Dear Career Coach

I will be graduating at the end of this year and want to do an MBA course. My tutor is advising me to get some work experience first but with so few jobs out there, I think I should just do it now. Who’s right?

Liam H.

The Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree is a universally recognised qualification which is intended to widen the knowledge of business professionals across all the major functions and practices of a business. MBA courses are rigorous and will demand a lot from you in terms of study and research but, in many industries, having an MBA can accelerate your career and place you in a position to command a higher salary.

There are some advantages to moving straight from an undergraduate to a postgraduate degree. For example, you are used to the discipline of studying and will probably have relatively few obligations to consider at this stage outside of developing your career. You haven’t mentioned your choice of career but it is also true that some occupations will require a post-graduate degree for even entry level positions.

Having said that, your tutor is right to point out to you that, particularly with MBA degrees, it is often better to gain some work and life experience first. According to the Association of MBA’s, students on an accredited MBA course will usually bring five to ten years’ postgraduate experience with them. For those who don’t yet have this, they suggest a more suitable course would be a Masters in Business and Management. It’s also worth bearing in mind that many of the highly ranked schools will not consider applicants who do not have several years work experience

You should realise that holding an MBA demonstrates that you have a general competency in all the major functional corporate management roles. As such, in some situations, having an advanced degree like this can actually hurt your chances in a job search if you have little or no job experience.

Taking the time to gain some work experience will help you know your career goals better and give you a greater understanding of how business works. Once you are employed, some companies may sponsor or part-pay for you to take the qualification and, with some solid experience behind you, you will have a much more mature outlook to match your advanced qualifications.

The ideal time to take an MBA course is when it will add value to your career and help you move up to the next level. Don’t view taking an MBA as an alternative to dealing with a tight job market; be sure of what it will deliver to you. Research carefully all your options for further education so that whatever you decide to invest in will be something that you can leverage as part of your career goals.

Rushing into a course that is inappropriate could end up being a waste of your time and money.

All the best!

Dear Career Coach

I’ve worked hard for my company for six years but for the past three years there have been no pay increases or promotions because the sector I work in was badly affected by the global economic crisis. After four interviews with another company and a job offer, I’ve just handed in my resignation. My problem is that I get on well with my manager and he has offered me a salary increase to stay and I don’t know what to do.

Having a choice of two jobs is a great position to be in but it does pose a dilemma. As you said, you have worked hard over the years and your boss’s counter-offer is proof that you are a valued employee and that he doesn’t want to lose you. The fact that you have developed a good relationship with your manager also makes you feel comfortable in your current job.

It’s worth bearing in mind, however, that should you decide not to leave, you may come up against other issues in the short and longer-term.

For one, no matter how pleased they are that you have agreed to stay, there is likely to be a question mark over your loyalty to the firm going forward, which might make you vulnerable in the future.

Furthermore, if the counter-offer involves a pay increase but no promotion and you decide to stay, you might have difficulty in the future negotiating a higher salary in your current role, especially if what you are being offered is more than people at your level would normally be paid.

While it must certainly feel great to know that you are wanted by your current company, you should stop and remember your reasons for wanting to leave in the first place.

Will staying with your company give you the recognition and progression you are looking for or will you always have to threaten to resign to get it? Will remaining in your present role offer you the opportunity to take on new responsibilities and fulfil your career needs or will it mean more of the same with a bit more money?

Put aside any feelings of discomfort or guilt and try and think objectively about the pros and cons of your two options. You know best why you started to look outside your company for your next career move and unless you can find what you were looking for if you stay, you need to keep focused on your goals, move out of your comfort zone and take the next step on your career path.

All the best!

Dear Career Coach

I've worked in the media and not-for-profit sectors for most of my career and I've become used to dressing down and looking quite informal. I've just been hired to join a corporate firm and I want to make sure that I fit in. Can you give me advice on making my image look a bit more professional?

First of all, congratulations on your new job. You are smart to be concerned about how you will come across because the truth of the matter is that no matter how competent we are, the first thing we are judged by is our appearance. Looking casual in an environment that requires more formal dress could encourage people to make negative judgements about you which will impact on your credibility and effectiveness. For this new audience, you need to be sure that what you wear matches their expectations of professionalism.

As a new recruit, you will quite rightly want to make sure that you look the part for the job you've been hired for. No matter how comfortable your casual clothes are, remember that when you are at work, you are representing the company and the image that they want to project to their clients.

Looking professional doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune on designer clothes. Invest in a few good pieces and you can mix and match these to give you a variety of looks. Ask for honest advice from friends who work in corporate environments and learn to recognise which styles and colours suit your body shape and which you find comfortable to wear. You can strongly influence what people think about you by steering away from reinforcing negative stereotypes and taking care with your appearance.

Don't forget the other things that make up a good professional image; good hygiene, clean fingernails, groomed hair, understated make up and subtle jewellery.

Bear in mind that a professional image is not cultivated simply by your appearance but also by how you carry yourself, the quality of your work and the way you interact with other people i.e. all the attributes that make people form an opinion about you. A popular phrase that captures what ‘image' means is ‘what people say about you when you are not in the room.'

When you are entering a new environment, take time to study the people working there and the way that things work in that organisation. Observe how people speak to each other and the kind of language and style used in e-mails and other written communication so that you can match that approach.

Maintain a professional image by showing yourself to be a team player and a committed, trustworthy and capable employee.

Don't get sucked into cliques or get caught up in office gossip and politics. As much as possible, keep an open mind and look for opportunities to form contacts and networks outside your immediate department. By finding champions across the organisation, you will have a better chance should you want to move departments or aim for a more senior role.

If you can take these steps, you will have a better chance of creating and managing a professional image that will help you reach your career goals.

All the best!

Dear Career Coach

I have had a successful career but over the years I have developed a reputation for being difficult to work with. This stems from my early years in my industry (quite niche so people tend to know each other) when I admit I was quite arrogant and aggressive. Even though I think I have toned down a lot, I don’t seem to be able to shake this reputation and it may affect my chances of getting a top job. I would really like people to know that I have changed. What can you suggest?

You are probably familiar with the expression ‘give a dog a bad name’ meaning that if one has acquired a bad reputation one will never be able to lose it. The full proverb is 'Give a dog an ill name and hang him', which can be interpreted as ‘if someone has got himself a bad name, he is as good as destroyed'.

Having a poor reputation in a close-knit industry can cost you career opportunities and impact on your earning power, so it’s important to address this issue and to try and turn things around.

Your reputation or personal brand is essentially based on how other people feel when they think about you, hear about you or have to interact with you. Imagine if you were shopping and you bought a premium brand product, you would quite rightly expect a certain level of quality. If you were buying a budget brand, however, you would probably be less surprised if the product was of an inferior quality and didn’t manage to go the distance in doing what you needed from it. If you can think of yourself as a brand, it might help you to consider how to change the way your brand is perceived.

If you are sincere about wanting to change not only your behaviour, but other people’s perception of your behaviour, you will need to be persistent in your efforts to repair your brand image and be committed to changing.

Here are a few suggestions to consider:

Finally, be aware that it will take time and patience to change your brand image. But even major brands that have had public relations hiccups have been able to reinvent themselves, so be persistent and stay on course.

All the best!

Dear Career Coach

I have been advised to take advantage of a number of careers fairs that are coming up. I feel a bit intimidated about approaching companies directly and talking about myself. Do you have any tips on how to get a job through these events?

DZ

A career fair is a forum that allows a number of different companies to meet and recruit qualified candidates. Some job fairs require you to register and will pre-screen potential candidates, setting up interviews for you ahead of the event. Others rely on attracting people on the day and giving them the opportunity to approach different companies and pitch for an interview.

In both cases, you should be prepared to sell your relevant skills and experience and this requires both research and practice. If you know you have an interview coming up, you should be prepared to talk about how your skills and experience match the job opportunity on offer and provide evidence of when and how you have used the skills required.

Even though you may feel awkward or embarrassed about approaching people, careers/job fairs are an invaluable opportunity to talk to people who actually work at the companies in question and to find out some useful tips in case you get an interview. Face to face conversations give you a chance to see what’s really behind a company’s glossy corporate brochures and professional websites.

Rather than focusing on your own feelings, try and ensure that you are prepared. Go through the names of the companies that will be participating at the fair and highlight those you are particularly interested in investigating. Think about the job roles that interest you and how your skills and previous experience would make you an attractive candidate.

Practice introducing yourself so that you can quickly and fluently say your name, what you have studied, what your career objectives are and the experience you have gained to date.

Don’t forget to take copies of your CV and some business cards with you and aim to collect cards from the company representatives you speak to; having a name and contact information could be an advantage if you decide to approach the company directly and offers a useful route to follow up after the fair and restate your interest in joining the company.

Finally, make sure you look the part. First impressions count for a great deal, particularly when people will not have that much time to interact with you.

Leading coach, Peter Cobbe, also offers some advice on careers fairs that you will find useful.

All the best!

Dear Career Coach

I have been criticized on my leadership skills in my assessment but my manager isn't being very helpful in explaining what he means. Getting this right is going to be crucial to promotion here. Can you help?

While the term leadership has become a bit of a management catch phrase for a number of different skills and attributes, it is an essential component of what makes a good manager and in assessing who will be suited to more senior roles within an organisation. In business, there are many examples of how good leaders have taken an everyday product or service to a new level simply by being able to inspire a vision and to create an energy that brings out the skills of those working in the company.

On the other hand, we have all seen situations where poor leaders destroy a brand or a business by losing touch with their people and failing to convince those they lead to go along with their ideas and approach.

In the wider world, you can see many examples of leaders, be they religious, political or simply transformational. While styles and tactics will vary, their ability to get people onside with their message and to deliver results is what unites them.

As the word suggests, being a leader is about having the ability to show direction and to inspire a following. In the workplace, this also translates into the ability to inspire and motivate the people you lead and to give them the encouragement and nurturing needed for them to meet their goals. It means being able to see the big picture in terms of what is happening in your division or company and understanding how you/your team relate to this.

Being the boss isn't the same as being a good leader. From providing a clear direction to giving the mentoring and coaching needed, a good leader is able to bring on board all the skills within his team to reach and exceed targets and objectives. By keeping open channels of communication with those they work with, a good leader lets their team feel empowered to bring innovation and good ideas to the table.

You haven't mentioned what you do but the other thing to be aware of is that showing leadership skills is not necessarily about managing other people. Within the context of any job you do, showing leadership skills means being able to show confidence and assertiveness in the way you perform your work. It is also reflected in how proactive you are seen to be; do you wait to be told what to do or do you see what needs to be done and take the initiative?

Leadership skills can also translate into how you work with your colleagues – do you offer support, advice and assistance to help others or just concern yourself with what you need to do to get your job done? Are you flexible and able to adapt your style of work to the situation at hand without grumbling and resisting? Do you take an interest in where the organisation is going and actively network to raise your visibility or simply come into work, do your job and head off again? Do you keep your integrity in the workplace or join in with office gossip and other unethical behaviour?

A final point to consider is clarifying how your manager is defining leadership because if this is going to be crucial to your promotion, you need to ensure that you are both singing from the same song sheet. Without being confrontational, as you go through your assessment process, ask your manager for guidance on what you could have done differently in specific situations to demonstrate better leadership skills. By getting him or her to define the behaviours they are expecting, it will help both of you to get a better understanding of what your company needs to see before you can get promoted.

Best of luck!

Dear Career Coach

I’m interested in a career in finance and I’m currently studying International Finance at university. My goal is to work in an investment bank and I have been advised to try and get an internship. Do you have any advice about how to go about this?

An internship can be a valuable way of learning more about a job and what is required to be successful in it. For many university students, it is also their first opportunity to enter the world of work and while it can sound quite daunting, an internship can be a great start to your career.

Many investment banks offer structured internships as this gives them a chance to identify and attract good talent early on and successful internships can lead to job offers with the bank after graduation.

Most finance internships are targeted towards students in their penultimate year of study and can take place during the summer months for periods of around two months. As you are new to the sector, you won’t normally be expected to handle anything too complex but you may be assigned to support a project team or a specific part of the business as well as given a particular project of your own to complete.

Be aware that investment banking is a highly competitive industry and can be volatile in its recruitment patterns. However, it can offer a career that is both varied and rewarding.

To find the right internship for you, invest time in researching the different functions and divisions of an investment bank. By reading the websites of different banks, attending any company presentations taking place on your campus and speaking to others who have been interns, you will be in a better position to apply for and secure an internship.

For many investment bank internships, you will need to apply early - most internship programmes have an application deadline of January. When applying, focus on how your skills and experience to date make you a relevant and interesting candidate. Be prepared to answer questions about your motivation for working in banking, which skills you think are relevant and how you have demonstrated these skills in your academic or work experience to date. Keep up to date with what’s happening in the financial markets and within the banking sector to demonstrate your genuine interest in and passion for the industry.

Finally, use your contacts and your network – don’t forget your university’s alumni – to help expand your chances of finding the right internship for you.

For detailed career guidance and advice, don’t forget to contact us to find out how we can help you.

All the best!

Dear Career Coach

My problem is a bit different to some of those I have read in your magazine but I hope you can advise me. I am setting up a business and my concern is how to make what I am doing stand out when so many businesses out there are fighting to get customers? I really believe in my product but I need ideas about how to make sure that it sells.

With so many people moving into self-employment, particularly as jobs become scarcer, knowing how to market your business will be critical if you want to succeed.

Standing out in a crowded marketplace means knowing your product or service well. It also requires you to be able to clearly define its unique selling points (USPs) – that is to say, the features or characteristics that set your product or service apart. Once you have identified your USPs, you can use these to help you position your product and steer the way you approach your marketing and advertising. Being clear about what makes your product special will enable you to use this information to attract customers.

You didn’t mention the nature of your product so this response can’t be too specific. However, there are a number of ways that you can define the USPs of your business, including the following:

For detailed career guidance and advice, don’t forget to contact us to find out how we can help you.

All the best!

Dear Career Coach

I have been out of work for the past five months after being made redundant from my last job. When I left my last job I was exhausted physically and mentally and decided to take some time off before searching for a new position. For financial reasons I need to get back to work but I am now not too sure how best to get my job search going. I would appreciate your advice.

Looking for work can be very demoralising and it’s not surprising that after going through a traumatic time you are finding it hard to raise the enthusiasm needed to get back into the fray.

Try to view your situation positively and recognise this as the opportunity to take a proactive role in shaping the next stage of your career. And, while there’s no getting away from the hard work of job searching, there are some steps you can take to help get the process moving.

As the people with current insights into the job market, talking to good recruiters can be a useful step in identifying the demand for your skills and experience. Bear in mind, though, that they make their money from companies by placing the right people with them. As such, their priority is not to help you find a job but to build a relationship with you if you have the kind of experience they tend to look for. Identify the appropriate recruiters through job boards and job adverts and contact them with purpose.

Don’t sabotage your job search with a poor CV that does nothing to sell you to your target employer. When writing your CV, think about the issues that the company has and how your skills and experience can solve these. Make sure the information on your CV is up to date, accurate and, most of all, relevant and that your cover letter is also tailored to the needs of the job. It’s always a good idea to get expert advice on your CV to make sure that you are making the best impact.

Networking can make all the differenceto finding your next job and it’s important to ensure that you are tapping into your contacts – whether friends, family, former colleagues and alumni. Put the word out to your network about the kind of job you are looking for so that they can help you by putting you in touch with people from your sector who can guide you further in how to search. Make good use of online networking groups like LinkedIn and explore opportunities to go on informal interviews to find out more about your companies of interest. These types of meetings can be a good way of practicing and improving your interview skills.

Attend career fairs to find out who is hiring and to make contacts. Take copies of your CV and be prepared to discuss your skills and experience with recruiting organisations. Research relevant industry events and go along to increase your network and to keep up to date with developments in your sector of interest.

As part of your job search strategy, identify relevant recruitment agencies and headhunters by checking those that advertise the kind of vacancies that you are interested in. Keep an eye on their job boards and sites and remember that they are not looking for jobs for you, so you need to stay alert to the jobs that they are seeking to fill.

For detailed career guidance and advice, don’t forget to contact us to find out how we can help you.

All the best!

Dear Career Coach

I left Uganda about 16 years ago to gain a good education in the USA. I now have a Masters degree in Accounting with 10 years of experience. I have searched for jobs in Africa for 2 years now but they all prefer local candidates to me. I have mainly searched on NGO websites and a few corporate websites. I have also attended African career fairs here in the USA. I have noticed, however, that for Finance Manager positions recruiters still prefer men to women. What should I do in my situation? Your advice will be appreciated.

I have no doubt that job hunting has been a frustrating experience for you but I do have to question whether every organisation in Uganda 'prefers local candidates' and challenge your assumption that all the companies that pay a lot of money to visit the US to recruit are only looking out for male candidates

Sex discrimination does exist and if an employer is going to be short-sighted enough to discount 50% of the available talent pool, there is not much you can do about it – and you wouldn’t want to work for such an organisation anyway!

However, unless you have irrefutable proof that your lack of success is due to sexism, I would encourage you not to focus on that as a reason - or excuse - to revisit how you are marketing and promoting your skills and experience.

In your search on NGO and corporate websites, are you sending a standard CV or are you tailoring your application to suit these very different markets? When you attend the job fairs, do you take the time to research the companies and organisations attending and the kind of roles they are hiring for? Have you been proactive with using your network of friends, family and alumni to help connect you to opportunities?

Most importantly, how are you presenting your CV and your experience? Bear in mind that if you are applying to an African company or organisation you need to customise the experience you have gained in the USA to make it sound relevant to the African company's needs. Are you highlighting the ways in which you can bring your overseas experience in to benefit the companies you are applying to or are you expecting people to 'see through' your CV to understand why they should hire you?

As part of your job search strategy, you should also contact some of the recruitment agencies in Uganda to find out more about local opportunities?

Consider if recruiters are really looking for men or rather for so-called ‘male’ characteristics i.e. confidence, gravitas, and the ability to stand one’s ground. In addition to your technical skills, as a Finance Manager, you will need to present yourself as confident and assertive. So get some feedback on how you come across to others and whether it is selling you effectively.

Don't let your frustration discourage you. Gear yourself up and take a hard look at your job search strategy and presentation and get back in the game!

If you need any help or coaching with any of the issues raised, don’t forget to contact us to find out how we can help you.

All the best!

Dear Career Coach

I want to start my own business but there's so much information out there that when I try researching, I just get very confused. Can you give me just some basic straightforward advice about what I should put in place and think about before I get started?

One of the blessings of the Internet is that it provides access to a wealth of information and advice. And, with the increasing recognition that entrepreneurs and small businesses are the backbone of any economy, a raft of agencies, organisations and business groups have proliferated. The downside to all this is that we are surrounded with so much information, it becomes a major challenge trying to make sense of it all.

That said, there are still some basic questions you need to ask yourself in your goal to set up a business. The first, I would suggest, is being clear that you have the personality and skills needed to run a business i.e. do you have the ability to be focused on setting up and growing an enterprise? Can you cope with working alone and putting in the time and energy needed? Can you take advice, work with professionals, make the right hiring and firing decisions and manage staff?

Your business idea is obviously also going to be crucial. Some people try to start a business with what is fundamentally a hobby or an interest. This is not necessarily a bad thing but you have to be sure that you have a product or service that people are prepared to pay for, in sufficient numbers, to enable you to make a profit and a living.

If you have determined what your business idea is, don't just go with your gut instinct and assume it will work. Do your research – many people may already be implementing your brilliant idea and there might therefore be far less demand for it than you think. Research your target market – if it's a restaurant, for example, is it located in an area that will bring you the right customers? Are your prices reasonable for the customer base you are targeting? Have restaurants in the area been successful or do they never seem to last more than six months?

Be clear about the unique selling points of your proposed business. Do you plan to beat the competition on price, on quality, on service or on your range of products? What are the risks if circumstances change? How will you address them?

When starting a new business, it's unlikely you will be making an instant profit. You need to plan your finances carefully and ensure you have enough funding or savings to keep you going while the business develops.

The best way to review all these issues is through a well thought through business plan. Writing a plan will force you to put all your thoughts down on paper and help you identify and challenge your business strategy and any assumptions you may be making. The Internet can be of great help in finding some guides to writing a business plan and what you should consider within the plan. A good business plan is also crucial for potential investors if you plan to raise funds for your business.

Running your own business can be fulfilling and financially rewarding but it does come with risks and by failing to plan, you are planning to fail. Being clear about your goals with a good business plan will help you navigate the maze of information more easily and find what you really need.

All the best!

I was recently warned by the director of my company that they don't think I am a 'good fit'. Our business is doing well and I think I've been doing a good job even though some of the people I work with are, quite honestly, incompetent and force me to speak my mind. I can't afford to lose my job but how can I change things if I don't know what I am supposed to be doing wrong?

Leki

My first thought is 'why not ask?' If you don't understand why your job is under threat, you must ask the person who made the statement - and your immediate boss- what you are doing wrong and why you are perceived as not fitting in.

In the absence of this information, let me suggest some possibilities. Sometimes we can be our own worst enemies and unwittingly sabotage our own careers through our behaviour or attitude.

One reason your job may be at risk could relate to whether or not you are delivering results. Although you mention that your organisation is doing well, you haven't specified what your contribution to this has been and whether you are meeting your personal goals and objectives.

You mention that you work with incompetent people and I have to wonder if you display this lack of regard for your colleagues when at work and whether this makes you a difficult person to work with. If your colleagues sense or know that you don't think much of them, it can be highly de-motivating to anyone you manage, not to mention those who manage you!

I also wonder why you choose to work with people whom you do not respect. If you have higher aspirations for yourself, you should be using your experience, skills and network to identify an environment that is better suited to you.

To avoid your own career self-destruction, get some feedback from your manager or a trusted colleague or friend about your performance and your interpersonal skills which, I suspect, could be letting you down. Listen and take on board any criticisms; if you value your job as much as you say, you need to be ready and willing to change your approach to dealing with others.

No-one is indispensable and failing to recognise your shortcomings will put you squarely in line for the unemployment queue. Ultimately everyone wants to work with people they like and respect and not with people who treat them in a patronising or condescending way.

All the best!

Dear Career Coach

I would like your advice. I have recently been promoted at work and one of the people now reporting to me is much older than me. I know that he is feeling quite aggrieved at having been passed over for the manager's job as he has been with the company for almost 20 years and feels he should have been selected. I have to admit that my cultural upbringing is also making it awkward for me to treat an older person with the authority that is needed. What should I do to be more assertive without compromising my values?

Obed

If it is of any comfort, you are not alone in having to deal with the conflict that can arise between cultural values and corporate demands. It can be very difficult to move from a cultural mindset that respects and looks up to older people as having greater wisdom and knowledge to having to give instructions to and, if necessary, discipline an older person in the workplace.

Change can be difficult for people to accept, and especially for older people who grew up in an era where seniority came automatically with length of service. But, due to better educational opportunities and the rise of technology, managers and leaders globally are getting younger. This can lead to resentment and anger among older employees as well as subtle or even outright sabotage, if they feel their positions or status are under threat.

Bearing this in mind, try to bring your aggrieved colleague on board by making him feel included as much as possible in what is happening within your section. As he probably feels he has been pushed aside, let him know that you recognise the value of his experience and make him feel like a useful asset by consulting with him from time to time. Another approach is to identify projects or challenges that will make good use of his experience or enable him to coach or guide others in the team.

While you should do all you can to bring him along with you, you have earned the promotion and should not compromise your position as the manager. In the same way as another staff member may have a grievance about not having got the job, you need to address any challenges which have a negative impact on the team. If your colleague is underperforming or creating a disruption in the team because of his disappointment, you will have to tackle the problem through discussion and counselling and, if this fails, through disciplinary action in line with your company's policies.

Assertiveness training can also help to give you the tools to communicate effectively in your position and to ensure that you find the right balance between your cultural values and getting your job done.

All the best!

Dear Career Coach

I would advise you to first check on your company’s policy regarding office relationships. In many cases, these relationships only really become an issue if one or other party is directly managed by the other or can influence issues such as salary and promotion. It is not hard to see why this situation is not only inappropriate but could be harmful to the company and prejudicial to other employees.

While many office relationships can be successful, the other thing to bear in mind is what may happen if things don't work out. Most people are able to move on from previous relationships and don't have to see their former partners every day. You should think about how you might feel if this situation arises. While you may believe you can continue to behave professionally towards your ex, the break up of an office romance often results in one party or the other feeling compelled to leave the company.

Your friends may have a point about you risking your reputation if your new romance is married or is in your direct chain of command – or you in his. If the latter is the case, people’s perception of you may be affected and all your hard work and future success in the firm may be dismissed as simply being due to your relationship. Conversely, if the relationship doesn’t work out, you could find an adversary capable of negatively influencing the kind of future projects, promotions and salary raises you receive.

You will need to weigh the risks and rewards of your new relationship for yourself and decide whether it’s worth it. My advice, though, is to create a better work/life balance for yourself and keep your home and private lives separate.

All the best!

Dear Career Coach

I have a new manager who insists that we should all be shouting about the good work our department does. I've been with the company for almost 15 years and I know that this approach doesn't work with our people. On the other hand, I don't want to antagonise him as we are in a cost-cutting environment at the moment. What is your advice?

MH

Your new boss is probably keen to make a strong first impression and, in his eagerness to show his worth, hasn't stopped to assess the culture of the new company he has joined.

In this situation you have to manage your boss and help him fit in. Find a balance between helping him to understand the company culture and not appearing to be an obstacle to his new ideas. Try and understand why he believes the department is not being fully recognized. It may be that he was given this impression during his interview or when he was hired and that he is trying to deliver what has been asked of him.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail us at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

On the other hand, he may genuinely want to bring added recognition for the work of your department and before you dismiss what he is trying to do, it is worthwhile trying to find better solutions or approaches to achieve the same objective.

Try and understand why he feels your department needs a higher profile and you will be in a better position to help him shape an appropriate way of making this happen. If your company is in a cost-cutting environment, he probably feels the need to make sure that people understand the value of your department is a view which will ultimately help your team to keep their jobs.

Work with him, not against him and use persuasion and negotiation instead of obstructionism.

All the best!

Contact us now to discuss your needs:  careers@reconnectafrica.com

Dear Career Coach

I will be starting my maternity leave in two months and I already feel as if people are excluding me from future plans for our department. I was only promoted into a management position last year and I don't want my leave to take me off-track. At the same time, this is my first child and I don't want to rush back to work and miss a time with my baby that I will never have again. What do you advise?

Christina

Taking time off work, whether it is for pregnancy, sabbatical or other caring responsibilities, can seem quite daunting. On one hand, you have something to look forward to which is going to preoccupy your time and yet, at the back of your mind, is a nagging worry that people will learn to cope without you and you may not have anything to come back to. Knowing how to keep motherhood from clashing with your career is not easy.

Here's what I suggest: focus on the positive. Your recent promotion indicates that your performance at work has been good and that your bosses already recognise your potential. Help them to see you as a long-term investment rather than a short-term absence by planning ahead and by using your time away from work as strategically as possible.

Although you will be busy with your new responsibilities as a mother during much of your leave, try and keep in touch with what is going on at work; new arrivals or departures, changes in organisational structure and also how well your company is doing financially. This will help to lessen the impact of feeling like a stranger when you return.

Show your colleagues now that you remain engaged with your department and that you plan to return at the end of your leave. Use phrases and vocabulary that stress your commitment to your career and what you intend to do when you are back at work. Prepare detailed handover notes and discuss your ideas for your team after your return with your manager before you go on leave, so that s/he is clear about your commitment to the firm.

Some companies encourage ‘keep in touch’ days which give women on maternity leave a chance to come into the office for the occasional day or part-day during their leave. If this is available to you, think about how to make best use of such days, for example, using them to networking with colleagues, senior staff and other key people within the company. If you want to keep your career on-track, being visible and networking effectively will be crucial, especially when you are taking time out of work.

With your strategy in place, enjoy your new arrival and take care of yourself and the baby. There will be plenty of time to take care of your career later.

All the best!

A mentor, quite simply, is a trusted counselor or teacher who can advise someone and serve as an example. Having a mentor in your workplace will give you the opportunity to get exposure to and learn from someone who has experience of how your organisation works and what it takes to become successful.

In companies, mentors provide their expertise to less experienced employees and can be a valuable source of help in advancing your career and building your networks. Of course, this means that it is critical to choose your mentor wisely in order to get the best out of the relationship.

There are a few tips I would suggest you bear in mind for finding and working with a mentor:

All the best!

Dear Career Coach
I work in a very high pressure company and I have been managing a project team for 9 months now. One of my team is causing me a real problem as he doesn’t seem to be putting in the same effort as he did in the first few months of the project. Although I have the authority to let him go, he is one of the nicest people you could meet and very popular with the team. Have you any suggestions on how I can get this great guy to do what's expected of him?

Bobby D.

Although it may sound obvious, my first thought is 'have you asked him?' If your colleague was working well at the start of the project, something must have caused his drop in performance. If you haven't already done so, you should take him aside or, better still, arrange a quiet room and discuss with him what he feels are the blocks to his performance.

People can underperform for many reasons; if they are bored, for instance, and feel that their work is not challenging or stimulating enough. It can also happen if people are feeling overburdened or overwhelmed and decide to 'switch off' or do the bare minimum rather than keep trying to rise to the challenge. It may relate to poor time management on his part or changes in his role that have not been clearly explained or for which he is less competent. Alternatively, there may be some conflict in the team that you are not aware of that is impacting on his performance. It could relate to events happening outside the workplace or in his personal life. It could also be that you are the problem by not communicating what you want and need from him in a clear and consistent way.

You should aim to make him part of the solution by involving him in an honest discussion and setting new objectives and performance targets that will help you evaluate whether he is someone you can keep on your team. Keep these objectives achievable, clear, specific and measurable so that you can both assess and agree on whether he has met them. Both of you should keep a record of what you have agreed and the timeframes that you are using to assess his performance.

Finally, let him know that he can, and should, be open about any issues that are affecting his performance. It should be clear to him that you are trying to help him and if you can maintain a professional but supportive environment, he should be able to trust you to help him improve.

Congratulations on trying to be a great manager and not just giving up on your team mate and good luck with getting your great guy back on track!

Dear Career Coach
My company is going through a retrenchment exercise and has asked for volunteers to take redundancy. I have been with the company for 15 years and been lucky enough to receive a lot of training. But for the last few years I have been in the same job and feel as though I am getting stale and not using my skills. I would really like the challenge of a new job. My problem is that, even though I am single and have no dependents, I am worried that this might be the wrong time to make a change. But I also dread staying in this job for even another year. What do you think I should do?
Sandra, UK

The real question, Sandra, is what you think you should do. I re-read your e-mail a couple of times and it seems to me that you already know the answer. I hear you say that you have developed skills that you feel you are not using, that you find your job boring and that you want a new challenge. This sounds as though you have reached the end of the road as far as your present role is concerned.

The real obstacle that you identify is how to find a new job in this economic climate. While it may be more difficult to find a job at this time, I don't think that's a good enough reason to continue feeling bored and stifled. So what are your options?

Although your company is aiming to downsize, it is still worth enquiring about alternative roles within the company that may make better use of your skills than what you are currently doing. Alternatively, will the impending retrenchment exercise create some new opportunities or new responsibilities for your role if you stay?

If the internal opportunities don't exist, external opportunities do. My assumption is that 15 years of service should provide you with a redundancy package that will give you time to search for a new and more rewarding job. But before you rush to take the offer, think carefully about what you would like to do next. Assess the skills that you have developed and research the kind of job roles that you are interested in.

Then brush up your CV and make sure that it highlights the skills and experience that you want to be using in your next job. Plan your job search campaign thoroughly: research the right recruitment agencies to register with, identify some companies that may be worth approaching directly, read the publications and magazines that advertise relevant jobs, and start actively networking. Make a list of actual and potential contacts who can help you find out more about the job roles you want, talk to people doing similar jobs to learn more about what is needed, and follow up on all the referrals and advice that you are given.

Once you have some clarity about where you are going, you will be amazed at how many opportunities really are out there. Even in an economic downturn, you can find a job  if you stay focused and learn to make the most of your opportunities.

Best of luck!

Do I Have What It takes to be a Consultant?
Dear Career Coach
I've worked in a technology role for the past few years and have worked on various projects for my company. I want to make a change and I like the idea of working for a consultancy as I think I could be good at it. What's your advice for being a successful consultant?

Consultants are essentially advisors who are able to bring their expertise, persuasive skills and credibility to bear when working with clients. While each consultant will have his or her own style, there are some skills that are essential if you are interested in pursuing a career within a consultancy firm.

Firstly, you will need to have the ability to work well with a wide range of clients and colleagues. As you will probably have experienced from your project work in your company, different departments have their own culture and you need to be someone who is adaptable and flexible in your approach. As a consultant, you will be expected to work with employees at your client company, attend frequent meetings and present to your client or manager. So think about your communication and presentation skills and whether you have what it takes in this regard.

In order to be a good consultant and able to add value, you need to have enough in the way of skills and experience to be seen as credible by your client. This means being the kind of person who works at staying on top of your game and keeping up with the technical developments in your sector.

You should also ask yourself how good you are at multi-tasking and working on more than one project at the same time. A good consultant has to be able to manage their time and to take responsibility for meeting client deadlines in a timely manner. You also need to be able to manage difficult situations, have a good sense of judgement and strong diplomacy skills!

If you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail us at  careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Other key skills needed include good analytical skills - as you will frequently be called up on to analyse data, research information and present recommendations based on evidence – and a capacity for hard work. Consultancy can involve very long working hours and you need to consider if your lifestyle and outside commitments are compatible with the hours you may have to put in.

Ultimately, a good consultant has to be a good salesperson who can sell creative and appropriate solutions, so think about whether you have the necessary persuasive and communication skills to influence your client positively.

If all the above sounds like you, then our advice is to go for it!

All the best!

Need some help to solve your career dilemma? Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, our experienced careers coaches can work with you – on an individual or group basis – to help you get back on track with your career.

From online CV checking to face-to-face coaching, presentation skills training to making the right impact at interview, our careers services will help you reach your goals.

Contact us now to discuss your needs:  careers@reconnectafrica.com

Imagine you enter a shop and the shopkeeper, as he starts to serve you, bursts out laughing and speaks to his assistant in a language that you do not understand. How would you feel? A little concerned, perhaps? Irritated, or even embarrassed? In your colleagues' shoes, if you did not know what was being said, you would also feel concerned that a remark was being directed at you.

By all means enjoy the pleasure of speaking your language with your colleagues, but keep it to when you are outside the workplace. 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do' is an old but wise saying. Speaking English in a British workplace does not detract from your culture; it demonstrates your manners.

All the best!

Need some help to solve your career dilemma? Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, our experienced careers coaches can work with you – on an individual or group basis – to help you get back on track with your career.

From online CV checking to face-to-face coaching, presentation skills training to making the right impact at interview, our careers services will help you reach your goals.

Contact us now to discuss your needs:  careers@reconnectafrica.com

Dear Career Coach
I lost my job a couple of months ago and I want to use my experience to work for myself. I don't feel confident enough to set up a company yet. Any suggestions about how I can go about becoming self-employed?

Patrick, London

First of all, well done for wanting to test the market before you jump straight in. A lot of people rush to set up companies before understanding the implications and before really testing the product or service that they have in mind.

While, in some cases, you will need to have a company vehicle if you are going to be targeting particular clients or markets, it is by no means the case that you need to have a company in order to be self-employed. The type of business structure that you set up will depend on what you do, how much money you have available, as well as the industry you are in and how large your business is likely to become.

In the UK, being a sole trader is the simplest and most popular way to set up in business and there are around 2.8 million people who do so.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail us at  careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

But there are a number of key points to bear in mind as a sole trader and you should speak to an accountant to help you understand the tax implications of your choice of business structure.

However, to be a sole trader in the UK, you simply need to register with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and you can start trading immediately. As a sole trader, you do not need to complete the administrative and legal steps needed for running a limited company.

Also, as a sole trader, you will be taxed on your income under self-assessment rules and will need to complete a tax return each year, as well as pay national insurance contributions on your business profits. Depending on your turnover, you may also be required to register for Value Added Tax (VAT).

While it may entail less paperwork, bear in mind that a key difference between being a sole trader and having a company will be the level of personal risk to you. As a sole trader, your business and personal finances are considered the same for tax purposes. This means that if anything goes wrong with your sole trader business, you are personally responsible to settle any financial liabilities incurred, as there is no distinction between your business and personal assets. With a limited company, however, your business and personal finances are kept separate.

Do your homework before deciding which route to take as, for example, for people offering IT services on a self-employed basis, it may be necessary to set up a limited company.

You can find out more about how to register as self employed from the HMRC website or call the HMRC Helpline for the newly self-employed on 08459 15 45 15.

If you plan to work from home, check out Steve Gardner's tips for budding entrepreneurs and how to market your business successfully.

If you would like help with getting your business planning right, contact us to find out more about our business advisory services.

All the best!

Need some help to solve your career dilemma? Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, our experienced careers coaches can work with you – on an individual or group basis – to help you get back on track with your career.

From online CV checking to face-to-face coaching, presentation skills training to making the right impact at interview, our careers services will help you reach your goals.

Contact us now to discuss your needs:  careers@reconnectafrica.com

What's Wrong with my CV?

Dear Career Coach

I was made redundant five months ago. I have tried to be flexible by applying for other types of jobs because my last job was quite a specialist one and I don't think I will find another job in my field at this time. I have now sent my CV to more than 100 places and I am getting nowhere. I think my CV is fine but it’s obviously not getting me where I want to go. What am I doing wrong?

Vera, London

Your e-mail is similar to many we receive, particularly at this time when so many jobs are at risk. As the economy shrinks and jobs are lost, many people have to face up to the need to retrain into another career or to find a career where they can use the skills they have acquired in other jobs.

However, if you are intending to change careers, it is really important that you take stock of your key skills and areas of competency before rushing your CV out. If you have had such a poor response to your applications, it suggests to me that you are either targeting jobs at random, applying for jobs for which you do not yet have the skills or qualifications or, most likely, sending out a CV that does not market your transferable skills for the job.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail us at  careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Imagine you are a recruiter receiving a CV packed with specialist banking terminology as you are trying to recruit an office manager. Instead of giving you an idea of how the core skills you need for your vacancy have been demonstrated in the past by the candidate i.e. excellent administrative and organisational skills, negotiating skills, interpersonal skills, etc. the applicant has provided you with a list of bullet points pointing out their skills in banking software and the reports that they were responsible for. That CV will most likely join the pile of those considered irrelevant for the job whereas the applicant may well have all the key skills needed.

With a career change, you need to focus your CV to highlight those skills that are transferable to the job you are targeting. Avoid applying for any job at random and check how you make your skills and experience relevant each time. Job hunting takes effort and you need to do your background research and adapt each CV you send out to make sure it is relevant to the job at hand.

Finally, remember that in a tight job market, it not just about sending out your CV but also about accessing the less visible job opportunities out there.

If you would like help with getting your CV right, contact us to find out more about our range of CV services.

All the best!

Need some help to solve your career dilemma? Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, our experienced careers coaches can work with you – on an individual or group basis – to help you get back on track with your career.

From online CV checking to face-to-face coaching, presentation skills training to making the right impact at interview, our careers services will help you reach your goals.

Contact us now to discuss your needs:  careers@reconnectafrica.com

Dear Career Coach

Can you please settle a debate that I am having with my friends? I am a South African woman working in a UK legal company that is quite conservative. I personally choose to keep my hair short and natural and don’t see any reason to 'relax' it. But my friends insist I am sabotaging my career by not straightening my hair as my firm will not want to put me in front of their best clients. What is your opinion on this?

Thembi M., London

I'm glad you asked for my opinion rather than my advice because this is an issue that has come up many times when I coach Black women and the range of opinions on this issue always makes for a lively discussion!

So, in my opinion, it is less about how your hair is styled and more about how it makes you feel. It might be stating the obvious but as you are already employed by your firm, they clearly didn't find your natural hair to be an obstacle when bringing you into the company.

To my mind, how you progress in your firm will depend on how well you succeed in delivering on your assignments, impressing your clients, building strong networks among the partners and other key influencers - and increasing your billing.

Clearly, your hair needs to look neat and well styled, whether it's natural or straightened. But you need to feel comfortable with how you look. Otherwise, like a suit that's a little too tight or a jacket that has too many fiddly bits; you will be uncomfortable and distracted when you should be focused on your job. Your hair is simply one part of your overall appearance and image. If the total package is presented in a confident and professional manner, in my opinion, you have little need to worry.

There is a popular school of thought that suggests that looking more like the majority culture (i.e. straightened/relaxed hair in the UK) makes you appear less threatening or 'foreign' and, therefore, more acceptable.

I have to say that, in my experience, anyone who is going to have a problem with your natural hair is probably likely to find another reason to justify their real problem if you were to straighten your hair.

In the UK today, there are many high profile fans of natural hair styles, including Baroness Valerie Amos. And her avoidance of relaxed hair did not stop her being appointed the first Black female Leader of the British House of Lords!

All the best!

Dear Career Coach

Some of my colleagues are convinced that there will be job cuts in our company. I have only worked in this firm for 18 months and I really enjoy my job. Is there anything I can be doing to avoid being targeted?

Eugene

Smart employers do not dispense with the talent that is vital to their business success and, even if the rumours around your company turn out to be wrong, you need to be doing all you can during these difficult economic times to demonstrate your worth.

Make an impact at work by paying attention to how you present yourself and how effectively you work with your colleagues. It's probably not the right time to be getting to work late or to be the first one rushing out of the door at the end of the day to resume your interrupted social life. At the same time, camping in the office just to be seen to be present is unlikely to do you much good either.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail us at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Focus on showing commitment by ensuring that you are delivering what is expected of you – and beyond. This is the time you should be increasing your work output and really showing what you can deliver to add value to the business.

Work on developing a good relationship with your manager, letting him or her appreciate what you are doing and how it is helping them to meet their own targets and objectives. Keep abreast of what's going on in your industry; share your ideas and be proactive in identifying innovative ways that your department can increase its value in the company.

If you are not already doing so, start networking systematically, not only with your immediate colleagues, but also with other departments in your company. Get to know people outside your immediate section and, in particular, teams for whom you could be an asset, if necessary.

Effective internal networking will also help you build support among senior management. Having an influential champion within the organization can make a difference when discussions about redundancy start taking place.

Finally, be prepared in case the rumours are true. Update your CV, stay connected to your external networks and keep an eye open for other opportunities in the job market.

All the best!

Need some help to solve your career dilemma? Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, our experienced careers coaches can work with you – on an individual or group basis – to help you get back on track with your career.

From online CV checking to face-to-face coaching, presentation skills training to making the right impact at interview, our careers services will help you reach your goals.

Contact us now to discuss your needs: careers@reconnectafrica.com

f you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail us at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Career Coach

My firm is in the middle of an equity merger with a fortune 500 company. As a manager I have realised that I am not in the loop concerning what is going on, while the MD is favouring his 'friends' within the firm. How do I make myself relevant?

Daniel

Dear Daniel

While no-one would argue that office politics and favouritism are real issues that people face in the workplace, rather than assuming that there is apparent favouritism at work in your case, let me suggest that you first answer some questions honestly.

What are you doing to be informed about what is going on in the firm? Have you made the time and taken the effort to talk to your MD and to other managers and actively enquire about progress with the merger? It may be that, as a manager with a busy job, you have been expecting others to reach out to you when perhaps they are also busy trying to deal with the pressures the merger is placing on their jobs.

Is your frustration about feeling less relevant something that was there before this merger development came about? If so, ask yourself if you are networking internally and building relationships with your MD and with those managers that can help you keep in tune better with developments in the company.

If, as is likely, your MD is being judged on his or her results, your MD will favour those in the firm whom s/he believes will help him succeed. What perception do you think s/he has of you and what are you doing to change this? Consider how well informed you are of the implications of the merger and how your skills and experience and the team you manage can assist in the process and add value. Have you offered some suggestions on the role of your section following the planned merger or are you waiting passively for someone to let you into the game?

You will be in a better position to make yourself relevant if what you contribute and do within the firm is seen as relevant. Take some time to answer these questions and then consider how proactive you could be now to demonstrate your value and become a ‘friend’ to the MD.?

Finally, Daniel, if all fails, it may be time to think about moving your skills and assets to a company that finds you not just relevant but of great value.

All the best!

Need some help to solve your career dilemma? Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, our experienced careers coaches can work with you – on an individual or group basis – to help you get back on track with your career.

From online CV checking to face-to-face coaching, presentation skills training to making the right impact at interview, our careers services will help you reach your goals.

Contact us now to discuss your needs: careers@reconnectafrica.com

Dear Career Coach

I have an interview coming up for a job I really want and I am really concerned that I might have overstated some of my previous experience. How do I deal with this at the interview?

Gina, London

Dear Gina

Not knowing how far you stretched the truth on your application, it is difficult to know what to suggest except to offer this as a salutary lesson to other readers.

There is a clear line between making the most of your experience and skills on your CV and making statements that are not true, particularly when a few probing questions at interview will soon make this clear to the interviewer and ruin your credibility. Another reason to stick to the truth is that companies taking up references can often ask for information about the nature of the work you did with your previous employer. Even if you do get the job, there are some high-profile examples of people who have derailed successful careers when information they gave in an application many years before is found to have been untrue.

As you are expected to market your skills and experience at this interview, to ‘downplay’ the experience that you claimed when you first applied is likely to appear odd to the interviewer and could call into question other things on your application.

At this point, what I will suggest is that during the interview you play up the truthful and positive parts of your previous experience, minimising references to those claims that are not true. Finally, please learn from other people’s experiences and make sure that the next CV you send off is a positive but accurate reflection of your experience.

All the best!

To discuss your needs:  Contact Us

If you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

“I recently graduated from an American university with a Masters in International Banking and Finance and would like to return to Ghana as I have been told that there are a lot of opportunities in financial services. My university’s Careers Department doesn’t have any information that is particularly relevant to my situation and I haven’t been to Ghana for almost 6 years. I have looked at some internet job sites but all the jobs want people with more experience that I have. Can you help please?”

                                                                                James O., Chicago, USA

Hi James,

You haven’t stated what, if any, previous experience you have of working in Ghana or if you have any experience in banking or finance, but I would make the following suggestions.

Don’t forget that ReConnect Africa offers a range of careers services to help you plan your career strategy and manage the transition back home.

Let us know how you get on!

Helen

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme’. A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Helen

I’ve worked for the same employer for the last 8 years and I have to admit that I got my job through family contacts.  I now want to apply for senior management jobs outside my company.  I have been involved in recruiting people before as part of my job but I myself have never had to go through an interview.  What advice can you suggest?

                                                                           Richard W., Lagos, Nigeria

Hi Richard,

Although it may sound like a cliché, you do only have one chance to make a first impression and it is important that you prepare well for any interview to make sure that you create the right first impression.

As you have been involved in recruiting, think back to the kind of applicants who made a good impression on you and ask yourself what made them stand out from the crowd. My guess is that these were the applicants who not only had the right technical skills for the job but who had taken time to learn about your company and to understand the needs of the job you were interviewing for.

In applying for a senior management role, the prospective employer will be looking for evidence that you not only have the technical capability for the job but also that you have experience of successfully managing people in the workplace.  You should be ready to discuss your management style, how you create a productive environment for your team, how you set and measure objectives and achievements, your ability to delegate effectively, address conflict, communicate and build an effective team.  Your leadership, coaching and training skills will also be an issue for the employer and you should be ready with your success stories in relation to these essential management competencies.

You should also keep in mind the following:

Finally, take a look at ReConnect Jobs to find senior management jobs in Nigeria and other parts of Africa and don’t forget that we can offer you a range of careers services to help coach you through interviews and other career management skills.

Good luck!

Helen

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme’. A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Helen,

My background is in Engineering and I have managed some major engineering projects for an international engineering firm.

I have just completed an MBA degree in Finance and want to change careers. My intention is to target a job in the City of London to gain some experience before returning to Nigeria. My CV doesn’t look like the CV for a typical banker and before I start sending it out, I would like some advice on how to present it.

Henry S., London

Hi Henry,

The key to getting an interview is ensuring that the information you put on your CV is both relevant to your career objective and likely to be of interest to a potential employer. 

As an Engineer, you will have many of the competencies and skills that will be useful in banking but you will need to organise the information well and to make these skills explicit to improve your chance of getting a job interview. 

Make sure that the skills and competencies you choose to highlight on your CV are relevant to the job you are targeting and that you demonstrate how you have used them to benefit other organisations in the past.

For more detailed advice for a winning CV, don’t forget that you can send your CV through to us for an online personalised CV check.

All the best!

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme’. A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Helen

I graduated with a Masters in International Relations last year.  I’m really struggling to find a job and I keep being rejected because I don’t have experience.  But if no-one gives me a job, how am I supposed to get that experience?! I’m getting very discouraged and I would really like some advice.

Rahimah, London

Hi Rahimah

I understand that you must be feeling very frustrated by the negative feedback you have been getting but try not to take the rejections personally and instead re-visit your job search strategy. 

Bear in mind that the international development sector is extremely competitive, with many graduates from development related fields looking for entry level positions.  It’s also worth appreciating that a number of the large international charities and development organisations are going through organisational changes, with many shifting their focus and resources away from heavily staffed headquarters to field operations, while also developing new strategies and approaches to fundraising. 

As with other areas of work, job opportunities in this field will tend to arise in general Management categories, fundraising, PR, Marketing, Finance, Field/Project work and across specialist areas such as Legal, Human Resources and Training.

Finally, consider your Plan B.  You should give some thought to applying to other sectors to gain further experience in the skills that will make you more marketable for international development.  Experience gained in fundraising, marketing and promotions in the private sector will make you much more valuable to an international development organisation.

If you would like more detailed careers advice and coaching,  contact us to arrange a one-to-one session.

All the best

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme' . A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Helen

I am fed up with working for other people.  I have a great idea for a business of my own but I keep getting negative comments from people who see it as high risk and who keep pointing out the number of businesses that fail.  I am an optimist and I know that I can succeed in business. What is your advice?

Laurence, Bristol

Hi Laurence

While statistics show that a lot of businesses don’t survive beyond the first 3 years, you just have to look around you to see the numbers that have succeeded, so it can pay to be an optimist!

However, you should think carefully about your reasons for wanting to leave your job.  If it’s because you’re stuck and not progressing, are you doing all you can to improve your skills, network and look for more challenging opportunities both within and outside your company? 

If you are intent on becoming self-employed, I would suggest that you take time to research and plan and that you keep working while you do so, to keep some income coming in. 

Even if you think your business idea can’t fail, you should try to identify all the major considerations when contemplating setting up your own business.

Analyse your motivation for self-employment carefully and honestly.

When you apply for a job, someone else makes the decision whether to hire you or not, based on interviews or tests.  For self-employment, you have to interview yourself – so be as thorough and objective as possible. 

In terms of your business idea, you should ask yourself:

Being self-employed will impact both on you and your family and you should therefore also consider whether the use of your home or other assets is involved and, if so, will your family understand and support the implications?

Just as you had to learn the skills for the job you have, have you considered your own personal development needs, such as selling, business planning and basic accounting? Identify the skills you will need and how competent you feel to run your business.  It will also highlight areas that you need to address to ensure the success of your enterprise.

In short, research your idea, speak to people, network and get advice before you jump off the employment ladder.  Gather all the necessary information, assess fully all the risks involved, communicate with everyone who will be involved, plan your budget and set time goals.  Starting your own business can be an extremely rewarding experience, but be prepared to work hard and with careful planning, your business should succeed.

Remember that you can   contact us for more detailed advice and coaching on changing your career and moving into self-employment.

All the best!

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme’. A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Helen

I am a 24 year old civil engineering graduate from Ghana. I finished in 2005. I have been reading your column and I have some questions I would like you to answer for me.

1.    I realised all the people who ask for help are all holding their Masters degree, is it a pre-requisite that you have before you qualify for help?

2.    I would like to either work in the engineering profession or switch to the financial sector. As I have no experience in the latter one, how do I go about it?

3.    My CV seems so dry. How do l make attractive to any prospective employer?

4.    Can I please get any employers I can apply to?

Hoping to hear from you.

Yaa, Ghana

Hi Yaa

Holding a Master’s degree is certainly not a prerequisite for asking our advice – as I hope this reply proves!

You make no mention of why you are considering making a switch to the financial sector.  In some cases, the financial services sector attracts graduates who are looking for a high level of remuneration.  Whether or not that is your primary motivation, you should make sure that you do your research about the kind of job roles within banking and finance. 

Many national and international banks provide a lot of information about career opportunities on their websites.  This will include profiles of different jobs, testimonials from employees and clear criteria about the kind of people they want to recruit.  Do your homework and identify the skills and experience which you have developed that would be relevant to employers in banking or other areas of finance.  For example, your background in engineering would suggest that you have good analytical and numeric skills, which are highly sought after in the banking sector.

If you are not currently working, you should also consider investing in work experience or an unpaid internship within a bank.  This will give you the chance to learn about the work that takes place in this sector and to see if you are really suited to the environment.  It will also give you a chance to start building on your network of contacts in the industry and can sometimes lead to a permanent job.

The key to making your CV more attractive to prospective employers is to focus on identifying the skills and competencies that they are looking for.  Once you have done your research and have a clearer picture of what these are, you should tailor your CV to reflect this.

The website of the central bank, Bank of Ghana, (www.bog.gov.gh) carries a Register of Licensed banks and non-banking financial institutions in the country. This will give you a good starting point to identify employers in this sector.

Don’t forget that we can help you improve your CV and provide you with other areas of support to help you get the job you want.

All the best!

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme’. A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Helen

I have been working in the secretarial profession for almost twenty years now to be precise I will soon be clocking twenty years with my employer in 2007 – God willing.

I have seen it all in this profession and I now feel I want to change and do something else. The problem is I do not have a first degree since I am sure it’s one of the qualification required for one to make a move. I have other qualifications and attributes such as Public Relations and journalism. I am a member of the Zimbabwe Women Writers Association and also a Member of the Zimbabwe Institute of Public Relations.

Helen what do you think I can do because I am sure with the knowledge I have attained I can something different from secretarial.

Please advise.

Sandra, Zimbabwe

Hi Sandra

Congratulations on a long and successful career thus far and for being ready to take the challenge to move into a new area.

While a first degree is a favoured option for many employers, many companies do increasingly recognise that talent comes in a diversity of packages. The fact is that, in your case, you can point to an excellent track record of employment and the kind of experience that will be a valuable asset to an organisation.

I would suggest that you carefully assess the key skills that you have acquired during your working life. You clearly have strong writing and communication skills which, allied to your qualifications in journalism, could suggest opportunities in media, corporate communications, public relations, editing and other areas requiring good written communication skills.

I would suggest that you:

For more detailed advice for a winning CV, don’t forget that you can send your CV through to us for an online personalised CV check.

All the best!

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme’. A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Helen

I have worked for a number of years in a media company in London, dressing casually is part of the work culture, and something I have grown used to. I wear my hair in braids and I am known for my big jewellery and bright colours. I have just been offered a job in a media consultancy but when I went for the interview, I noticed that the people working there dress in a very conservative ‘corporate’ way.  I don’t want to have to change the way I look but my friends are warning me that I might lose my job if I keep dressing outrageously.  What do you think?

Janise, London

Hi Janise

I sympathise with your love of colours and I love wearing my hair in braids too!  The key question to ask yourself, though, is whether you are dressing for you or for your new company.   The media consultancy that you are going to work for has a visual image that is part of their brand and the image they want to convey to their clients.  They are hiring you to be part of their brand and your job is to ensure that you help the company to reach its particular target market and to build on its success. 

I have to agree with your friends on this one.  While you are not at work, you can wear whatever you choose, but when you are on company time, you need to represent them in the way that their other staff do.  Dress for the job you want, not for the job you had!

All the best!

If you would like further advice on creating a professional image and making the right visual impact, contact us for further details.

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme’. A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Helen

Can you give me some advice about writing a standard cover letter for my CV that I can use for all my applications?

Stephen M.

Dear Stephen

The first point I must make is that you should not think about having a ‘standard’ cover letter. You should tailor every application you make – whether it is your CV or cover letter – to address the job role and company you are targeting. It does take more work but it will create a much better impact on your potential employer.

Try to keep your cover letter concise and remember that even it you are sending it by e-mail, a letter is still a letter. Check that your layout is clear and that you include your address, the name and address of the company you are applying to and the date.

Your cover letter should highlight your suitability for the job and emphasise the key achievements you have set out in your CV. In terms of length, try to keep it to around three-quarters of a page and break it up into the following sections:

Demonstrate that you have done your research about the company by referring to specifics about the company or the job – another reason why a ‘standard’ cover letter is not enough!

Use short and simple sentences and make sure that what you say matches with your CV. Finally, read it through carefully and check for any spelling errors before sending it off. !

If you need some more help, you can always contact us for advice and support in producing a winning CV and cover letter!

All the best!

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme’. A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

{mosimage}Dear Helen

I would like your advice on my situation. I left Uganda to study for a Masters degree in Canada and then worked for two years with a leading financial firm. I have recently returned to work in Kampala at my old company but my former colleague who I worked with very closely in the past now has to report to me. While he has not been actively hostile about my position, I am finding the situation rather awkward, as there are aspects of his performance that need improving. I don’t want to seem too heavy-handed but I also do not want to look like a poor manager. Do you have any advice?

William K., Kampala

Hi William

As the saying goes, ‘it is lonely at the top’ and the higher you climb, the more hard decisions you may need to take.  Clearly, you have increased both your academic and work experience while you were in Canada and you should build on this to move on in your career.

Whether or not you had travelled, you may well have been promoted above your former colleague.  If he hasn’t shown any hostility or resentment towards you, it suggests that the problem may lie more with you than with him.

As you also sound fairly new to managing others, you should consider some training or coaching to increase your confidence in supervising and managing people effectively.

Clear communication is essential to avoid any misunderstandings with your former colleague or any other subordinates, so agree together and write down any objectives or targets you set your former colleague and make time to review his progress on a regular basis. Make sure that you have been clear in establishing how you will gauge his achievements and that he has the necessary information and resources to meet the objectives set.  You should also consider any training or other support that he may need to help him succeed.

You are right not to want to appear heavy-handed – this style of management will not succeed in motivating your subordinates to achieve their best – but if he continues to perform below your expectations and the requirements of his job, you should not shy away from taking matters further, in line with your company’s disciplinary procedures.

Good luck and remember that you can contact us for more detailed advice and management coaching, if you need to.

All the best!

{mosimage} 

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme’. A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Helen

I completed my Master's in Development Studies in 2005 and have been working as an economic development consultant for a year in London. I am now planning to move to Dakar in one or two months depending on what opportunities arise and hope to stay there for a few years if things go well. I have never been there and so I am using alumni and personal contacts to find out about jobs and living in Dakar. I was wondering whether you could offer any advice on where to find jobs in international development in Senegal e.g., which newspapers and websites I should be looking at to find jobs. I hope you can answer my question very soon,

Many thanks,

Ann, London

Dear Ann,

Congratulations on gaining your Masters!.

Ann, you are on the right track of gaining as much information from different sources, as you have mentioned the university alumni and talking to people, which is great. To work abroad, taking the first step is the most important and this is usually gaining some insight from people who have either worked or lived in Dakar. This is crucial as it can give you a real sense of the country. However, nothing compares to a visit when you can get that instinctive feeling of being comfortable with the surroundings, the people, the environment and just a general feel for the country. You almost have to live your vision and see yourself working and living there.  Making a decision to live for one or two months is a good one, as you will need to get a good foundation of knowledge of how the country operates.  

As you have recently graduated and have gained some experience within an economic development role, what I would suggest is that you look at the Dakar expatriate website. Working and living in a different country can be a lonely process and this website will not only give you information about jobs but will also give you information and contacts relating to expatriates; again, giving you the confidence to settle in a country as well as a job, but more importantly to make friends.

In relation to newspapers, The Guardian is a good source of jobs and for travel advice articles that cover living and working abroad.  Don’t forget to check   ReConnect Jobs for opportunities in Dakar.

Below is a list of websites that you can visit and get more information on the level, salary, skills and experience that is need to work in Dakar

You can also contact us if you need some coaching in preparing to live and work in Africa,

Ann, I wish you all the best in finding a suitable job. Remember, do the research and you will definitely be on the right track to enjoying the country and finding your dream job.

Warm regards,

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme’. A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, e-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Helen

I do not know how to start. I have a PhD and I am working in the pharmaceutical industry in Switzerland. I would like to work in England or in Africa but I am over 50 years of age. My question is, are there chances for people of my age to change over? I hope to hear from you.

George, Lausanne, Switzerland

Dear George,

It’s never too late to make a new start and I would encourage you to look positively at your situation. On one hand, despite the range of anti-discrimination legislation in the UK, for example, it would be naïve to assume that you will have the same opportunities as someone in their 30’s. On the other hand, you have built up a significant wealth of experience and knowledge of your sector and these are skills you should leverage going forward. Many employers in the UK are making a concerted effort to broaden the diversity of their employee base and this may give you an opportunity if you position your skills and experience carefully.

Before making any move overseas, you should ask yourself some key questions:

With some careful research and the judicious use of contacts and agencies, you will be better placed to start your career overseas. You can also contact us if you need some coaching in preparing to live and work in Africa,

Warm regards,

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme’. A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, E-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Helen

I have been on the same salary for 3 years and even though I get good reviews every year, my boss has not offered me a pay rise. I am getting very frustrated and my friends are advising me to leave the company. What do you think?”

Kayode, Lagos

Dear Kayode

Negotiating a pay rise is something that many people have difficulty doing and yet we negotiate every day with family, friends and colleagues without feeling anything like the same level of stress!  You mention that your boss has not offered you a pay rise; that suggests that you are putting the onus on him or her to give you one rather than taking pro-active steps to demonstrate why you are worth more to the company than it is currently paying.  All companies like to keep their overheads down and, quite often, firms will pay only what they have to in order to keep their staff.

Before you make the decision to leave, you should ensure that you have made every effort to prove your case for a pay rise.  Like all negotiating, you should bear in mind the longer-term goal – in this case, preserving a good relationship with your boss and the company.  Successful negotiation involves creating a win/win situation for both parties – getting your pay rise in the short term and destroying your relationship with your boss will not help you in the long term.  Let me make the following suggestions:

If you really feel you deserve a pay rise and you are not happy working at the company, then you should consider searching for a new job that would be willing to pay you more. If your boss says no without any good reasons, that is the time to take the next step.

If you need some more personalised coaching, contact us to find out more about how we can help.

Good luck!

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme’. A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, E-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Helen

A friend sent me this website and I decided to reach you. Could you please help me with what should go into writing a good application letter for employment? I would be most grateful.

Thank you.

Felicia.

Dear Felicia

When writing a letter of application, bear in mind that you are sending your prospective employer their first impression of you. On that basis, it is important to structure your letter so that the recipient gets a clear and concise picture of what you have to offer and why are right for the job.

Always analyse the job description – it will give you all the clues you need to highlight the relevant skills and experience you have for the job. Don’t focus only on the parts that appeal to you; look at all the requirements of the job and put the emphasis on those criteria that are considered essential for the role.

Keep the structure of the letter logical and sequential so that each paragraph addresses a particular point. I would suggest an introductory paragraph that clearly sets out the purpose of your application and where you read about the vacancy. Follow it up with a paragraph that briefly introduces you and what you are doing or have recently done. Use the next paragraph to link your skills/experience to what is required for the job. Focus on the key skills and cite only your relevant experience and achievements – if in doubt, refer back to the job advert or job description. Try and highlight a couple of specifics very briefly as evidence of these skills.

Bring the letter to a close by explaining your interest in the job and the company and demonstrating your motivation and enthusiasm and indicate your availability for interview.

Keep your letter short and punchy rather than writing a long letter with details that will not be important to the company or relevant to the job. Recruiters spend very little time reading an application, so make your points short and effective.

If you need help to review your application letter or any other careers advice, don’t forget don’t forget that we offer online careers advisory services that include CV and cover letter reviews.

Warm regards,

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme’. A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, E-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Helen

I would like to work for a multinational company and I don't know how to do so. I am a young Cameroonian, I am 26 and I have a baccalaureate in Mathematics and Physics and three years training in Accounting and Finance.  I am fluent in English and French.  Is it possible for me to get a nice job? If yes, how?

Claude

Dear Claude

With so many people seeking good jobs with multinational corporations, it is important that you assess your skills and experience so that you can target the right kind of job and the right companies to apply to. 

Companies are generally not very receptive to vague job applications, so I would suggest that you focus on the specifics of what is a ‘nice job’ for you.  One person’s idea of a challenging job is very different to another’s.  Do you want a role using your accountancy and finance skills on a day-to-day basis?  Are you aiming to study for professional accountancy qualifications and looking for a company that will support you to do so?  Also, think more specifically about the sort of job role that you will enjoy and be realistic about the level of job you can target at this stage.  You do not say what the outcome of your training in Accounting and Finance has been, but if you have a degree in these subjects, you are well placed to apply for graduate opportunities with multinationals.

You will need to research which multinational companies operate in the country/region where you want to work.  Corporate websites are a good starting point to learn more about multinational companies with African operations and most of these websites will carry job vacancies or offer online application facilities.  By studying the job vacancies and the criteria for application, you can gauge which level would be suited to you.  Remember that your CV will be screened for relevance to the company and its likely vacancies, so ensure that you have used key words in your CV that relate to your experience and interest.  Research any deadlines for graduate entry programmes and send in your application before the final date.

Finally, your languages are a useful asset for any international company, so play up your fluency in both English and French when you apply.

If you need some more personalised coaching to help you plan your job-seeking strategy or to prepare a winning CV, contact us to find out more about how we can help.

Good luck!

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme’. A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, E-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Helen

I would be most grateful if you could help me solve this problem I can not find answers to.

I have observed that I usually do not make contributions at meetings. I listen more rather than talk. I always feel bad about this as I think my colleagues might think I don't know anything. Especially at the office during team meetings. I have tried looking at how best I can change, but to no avail.

I hope you will get back to me with a positive clue to help me reduce this shortcoming.

Thank you,

Margaret, Ghana

Dear Margaret

First of all, let me say that you sound like a very nice person who is good at listening and is open to hearing other people’s opinions. In the workplace, however, it is also important to be heard or – as you have picked up – people might consider that you have nothing to contribute. Having said that, there is no point contributing unless you are confident that what you have to say has merit. As someone once said, ‘it is better to be silent than to speak and confirm your ignorance.’

I would suggest that you consider two things: do you feel competent enough to contribute and do you have the confidence to contribute? We are often, quite rightly, reluctant to say much if we are not sure of our facts or if we have not prepared sufficiently for a meeting or discussion. One useful approach would be to prepare for team meetings by having a clear picture of the issues that will be discussed and preparing your thoughts and ideas on the subject. There may be questions that you have for the team – another way of contributing – or suggestions on how to tackle some of the issues that may be discussed. If you are going to be presenting or commenting on your own objectives and achievements, prepare a brief list to remind you of the key points and refer to them during the meeting.

If you feel that your lack of contribution is more likely due to a lack of confidence, you may want to consider some training in assertiveness skills to help you express yourself confidently and with impact. Assertiveness is the ability to communicate your opinions, thoughts, needs, and feelings in a direct, honest, and appropriate manner and involves you taking your own position without having to offend others.

Taking a passive role in meetings may also be because you do not believe you have the right to assert yourself or feel comfortable doing so. It may be that you have been brought up to feel that your needs are not important enough to make a fuss about and that you should put others first. Alternatively, it may be that you feel that it is too difficult to be assertive or that it is much easier to let others make all the decisions. But, as seems to be the case now, in time you will begin to resent having others make the decisions and appear competent and intelligent while you sit and listen passively. Taken to an extreme, these feelings can lead to low self-esteem, anger and even depression. In the context of the workplace, it could also result on others losing respect for you or failing to see you as management material if you are unable to articulate your opinions and views.

If assertiveness training is not available to you, here are some suggestions for you to consider:

Changing your approach will not come overnight and you need to keep practising these new skills and behaviours and apply them consistently. Changing a familiar pattern of behaviour – even when that pattern frustrates us – is never easy. Practise useful responses or assertive statements until they feel more natural. Changing your style will earn you the respect of your peers and you will see more clearly how you can influence the decisions, demands and expectations of your colleagues.

It will also take time for your colleagues to adjust to your new behaviour. Some people may feel threatened when you start to assert yourself and you should remember that this is their problem, not yours. Give yourself time and make any changes gradually. As your changed behaviour starts to feel more natural, you will begin to feel more confident and happy with yourself. You have made a conscious decision to change, so think positive and keep working at the changes you want to see.

If you would like some personalised coaching for business performance, contact us to learn about how we can help.

All the best!

}

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme’. A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.

If you have a question for our Career Coach, E-mail Helen at careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Helen

I am actually working in a field that is somewhat adjacent to the very field of work in which I want to work, which is Human Resources Management. How do I go about prospecting for HR opportunities while I am still employed here? I hope to hear from you.

Maurice, Ivory Coast

Hi Maurice

You haven’t stated exactly which field you are working in at the moment so it’s rather difficult to be clear what your transferable skills might be and what might therefore be the best area of Human Resources Management for you to target.

Taking the decision to move into Human Resources (HR) from an unrelated discipline is becoming increasingly popular. HR is a function that is present in almost all organizations so you do have a wide range of options, both in terms of industry sector and the type of job role.  Bear in mind that any HR function will reflect the size, culture and needs of the organization and that the approach that is taken by an HR function will also differ across organizations.  For some organizations, the HR department is seen as a strategic function that works closely with the management team to identify, develop and retain the best talent needed.  For others, HR is an administrative function largely responsible for all the processes involved in recruiting staff, addressing disciplinary and grievance issues and administering pay and/or benefits. 

A career in HR can be diverse and challenging. Bearing in mind your interest and skills, you should consider whether you want to work in a generalist role or become a specialist.  The main areas covered by HRM are recruitment, training and development, compensation and benefits and employee relations.  There are also a number of more specialist areas including change management, graduate recruitment, international and expatriate management.

Depending on the skills you have acquired to date, it is possible to move across into a career in HRM before being qualified, but this can be a highly competitive area. Employers often expect a qualification for middle and senior management roles and, without this, you may need to consider an administrative or assistant level opportunity to gain experience within an HR environment.  A good starting point will be within your own organization where people will be familiar with you and may be more ready to offer you a chance to cross over into HR at a higher level.

If, as your question suggests, you have to look outside your present company, it is important to be as discreet in your search as possible.  Make sure that companies do not contact your manager or company for a reference unless they have made you a firm job offer and you have accepted it.  Avoid doing your research for a new job while at work and use the opportunity now to find out more about the work of your own organisation’s HR department to help update your knowledge.

If you do decide to look elsewhere, improve your chances by studying for professional qualifications.  Many institutions offer a range of qualifications with full-time, part-time and flexible learning courses. If these are not available in the Ivory Coast, consider distance learning courses with overseas institutions.  Professional HR associations such as the IPM in South Africa (www.ipm.co.za) and the Chartered Institute of People and Development in the UK (http://www.cipd.co.uk/mandq/wheretogetqualified) can offer further information on where to study.

Once you have some relevant qualifications, you will find many more jobs are open to you. Use all the usual resources, such as the press, recruitment websites and agencies as well as your network of friends and family to help you identify potential opportunities.  Check ReConnect Jobs on a regular basis as HR opportunities are posted from time to time.

Try to increase your knowledge of what's happening in the world of HR by staying up to date with the latest employment issues and browsing websites. At HR manager level and above, commercial acumen and experience are seen as really important and you should use your experience outside HR as a valuable asset to joining the profession.

At very senior levels in HR, chief executives normally look for people who are problem solvers or solution providers. To progress in this profession, you need to be able to show you have influencing and leadership ability as well as the ability to listen, be questioning and open.

All the best!

Voted Candace Business Woman of the Year 1997, Helen Dupigny is a Director and co-founder of Working Plus, (www.working-plus.com) a Careers Management and Diversity consultancy and creator of the award-winning ‘Six Steps Career and Personal Development Programme’. A Sierra Leonean based in London, Helen is also the author of ‘Vicissitude’, a guide to making life and career changes.

If you have a question for our Career Coach,

e-mail us at  careers@ReConnectAfrica.com

Dear Career Coach,

I seem to have hopped from job to job over the last 5 years. How can I focus myself on a career direction and get some stability in my life?

Maureen, London

Hi Maureen

When the job that we are doing does not align to our real skills, interests and values, we tend to move on. However, if we don’t pause to really try to understand what our skills and interests are we find ourselves constantly on the move searching for that elusive great job that we know is out there.

Not everyone wants or needs a ‘career’; many people are happy to have a good job that pays well enough to fund the lifestyle that they enjoy outside work.  For others – and you sound like one of these – a career direction is about more than a job.  It is about the sense of finding stability in life and of feeling fulfilment beyond simply earning a weekly or monthly wage.

But finding career fulfilment involves taking stock and asking some hard questions. Success and fulfilment mean different things to different people; for some, it’s about money, for others it is about following their true vocation. Only you can define what success looks like for you, based on your values, skills and your passions.

I am suggesting that you take some quiet time and reflect on the following:

Although they may seem straightforward, these questions are probably quite tough to answer. Clear your mind of any preconceptions; put aside what others may expect of you and what you think you should be doing and focus purely on yourself. When you have answered all of the above, you will be on the path to defining your career direction and achieving the stability you want. Keep in mind how you think you will feel when you have achieved success and let this feeling motivate you to keep going through the tough times.

As the saying goes, ‘do what you love and you’ll never have to work another day in your life’. That great job is out there – but you will have to ask the tough questions to help you find the right direction.

If you would like some help with clarifying your career path and moving forward in your professional career,  contact us to learn more about how we can help you with tailored and confidential career coaching.