Pegah Gol is the Amazon’s #1 best selling Author of “The Formula” The Ultimate Guide to Modern Job Finding. She is the CEO & Founder of Glasswing Consulting, a management consultancy firm in the United Arab Emirates, and also a licensed career coach, Career Counselling Services, London, UK.
FWM: Throughout your career, you have worked for different executive firms. How did this prepare you to be a coaching expert?
I was so lucky to get into the recruitment industry and executive search firms. I don’t think, if you asked, any child would say “I want to become a recruiter,” and I am no exception! Somehow, my true passion led me to experience helping people land their desired jobs. By receiving hundreds of applications on a daily basis, by speaking to hiring managers—understanding their needs and points of view—and obviously by being the middle person, I started to understand both parties’ requirements and how they could be improved.
I always went further and helped all applicants prepare and carry out their job-hunting process even though it wasn’t one of my responsibilities. I longed for more fulfillment. Over the years, I have guided thousands of job applicants through the job-hunting process until I finally felt I am ready to shift my career purely to career coaching.
FWM: Why do you have so much passion for helping others find their individual talents and strengths?
Have you ever tried a delicious food and you couldn’t wait to tell your friend about it? I have the same feeling about my career, so I can’t wait to share it with others. When I see my client’s face after finding out their true passion or landing their desired job, I feel I’ve been valuable, and it is so rewarding.
I believe everyone has a calling and a unique passion, and when you’re in sync with your true passion everything falls into place.
FWM: You are the CEO and Founder of Glasswing Consulting, a management consultancy firm in the United Arab Emirates. Tell us about your experience.
I had an entrepreneurial personality even in my past experiences. I was always part of a newly established company or a new division of the company. I totally enjoy it and my past experiences really helped me to have a better plan.
Glasswing is a management consultancy firm. At Glasswing, we have two different divisions: one is Coaching (job and career) and the other one is Business Advisory to SMEs and Tech Start-Ups.
FWM: What should clients expect when working with you? What do you look for in a client?
My clients experience fun sessions! It doesn’t matter if it is for job hunting, a career shift, or starting a business. In general, as much as I like to stick to the rules for coaching, I like to offer tailor-made solutions too. My sessions have my own signature and have a lasting impact for sure!
Almost half of my clients have been with me for over eight years. We are still in touch and every now and then we have update sessions. My clients’ success rate is quite high—above 75%—and it is mostly because I offer some post-session support as well, like referrals to relevant organizations.
I am looking for clients who are willing to invest in their careers, either by finding the right job, improving in their current role, or starting their own businesses.
FWM: Your best selling book, “The Formula” is the ultimate guide to modern job finding. Where can we find your book?
The print format can be found in the USA, UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East; and the e-book now has distribution from more than 70 online partners including (Amazon, Kindle, Apple Book, Barnes & Noble, Jamalon, Goodreads etc.) serving readers across the globe.
FWM: What is the best piece of advice that you have received?
“If you do what you love, you will never have to work a day in your life.”
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work. It simply means you won’t feel it.
For example, if someone’s hobby is rock climbing, do you think they don’t get tired? For sure they do. Then why do they keep doing it? Because they enjoy it! During my years of experience in recruitment and career development, I found out that individuals who love their jobs perform better.
FWM: As a career coach in Dubai, UAE, what trends are you seeing? Can you provide examples of how you are helping clients recover from the pandemic?
Because of the pandemic, I concentrate on helping job seekers whose current job title was affected by the pandemic. I spend the majority of my time with them. At the same time, again because of the situation, we have had a rise in start-up ideas, and I see high demand for engaging with start-ups!
The lockdown and pandemic affected everyone, and I believe my profession is one of the most affected at the moment. I have started to offer different courses and coaching sessions tailor-made for this situation. Let’s say that, before the pandemic, normal networking was done through seminars, networking events, social gatherings, etc… but now most of the concentration is on online and virtual networking, so we also adapt our training to match the market conditions.
FWM: What is your formula for success?
It really depends on the meaning of “success” for someone. For me, success is not a destination or an achievement, but it’s the whole process, and enjoying the whole process is the success. But if I wanted to put it as a formula it would be finding the true passion + relevant talent + hard work + resilience = success.
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