At Quantum we firmly believe in creating long term relationships with our candidates whether we are successful in finding your next role or further in your career finding you a new position. Our total vision is based upon HONESTY, RESPECT and PROFESSIONAL APPROACH to help securing you a new position.

All of our staff are experienced Recruitment Professionals who will not only be well trained in our methodology but will possess a sound understanding of your business area of expertise. Our assurance is simple, if we can’t assist you – we will help find someone who can and not waste your time. We understand that searching for a new position can be a minefield and a stressful time, especially if in a new country. Our commitment is to be honest and upfront every time with everyone.

We work with some of the leading corporations within the region and internationally, we truly understand our clients before entering into an agreement to seek employees on their behalf to ensure that as an employer they hold the same values on offering a professional and rewarding workplace as us. We will ensure when you attend interview with one of our clients you will be provided with as much information about the company, vision, position description, organizational chart and personalities & style of interviewers as possible to maximize your chances of success.

This is a topic that has broad ranging debate about how to build the right CV, how long, when to add detail & when not. This section is meant as another form of advice and we are happy to discuss your individual requirements upon application, as our approach is to assist you in customizing your CV for the client’s specific needs, as some candidates have very broad experience but don’t emphasise all essential areas needed for a specific position.

The key aim of your CV is to market your skills & experience to a prospective employer. It needs to kept simple and easy to read but must have some very specific information to provide the reader with a clear and concise summary of your career history and how that will potentially tick the initial screening criteria box’s for the client.

• Name, Address and all contact details including email, mobile
• Formal Qualifications attained including dates
• Brief summary of your background (1 paragraph)
• Training Courses including computer skills
• Languages spoken
• Visa Status if applicable
• Date of birth & marital / family status are optional but advisable in Middle East applications
• Reverse chronological order

Each job should include Job Title, Key Responsibilities & tasks, number of reports & your direct report. Months & years are sufficient in period of employment. Bullet points are widely regarded as a positive format for ease of reading.

Most importantly sell your achievements BUT do not lie.
For a candidate with less than 10 years experience limit CV to 3 pages
For a candidate with more than 10 years experience limit CV to 4 pages

This can be one of the most daunting experiences for most job seekers and with today’s competitive job market it’s never been so important to prepare correctly for your interview with a prospective employer. Below are some simple steps which will assist in making that first impression a lasting and positive one.

• Prepare, prepare and prepare! Research the company, read their website, vision, structure & competition. More importantly do this several days before not on the way to the interview.
• Be on time! and if your early try and relax in a coffee shop prior, being too early can put the interviewer under pressure to see you and may not start off well and more importantly being LATE is always a bad start.
• Make sure you read the CV thoroughly that has been presented to the company (especially if tailored for a specific role and not a general CV) Refresh the reasons for leaving each company.
• Prepare a list of questions; it’s always worth avoiding the basics as mostly they will be covered in the interview. Good points to raise are training, Key performance indicators, reason the position has become available, career prospects for high achievers, company growth plans etc.
• Know your strengths & weakness – the classic interview question. It will come up!
• Presentation & image matters! The way you look & present yourself tells a lot about you, the classic first impressions are lasting whether we like it or not. Interviews should be objective but people sometimes make their mind up about you in the first few minutes and it’s an impression that’s sometimes difficult to change even with all the “right answers”. You should dress accordingly to the company you are interviewing with, our Consultants will brief you on the attire required for each client. If in doubt dress in corporate & conservative business attire.
• Your body language and posture should be natural and not slouching. Your manner of speaking should be considered so that you are clearly understood. Convey a combination of enthusiasm, sincerity and respect when conversing. Above all LISTEN to what is being asked and not necessarily what you have prepared to say. Always greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and by their full name ensuring correct pronunciation (ask the Receptionist if not sure.) Wait to be offered a seat in the meeting room before sitting and maintain a good posture.
• Try to mirror the style & pace of the interviewer. Answer questions directly and with forthright without digressing too much. Always maintain a good level of eye contact.
• Whenever possible don’t answer questions with a “yes” or “no’ closed, try to elaborate if you can with related information from your past experience. Bear in mind you are now on your own and this is your opportunity to sell yourself.
• Try and avoid asking about the salary in the first interview if the subject hasn’t been raised by the interviewer. If you are keen on the position let the interviewer know it. Try and gain the interviewers thoughts on your suitability at the conclusion of the interview by asking if there is anything further you can add.
• Don’t drop your guard at any stage even if the interviewer indicates he / she is keen to progress further to the next stage, don’t get too over confident as this could be a test of reaction, maintain your calm approach.
• If the interviewer offers you a card a well drafted follow up email is sometimes a good conclusion to the meeting once you leave
• Lastly always thank the interviewer for their time and remember to depart with a smile.

• Poor appearance or grooming
• Aggressive, overbearing, “know it all” attitude
• Inability to articulate thoughts clearly
• Lack of enthusiasm
• Appearing too nervous or fidgeting
• Too much emphasis on money or benefits like sick pay!
• Lack of eye contact
• Condemnation of previous employers / managers
• Failure to show interest by asking questions to the interviewer
• Lack of preparation

The one thing to remember is never let personal feelings allow you to leave a company on bad terms. Doing do can lead to ongoing bad feelings and ultimately a bad reference (sometimes not taken with your approval or knowledge.) Although the resignation can be a stressful time, how will they react? Will they escort me off site? Will I get my leaving benefits? These are all common and understandable concerns but you should congratulate yourself as you are moving on to a better opportunity and most of the time companies accept resignations well but you need to be prepared for the times when they don’t.

When you have accepted & signed a letter of offer / contract with your new employer you need to prepare for the resignation process or meeting. Be sure to read through your current employer’s contract that you signed to know what is required of you when you resign such as notice, restraint obligations, No Objection Statement and who you are required to notify.

Once you have prepared a formal letter stating the above information arrange to tell your immediate line Manager as soon as possible, providing more notice than required will generally be well regarded on your behalf. Try to avoid resigning ever via email, text message or phone call only. Avoid telling your peers in the company prior to this as there is nothing worse than the office gossip getting the news to your boss before you! When you have informed your line Manager ask them for a formal acceptance if possible and next stage, don’t assume you can organize your leaving party straight away as there maybe internal process to follow regarding notifications.

Be prepared for any reaction, you will know your own particular line Manager better than anyone. Depending on the particular circumstances and any potential conflict / competition clauses you may need to say very little on the new employer & terms of your engagement, don’t be rude or short but polite in the amount of information you are at liberty to discuss because of confidentiality reasons.

In a more and more competitive market your line Manager will realize very quickly the cost of your leaving to his budget, moral, team etc. and the counter offer although can be dressed very flattering to you – BE CAUTOUS! Although the new counter offer may sound attractive, “we’ll match what you’ve been offered” and more please revisit the reasons why you sought new employment in the first place. Over 75% of people accepting counter offers do finally leave that company in less than 6 months as the real reasons are confirmed.

Remember always leave on a positive note!

Dubai Government Website
www.dubai.ae

Local News
www.gulfnews.com

Expatriate Woman Website
www.expatwoman.com

Department of Naturalisation & Residency
www.dnrd.gov.ae/DNRD

UAE Labour Law
www.mol.gov.ae/Pages-EN/documents-en/rule-labour.HTML