Coaching insights: Mastering the details to achieve big goals
MARLEQ: Hello Farah, it is great to have you here. Can you share with us why you decided to be a coach?
Farah El Tawil: Since my time as a university student, I have consistently advised my colleagues to pursue additional courses alongside their academic studies. This approach equips them with a solid foundation of knowledge, bridging the gap often required by companies in terms of years of experience.
For many years, my guiding principle has been: "Age is only a number on your ID." Inspired by this motto, I have provided motivation and career advice to relatives, friends, and colleagues, encouraging them to challenge themselves. I have urged them to participate in local and international training programs and to enroll in institutes offering such opportunities, regardless of whether they are free or paid. I have aimed to help them avoid getting trapped in unfulfilling jobs or spending too many years in the same position.
In addition to motivation and advice, I have assisted them with reviewing and editing their resumes, cover letters, and professional profiles on LinkedIn and other platforms. I have also shared resources for training and language education to enhance their skills.
“IF YOU CAN SPEND 8 HOURS BUILDING SOMEONE ELSE DREAMS YOU CAN SPEND 1 HOUR BUILDING YOUR OWN”
Currently, as a member of the MARLEQ team, I can translate this motivation and advice into a more professional tool. Our goal is to excel in helping our clients achieve their aspirations. We recognize that for many, a resume is not just a document; it embodies their dreams and hopes for a new career path. Whether aiming for a more profitable position, seeking a new job to improve their lives, or pursuing various other goals, we are committed to supporting our clients in reaching their objectives.
MARLEQ: How does your experience in Project Management benefit your clients?
Farah El Tawil: In my initial career, I consistently took the initiative to lead teams toward achieving goals and completing deliverables within specified timeframes, adhering to rules and regulations, and managing limited budgets. This experience equipped me with the skills to flawlessly manage various types of projects, improve processes, and achieve significant improvements—demonstrated by X times enhancement within X months.
This approach enables my clients to present their accomplishments with quantifiable metrics, thereby encouraging greater productivity. I emphasize that the true measure of success in any career or business lies not just in completing tasks, but in the productivity and results achieved during the working period.
As a career coach, I assist clients in highlighting their achievements in their resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. Additionally, I guide them to focus on enhancing their productivity at work, which will lead to more significant accomplishments to feature in their profiles. This focus not only increases their visibility but also improves their chances of being recognized and promoted by their managers.
MARLEQ: Who is your target audience?
Farah El Tawil: My target audience includes, but is not limited to:
- Recent graduates, who are seeking to enter the job market with a strong professional presence.
- Professionals who lack the time to update their LinkedIn profiles or resumes.
- Individuals who mistakenly believe that a well-designed resume with colors and images is more attractive to recruiters.
- Clients looking to apply to companies using ATS systems, but who are unfamiliar with how these systems work.
- Those wishing to change careers but unsure how to create a CV, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn profile that effectively showcase their potential and skills.
- Individuals who can be motivated to leave their comfort zones and embark on new, challenging career paths.
MARLEQ: How do you help your clients treat their jobs so they progress?
Farah El Tawil: As a career coach, I help my clients treat their jobs as strategic opportunities for growth and progression. My approach includes the following key strategies:
- Setting Clear Goals: I work with clients to establish clear, achievable career goals. By defining what success looks like for them, we create a roadmap for their professional development.
- Enhancing Skills: I assist clients in identifying the skills necessary for their desired career progression and recommend relevant training and development opportunities. This might include technical skills, soft skills, or industry-specific knowledge.
“IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN A NEW SKILL”
- Maximizing Productivity: I guide clients on how to focus on productivity rather than just completing tasks. This involves setting priorities, managing time effectively, and continually seeking ways to improve efficiency.
- Showcasing Achievements: I help clients articulate their accomplishments in measurable terms, which can be highlighted in their resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. This not only boosts their confidence but also makes a compelling case to their current and potential employers.
- Navigating Workplace Dynamics: I offer advice on how to build strong professional relationships, communicate effectively, and navigate workplace politics. Understanding and leveraging these dynamics can significantly impact career advancement.
- Leveraging Feedback: I encourage clients to seek regular feedback from supervisors and peers to identify areas for improvement and to demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional growth.
- Career Branding: I help clients build a strong personal brand that aligns with their career goals. This includes maintaining a professional online presence and networking strategically.
- Embracing Opportunities: I motivate clients to step out of their comfort zones by taking on new challenges, whether it's leading a project, speaking at an industry event, or pursuing a role in a different department.
By adopting these strategies, my clients are better equipped to treat their jobs not just as employment but as a dynamic platform for continuous growth and career progression.
MARLEQ: How can business owners benefit from your services?
Farah El Tawil: As a career coach, I can help business owners in several impactful ways:
- Employee Assessment and Placement: I conduct periodic reviews of employees' resumes, ensuring that each individual is in the right position based on their skills and potential. This helps in placing THE RIGHT PERSON IN THE RIGHT ROLE and removing those whose work ethics may be detrimental to the team.
- Individual Coaching: I provide private sessions to employees, helping them revive and enhance their skills. I encourage continuous learning, including language acquisition, and motivate them to enroll in training programs that will further develop their expertise.
Through these services, I assist business owners in fostering a motivated, skilled, and well-aligned workforce, driving overall organizational success.
MARLEQ: Typically, what job roles and industries are your clients covering?
Farah El Tawil: Mainly but not limited to business areas such as Sales, Marketing, Accountant, Coordinator, Executive Assistant, Office Manager, Purchasing Manager, Business Development, Operations Management, and Chief Executives Officer.
MARLEQ: What suggestions do you have for professionals who are close to burnout?
Farah El Tawil:
“YOU CAN BE TIRED, YOU CAN BE BROKEN, YOU CAN FAIL, YOU CAN FEEL TIRED AND SCARED BUT YOU WILL NEVER GIVE UP”
Burnout isn't always rooted in the work itself; it often stems from various other factors. Consider the following:
- Long Commutes: The lengthy travel time between home and work can lead to exhaustion and wasted time.
- Lack of Exercise: Neglecting physical activity can compound work stress and lead to muscle strain from prolonged sitting. Aim to stretch or move every 20 minutes to alleviate tension.
- Skipping Breaks: Regular short breaks during tasks can refresh your mind, akin to hitting a "Refresh" button on a device. This practice helps prevent mental fatigue.
- Skipping Meals: Meals, especially breakfast, are crucial. Starting your day on an empty stomach can dampen your mood and lead to headaches, fatigue, and stress. Consistent neglect of proper nutrition can deplete essential vitamins, causing further exhaustion and irritability.
- Drink Water: Though it may seem like simple or even silly advice to some, all doctors agree that drinking water is one of the most effective remedies. Taking a few seconds to drink water provides a small break, keeps you hydrated, and helps cleanse your stomach of toxins. This practice can significantly reduce stress and improve your overall attitude.
- Ergonomics: Invest in a good chair, maintain proper posture, and use relief glasses if needed. Neglecting these can make an hour of work feel like five.
When the causes of burnout arise directly from the work itself:
- Manage Responsibilities: Avoid taking on others' tasks at the expense of your own.
- Set Boundaries: Don’t continually accept new assignments if it means becoming overloaded.
- Balance Work and Life: Refrain from consistently working beyond regular hours unless it's an urgent situation. Remember, "Life ends, but work doesn't."
And the most important advice is to maintain a clear boundary between work and personal life. When you're off the clock, leave work issues behind. Conversely, when you're at work, set aside personal matters. While this can be challenging, it's essential for staying focused on your job during work hours and for enjoying your personal life outside of work.
Apply to remote jobs
Imagine you have a magical hat that lets you work from anywhere. With this hat, your office can be your cozy bedroom, a charming café with the scent of fresh coffee, or even a sunny beach with waves gently lapping in the background
- Comfort and Convenience: Working remotely means you get to choose your workspace. This could be a comfy chair in your living room, surrounded by your favorite things, or a peaceful spot in the park. No longer commutes or stressful traffic – just a calm, productive environment designed by you!
- Flexibility: With remote work, you can tailor your schedule to when you’re most productive. Are you a night owl who gets bursts of creativity at midnight? Or an early bird who loves the quiet morning hours? Remote work lets you find your rhythm, making your day more enjoyable and less stressful
- More Family Time: Being at home means more time with loved ones. You can have lunch with your kids, take your dog for a walk, or have a quick chat with your partner during breaks. This precious time strengthens your bonds and brings more joy into your daily routine
- Healthy Work-Life Balance: Remote work helps create a better balance between work and personal life. You can easily squeeze in a yoga session, prepare a nutritious meal, or take a break when you need one. It’s about blending work with life in a harmonious way.
- Focus and Productivity: Without the typical office distractions, you might find it easier to concentrate and get more done. You can create a personalized, quiet workspace where you can dive deep into your tasks without interruptions
- Environmental Benefits: By not commuting, you’re reducing your carbon footprint. This is a small but meaningful step towards helping our planet
- Global Opportunities: Working remotely opens up a world of opportunities. You can collaborate with people from different cultures, learn new perspectives, and even take your job with you if you decide to move to a new city or country
Remember, working remotely is a fantastic way to blend your personal and professional life in a harmonious and fulfilling manner.
MARLEQ: How can you help business owners maximize profit while maintaining a healthy work environment?
Farah El Tawil: As a career coach, I advise business owners to maximize profit while maintaining a healthy work environment through the following strategies:
- Optimizing Talent Utilization: By conducting thorough evaluations of employees’ skills and potential, ensuring that each individual is in the most suitable role. This alignment maximizes productivity and efficiency, which directly contributes to profitability.
- Enhancing Employee Engagement: Advertising workshops and training sessions that focused on improving workplace behavior and communication. By fostering a positive and collaborative work culture, employees are more motivated and engaged, leading to higher productivity and lower turnover rates.
- Professional Development Programs: By encouraging employees to upgrade their skills and knowledge, businesses can stay competitive and innovative, which is crucial for long-term profitability.
- Stress Management and Well-being: By providing coaching on stress management and work-life balance. A healthy work environment reduces absenteeism and burnout, ensuring that employees are consistently performing at their best.
- Performance Metrics and Feedback Systems: I help establish clear performance metrics and regular feedback mechanisms. This transparency helps employees understand their contributions to the company’s goals and motivates them to improve their performance, which boosts overall business outcomes.
- Conflict Resolution and Team Building: I facilitate conflict resolution and team-building activities to strengthen interpersonal relationships within the workplace. A harmonious work environment reduces disruptions and fosters a cooperative atmosphere conducive to achieving business objectives.
- Innovation and Problem-Solving Skills: I encourage a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. By equipping employees with problem-solving skills and encouraging creative thinking, businesses can find new ways to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
By implementing these strategies, I help business owners create a work environment that not only enhances employee satisfaction and well-being but also drives higher productivity and profitability.
Other tips can be provided to the owners and directors of companies: Open the door to Remote Work; Bonus, birthday days off, and covered sick leaves are better to replace pizza and companies’ product presents
MARLEQ: How do you find a work-life balance?
Farah El Tawil: It should be known that both are important and should be flexible, a planner is so useful, it motivates you when you delete done tasks, and when it is written it is more motivated, organized, and clear. When planned, the day is 24 hours which can be used to the maximum and not only 8 working hours with no healthy actions.
Always keep in your schedule the most important things in life: Prayers, Family and friend’s quality time, Sports, Shopping, and Daily skin routine care.
MARLEQ: Can you share some of your favorite quotes, books and hobbies with us?
Farah El Tawil: The favorite book for approximately 2 billion people around the world is the Quran. This revered text not only teaches the five pillars of Islam: Belief in God and His Prophet, Prayer, Fasting, Paying Zakat (charitable giving), and Performing the Hajj pilgrimage for those who are able, but it also offers comprehensive guidance on various aspects of life, including:
- How to treat people with kindness and respect,
- How to maintain a healthy body through proper nutrition, personal cleanliness, stress release,
- management, and avoiding unproductive activities,
- How to invest wisely and profitably,
- The secrets of the universe and existence,
- Answers to life's profound questions.
The Quran is a holistic guide that addresses not only spiritual obligations but also practical aspects of daily living, making it a timeless source of wisdom and guidance for its followers.
Always keep these quotes in mind:
“CIRCUMSTANCES WILL COLLIDE TO LEAD YOU TO YOUR NEW PLACE”
Embrace the chaos of multitasking, working under pressure, and managing heavy workloads; these are valuable skills to highlight on your resume for future opportunities.
"DO NOT DIE UNTIL AZRAEL COMES”
This is my father’s wisdom, to stop fearing job loss or worrying about not meeting expectations. Anxiety about job security or tough supervisors only hampers your ability to work effectively and can harm your health.
"GOOD THINGS TAKE TIME"
God created this world in six days! So you need to understand that building your career, reputation, and position within a company is a gradual process. Patience and perseverance are essential, along with the right tools and effort.
My three main hobbies are helping others, swimming, and continuous learning. While swimming is commonly recognized as a hobby, I also consider helping others and learning to be hobbies. According to the definition of a hobby—"any activity that a person does because they enjoy it and without the intention of making a profit"—these activities fit perfectly. Learning continuously can serve as leverage to teach others what you have learned, creating a cycle of knowledge sharing.
These hobbies align with the teachings of the Quran, which rewards such positive actions. The Quran encourages people to spend their time in healthy and beneficial activities, promoting the purity of the soul and full happiness. It teaches that the good or bad you do will be reflected to you, a concept that many around the world refer to as "Karma." By engaging in these hobbies, I find fulfillment and a sense of purpose, knowing they contribute to both personal growth and the well-being of others.