8 | May 2012 | woman this month Letters Fashion Fantastic STAR LETTER Write Here Write Now 9 woman this month | April 2012 | Interview both at the University of Western Sydney.” “I think my experience in Sydney was so important, for the education, but also for other reasons. Studying abroad means that you get to experience a different culture. Sydney is very cosmopolitan, so I met people from all over, which means that I now don’t have a problem being asked to work anywhere in the world. Women need education like this — it means that they learn to be independent, to think for themselves, to be stronger and to build up their individual personality.” “I see education as a bomb or a weapon against any obstacle in life. It gives you the ability to deal with all sorts of situations. Things might happen to us, but we won’t have to rely on someone else to support us, we can help ourselves out of problems and take responsibility for ourselves. It will also provide you with better relationships. Education gives you the ability to relate more and understand your partner better.” Listening to such strong words, it seemed only fitting to ask Reema if she had any further advice for other women looking to climb the career ladder. “Women should keep the faith and never give up”, she says. “I really believe that if a man can do a thing one time, we can do it again and again, ten times better. Of course it isn’t easy, especially in this part of the world, even though now it has become further developed, but if we believe in ourselves, we can do anything. People might say that I am overly positive, but it is because of this attitude that I have reached where I am.” Flying Female High By Natasha Bird She’s just been made one of only two UAE female country-wide managers for the prestigious Emirates airline and she shot up the ranks in record time. We spoke to Reema Al Marzooqi about what being a woman means for her career. Reema Al Marzooqi cuts an impressive figure. She is an intensely beautiful and feminine woman, which makes it even more striking when you walk into her office to see her sitting behind a large mahogany desk with her computer and all her paperwork around her. She is also a warm and welcoming woman, which makes talking to her about her role as Bahrain’s most senior permanent member of staff within the Bahrain section of the Emirates empire an interesting proposition. Her job comprises of overseeing everything that goes on in the Bahrain station in its entirety — including the sales and marketing, ticketing, legal and customer affairs divisions. So, as you can imagine, she has had to figure out just how to command the right level of respect and commitment from those around her. “It was a very challenging proposition”, Reema says of being offered her new role. Emirates is a leading and ever growing airline. Like many other companies, it has had a tough time dealing with the recent financial year, but this hasn’t stopped plans for expansion. Emirates bought around 50 new Boeing 777s during the Dubai air show and currently has has an impressive 69 A380 double-deckers on order, adding to their already large collection of passenger planes. Ten years ago, they only had one daily flight out of Bahrain, but that number has since shot up to 21 a week, making Reema’s job considerably more complicated. As one of only two UAE national female country managers, Reema is acutely aware of the difficulties of being a trail-blazer. “This is such a male-dominant field”, she says, “So I feel very proud to be a woman in this office. There are, of course, obstacles that I face where a man wouldn’t. Sometimes it is hard to be taken seriously. You cannot command respect and trust by force. I have needed to prove myself in order to gain the respect I require to do my job. I have carefully considered my targets and worked hard to achieve them, which means I can almost let the numbers speak for themselves.” The sense of needing to prove oneself, to show that women are just as capable, is probably one of the many reasons why Reema was the best candidate for the job. As she says, “As women, we do have the feeling that we have more to prove; there is more of a point to make. This means that we commit to working harder, being more organised, taking more responsibility.” There is an argument, though, that Reema’s concentrated need to prove something will mean that she has a tougher time than others might in the same position. “I try really hard never to complain”, she explains, “Because the moment that you do, there are people that will say, ‘Oh she is being spoilt’, or, ‘She is weak’ and they will blame it on your gender. It is for this reason that I have to be prepared to accept any challenge. If they want to move me to somewhere controversial or any country in general, I will say yes. I will go because I don’t want to show them that we cannot do it. We will go and we will make an example of ourselves.” “I got this position by working to the same standards as anyone else. I enrolled in the Management Outstation Training, which is rigorous. It is almost a two and a half year process, with training in a lot of different departments, because you will have to understand all of them to oversee them. There is a panel of senior Emirates employees to evaluate you every step of the way. You cannot move on if you do not meet their standards. You have to do presentations and pass tests.” “After this, you are offered a middle-management position somewhere, in order to prove that you can handle a station posting later on. Many people spend three or four years at this level, but I was offered the Bahrain country manager position after about eight months.” Like men and women all over the region are beginning to come to terms with, Reema is only too aware of the need to educate the Middle East’s female population. “I studied business administration at the American University of Sharjah and after this I decided to do two Masters: human resources with psychology and industrial relations, | April 2012 | woman this month 8 52 | April 2012 | woman this month 53 woman this month | April 2012 | 20 Tips Spring has finally arrived. Why not forget your home and wardrobe and concentrate on spring cleaning your career this year — it will make for a better you. By Alison Coldridge Spring Clean Your Career Tips: The application process 1. Perfect your CV. Here is where it all begins, the first impression that a company gets of you. Abide by the “less is more” strategy and be brief — a potential employer will spend just a few seconds glancing over your CV. 2. Apply less, follow up more. Be specific about what you want. It is tempting to just apply here, there and everywhere, but nine times out of ten you are more likely to succeed if you know what you want and are determined. 3. Company search, don’t job search. Within the field you envisage yourself working, research ten or twenty companies. This way you will be applying for the job you actually want, rather than something unrelated. 4. Network. Whether in person or virtually, networking is a crucial tool for obtaining a job. Sites such as Twitter are ideal for spotting new vacancies or developing a rapport with someone who can introduce you to the “right” person. 5. Get practicing. An interview is the first time your potential employer will see you, and they will notice everything. Remember; they will have to work with you every day so it’s mainly about likeability! 6. Volunteer. A lot of graduates today are getting their first job as a result of interning. Don’t count it out — it may not pay for a while, but this is a good way to get your foot in the door of your desired industry. 7. Don’t despair. A huge part of applying for jobs is being rejected, or worse, ignored. Remain positive and motivated so that you don’t lose your passion. Spruce up your existing job 8. Be proactive. Once you have carried out the same job for a considerable length of time, it is easy to become complacent. Consider how you can better your job, how you will get more from it and how you can progress. 9. Consider your dress code. Simply by altering your wardrobe you can let others know “I’m here to succeed!” Dress for the job you want, not just the one that you have. 10. Negotiate a pay rise. An increase in salary will always make you feel more worthy and will let you enjoy your free time more. Don’t be afraid to ask; it isn’t cheeky if you put in the hours, effort and show your progression. 11. Rub shoulders with the right people. Schedule lunches with industry-related people who can assist you professionally. They may be able to give you advice, introduce you to the right person or just ignite your passion for your work. 12. Freshen up your workspace. There is nothing worse than coming to work each day and looking at the same photos, the same peeling paint and the same messy desk. Monotony is dull so mix things up a bit. 13. Encourage teambuilding. You work with these people every day, so make an effort to get to know them better outside of work. Organise some events outside of the office environment for more informal interaction. 14. Further your learning. Take advantage of company sponsored training programmes and trips so that you can learn as much as possible. Many companies also run schemes to acquire further qualifications which will help you in other jobs. 15. Recognise your individual strength. Know your selling point and use it. Whatever your USP is, make sure your boss and colleagues know it too. It will show yourself and everyone that you are irreplaceable. The next step 16. Branch out. If your existing company has offices abroad, why not transfer there to work for a year. Cultural experience always looks great on your CV and you may discover you love your new home. 17. Strive for a promotion. You may have received pay rises over the years, but a promotion is a true mark of your achievements and value at your present workplace. 18. Befriend your boss. By this point in your career you should be in regular communication with your management team. Try to interact with them on a personal level so that they notice and remember you when higher positions pop up. 19. Follow your dreams. Is the field you work in satisfactory, or is it time for a change? It’s never too late to embark on a new career path — the average person works for 40 years, so make sure you enjoy whatever it is you do. 11. Brave it on your own. After years of experience in your profession you will find yourself capable of using your skills for your own gain. Consider taking a leap of faith and starting your own company; of course it has risks, but think of what is to gain. High Flying Female Reema Al Marzooqi is a great inspiration to women in the Middle East. I really enjoyed reading the article about her journey up the ranks of the Emirates Airline. I think it is really important to see stories like this, where women are gaining success in what might be a man’s industry. My sister recently moved to America and graduated university as a lawyer. Some of our family did not understand why she would make such a decision, but now that she has got her degree as a lawyer, we are all very proud of her. It shows that it does not have to be a “man’s world” any more. Women can be the rulers too. We just have to work hard to get there and to make a name for ourselves. Deena, by email. WRITE IN AND WIN Send your letter to editor@womanthismonth. com, by fax to 17 813-700 or by post to PO Box 20461, Manama. The star letter will win an amazing BD75 worth of treatments or products from Dr Abeer’s Cosmoplastic Clinic. The winner can choose between either a set of nourishing creams, a facial treatment or an eye lightening treatment. Perfect for a bride-to-be! Hi WTM, I really appreciated your Career Spring Cleaning article this month. I’ve been looking to make a change in my employment — it is so easy to get stuck doing the same thing for years and years. After reading it, I actually decided to resign from my current employment. I have done the same job for six years in Bahrain and it was time for me to finish. I am now going to go back to Denmark to see my family and to re-train in a different job. So, thanks for helping me make the tough decision to go for it! Lise, by email. A New Career I was really bowled over with the fashion in the April issue of Woman This Month. The Spring/Summer trends feature was spot on. I particularly loved the “Pretty Pastels” pages — lots of really great items. I am definitely going to get one of those green Valentino bags. I have to say, my friends and I have seen a great improvement in the fashion pages over the last few months or so. The items on display have become much more fashion-forward and the design is really exciting. Well done Woman This Month team. We really like the new blog on the website too — now we can keep up to date more often. Debbie, by email. 16 | April 2012 | woman this month 17 woman this month | April 2012 | Bvlgari Massimo Dutti strappy sandals are more than chic. Fashion Pretty Pastels 1. Pastels are a delicate shade, which means they need a delicate approach when it comes to styling. For footwear, look for pale court shoes or simple sandals. Shoe boots and overly-fussy heels will detract from your ensemble. 2. A thin waist-belt in a complementary shade is a nice addition, but try to keep it pattern-free and make sure it doesn’t destroy the line of your top or dress. 3. In the spirit of librarianchic, cashmere cardigans, twin-sets and shortsleeved pullovers have suddenly crossed the fashion divide between naff and nice. Wear them while you can! So voraciously have we been lusting after the brights that we’ve begun to wholly neglect the paler colour palette. Well, now is your opportunity to redress the balance. Making use of the pastel spectrum has to have been the trend of the Spring/Summer runways. Everyone from Miu Miu to Calvin Klein, Lanvin to Tommy Hilfiger made pastels a feature of their collection. Whether it was matching twinsets, fifties-inspired shift dresses or something a little bit more avant-garde, a huge variety of pastel looks made their way down the runway. Here in the Woman This Month office, we have been cooing over the Phillip Lim collection — he has given a fantastically upbeat twist to last year’s minimalism. So, forget the colour clashes, ignore the crazy prints and head straight for something icy and pale. You don’t always have to make a loud statement in order to stand out. First Sight Seeing Stripes! MICRO TREND HOW TO WEAR Paul Smith Love at Pick Editor's Pales into maSSimo Dutti If you want to jazz up the pastel look a bit and pastel colourblocks aren’t enough for you, then give the pastel stripe a whirl. Diagonal, horizontal, vertical or slightly patterned; stripes will give your look a different dynamic. izaBel goulart Significance CAMEronDIAz MICHELLE obAMA JAYMA MAYS CeleBritY treNDSETTER houSe oF hollaND NiCole Farhi mulBerrY meaDham KirChhoFF JohN roCha PhilliP lim Mmh. Everybody loves a Bvlgari bag right? Especially in pastel coloured ostrich leather. Perfect for a springtime luncheon. miSS SelFriDge aSoS maSSimo Dutti ChriStiaN louBoutiN
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