Informational Interview- Shell

For my informational interview, I interviewed Mr. Youssef Abu- Youssef, a Treasury Supervisor at Shell. His main duties are managing group cash and cash forecasting. Abu- Youssef graduated from The Faculty of Commerce, in Cairo, with an undergraduate degree in commerce. Abu- Youssef stated that all kind of jobs are offered at Shell, including core jobs and supporting function jobs. However there are specific skills sets Shell looks for in potential candidates. These skills include analytical skills, good personal and communication skills and good performers across all educational levels. Abu-Youssef acknowledged that at Shell, the demand of all jobs is subject to market conditions. You can see more recruitment in some geographical areas where there is more expansion and therefore there is more need for physical and human capital. He said, “Last year, it has shown stable recruitment trend. However, with more recruitment in research and development function, the industry has more focus on meeting long-term growth plans and long-term future supply of current and new energy products.”

The employment trend Abu-Youssef perceives in the energy industry over the next few years is administrative support functions. He mentioned that administrative and support functions are being outsourced by most companies in order to be more cost efficient and gain competitive edge. Companies in the energy industry differentiate themselves by focusing on certain business lines in which they can compete, whether upstream (exploration) or downstream (lubes and fuel). “They are also focusing on research and development, hoping to find better energy solutions and holding new patents,” Abu- Youssef noted.