret your audience’s gestures and postures can lead to successful conversations and meetings. Angry people may lean back with their hands crossed over their chest or may lean forward with their fists clenched. Acknowledging these acts and their implications may direct the employee to alter the flow of the conversation and its intensity level. Moreover, employees should also focus on their own gestures and postures to avoid sending unwanted or negative non-verbal messages.

Vocal Characteristics

Your tone and volume of voice, your accent, your speaking pace and all the little um’s and ah’s that creep into your speech say a lot about who you are, your relationship with the audience and the underlying emotions of your words. Being too quite may give the impression that you are shy with no opinion on the subject that is being discussed. On the other hand, being too loud may limit other people’s participation in the conversation because it conveys aggressiveness and dominance. Respect your audience by maintaining a moderate volume of voice while giving others a chance to participate.

Personal Appearance

People respond to others very much on the basis of their physical appearance. Employees should always maintain a presentable look by taking good care of their grooming, clothing, accessories and style. If your goal is to make a good impression, adopt the style of the people you want to impress. When talking about work clothing, it’s very important to take into account the type of job you are dealing with. Employees who do not have to meet external clients or attend business meetings can dress casually so as to be comfortable to work long hours in front of their computer screens. On the other hand, employees who meet customers or visitors on a regular basis should maintain a professional image by dressing formally. For more information on Dressing for Success, visit the Akhtaboot Blog http://blog.akhtaboot.com.

Touch

Touch is a very important way to convey warmth, comfort and reassurance. Nevertheless, it is a very sensitive issue when it comes to the workplace and should be handled with careful attention. While many people see a hand on a shoulder or a pat on the back as a valuable way to convey encouragement or concern for another person’s well-being; sexual harassment fears have made many people avoid all types of touching other than good old handshakes. One helpful recommendation is to keep all types of touching professional and businesslike, this way you can communicate positive feelings and warmth to the other party without crossing the red line.

Time and Personal Space

Arriving to all meetings on time will definitely help you gain people’s respect in today’s business world. When it comes to interviews, the worst way to start one is to be late. Make sure that you have all the right directions and give yourself plenty of time to get there ahead of time.

In addition, take good care not to invade other people’s private spaces. Standing too close when talking to someone may either show respect or may implicate intruding. The best thing is to keep a moderate space between you and the one you are speaking to.

The interpretations of your non-verbal communication differ from one person to another and from one culture to another. Being able to read people’s faces, tone of voice and body language is definitely of great value for your career success and personal development. Following the above recommendations will help you advance your career and will definitely give you an edge over your job-seeker competition!

PepsiCo Partners with Akhtaboot to recruit for PepsiCo’s Accelerate Management Training Program

2009-09-29T05:27:00.000-07:00

Jordan Ice & Aerated Water Co. (PepsiCo International Jordan) partners with Akhtaboot to recruit for its latest Management Training Program, Accelerate. Accelerate is one of the most prestigious programs adopted by PepsiCo Middle East countries to develop local leadership talents and to give exceptional fresh graduates the chance to accelerate their career and climb up the PepsiCo ladder.

Akhtaboot, Jordan’s number one recruitment website, has been chosen by PepsiCo as the leading supplier of talented fresh graduates with a strong academic background in any Business, IT or Engineering disciplines. Lama Mazahreh, Staffing & OMD Supervisor at PepsiCo Jordan, a subsidiary from PepsiCo International, said:

“Akhtaboot has been & will always be our number one choice for recruiting high calibre, especially for our Management Training Program ‘ACCELERATE’. 2008 & 2009 ACCELERATE candidates were all hired from Akhtaboot. It’s always my pleasure to work with such a professional and helpful staff and I definitely recommend Akhtaboot’s unique recruitment services to other businesses.”

The three-year program is tailor-made to equip exceptional fresh graduates (with a GPA of 3.00 or higher) with practical functional experience through On the Job Training relating to PepsiCo’s different business activities. Graduates who are interested in applying to Accelerate program can apply through www.akhtaboot.com for their chance to obtain a long-term career with PepsiCo throughout the second and third year of the program.

PepsiCo is a world leader in convenient snacks, foods and beverages, with revenues of more than $39 billion & over 185, 000 employees.

Established in 2007, Akhtaboot is an online career network that is committed to providing a user-friendly way of linking the right person to the right career opportunity. Akhtaboot serves as a career network for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Time Management: Get more done with less stress by taking control of your time

2009-09-26T02:36:00.000-07:00

Time Management is one of those skills that you don’t learn in school or university, yet it is one of the most important skills that you must master in order to be successful in today’s competitive workplace. It doesn’t matter how many years of experience you have or how skilled you are; your inability to manage your time well enough to get your work done will definitely cause numerous difficulties and complications to both your professional and social lives and can also lead to increased stress, anxiety, frustration and other negative feelings. Nowadays, careers are made or broken on your ability to handle multiple tasks and manage your time, and no matter what type of work you do, you can definitely have a hand in making your workday more satisfying with Akhtaboot’s following time management techniques.

Remember that those techniques should do more than just help you achieve your career goals, they should help you make more time for what you really want to do, not just what you have to do.

Prioritize Tasks with Pareto’s “20/80 Principle”

Effective time managers are aware of the fact that they cannot do everything that has to be done at once. They prioritize tasks by consciously choosing to spend their time on what is most important to them. The key to effective time management is to apply the “80/20 Principle” which states that 80% of your results are produced from 20% of your efforts. This rule will help you discover the percent of your tasks that you need to focus on so as to achieve the greatest returns on your efforts with the limited amount of time that you have.

Manage Time Allocation with Parkinson’s Law

Parkinson Law states that “Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion”. It means that the time you need to complete a certain task depends on the time you originally give yourself to get it done with. If you give yourself a tight timeline to do something, you won’t start because you implicitly know that the time frame is unrealistic. If you allocate too much time to complete the task, you won’t start either, because you secretly know that you still have a lot of time on your hands. To break this loop, you have schedule how long you would like to work on certain projects or tasks and then track your progress. This method will help increase your productivity and reduce time wasting.

Identify your Biggest Time Wasters

In order for your time management process to be effective, it is really important that you identify the biggest time wasters at your job. Time wasters usually fall under two main categories: self-generated and external time wasters. Self-generated time wasters are things that we cause ourselves and that we have total control over, such as disorganization, the inability to say No and procrastination. As for external time wasters, interruptions to your work are inevitable; from the ringing telephone, to clients passing by unannounced, to meetings that go on too long with no fruitful conclusion. Making a list of the major time wasters and arranging them in order of their impact will help you save some of your daily working hours and maximize your productivity.

Get it Right the First Time with Total Quality Management

TQM is a process whereby the need to get everything right the first time and to continually improve your production is required. Total Quality Management is not about doing more, it’s about improving the quality of the important tasks at hand. This might take a little more time in the beginning but will definitely reduce rework required to fix mistakes and will save a lot of time on the long run. Contrary to poplar belief, time management is not about doing more things in less time, but it’s about doing the right things better. Keep in mind that the more you bite off, the longer you have to chew.

Taking Control of Technology

The internet is definitely one of the top addictive time wasters in today’s corporate world; it can actually consume a whole working day before you even notice. Your email, for example, has grown into a serious time drainer with your inbox getting out of control throughout the day. But just because someone can contact you instantly, it does not mean that you have to reply immediately. Unless your job demands that, do not respond to your emails immediately, instead, assign a few times a day to check it and respond and don’t look at it otherwise.

Everyone who works wishes there were more hours in the day so that they could do their job right. While time management is a not a new term, most people are really bad at making the most of their time at work. In the quest for success, however, wasting days, hours or even minutes is bad for your career, so why not cut to the chase and get rid of the factors and behaviors that are, in fact, wasting your time.

Whether you feel overwhelmed by your workload or you just want to find an extra few minutes in the day, one fact will always remain the same: we all have the same 24 hours and you really can’t manage that time, but you can manage yourself better. If you don’t, time will do a pretty good job of managing you!

Dressing for Success in the Workplace: Types of Workplace Attire and Things to Avoid When Dressing for Success

2009-08-23T02:38:00.000-07:00

Dressing for any career-related event is definitely one of the major sources of anxiety for everyone at some point in their career. As vital as it is for a company to maintain a product’s image in today’s business world, it is even more important for individuals to package themselves in a way that is smart and professional. In Today’s Job Market, first impressions can never be overstated, especially if you are trying to set yourself apart from the pack of other job seekers who are trying to land the same job. The image you portray can either make or break you, and the look you go for reflects your ability to perform adequately on the job. This is a well-known fact among all professionals, especially those who aspire to high managerial positions. Looking and behaving like a highly qualified and well-groomed professional will definitely help you gain the respect and admiration of your boss, colleagues and clients.

Akhtaboot brings you a number of helpful dress code tips to get your wardrobe right in a professional setting that suits all the different professional environments that you might need to dress for in your career and a number of fashion faux pas to avoid when dressing for success.

Types of Workplace Attire

There are 3 main types of workplace attire that you need to fully understand. Each attire depends on your company’s dress code policy. The three types of dress codes are: Professional Dress, Business Casual and No Dress Code.

Professional Dress

In most conservative industries such as, Sales, Accounting or Banking you will find that this type of business wear is dominant. In general, the business dress for men that works best in most corporate environments is a conservative dark or charcoal gray suit, a white or blue long-sleeve, button-down shirt and a necktie with a minimal or no patterns. Women’s business attire consists of a pantsuit or a suit with a skirt, paired with closed-toe high heels. This type of dress code helps you reflect a conservative and professional look that is classy but not too flashy.

Business Casual

For those who are still not familiar with the business world, defining what the business casual style is can be vague. The key to appropriate business casual attire is to understand your company’s definition of “business casual”. Basically, business casual for men is suit pants or khaki type pants, a button-down collared or polo shirt and traditional black or brown shoes. Wearing a tie or a blazer is optional. Business casual for women means classic black or brown pants, a well-pressed shirt or blouse and high-heels.

The No Dress Code Policy

While most companies have a specific dress code, there are actually some exceptions to this norm. A company with a “No Dress Code” policy allows you to wear what you probably won’t be wearing to work, such as jeans, T-shirts, flip flops, sneakers and shorts. This policy is common among IT companies, where employees have no direct interaction with clients, but employees may be asked to wear professional attire at networking events, conferences or client meetings.

Things to Avoid When Dressing for Success

Strong Fragrances

Smelling good is definitely a vital part of looking good. However, if you do not apply fragrances correctly, it might not work in your favor in the business world. Avoid wearing strong perfumes or colognes in the office or workplace and keep in mind that some people are allergic to some perfumes. So if your fragrance is too strong, only use it in your personal time!

Poor Grooming

Personal grooming is just as important as what you wear. You may select the right clothes, but having poor personal hygiene will ruin the image you wish to present. Make sure that your body is freshly showered and your hair is clean, trimmed, and neatly combed. For men, mustaches or beards must be neatly groomed or better yet, shaved. When it comes to makeup, women must try to wear the minimum and be as natural looking as possible. After all, this is not a beauty contest!

Over-accessorizing

Accessories can definitely reflect your personal style and can be a plus if worn in moderation. There are some accessories, however, that should be avoided in order to look professional and credible. Women should avoid dangling earrings and must wear no more than one ring per hand, a nice watch and a simple necklace. Men should stick to a watch, one ring, and a simple belt. Ties with loud patterns should be avoided. Always remember that when it comes to accessorizing in the workplace: Less is more!

Many professionals commit a number of fashion faux pas without even realizing it due to their lack of experience when it comes to corporate attire. This can sometimes lead to being passed over for a job or promotion. Although your personal style is important, dressing for success means business, not pleasure. If the company of your interest has a dress code policy on paper, make sure that you read it carefully. If not, pay attention to your interviewer’s attire as well as what the other employees are wearing.

Whether you are self-employed, a sales representative or you just have a really conservative boss; the way you dress reflects your ability to perform the job well. Even if you work in the back office and rarely meet any clients, maintaining a professional look is still a key to your success. If you have never worked in a professional environment and you are still not sure how business dress looks like, come visit the Akhtaboot offices and get up close and personal with all 3 types of workplace attire.

Akhtaboot at The Education and Training International Exhibition, July 22–24, 2009, Zara Expo - Grand Hyatt Hotel

2009-07-21T05:32:00.000-07:00

Amer, Samah and Atef (Akhtaboot)
during the event

Under the patronage of H.E. the Prime Minister Eng. Nader Dahabi, you are welcome to visit Akhtaboot’s booth at the biggest event for education and training in Jordan, The Education and Training International Exhibition, July 22 – 24, 2009, Zara Expo - Grand Hyatt Hotel, Amman – Jordan. If you are a postgraduate student, undergraduate student, public or private high school student, parent, EDUTEX is the event for you.

EDUTEX will provide the opportunity for thousands of undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students, public & private high school students, parents, educational professionals, business executives, young professionals and senior governmental officials to meet with various universities, colleges, educational institutions and language centers.

For more information on this event, please visit: http://www.edutexme.com/

6 Myths about Climbing the Corporate Ladder

2009-07-19T02:40:00.000-07:00

Today’s workplace is both unstable and unpredictable; people get fired and switch jobs all the time and in general, staying in the same company for more than five years is really considered a career achievement, but unlike the workplace of the past, employees can no longer be guaranteed the chance of promotion based merely on the fact they’ve served a long time at the same company. To get ahead you need to work above and beyond your standard job description, displaying initiative and competence.

Time and again, we see overrated, unqualified employees get promoted while skilled, hardworking people - like you - get passed over. Most people explain this noticeable randomness of promotions by inventing reasons that only apply in the old outdated job world. To help you on your way up, Akhtaboot will reveal the top10 most common myths about climbing the corporate ladder.

Myth #1: It’s all about who you know

No one can deny the importance of having a professional Network of business contacts, but it’s not the only factor that you need in order to advance in your career. The Reality is that, no matter how huge your network might be, it is definitely not the only factor that leads to career success. There are actually a number of other important qualities such as, experience, intelligence, drive and hard-work that truly distinguish potential executives from their peers.

Myth #2: Catering to your boss’s style and preferences is your guarantee to career advancement

The reality is that your boss is superior to you whether you like it or not, there’re no two ways about it. Sometimes you may be impressed by him and sometimes you just may question his decisions. At the end of the day, your boss is still your boss, and you have to report to him. The best way to handle your relationship with your boss is to have realistic expectations of your role and responsibilities as well as your Boss’ and to make sure you get the appropriate recognition and rewards for your work in order to advance in your career.

Myth #3: No news is good news

Most people think that if they receive little or no feedback about their deficiencies on the job, then they must be doing a good job. This leads to them performing their duties below acceptable standards with no indication that their work is unacceptable. Presented properly, negative feedback can definitely help you correct performance problems and can be one of the most potentially valuable information about yourself that you might ever receive. Often it is the feedback that is most difficult to hear that allows you the most growth opportunity.

Myth #4: Once you get there, there’s no need for you to try hard anymore

Like it or not, the moment you reach the managerial level, you are under the spotlight. Regardless of how you look at it, getting promoted involves consistent hard work. Once you’re in the hot seat you need to look for opportunities to take the lead on new assignments to showcase your skills, abilities, and dedication. Keep in mind that you didn’t wind up in your new position because of your charm and good looks, but for your talent, experience and hard work.

Myth #5: Managers make more money than regular employees

People often believe that any managerial role automatically guarantees higher compensation levels, so it seems like moving into a managerial position is the only way to make more money. It really depends. For example, commission based employees often make more than their managers. Management doesn’t always mean more money; it’s just a different type of work that requires different skills and involves more responsibilities. However, as a general rule of thumb, more money usually comes with greater responsibility.

Myth #6: Managers enjoy more freedom

Many employees believe that managers have far more freedom to make decisions and take action than they have as individual contributors. This is actually not true. Managers often have far less freedom to act alone than you might have anticipated. They have multiple obligations and responsibilities along with many employees to look after. In fact many CEOs and business owners often long for the days when they were starting out and had more time on their hands.

Today’s marketplace requires you to think of yourself as a business. In order for you to succeed in your career, you need to constantly market yourself by selling your skills, abilities and accomplishments to current and potential employers. Practicing the fundamentals of self-discipline and achieving one goal after another will definitely make you indispensable to multiple decision makers.

Whatever might be your job position, work to your potential and make sure your work meets or even exceeds the expectations of your superiors. That doesn’t mean you have to work overtime every week or do your coworkers’ work for them, just take care of your business and then you will be worth your weight in gold!

Akhtaboot is Tweeting!

2009-06-28T05:38:00.000-07:00

You must have heard lots of buzz lately about Twitter, the latest web 2.0 sensation that lets you create an account where you can post very brief answers (up to 140 letters) to the question “what are you doing?” using IM, your phone, or the web. Others can read your updates and comment on them.

Akhtaboot has just created his very own twitter account to keep you updated on what we are doing at the moment. We will be posting our latest Job postings as well as news and latest blog entries. All you have to do is create a Twitter Account and follow Akhtaboot at: https://twitter.com/AkhtabootJobs.

Stress Busting Tactics for any Workplace

2009-06-22T02:41:00.000-07:00

Stress and chronic stress are quite possibly two of the biggest obstacles to achieving success in the workplace. It is actually a very real issue that can lead to a range of physical, emotional and behavioral problems such as irritability, poor concentration, fatigue, trouble sleeping, anxiety, back pain and high blood pressure. It goes without saying that the level of stress associated with each career varies, which is why there is an ever-growing importance to knowing how to cope with your stress and manage it effectively. In some cases however, stress is not always counter-productive; it can be helpful in providing motivation that allows you to work with a sense of urgency and purpose. The key is learning how to draw the line between stress that is beneficial and stress that is harmful. For some, that line fades more and more with time, which is why everyone needs to learn about stress management.

We all have our breaking points. Here are some helpful tips on how to control your emotions and thoughts to avoid reaching your breaking points in the workplace:

Identify your Stress Factors

The first step to solving any problem is identifying the source(s) of that problem. Through targeting the causes of your stress, you are able to ponder different ways of dealing with each problem individually and ultimately come up with a tailored set of solutions. Common causes of stress in the workplace are lack of time and excessive workloads, followed by poor interpersonal relations and the risk of accident or injury. Depending on your situation, stress can also be caused by a host of other factors such as adapting to change, fear of lay-offs and office politics. Once you have identified your stress factors, you are well on your way to finding their respective solutions.

Don’t Forget to Breathe

When you find yourself beginning to panic while working towards an unrealistic deadline, or suddenly feel overwhelmed by an ever-expanding workload, take a moment to yourself, forget all your worries and just focus on your breathing. Most people underestimate the power of controlled breathing and although it may sound silly since breathing is an automatic reflex, controlling your breathing will not only control your heart rate and most symptoms of stress but it can revolutionize how you feel and perform at any time.

Make a Long-Term To-Do List

Making a weekly or monthly to-do list will surely help you organize yourself and combat short-term stress at work, but what about the following week, or month, or the following 10 months? Think about all the small, incremental things you can do to build career success over the course of a year, or five years. Expand your social network by inviting someone in your field to lunch every so often, learn another language or acquire a new skill, put in some overtime helping your employer contemplate solutions to a tricky business problem. Making this list and eventually crossing things off will help you feel like you are going somewhere, bringing about a sense of accomplishment which has proven to be a potent stress reliever.

Get Fit and Be Healthy

Your choice of lifestyle is directly related to your ability to cope with stress at work. Are you finding yourself too tired to deal with queries or problems? Does your tiredness make you irritable and short-tempered? If you are not getting your dose of fresh air and exercise, then not only will your body suffer but it will also reflect poorly on your work. Exercising regularly reduces tension, helps you sleep better and boosts your energy. Start simple by going for a walk during your lunch break, or taking regular stretch breaks to reduce neck and shoulder tension. Always remember, what’s good for the body is good for the mind.

Talk to Your Employer

If all else fails and you find these stress relieving tactics to be unsuccessful, then try talking to your employer. If you are dealing with a stressful workplace situation, ask for help to improve it, or if you find that a colleague is behaving inappropriately towards you, talk to your boss, supervisor or Human-Resources department about actions you can take. If you feel intimidated, just remember that your boss will help you deal with your problem in a professional manner when approached professionally.

When stress in the workplace reaches such a high level that it carries over to your personal life in a negative way, this requires you to take action and start managing it properly for the long-term so that it doesn’t spiral further out of control. On the other hand, if you discover that the main source of your stress is your career itself, then perhaps it’s time you considered changing career paths. This can be a risky and somewhat scary step to take, but Akhtaboot is here to help!

Princess Sumaya University for Technology Honors Akhtaboot – The Career Network at the Second Annual National Technology Parade 2009

2009-06-18T05:41:00.000-07:00

Akhtaboot - The Career Network has been honored by Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan during the opening ceremony of the Second Annual National Technology Parade (2009), which was held at the Princess Sumaya University for Technology campus on May 11th and 12th, 2009.

The steering committee of the Second Annual National Technology Parade recognized Akhtaboot, alongside a number of local and international companies, for its commitment and contributions to shaping the Job market in Jordan while providing job seekers and fresh graduates with thousands of job opportunities each year.

Mais Gousous, Marketing Coordinator at Akhtaboot, representing the “Akhtaboot Cares” initiative, received an honorary shield, which was presented by Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan. The parade was held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness and was funded and organized by UNIFEM and the Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT).

Mohamad M. Khawaja, Deputy Director at Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship, said: “we are glad to see Akhtaboot’s support to this national event by bringing students and recruiters together prior to graduation, so that students could build their professional network and understand the needs of the job market in order to develop their skills and competencies accordingly”.

The Technology Parade comes in response to the global drive towards capitalizing on the innovative potential of students to provide technological solutions to challenges facing businesses, governments, civil society and local communities in the different areas of the world.

During the event, Akhtaboot interacted directly with the students, both graduates and undergraduates, through offering them advice on how to best use Akhtaboot’s website www.akhtaboot.com to increase their chances of landing the job that’s right for them, while collecting CVs from graduates wishing to join Akhtaboot’s team.

Akhtaboot as Main Sponsor at Al Zaytounah University First Job Fair, 2009

2009-05-20T04:10:00.000-07:00

Amer Al-Saleh honored on behalf
of Akhtaboot

Samah Al-Nasser (HR Specialist
- Akhtaboot)

During Akhtaboot's CV
Writing lecture

Akhtaboot – The Career Network announced its sponsorship and participation in the first Zaytounah University Job Fair, which was organized by King Abdullah II Fund for Development as well as Media Steps as Main Organizer.

The Job Fair was held on May 18th, at Al Zaytounah University campus and was attended by HR representatives from the Private and Public sectors as well as a number of Civil Society organizations. Participating companies included: INJAZ, Extensya, Tala Abu Ghazaleh Organization, AMIDEAST, Creativita, The Black Iris Café and Media Steps.

The main aim of the Job Fair was to help recent university graduates connect with potential employers and to put qualified talents to work which as a result will accelerate growth and help stimulate the economy by putting more fresh graduates into the workforce. The program of the Job fair included a CV Writing session which was developed and delivered by an Akhtaboot representative.

Akhtaboot’s participation in this Job Fair aims at reinforcing Akhtaboot’s social role it plays within the community which has been highlighted with the launch of the “Akhtaboot Cares Initiative” earlier this year.

The “Akhtaboot Cares Initiative” is a comprehensive plan that was developed through partnerships with a number of third parties and educational institutions such as the University of Jordan, Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), Philadelphia University, Sight & Sound Educational Center, AIESEC Jordan, Pioneers Tech Soft and Al-Aman Fund for the Future of Orphans, in which Akhtaboot maintains an ongoing presence in Jordan’s educational institutions, through developing and executing specific training programs that are tailor-made to educate graduates-to-be on how to approach the job market and to smooth their transition into the professional world.

Akhtaboot as Main Supporter at the Corporate Social Responsibility Conference 2009

2009-05-10T05:42:00.000-07:00

Akhtaboot – The Career Network announced its sponsorship and participation in the first Corporate Social Responsibility Conference, which was organized by Excellence Inc. in cooperation with the Investment Unit / Social Security Corporation and the Greater Amman Municipality as main sponsor along with Akhtaboot – The Career Network, NAFES, USAID and IMC Jordan as main supporters.

The Conference was held on April 28th, at the Sheraton Hotel Amman and was attended by representatives from the Private and Public sectors, Civil Society organizations as well as Quasi-governmental sectors.

The main aim of the conference was to explore the role played by organizations in both the public and private sectors in order to contribute to the development of the society and to encompass social and environmental concerns, taking into consideration the 3 axes defined by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, namely; economic growth, social progress and environmental protection.

Akhtaboot’s participation in this conference aims at reinforcing Akhtaboot’s social role it plays within the community which has been highlighted with the launch of the “Akhtaboot Cares Initiative” earlier this year.

How to Answer the Top 5 Most Feared Interview Questions?

2009-04-27T02:43:00.000-07:00

Going into an interview is often described as one of the most nerve wrecking situations people have to face; that is because they are worried that they will be negatively evaluated or perceived by the interviewer.

From the second you enter the company’s building to the time you are back outside, you are being observed. That’s why preparation can definitely help you turn your interview into a great opportunity to convince prospective employers about the tremendous value you will add to their organization.

When it comes to preparation, not only should you research the vacancy, the company and the industry, but you should also try to anticipate questions that tend to come up during almost every job interview. The bad news here is that these questions are not easy to answer since there is no “best” way of answering and every employer expects different answers. The good news is that because these questions are so frequent, you can prepare for them well in advance in order to be able to give the perfect answer without breaking a sweat.

Akhtaboot will help tip the scales in your favor, with hints on how to answer the top 5 trickiest interview questions!

Question #1: Tell me about yourself and your work experience?

As general as this question might seem to be, people often find it hard to summarize their entire working life in just a couple of minutes. Make sure that you start with the present and explain why you are truly qualified for the position. If you are a recent graduate, you can start by talking about the projects that you have worked on during college and how your participation was critical to the project’s success, but for those with many years of experience, it is advisable to highlight the projects and skills that are in line with the position you are applying for. Keep in mind that the way you answer this question, says a lot about your communication skills.

Question #2: Why do you want to leave your present company?

The most frequent answers to this question include: “Better Opportunity” and “Career Development”. Both answers are totally acceptable, but somehow, too common. Giving your answers some identity will make you stand out from every other applicant and will definitely help you shine. Regardless of whether you resigned willingly or you got fired, you should never badmouth a former employer. As good as it may feel to do so; it will always come across as a red flag when you’re being interviewed. Remember that all employers are looking for loyal employees, so make sure that you sound like one!

Question #3: Where do you see yourself in five years?

When it come to this question, it’s doesn’t matter what you say, it’s how you say it. Job seekers often think there’s a correct answer to this question. Instead, this question is usually asked in order to get a sense of your overall career goals and aspirations and to see if you may fit well with their organizational culture. Try to think about the big picture; what are your goals? What do you want out of your career? Even if you still have no clue what it is you want to do, you will probably have an idea of the type of working environment you prefer. Try to summarize these thoughts and turn them into a great answer to this question.

Question #4: What do you think are your weaknesses?

While most of us would talk for about an hour answering the “what are your strengths?” question, many find it hard to answer the opposite question, “what are your weaknesses?”. The smartest way to deal with this question is to try and turn your weaknesses into strengths. For example, you can say that you tend to be very hard on yourself when you make a mistake. This seems to be an honest confession of a true weakness, but it will actually be taken as a good thing to your interviewer. The last thing you want is to appear like a big head admitting that you have no flaws whatsoever.

Question #5: What are your salary expectations?

When it comes to salary expectations, stay away from discussing salary details before receiving a job offer, especially if you are new to the job market. Let the interviewer know that you will be open to discussing a fair compensation when the time comes. If you were cornered to provide a more specific answer, always give a range instead of one fixed number. As funny as this might sound, the first one to state a specific number loses, so make sure it is not you!

When it comes to interviews you must really understand that interviewers are not your friends and neither should you treat them as such. While telling the truth might seem like a good idea at first, choosing to reveal everything could possibly ruin any chance you have for a second interview.

Remember that the worst thing you can possibly do is to go through the whole interview focusing on your negative points. Be proud of your experiences, skills and personality and use the interview as an opportunity to show them off. Remember that the key to all successful interviewing is to match your qualifications to what the interviewer is looking for. In other words you must sell what the bargain hunter is looking for!

Akhtaboot as the Sole Area Sponsor at INJAZ’ Link2JobCity 2009 Job Fair

2009-04-23T00:56:00.000-07:00

Dauod Abu Kasheh - Recruitment Specialist
@ Akhtaboot

Akhtaboot– The Career network announced its sponsorship and participation in the 7th Link2JobCity 2009 Job Fair, which was organized by INJAZ.

The Job Fair took place on the 23rd to the 24th of April, at Zara Expo in the Hyatt Amman and was attended by more than 80 companies from various sectors, as well as over 24,000 job seekers including fresh graduates. Sponsors included, but were not limited to, Orange, as the main sponsor, King Abdulla II Fund for Development, the British Council and the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities.

Akhtaboot promoted the Job Fair online, using Akhtaboot’s Blog and Website, as well as Facebook. Radio promotion for sponsors on Play 99.6 was also utilized. All participating companies were offered a package allowing them exposure on Akhtaboot.com to promote their vacancies 30 days prior to the job fair.

In addition to conducting interviews, Akhtaboot also provided job seekers with free CV evaluation services, or a “CV Clinic”, which entailed giving general guidelines on making CV’s look and sound more professional. The aim of the job fair was to help job seekers and fresh graduates transition into the professional world and provide those who wish to switch jobs with opportunities in the vast job market.

Akhtaboot as Official Learning Partner for the Year 2009 at AIESEC’s National Leadership Development Seminar

2009-03-17T00:20:00.000-07:00

AIESEC Jordan organized its National Leadership Development Seminar in Amman with the support of Akhtaboot - the Career Network, as Official Learning Partner for the year 2009.

The National Leadership Development Seminar is an important part in the education cycle of AIESEC Jordan, which allows AIESEC members, foreign AIESEC interns and AIESEC stakeholders to explore leadership in context to the current global environment while sharing knowledge about the organization and its vision.

Akhtaboot’s Career Planning session tackled a number of career development issues such as career planning, CV writing and interview skills, and once again the course proved to be an invaluable experience for AIESEC members, providing several effective tips on how to approach the job market.

Akhtaboot’s Participation in the seminar falls under the latest Corporate Social Responsibility initiative from Akhtaboot, “Akhtaboot Cares”, which will serve as an effective instrument for empowering the young skilled Jordanian job seekers to make wise career decisions while tackling future career challenges.

Akhtaboot - The Career Network, Signs an MOU with AIESEC Jordan

2009-03-01T02:51:00.000-08:00

Akhtaboot - The Career Network, signs an MOU with AIESEC Jordan, the world’s largest student-run organization. The MOU aims to establish an official Learning Partnership with Akhtaboot that will give Akhtaboot access to a talented pool of local and international AIESEC members, while simultaneously committing to the development of Jordanian youth.

AIESEC is an international student platform with over 23,000 members and that is present in over 1,100 universities worldwide. The organization helps young people to discover and develop their potential and provides international internship opportunities each year.
Akhtaboot will take part in activities related to career development and entrepreneurship, while providing workshops and education on a wide range of career related topics directly impacting AIESEC members.

The MOU falls under the umbrella of the Akhtaboot Cares Initiative, which is a comprehensive plan that was developed through partnerships with a number of third parties and educational institutions such as, Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), Philadelphia University, Sight & Sound Educational Center, Jordan Applied University for Hospitality and Tourism, Pioneers Training Center and the University of Jordan.

Akhtaboot - the Career Network, Signs an MOU with Pioneers Training Center

2009-03-01T00:22:00.000-08:00

Akhtaboot, the Career Network, signs an MOU with Pioneers Tech Soft, one of the leading training centers in Jordan. The MOU was signed as part of Akhtaboot’s ongoing efforts to promote the quality technical education that is necessary for creating well-prepared manpower with the required skills and competences to suit the needs of our challenging workplace.

Akhtaboot Launches the “Akhtaboot Cares Initiative”

2009-02-25T00:26:00.000-08:00

Mais (Akhtaboot) during the launch of the
"Akhtaboot Cares Initiative".

Akhtaboot, the Career Network, is proud to launch the “Akhtaboot Cares Initiative”, which is a comprehensive plan that was developed through partnerships with a number of third parties and educational institutions such as the University of Jordan, Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), Philadelphia University, Sight & Sound Educational Center, AIESEC Jordan and Pioneers Tech Soft.

As a social responsibility scheme from Akhtaboot, Akhtaboot Cares will serve as an effective instrument for empowering the young skilled Jordanian job seekers to make wise career decisions while tackling future career challenges. Akhtaboot will maintain an ongoing presence in Jordan’s educational institutions, through developing and executing specific training programs that are tailor-made to educate graduates-to-be on how to approach the job market and to smooth their transition into the professional world.

Yousef Shamoun, Co-founder and Head of Sales and Marketing said: “The Akhtaboot Cares Initiative reflects Akhtaboot’s ongoing efforts to educate the young Jordanian public on issues related to career planning, while creating awareness and readiness on different career related issues. We hope that by the end of this year we can reach all Jordanian universities and educational institutions to promote a more professional attitude among job seekers”.

Professor Mahmoud Qudah, Dean of Business School at the Princess Sumaya University for Technology, said in this regard: “The memorandum of understanding that we signed with Akhtaboot will definitely provide students with the necessary skills to be successful in the professional world. Akhtaboot’s comprehensive initiative is intended to support the overall educational and personal development of each student, while assisting students with accomplishing their professional goals. This will not only enrich our country but will also promote a more harmonious working environment in the region”.

Mais Gousous
Akhtaboot
Marketing Coordinator
Phone: +96265777313
Fax: +96265777314
m.gousous@akhtaboot.com
www.akhtaboot.com