- Interview Procedure

Introduction
Good morning/afternoon/evening! Our names are Mariam Ibrahim, Mariam Khalid &
Mariam Obaid and we are students at Dubai Mens College. We are conducting this
interview as part of our Creating Your Future course. In thinking about a career that
wed like to have, your name came up so thank you for agreeing to participate in
this interview. Do you mind if we record this interview, as we need to prepare a
report?

Background Information
Name: Mohamed Salem BinSuwaidan Alsuwaidi
Superintendent Field Maintenance

Job Title: General

Can you tell us about yourself and your educational background?

Finished my high school in 2000 and joined Dubai Mens College (DMC) at the same
year. Graduated from DMC in 2004 with higher Diploma in Aviation Engineering
Air Frames & Engines. A year later started studying Engineering management and
graduated with a bachelor degree in 2007 from DMC. Then I had proceeded with
my post graduate studies and took a master degree in Engineering Management in
2009 from University of Wollongong in Dubai.
How and why did you choose your major?
First of all, I selected engineering because I am passion about engineering stuff and
I liked math & physics since high school. Another reason was that I like to repair
(trying to repair) mechanical and electronic stuff since the school days. Finally, my
dream job was to be an engineer and work around big machines & equipments.
havent mentioned that I used to attend most the career fairs and follow some of
the recruitment magazines and web site not to apply but to have an idea and find
out what is the demand in the market.
How many places have you worked before ________? Which organization(s) and job
title(s)?
I worked in 3 organizations including the one I am working in currently
a) Dubai Aluminum (DUBAL)
1. Graduate Trainee
2. Maintenance Supervisor Mobile Fleet
3. Maintenance Superintendent Mobile Fleet
4. Head of Mechanical workshops & Mobile fleet
5. General Superintendent Paste plant & Kilns (Carbon Area)
b) Taweelah Extrusion Plant (TALEX)
1. Engineering & Maintenance Manager
c) Emirates Aluminum (EMAL- Currently known as Emirates Global Aluminum
EGA)
1. Senior Superintendent
2. General Superintendent

Current Job
What are the main duties of your job?
Currently I am part of the project team who is building the first Alumina refinery in
the UAE. My main responsibilities are to set up the maintenance department of the
refinery including workshops designs, defining tools and equipment for
maintenance, writing training programs for graduates, establishing procedures and
work standards and recruit technicians and engineers for maintenance.
How many people report to you?
Currently 6 direct reports.
What do you do in a typical day?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Daily morning meeting

Attend design reviews
Reporting progress
Review data sheets & specifications
Writing procedures
Job Interviews
Follow up meetings

How did you choose this job? And this career? How did you prepare for this job?
I have read a lot about DUBAL after our visit with the college then was really
interested in the aluminum industry. Throughout my career I worked only within the
aluminum industry.
I had selected this career based on my interest and best suites my qualifications
and background.
Yes I did, I continued my higher education and selected the career path which will
give the knowledge and the ability to fit this job.
What kind of skills do you need in your job? (personal, interpersonal, professional,
technical)

Leadership skills.
Co-ordination
Strong communication skills
Able to work under pressure to meet deadlines
Time management
Engineering knowledge (technical)
Able to read technical drawing

What do you enjoy most about your job?

When I complete a task
What challenges have you faced throughout your career? How did you overcome
them?

Dealing with difficult behaviors (people) especially when I need or learn something
from them.
What is the level of Emiratization in ________?
Approaching 20 %
___________ is a government/semi-government/private company. What are the
advantages and disadvantages of working for this type of company in the UAE?
Semi-government.
Advantages:

Fast learning and growth opportunities

Well defined career path
Ability to gain international experience
Ability to work in multi culture environment
Performance driven
Clear targets and goals
You will get the chance to participate in everything as long as you can add
value
Open communication channels

Disadvantages:

Long working hours

Multi-culture environment could be a disadvantage sometimes
Number of days of public holidays always less than the government sectors.

Next steps
What are your next steps in your career?
I am targeting to move from engineering field to operation field within the aluminum
industry.
Do you think a Masters is important in your field?
It is important if you are targeting a management or middle management position.
If so, do you think its better to complete it right after the Bachelors or to work first?
I do recommend to gain some experience first in order to be able to apply your
learnings in the work environment.
As you know we are students of Business/IT/Engineering/Media at Dubai Mens
College. What advice do you have for us to be successful?
Always seek for knowledge outside your boundary, never stop learning, shadow
people during your training, involve yourself and take responsibility, be confident.

Select a specific industry (that you know and already explored) and try not to
change so after some time(future) you will an expert in that field which is a big
credit for you
In your opinion, which economic sectors will be offering the best career
opportunities for graduates over the next few years?
Within UAE there is good demand on Emirati graduates in all fields, in my opinion
the manufacturing and service sectors are fast growing and I believe there is a huge
demand for all nationalities.
What do you think are the most important skills for fresh graduates? (personal,
interpersonal, professional, technical)

Communication
Show confidence
Demonstrate your knowledge around the industry and the organization (in
general)
Team work
Must be self-motivated
Patient
Demonstrate strong personality and never be shy (all people do mistakes)
Respect
Commitment

What do you think are the main challenges for fresh graduates, and how can we
overcome them?
The most challenging thing in my opinion is experiencing the real work
environment. Then comes how confident you are. Finally, weak personality
and commitment.
1. To overcome the first one start participating in volunteering events or get
enrolled in summer training in any of the organizations just to have feeling
how the real work environment feels like.
2. Always show confident and dont hesitate to argue and have positive
discussions. In addition to that back up your discussions with real facts and
figures never assume.
3. Never be shy and show strong personality. Keep asking questions and never
hesitate ask again or request any information again.
4. Whenever you assigned to any task try to accomplish and by any chance if
stuck due to lack of information or knowledge go back and ask, never assume
and relay on others because this is part of your learning.

Conclusion

Thank you again Mr/Ms______ for your time. We will be doing some research on your
organization. Could you please recommend any sources of information?
You can refer to the company web site www.ege.ae