We spoke to Kerry and asked her some questions about careers, South Africa and her worst job ever:
1. Why do you think that the majority of people in this world dislike their jobs and are unfulfilled?
This is for a number of reasons but some of the main ones are:
• Insufficient thought or attention
Often when people first start their careers, they take the first job that comes along and don’t give any thought to who they are or their areas of strength. Ten years down the line they suddenly wake up and know they are in the wrong career but they feel stuck.
• Focus only on financial rewards
Some people only focus on financial rewards and so they job hop based on relatively small increments.
• Blaming others
People blame others for their unhappiness and are not prepared to take responsibility. It is easier to blame a boss or just plain bad luck, rather than to be truly brave and take the steps needed to get into the right career.
• Lack of skilled guidance
There is a lack of available skilled guidance and support in this area. Recruitment agencies don’t make career changes any easier.
2. What makes the South African workplace unique/different from other countries?
Although the world is experiencing a severe shortage of talent, in South Africa this is even more extreme. Many of our talented people have left our shores and the standard of our education system is dropping every year. Our work ethic is also particularly poor and our unplanned leave days (sick leave, family responsibility leave etc.) are simply a disgrace by world standards.
However, what this does mean is that there is a huge opportunity for skilled, talented and conscientious people. Changing careers is also perhaps easier here than anywhere else because of this shortage of skills and talent.
3. What has been your worst job in the past and why?
We opened a dried fruit company while living overseas and imported many tons of dried mango and dried banana to the UK. I recall having to carry the dried fruit boxes up and down many steps on a rainy delivery day and cursing the rain and lack of help in a developed country.
I also remember walking the streets of London trying to sell the dried fruit and meeting with large retailers in the hope of securing a contract. It was a tough sales job in which none of my natural strengths or talents were being used. The job drained me of all my stamina and where possible I would sneak off to read a good book in a warm and dry coffee shop.
Through sheer persistence and financial necessity we did eventually sell all of the dried fruit and I’m proud to say that one of our clients was Harrods. But even that wasn’t enough to get me out of bed every day, for a job that simply didn’t suit my personality.
Navigating Your Career will enable you to find your dream job, and not only for the short term.