Employers nowadays put more emphasis on social skills Employers nowadays put more emphasis on social skills. Some people believe that social skills are important in addition to good qualifications for job success. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Today’s work environment is more competitive than ever before and dynamic in nature. Social skills enables us to develop our own abilities to survive in a very competitive environment, while helping a team to collaborate and perform better. These days, especially in times of transition and globalization, technical skills and academic knowledge are not enough. Social skills are also required to become a successful professional. First of all, some social skills are quite mandatory for an employee to work in an office where people with different designations and skill sets work together. Discipline, communication skills, negotiation skills, ability to give and take criticism, and team capabilities enable someone to work successfully in a multinational company. Lacking these minimum social skills will make working in an office virtually impossible. Technical skills are essential to actually execute something, while corporate and social skills are essential to work in a team or serving customers. They both are essential qualities of any good employee, and hence, both should be present to be successful in a job. Second of all, social skills take a very long time to develop, while some technical skills could be taught to employees in a few months. For instance, if someone with a very good academic background tries to learn how to operate a computer, they would be able to do so in six months. However, no one can guarantee how long it will take to teach someone responsibility, self-confidence and discipline. It might take forever is some cases. Therefore, hiring authorities should emphasize social skills of candidates, along with the other important qualifications for the job. Finally, corporate offices are like a big tree with many branches and roots. The employees are often considered as the roots of a company, and if the roots are not firm and healthy enough, the tree is sure to suffer. In summary, there is no denying the fact that proper qualifications and social skills, are essential ingredients for the success of any professional. Hence, human resources should always emphasize finding employees with adequate social skills, along with frequent in-house training sessions to enhance employee social skills over time as well.

it is widely accepted that social skills are as important as good qualifications. Nowadays, some employees give increasing importance to employing people with social skills, in addition to good qualifications. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. In today's competitive labor force environment, employers are seeking candidates with high capabilities to develop their companies. Hence, people with strong interpersonal skills tend to be more favorable as potential employees. Nevertheless, good qualifications still matter, and remain an indispensable factor in the hiring process. Traditionally, once an individual acquired good qualifications, they were most likely able to get a stable and high paying job without much effort afterwards However, this kind of standard is now out of date with society's highly developing pace. To succeed in such a technological age, one must always take action to make themselves as competitive and marketable as possible. Therefore, both advanced social skills, and impressive qualifications are now necessary. On the one hand, personal skills such as effective communication, exercising self control, as well as being multi- functional, are becoming important in determining earnings and job promotions. In today’s highly shifting economy, teamwork is also critical. therefore, individuals must be able to cooperate with each other in any situation and improve these traits constantly. On the other hand, good qualifications still matter. It has already been found that continuing education is vital in today's market. This means good qualifications should be constantly developed, along with improving one's resume or CV. For example, outdated skills are no longer looked favorably upon. Employers want to see fresh, up to date technology and language skills, continuing education coursework, volunteer work, etc. on a person's resume. Overall, I believe employees of this modern generation are faced with a very competitive work market. In order to survive and flourish, both social skills and good qualifications are necessary, and every effort should be made to constantly improve them over time.

In 2014, the United Nations Volunteers (‪#‎UNV‬) programme’s groundbreaking Arab Youth Volunteering for a Better Future project called for young people from Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen to share the story of how they, as volunteers, brought transformational change to their communities. Of these, three outstanding young ‪#‎volunteers‬ per country were identified by a national selection committee and awarded during International Youth Day (IYD) 2014. A second phase followed, where a regional panel of judges narrowed the selection down further, identifying those volunteers whose initiative, innovation, and tireless energy have brought profound and lasting positive change to the lives of others. UNV and MBC Hope, the corporate social responsibility arm of Middle-East broadcasting giant ‪#‎MBC‬ Group, celebrated these exceptional young people in Dubai, where Ahmad Alhendawi, the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, presented them with a special award. GIVEN RECORD LEVELS OF YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT,, YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE ARAB REGION AND AROUND THE WORLD NEED POSITIVE ROLE MODELS MORE THAN EVER. When young people themselves provide those role models, in those who have overcome social exclusion, underemployment and poverty to bring about positive changes in their communities and countries, the effects are even more powerful. In the next five days we will introduce you five videos featuring fifteen young volunteers from Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen whose volunteer work in education, access to health care, the empowerment of women, and many other areas has had a transformational impact on the communities that they served. Their individual stories of determination, innovation and enthusiasm are truly inspirational. They offer a glimpse into the region’s existing culture of volunteerism and demonstrate the enormous potential of young volunteers to positively influence the lives of others.These inspiring young people are the winners of the first UNV Youth Volunteering Award. The award is part of UNV’s Arab Youth Volunteering for a Better Future project, which works to strengthen the ability of youth in the Arab region to participate actively in the development of their countries. The winners were announced following a call for submissions that was advertised widely in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen. Young volunteers were asked to share their personal experiences in the form of written stories or videos. National panels selected the top three volunteers from each country based on the development impact of their work, their innovativeness, and dedication. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuawziGXbyo https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmad-alhendawi-0b655315 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OReJEWbrbM4 http://www.unv.org/en/news-resources/news/doc/unv-and-mbc-hope.html http://portfolio.wupy.pro/video/116757190

In 2014, the United Nations Volunteers (‪#‎UNV‬) programme’s groundbreaking Arab Youth Volunteering for a Better Future project called for young people from Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen to share the story of how they, as volunteers, brought transformational change to their communities. Of these, three outstanding young ‪#‎volunteers‬ per country were identified by a national selection committee and awarded during International Youth Day (IYD) 2014. A second phase followed, where a regional panel of judges narrowed the selection down further, identifying those volunteers whose initiative, innovation, and tireless energy have brought profound and lasting positive change to the lives of others. UNV and MBC Hope, the corporate social responsibility arm of Middle-East broadcasting giant ‪#‎MBC‬ Group, celebrated these exceptional young people in Dubai, where Ahmad Alhendawi, the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, presented them with a special award. GIVEN RECORD LEVELS OF YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT,, YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE ARAB REGION AND AROUND THE WORLD NEED POSITIVE ROLE MODELS MORE THAN EVER. When young people themselves provide those role models, in those who have overcome social exclusion, underemployment and poverty to bring about positive changes in their communities and countries, the effects are even more powerful. In the next five days we will introduce you five videos featuring fifteen young volunteers from Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen whose volunteer work in education, access to health care, the empowerment of women, and many other areas has had a transformational impact on the communities that they served. Their individual stories of determination, innovation and enthusiasm are truly inspirational. They offer a glimpse into the region’s existing culture of volunteerism and demonstrate the enormous potential of young volunteers to positively influence the lives of others.These inspiring young people are the winners of the first UNV Youth Volunteering Award. The award is part of UNV’s Arab Youth Volunteering for a Better Future project, which works to strengthen the ability of youth in the Arab region to participate actively in the development of their countries. The winners were announced following a call for submissions that was advertised widely in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen. Young volunteers were asked to share their personal experiences in the form of written stories or videos. National panels selected the top three volunteers from each country based on the development impact of their work, their innovativeness, and dedication. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuawziGXbyo https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmad-alhendawi-0b655315 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OReJEWbrbM4 http://www.unv.org/en/news-resources/news/doc/unv-and-mbc-hope.html http://portfolio.wupy.pro/video/116757190

Operation Smile http://www. operatio nsmile Operation Smile http://www.operatio nsmile.org/blog/on e-among- thousands

http://www.un.org.eg/AllVolunteers.aspx?pageID=50

In 2014, the United Nations Volunteers (‪#‎UNV‬) programme’s groundbreaking Arab Youth Volunteering for a Better Future project called for young people from Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen to share the story of how they, as volunteers, brought transformational change to their communities. Of these, three outstanding young ‪#‎volunteers‬ per country were identified by a national selection committee and awarded during International Youth Day (IYD) 2014. A second phase followed, where a regional panel of judges narrowed the selection down further, identifying those volunteers whose initiative, innovation, and tireless energy have brought profound and lasting positive change to the lives of others. UNV and MBC Hope, the corporate social responsibility arm of Middle-East broadcasting giant ‪#‎MBC‬ Group, celebrated these exceptional young people in Dubai, where Ahmad Alhendawi, the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, presented them with a special award. GIVEN RECORD LEVELS OF YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT,, YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE ARAB REGION AND AROUND THE WORLD NEED POSITIVE ROLE MODELS MORE THAN EVER. When young people themselves provide those role models, in those who have overcome social exclusion, underemployment and poverty to bring about positive changes in their communities and countries, the effects are even more powerful. In the next five days we will introduce you five videos featuring fifteen young volunteers from Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen whose volunteer work in education, access to health care, the empowerment of women, and many other areas has had a transformational impact on the communities that they served. Their individual stories of determination, innovation and enthusiasm are truly inspirational. They offer a glimpse into the region’s existing culture of volunteerism and demonstrate the enormous potential of young volunteers to positively influence the lives of others.These inspiring young people are the winners of the first UNV Youth Volunteering Award. The award is part of UNV’s Arab Youth Volunteering for a Better Future project, which works to strengthen the ability of youth in the Arab region to participate actively in the development of their countries. The winners were announced following a call for submissions that was advertised widely in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen. Young volunteers were asked to share their personal experiences in the form of written stories or videos. National panels selected the top three volunteers from each country based on the development impact of their work, their innovativeness, and dedication. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuawziGXbyo https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmad-alhendawi-0b655315 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OReJEWbrbM4 http://www.unv.org/en/news-resources/news/doc/unv-and-mbc-hope.html http://portfolio.wupy.pro/video/116757190

https://eg.linkedin.com/in/ameersherif https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYhvYkQgbzc http://www.amideast.org/egypt https://eg.linkedin.com/in/ameersherif http://endeavoreg.org/careers/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_M6imwBYOQ http://wuzzuf.net/jobs/egypt http://riseupsummit.com/speakers/ameer-sherif/ http://www.operationsmile.org/blog/one-among-thousands 13 13

https://eg.linkedin.com/in/ameersherif https://www.dopay.com/blog/entrepreneurship-in-egypt-10-influencers-you-should-know http://riseupsummit.com/speakers/ameer-sherif/ https://eg.linkedin.com/in/ameersherif 15 15

http://www.endeavor.org/entrepreneur/laila-sedky/

https://eg.linkedin.com/in/rania-rafie-14663788 Rania Rafie – icecairo https://www.facebook.com/Icecairo https://www.dopay.com/blog/entrepreneurship-in-egypt-10-influencers-you-should-know https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS7XXiBMgvU 9. Rania Rafie, co-founder of Up-fuse Egypt produces 1 million tons of plastic waste, exactly the amount of rubbish that could cover the entire city of Cairo 55 times over. Furthermore, waste contaminates soil, water, and the health of the entire population… Trendy, socially responsible, environmentally friendly: those are the cornerstones of Up-fuse – a business that makes fashionable well-designed bags out of plastic waste and turns risk into an opportunity. Fuelled by ambition, Rania, and her friend partnered up in a small studio in Cairo to create their company. They started playing around with designs, crafting trendy bags from upcycled plastic materials, that are good for people and the environment. Furthermore, Up-fuse employs women from underprivileged backgrounds to manufacture the garments. The company started selling their products through social media and at various events. In addition to high growth, Up-fuse won an Injaz Award and joined the program of DO School in Germany. https://eg.linkedin.com/in/rania-rafie-14663788 17 17

The Exceptional Youth of Egypt- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vIeFUHWLQQ&feature=em-share_video_user https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19ajQvEPBC4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A782I_mO0U&feature=em-share_video_user http://schools.aucegypt.edu/alumni/Newsletter/Pages/ArticleDetails.aspx?aid=33&Issue=December%202012 http://injaz-egypt.org/startupegypt-apply/ http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/scholar-athlete/2015/03/7/armando-dunn--basketball-captain-assists-his-teammates-in-more-ways-than-one.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUOTmWY1USM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS7XXiBMgvU https://www.linkedin.com/in/lsedky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUjTQSfSQes&sns=em 18 18

Entrepreneurs/Volunteers 1. Rise Up Egypt 2. Mai Medhat 3. Laila Sedky 4. Dina El-Mofty 5. Injaz Egypt 6. Armando Dunn 7. UN Volunteers 8. Dr. Ayman Ismail 9. Amad Elmsaodi 10. Wuzzuf 11. Ameer Sharif http://www.today.com/news/philadelphia-pizza-lovers-pay-it-forward-homeless-one-slice-time-2D80445156 13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjBaeWXb14Y 19

The Exceptional Youth of Egypt- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vIeFUHWLQQ&feature=em-share_video_user https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19ajQvEPBC4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A782I_mO0U&feature=em-share_video_user http://schools.aucegypt.edu/alumni/Newsletter/Pages/ArticleDetails.aspx?aid=33&Issue=December%202012 http://injaz-egypt.org/startupegypt-apply/ http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/scholar-athlete/2015/03/7/armando-dunn--basketball-captain-assists-his-teammates-in-more-ways-than-one.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUOTmWY1USM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS7XXiBMgvU https://www.linkedin.com/in/lsedky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUjTQSfSQes&sns=em 20 20

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYhvYkQgbzc http://www.amideast.org/egypt https://eg.linkedin.com/in/ameersherif http://endeavoreg.org/careers/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_M6imwBYOQ http://wuzzuf.net/jobs/egypt http://riseupsummit.com/speakers/ameer-sherif/

As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual well-being. How does one achieve job satisfaction? Give reasons for your answer and give any relevant examples or experiences you have to support your answer. People contribute a large proportion of their adult life to their career, especially when the retirement age has been postponed in many countries. Job satisfaction is the most important element of psychological well-being, because of its significant role in people’s lives. Through entrepreneurship, internships, volunteer work, or complete career changes at any age, people should continuously search for “purpose” and happiness in life. First of all, whether the job makes you happy is an important aspect. if someone is unhappy in a certain profession they should search for alternative careers. the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme recently recognized the achievements of exceptional young people who, as volunteers, have brought transformational change to their communities, and in their personal lives as well. For example, Zina El Nahel of Egypt, was honored for her role in providing education to marginalized children in areas with poor infrastructure. As a pharmacist, Zina admitted she was unhappy. Through searching and community service, she felt a sense of purpose in the field of education. Hence, job satisfaction does not simply happen for most people; one must search for it. Second of all, and equally important, is salary which can influence people’s job satisfaction significantly. Although, in theory, job satisfaction is not supposed to be measured by salary, in reality, a decent income enables people to meet their needs. Nevertheless, nowadays with entrepreneurship, globalization and the internet, the new trend is to combine entrepreneurship with your interests and eventually turn it into a career in order to increase your earnings and happiness. For example, Mason Wartman was a successful investment banker in New York. Unhappy with his banking career, he decided to open a pizza business in Philadelphia and become a self-employed entrepreneur. Using the “pay it forward” method, he now combines a successful business with charity which helps homeless people everyday. Hence, opening a business is always an option which could help others while helping yourself. In conclusion, job satisfaction is important to everyone. I personally believe that most people these days are not interested in doing the same job for the rest of their life. Technology and globalization have given us opportunities our ancestors never had. By constantly “searching”, exploring internship opportunities, attending business conferences, volunteering etc., people can discover hidden talents and skills, which will ultimately lead to a sense of job satisfaction and purpose in life.

IELTS Speaking/Writing basic outlines Well, that's an interesting question. 1. In my opinion/perspective/point of view, I agree/disagree with... 2. First of all... 3. Second of all... 4. Finally... 5. Overall...Based on these reasons, I suppose.. I'm sorry, could you please repeat the question? Thank you. 1. To begin with/Generally speaking... 2. Personally I believe... 3. On the one hand...For example, 4. On the other hand... 5. But overall, I believe... 24