INTRODUCTION TO MUSLIM YOUTH WORK COURSE
Dates: Saturday 30th August - Sunday 31st August 2008
Time: 10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Venue: Islamic Foundation, Markfield Conference Centre, Ratby Lane, Markfield, Leicestershire, LE67 9SY
A certified course suitable for Youth and Community Workers, Imaams, Madrassah Teachers, and Mentors. This course aims to develop some basic but essential generic youth work skills, necessary to be able to respond to the ever changing needs of young people. It has been specifically designed for Muslim workers and draws from authentic sources of Islam. The course will be very interactive and practical in nature. There will be ample opportunities for discussion and enquiry to enable participants to explore the area of youth work.
This two day course will cover: the role and skills of a youth worker; cornerstones of youth work; content, context and method equality; participation and communication; how to plan needs - responsive projects; issues affecting young Muslims. The course is open to both brothers and sisters. The cost for both days is £85 (voluntary organisations / individuals) and £190 (statutory organisations).
For further information and bookings please contact:
Tel: 07861 698 132
E-mail: courses@muslimyouthskills.co.uk
Website: www.muslimyouthskills.co.uk
Friday, August 15, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Interview Advice
Interview Advice
Getting Started
Here is some information that may help you to successfully overcome the hurdles of attending an interview. Some of them you may find obvious, but sometimes we can forget the most obvious things!
This guide is broken down into four sections:
Before the interview
On the day of the interview
The interview itself (including practice interview quiz)
Potential questions for you to ask
Before the Interview
Preparation for an interview is an absolutely key process and will often be the difference between success and failure for applicants. Good preparation not only gives you an idea of what to expect but it will give you the all important confidence, which can carry you through.
So what specific preparation should you carry out?
Company Research:
Interviewers will expect you to have a good grasp of what the company does, how big it is, how it is divided up and who it’s main competitors are. With these facts at your command you will be able to hold a meaningful conversation about the company and put other company information into context.
Role Research:
You need to make sure you have fully understood the job description and know how it fits in to the overall company structure. If you have any queries about it then try to raise them before the interview or be prepared to bring them up as you go along.
Ask yourself what the key skills are that the job requires and think of examples of occasions when you have demonstrated those skills.
Interview Research:
Make sure you find out what format the interview will take. Often they can be combinations of standard interviews and role-specific tests (such as role plays or psychometric questionnaires). The fewer surprises on the day, the better.
Personal Appraisal:
You can never predict every question that you will encounter, so approach the interview with an inventory of important points.
Make a list of the points about yourself that you want the interviewer to know. For example, if you were to apply for a job as a Sales Representative, you might want to list the products you have sold before, types of customers (by industry, age, etc.), languages spoken, personal experience in that industry and related knowledge (perhaps from your academic program).
Each question will be an opportunity to provide some of this information to the interviewer.
On the day of the Interview
Take special care to dress appropriately - most of the time smart business dress will be appropriate. In some rare occasions, smart casual may be appropriate but ensure you err on the side of smartness.
Make sure you are punctual – try to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled interview time. If you are going to be late for any reason then make sure you inform the interviewer as early as possible.
The Interview itself
Some important points to remember:
Don't assume anything. You will be evaluated on your answers, not your CV. Therefore, ensure you incorporate the relevant information from your CV in your answers.
Pause a couple of seconds before you respond to each question, even if you know exactly what you want to say. Take this time to quickly plan your answer, this helps to avoid misunderstandings and produces much more concise answers.
If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification. This is expected and is preferable to providing an unsuitable answer.
If you need time to collect your thoughts - take it. When people are nervous they tend either to "draw a blank" or to babble. It is better to think for a few moments and make sure that your answer is doing you justice and that there is a point to what you are saying.
Always expand. Never answer a question with a "yes" or "no."
The interview is an opportunity for you to sell yourself. Don't be afraid to 'blow your own trumpet'. As long as you can back up what you are saying with examples which demonstrate that what you are saying is true, you are not bragging. Third party observations can also be mentioned. For example, "My last employer told me that I was promoted because of how I handled conflicts with clients."
Be very positive. Don't complain about anything - from your former employer to the weather - and don't apologise for experience that you don't have. Just sell what you do have and let the employer decide if you have what he/she is looking for. Also, avoid negative words. For example, you would not say "I have a little experience...," you would say "I have experience..."
Don't be afraid to repeat important points. In fact, it is a good idea to do this.
In terms of your manner and body language, try to ensure the following - be confident, positive and look directly at the interviewer when you talk and listen, speak clearly, be enthusiastic and express a keen interest in the position, keep to the point and be concise and always be honest.
Interviews generally follow a set pattern. The interviewer will:-
Tell you about the company and the job.
Ask you questions to assess your abilities, personality and motivation.
Ask if you have any questions.
Inform you of the next stage of the process and when a final decision will be made.
The most important thing to remember is that the interview is a two way process. You are there to find out information about them as much as they are there to find out about you. This is your chance to find out information that isn’t in the job description and this can help you make an informed decision about whether you definitely want the job.
To help you succeed at interview we have prepared a random interview question generator, which displays questions selected from a list of over a hundred. You can use this to try to think about how you might answer the questions in an interview situation.
Potential questions for you to ask
Can you tell me more about the company?
Can you describe my area of responsibility?
Is this post a new or existing one?
What are the promotion prospects?
Is there a clearly defined career path?
Do you run any training schemes?
What type of clients do you deal with?
Will you be holding second interviews?
Getting Started
Here is some information that may help you to successfully overcome the hurdles of attending an interview. Some of them you may find obvious, but sometimes we can forget the most obvious things!
This guide is broken down into four sections:
Before the interview
On the day of the interview
The interview itself (including practice interview quiz)
Potential questions for you to ask
Before the Interview
Preparation for an interview is an absolutely key process and will often be the difference between success and failure for applicants. Good preparation not only gives you an idea of what to expect but it will give you the all important confidence, which can carry you through.
So what specific preparation should you carry out?
Company Research:
Interviewers will expect you to have a good grasp of what the company does, how big it is, how it is divided up and who it’s main competitors are. With these facts at your command you will be able to hold a meaningful conversation about the company and put other company information into context.
Role Research:
You need to make sure you have fully understood the job description and know how it fits in to the overall company structure. If you have any queries about it then try to raise them before the interview or be prepared to bring them up as you go along.
Ask yourself what the key skills are that the job requires and think of examples of occasions when you have demonstrated those skills.
Interview Research:
Make sure you find out what format the interview will take. Often they can be combinations of standard interviews and role-specific tests (such as role plays or psychometric questionnaires). The fewer surprises on the day, the better.
Personal Appraisal:
You can never predict every question that you will encounter, so approach the interview with an inventory of important points.
Make a list of the points about yourself that you want the interviewer to know. For example, if you were to apply for a job as a Sales Representative, you might want to list the products you have sold before, types of customers (by industry, age, etc.), languages spoken, personal experience in that industry and related knowledge (perhaps from your academic program).
Each question will be an opportunity to provide some of this information to the interviewer.
On the day of the Interview
Take special care to dress appropriately - most of the time smart business dress will be appropriate. In some rare occasions, smart casual may be appropriate but ensure you err on the side of smartness.
Make sure you are punctual – try to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled interview time. If you are going to be late for any reason then make sure you inform the interviewer as early as possible.
The Interview itself
Some important points to remember:
Don't assume anything. You will be evaluated on your answers, not your CV. Therefore, ensure you incorporate the relevant information from your CV in your answers.
Pause a couple of seconds before you respond to each question, even if you know exactly what you want to say. Take this time to quickly plan your answer, this helps to avoid misunderstandings and produces much more concise answers.
If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification. This is expected and is preferable to providing an unsuitable answer.
If you need time to collect your thoughts - take it. When people are nervous they tend either to "draw a blank" or to babble. It is better to think for a few moments and make sure that your answer is doing you justice and that there is a point to what you are saying.
Always expand. Never answer a question with a "yes" or "no."
The interview is an opportunity for you to sell yourself. Don't be afraid to 'blow your own trumpet'. As long as you can back up what you are saying with examples which demonstrate that what you are saying is true, you are not bragging. Third party observations can also be mentioned. For example, "My last employer told me that I was promoted because of how I handled conflicts with clients."
Be very positive. Don't complain about anything - from your former employer to the weather - and don't apologise for experience that you don't have. Just sell what you do have and let the employer decide if you have what he/she is looking for. Also, avoid negative words. For example, you would not say "I have a little experience...," you would say "I have experience..."
Don't be afraid to repeat important points. In fact, it is a good idea to do this.
In terms of your manner and body language, try to ensure the following - be confident, positive and look directly at the interviewer when you talk and listen, speak clearly, be enthusiastic and express a keen interest in the position, keep to the point and be concise and always be honest.
Interviews generally follow a set pattern. The interviewer will:-
Tell you about the company and the job.
Ask you questions to assess your abilities, personality and motivation.
Ask if you have any questions.
Inform you of the next stage of the process and when a final decision will be made.
The most important thing to remember is that the interview is a two way process. You are there to find out information about them as much as they are there to find out about you. This is your chance to find out information that isn’t in the job description and this can help you make an informed decision about whether you definitely want the job.
To help you succeed at interview we have prepared a random interview question generator, which displays questions selected from a list of over a hundred. You can use this to try to think about how you might answer the questions in an interview situation.
Potential questions for you to ask
Can you tell me more about the company?
Can you describe my area of responsibility?
Is this post a new or existing one?
What are the promotion prospects?
Is there a clearly defined career path?
Do you run any training schemes?
What type of clients do you deal with?
Will you be holding second interviews?
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Free First Aid Training
Women's Consortium First Aid Training
First Aid training for Women
5th July
10 am - 12 pm
Venue:
The Willow Children's Centre
Barnhill Road
Wembley
HA9 9YP
Contact for Information/ Booking
Khaleda Khan: 0780 9443756
khaleda@womensconsortium.org.uk
www.womensconsortium.org.uk
First Aid training for Women
5th July
10 am - 12 pm
Venue:
The Willow Children's Centre
Barnhill Road
Wembley
HA9 9YP
Contact for Information/ Booking
Khaleda Khan: 0780 9443756
khaleda@womensconsortium.org.uk
www.womensconsortium.org.uk
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Vacancy – Volunteer Director At The Muslim Mediation Service
Vacancy – Volunteer Director At The Muslim Mediation Service
Do you have the expertise to lead and wish to give back to the community? Or do you want to develop your management skills and build upon your CV? Becoming the first Director of the Muslim Mediation Service may be the opportunity you were looking for! For our East London office, we are looking to recruit a Director in a voluntary capacity who can give a minimum of four hours a week during the day to oversee the general management of our staff and service.
The Board of Trustees are offering you an exciting and unique opportunity to take command of this national charity at a pivotal moment in its growth. Muslim Mediation Service is embarking upon a period of rapid development in which it will considerably broaden in the direct support services it offers to Muslims across the UK.
For a full job description and service information, or further information please contact Sana Saleem:
E-mail: sana@muslimmediation.org.uk
Telephone: 020 8432 2805
Post: Muslim Mediaton Service, 2a Streatfield Avenue, East Ham, London E6 2LA
To apply, please submit a CV, and supporting statement/cover letter stating why you are applying and why you are the most suitable person for the post, addressed to Sana Saleem at the above postal or email address.
Closing Date: Monday 21st July 2008
Do you have the expertise to lead and wish to give back to the community? Or do you want to develop your management skills and build upon your CV? Becoming the first Director of the Muslim Mediation Service may be the opportunity you were looking for! For our East London office, we are looking to recruit a Director in a voluntary capacity who can give a minimum of four hours a week during the day to oversee the general management of our staff and service.
The Board of Trustees are offering you an exciting and unique opportunity to take command of this national charity at a pivotal moment in its growth. Muslim Mediation Service is embarking upon a period of rapid development in which it will considerably broaden in the direct support services it offers to Muslims across the UK.
For a full job description and service information, or further information please contact Sana Saleem:
E-mail: sana@muslimmediation.org.uk
Telephone: 020 8432 2805
Post: Muslim Mediaton Service, 2a Streatfield Avenue, East Ham, London E6 2LA
To apply, please submit a CV, and supporting statement/cover letter stating why you are applying and why you are the most suitable person for the post, addressed to Sana Saleem at the above postal or email address.
Closing Date: Monday 21st July 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Some words on Reflection
Assalamu alaykum ya ummati
Yay my post grad in counselling psychology is over, but still got coursework to do…. For one of these works in question, we had to keep a diary.
I must admit, the basis for keeping a diary was not completely clear to me at first. I have kept a blog for about two years and I can see how it helps, but to write an essay based on it did seem daunting. Well that’s what I have just done, handed my “Personal and Professional Development” coursework in about 5 hours ago.
It does help, reflecting on what you have learnt, how you have grown, what skills that you have developed, and where you would like to develop more. But its not just what has changed professionally, but how as a person, have you changed. We have to discuss how we see ourselves changed during the last year.
But should we not be used to reflecting? At least spiritually? We have been reminded time and time again, to reflect, to ponder over our existence, to contemplate our final abode….
I put it to you, reflect over at least the last month or year, what have you achieve; in your profession, in your life and in the preparation of the inevitable death?
How are we to progress in our journeys if we do not know how we have traveled the road so far?
Yay my post grad in counselling psychology is over, but still got coursework to do…. For one of these works in question, we had to keep a diary.
I must admit, the basis for keeping a diary was not completely clear to me at first. I have kept a blog for about two years and I can see how it helps, but to write an essay based on it did seem daunting. Well that’s what I have just done, handed my “Personal and Professional Development” coursework in about 5 hours ago.
It does help, reflecting on what you have learnt, how you have grown, what skills that you have developed, and where you would like to develop more. But its not just what has changed professionally, but how as a person, have you changed. We have to discuss how we see ourselves changed during the last year.
But should we not be used to reflecting? At least spiritually? We have been reminded time and time again, to reflect, to ponder over our existence, to contemplate our final abode….
3:191 [and] who remember God when they stand, and when they sit, and when they lie down to sleep, and [thus] reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: "O our Sustainer! Thou hast not created [aught of] this without meaning and purpose. Limitless art Thou in Thy glory! Keep us safe, then, from suffering through fire!
الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىَ جُنُوبِهِمْ
وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَذا
بَاطِلاً سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
(3:191)
I put it to you, reflect over at least the last month or year, what have you achieve; in your profession, in your life and in the preparation of the inevitable death?
How are we to progress in our journeys if we do not know how we have traveled the road so far?
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Caution!
Assalamu alaykum
Dear all... I have been surfing the net, all in aid of research for uni work (I assure you) and I have come across some very, how do I put it, some wierd views and people propogating a narrow, and in some ways an inaccurate view on Islamic Psychology.
So I would just like to caution you all who read THIS blog be weary of the net, not just in this matter but in all mattres concerning the deen. We do not want to make a mocery of our Islam, it is not something we can be too wearing about!
Dear all... I have been surfing the net, all in aid of research for uni work (I assure you) and I have come across some very, how do I put it, some wierd views and people propogating a narrow, and in some ways an inaccurate view on Islamic Psychology.
So I would just like to caution you all who read THIS blog be weary of the net, not just in this matter but in all mattres concerning the deen. We do not want to make a mocery of our Islam, it is not something we can be too wearing about!
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