I walked to my dream job Interview - Lessons From a Trek; Looking back to inspire a better future

“History is as important is it serves to remind us that the journey is possible. It is our way of making meaningful predictions of our elasticity. Our history is the side-mirror that helps those who come after us to see what is chasing them before it catches up”

The afternoon of 27th September 2006, the sun was hotter than usual or so it felt to me as I walked along Mogadishu Rd in Industrial area, Nairobi. I was heading to an agribusiness company and with me was someone very dear to me. Back then, as it is now, walking was an activity I enjoyed, even though on this day I may have been walking for the lack of fare. But the heat and the calories falling off did not quite bother me. This interview was very important to me; you see I had attended so many before but ended up with either a regret or no feedback. Yet, however I turned things around my head, I knew that I needed this job.

”If you won’t give me another job, then give me rent for September” this was my conversation with God.

 Therefore, you understand why there was no option for me than get the job. I had graduated 2 years before with a degree in Tourism Management, an area of study that I was truly in love with.  My sight was firmly set on securing myself the job of my dreams in the tourism industry. Two years on and I was beginning to think the world had conspired to detach my dreams from the reality.

As we walked under the African sun that day, my mind went back to high school days when I was lucky to intern as a receptionist for just over 1 year as I waited to join University; that was how it was at the time.

“Today I am holding on to a position in customer service just to keep myself busy,” I thought. ” I am ill equipped for this job  that I have so much hope in getting! Emily, you do not have enough experience for this job, what are you thinking.  A silent voice kept telling me.

I was heading to interview for Personal Assistant (PA) to the Managing Director position that morning, one of my colleagues at work had told me,

“What are you doing going to be a PA?”

I was hurt and confused at the same time. It didn’t help matters when I walked into the interview location to find smartly dressed, experienced candidates. I was deflated. What buoyed me was the need to get a job, any job to raise income to meet my basic needs starting with September rent. Besides, I was tired of applying and hitting a wall in all the jobs I wanted.

Later that evening I got a call from the MD that I had got the job!

Fast forward, 6 months into the job my new boss, during one of the catch up sessions asked how I was doing in my new role.

“I am loving it!” I said, “But I need additional challenges”

“What kind of challenge would you like?” he asked…

I had already given up on the possibility of a career in Tourism. I was now working in an agribusiness firm. I started entertaining the thought of what else I could do in this organization beyond just secretarial work. I looked around and even talked to a few people and learned that this organization did not have a HR department. I asked a colleague who was studying human resources, what HR was all about; I googled it and then I decided that it sounded like something I could do. So back to my bosses, question – I told him that I was studying for my MBA and specializing in HR. I took the opportunity to ask if there was a chance to work in this area. I ended up being attached to the Finance Manager and my job description was revised to include some HR administration work.

I walked into a PA interview, feeling apprehensive and ended up transitioning fully into Human resources, a career I have grown to love deeply because of the aspect of dealing with and developing people; helping them find fulfillment in their own careers. I also walked away with a whole bunch of lessons.

What did I learn from this experience?

1)     Never despise humble beginnings

2)     Our reasons for seeking a job are different; stop comparing yourself - your path is unique

3)     Don’t be choosy on your first job, you will have more choices with time as you add to your skills and experience

4)     Great companies hire for skill and attitude not your degree

5)     Sometimes you may need to take off your ‘degree hat’ and fold your sleeves. Don’t worry a time will come when you will need it back on; it’s an asset - you never lose it

6)     When you’re stuck career-wise, talk to people, ask for advice and do your research

7)     When opportunity comes, there is no time to prepare. So prepare for those opportunities today, it could be learning a new skill, going back to school, volunteering your time, putting your hand up to responsibilities, practicing, taking small first steps ...the list is endless

8)     Reinvent yourself – learning does not stop with your first degree. Have an open mind to what else you might do to solve the problems or challenges that present themselves in your environment

9)     If you ever have a chance to sit close to power, use it wisely. Sometimes all you need to do is ASK

10)  A change of mindset makes all the difference

History should never enslave us, but from those experiences must come the lessons that make others and us better.

Musings of a Coach