Charity Art Auction

Buy Art. Help the Displaced in Iraq.

Tall canvases splashed with azure and Persian blue lean up against paintings with wandering scarlet, apricot, laurel lines and large photo prints of Iraq’s many cities and people at Mselect. All these brimming art pieces come from local and international painters and photographers ready to turn one Erbil office into an expectant an art gallery full of one-of-a-kind pieces waiting to be bought (by you, of course) to directly support some of the region’s most in need children and families in just two weeks.

Mselect’s Charity Art Auction will be held on November 21 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. It is an art fundraiser event open and completely free for the public to both enjoy amazing art and to raise money for vulnerable families who have sought shelter from the Syrian and Iraq conflicts in Kurdistan. All art will be sold via silent auction, where anyone can place a bid on their favorite piece. The most competitive and highest price will take home the art and in return help vulnerable families get food, essential medicine and blankets.

Rise Foundation, a local NGO working with Syrian refugees and displaced Iraqis, will use all raised funds to help even more vulnerable families displaced by the recent conflict. More than 1.3 million victims from the conflicts in Syria and Iraq have fled to Kurdistan and Rise Foundation sees the Charity Art Auction as an opportunity to raise much needed money to help families who are now facing a harsh winter in Kurdistan.  Rise Foundation staff and Mselect’s founder and owner Hal Miran already have eyed out their favorite pieces that are for sale on 21^st, but you will have to come find out in person which pieces those are exactly.

Tom Robinson, Rise Foundation’s Director, and team have been hard at work for the event collecting children’s art from the Akra Refugee Camp. Rise Foundation works directly with children in Akra on the Castle Art Project, a beautification painting mural project lead by refugee children who are spreading a little beauty, creativity and hope to the walls of the camp. Also, Rise Foundation’s resident artist Lorin Eli will be showing and selling paintings in the auction, which you can buy directly.

More than 10 local and international artists, such as Fehad Pirbal, Farnaz Kangorlu and Sebastian Meyers, have come together to raise money to help those in need. Local NGO ArtRole has also donated pieces to support the event and Naranj restaurant is providing food and drink for the event. Now, all we need is you to join us on November 21 to buy art to help those who need it most.

For more information on the event, email sarah@mselect.iq or call Mselect at (0) 66 264 3293. The Charity Art Auction will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on November 21 at Mselect’s office located at Naz City Road off 100 Meter Street (behind Jordanian Hospital), Erbil, Iraq.

Announcing MSELECT’s First-Ever Public Courses!

Classes start in August 2014

Internationally Certified Diploma in Leadership and Management

MSELECT is offering 1- and 2-day courses in Leadership and Management through the IFC (International Finance Corporation), a division of the World Bank.  These courses are part of the Business Edge™ series of workshops and lead to international certification.

Participants can take all 8 courses to receive a “Diploma in Leadership and Management” or they can take individual modules, each of which is also certified by the World Bank and IFC.

Business Edge™ certified courses being offered are as follows:

§  Becoming a More Effective Manager

§  Communicating Effectively

§  Leading Your Team

§  Managing with Authority

§  Motivating People

§  Planning and Controlling Work

§  Problem Solving

§  Using Information for Decision Making

Why train with MSELECT?

Whether you are looking to begin your career with an international company, to further develop your skills, or to acquire a broader business knowledge, MSELECT is the destination for your learning needs.

MSELECT provides you with the tools and knowledge needed to advance in both your career and your personal life.  We strive to deliver excellence and to help you master the latest methods and meet tomorrow’s needs through innovative learning methodologies. 

MSELECT’s Certified Trainers have demonstrated unrivaled skills in helping learners become more productive in their working environments.  All have many years of experience and are certified through the World Bank/IFC “Training of Trainers” program to deliver the internationally recognized Business Edge™ curriculum.

Why Business Edge™?

MSELECT was recently awarded certification to offer the renowned World Bank /IFC Business Edge™ training programs.  We are currently the only active company in Kurdistan to offer these courses, and we are qualified to teach up to 59 different topics.

Recipients of our Business Edge™ training courses will receive an international certificate for each course they complete.  Those who complete all 8 courses in our Leadership and Management program will receive a Diploma. 

MSELECT also offers Business Edge™ Diplomas and courses in Human Resources Management; Tourism  and Hotel Management; Sales and Marketing Management; Finance and Accounting; and General Operations Management.

For more information on Business Edge™ and the specific courses we offer, please visit: http://www.businessedgeworld.com/be/en/content/en/6844/About-Business-Edge

Who can take these courses?

The training language is English, so anyone who speaks fluent or advanced English may take our Business Edge™ courses.  No prior experience is required, just a willingness to learn and a desire to improve oneself.

When are courses being offered?

MSELECT is currently registering students for Leadership and Management classes in August and September.  Courses in other topics will be offered starting in October.  See attached schedule for a list of dates and times.

Where are classes held?

All courses will take place at MSELECT’s training centers in Erbil and Sulaimaniya.  The exact locations are below and also on our website at www.mselect.iq.

What is the cost?

Courses that are 7 hours in length: $110

Courses that are 14 hours in length: $190

Diploma in Leadership and Management (all 8 courses):  $1,100

How do I register?

Registration is done solely online by following this link and answering all required questions: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Registration_AugSept2014.  

After completing the online registration process, payment must be made in full by cash, at least 24 hours in advance of the first date of the course, by going to the MSELECT training center in Erbil or Sulaimaniya.

BASRAH JOB FAIR 2014

MSELECT is pleased to announce that we have been chosen by USAID “Foras” to host Basrah’s first-ever job fair.  Scheduled to take place this September in downtown Basrah, the Basrah Job Fair is expected to draw upwards of 2,500 fresh graduates and job-seekers, all looking for the perfect job match. 

This one-day fair is already attracting interest from the region’s largest employers, and prominent officials from the Iraqi and U.S. Governments as well as representatives from the United Nations are scheduled to attend.  With massive promotion and advertising planned, the Basrah Job Fair 2014 promises to be the region’s single most important event of the year!

Along with prominent displays and booths for the Job Fairs corporate participants and sponsors, the Basrah Job Fair will feature 3 days of training sessions for job-seekers one week prior to the event, as well as cutting-edge workshops on how to create video CVs, maximize online employment resources, and utilize the most effective methods for finding jobs.  Sponsors will have maximum exposure for 2 full months leading up to the Job Fair, along with the opportunity to meet the region’s leading employers, government heads, and other important stakeholders.

Companies interested in participating should call Almas Fatima at the MSELECT office on +964 (0)66 264 3293, or via email at jobfair@mselect.iq.  More information coming soon!

Job Seekers Market Survey - 2014

MSELECT is pleased to announce the launch of the 2014 job market survey!

What’s on the mind of today’s job seekers in Iraq? Are you satisfied with your current job? We want you to share your opinions on the current employment situation and the state of job market. 

To participate please follow this link: 

http://www.mselect.iq/SurveyCandidates/ 

The data will presented on this blog within the next few weeks.

January 2014

Living on the Edge

by Allegra E. Klein, Head of Training and Development, Mselect

Have you ever wondered what the key is to a successful job search?  The answer is living on the edge – the cutting edge, that is – of all the latest technology that is available to Recruitment Agencies and Job Seekers nowadays.

The first step for Job Seekers, of course, is creating a “killer” online resume or CV for high profile recruitment websites such as MSELECT’s, while the first step for Companies is to develop a spot-on JD (Job Description) detailing everything they’re looking for in the perfect employee.

But beyond that, what can you do to ensure the right match with the right job?  Check out some of the latest, cutting edge recruitment and development methods below to gain an “edge” on the competition!

Career Development for the 21^st Century

Times have changed.  Recruitment has changed.  Job searching has changed.  Are you ready for the

Courtesy of behiring.com

21^st century?  Whether you’re an Employer or a Job Seeker, you need to keep up with the most current trends in staffing, and part of that is knowing how to present yourself (or the job you want to fill) in the best possible light.

It used to be that all you needed was a great CV, a cover letter, and a sharp-looking business suit.  Well, not anymore!  Recruiters are no longer following these “old school” methods, so if you want to compete with the thousands of other hungry Job Seekers out there, you need to stay one step ahead of your competition.  Employers will be looking for the “perfect” candidate, and they want someone who knows what it takes to land and keep a great job.

So how do you get this edge?  One place to start is MSELECT’s Career Development Center.  Here you will find great resources, such as the “8 Steps for Career Success” which you can watch as a video or download as text in English, Kurdish, or Arabic.  You can also get advice from Employers, instructions on how to create your Elevator Pitch, learn the 9 strategies for a successful job search, and of course, get professional tips on networking for success, CV writing, job interviewing, and much more.

Video CVs

Congratulations!  Now that you have successfully posted your CV online, you will join the ranks of the millions of others looking for that perfect job.  So how can you make yourself stand out from the rest? Try creating a video CV!

Employers receive dozens, sometimes hundreds, of applications for each job they post, and they often don’t have time to review every single CV.  But imagine if they could watch a brief (30- to 90-second) video that sums up everything they need to know about you.  They could also see your personality and the way that you present yourself.  Suddenly you have “the edge” over everyone else!

MSELECT has thousands of registered CVs for Job Seekers in its database, but up to now only a small number have taken advantage of this unique opportunity to create their very own video CV.  All it takes is an iPhone or other smart phone, or a webcam on your laptop, and you are on your way.  Check out this helpful blog on how to make a video CV for more information, and set yourself apart from the crowd.

Application Tracking Systems

Okay, so now you’ve registered online, created a video CV, and read all the tips and techniques for conducting the perfect job search.  What’s next?

Well, first you need to see what jobs are out there.  Using the latest internet tools (search engines, recruitment sites, job boards, etc.) will give you that crucial edge.  MSELECT has hundreds of jobs listed on its website, and you can narrow down your search by keyword, location, sector, and type.  Once you find a job that interests you and seems like a good fit with your background and skills, you should submit an online application.

Second, you should be aware that your application can be tracked by Employers who sign up for a

recruitment website service.  For example, MSELECT uses the most advanced applicant-based database technology to track its CVs and online job applications.  This Applicant Tracking System (ATS) allows Employers to see who has applied for their open positions, and to view the complete application online.  So be sure to optimize your resume using action keywords and other techniques to maximize your exposure through this system. 

In fact, nowadays many large Companies and recruitment agencies use ATS software to sift through the huge number of CVs and applications.  As one ATS software executive advises, however, be careful not to overuse this technology: “Do not become a serial candidate — one who skims through job descriptions and applies to every position a company has available. Read descriptions more than once and get an understanding of what a company wants from you.”

Online Tests and Evaluations

Another revolutionary recruitment technology is the use of online tests and evaluations to determine a Job Seeker’s suitability for a particular job or company. 

Employers love these tests, as they measure just about every possible qualification – from computer skills and language ability to psychometric and specific vocational topics, such as accounting, engineering, industrial, medical, customer service, and much, much more.

To keep your competitive edge – either as a Job Seeker or Employer – you should take full advantage of these online tests. MSELECT offers all its Employers this exclusive service, which includes over 1,600 validated tests online, as an added benefit. 

With so many features and benefits, online testing is a must for all Companies (and employees) who will accept only the very best in their staff.  Most tests range from 10 to 30 minutes in length, and Job Seekers should follow these few simple test-taking guidelines to prepare for them.

The Training Edge

One of the most important tools for both Job Seekers and Employers to utilize is training.  Training can mean the “edge” between a successful candidate or employee and a non-successful one.  MSELECT offers a wide range of training courses in hundreds of subjects, all designed to improve the workforce. 

One such training solution, which is effective for both Job Seekers and Employers, is the world-

renowned Business Edge™ training program.  Created by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a division of the World Bank Group, Business Edge™ provides 52 separate 1- and 2-day course modules in Marketing, Finance & Accounting, Human Resources, Quality & Operations, Personal Productivity, and Hotel & Hospitality Management.

Since 2002, over 170,000 individuals have been trained using Business Edge™ in 30 countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean.  Delivered by certified local trainers through accredited training providers such as MSELECT, Business Edge™ sets a new standard in management training in developing countries.

So Job Seekers and Employers alike, be sure and get the edge – the “Business Edge” – by signing up with MSELECT for one of these new courses, which will be offered starting in March 2014.

… And don’t forget to take full advantage of the rest of MSELECT’s cutting edge technology, from our online Career Development Center to our Video CVs, Application Tracking System, and Online Testing Service – and give yourself an edge!