A Chat With Karen

I wrote this book…because I found that many Career Chicks I worked with were struggling with the same issues I had. They were very capable and talented but feeling that they and their work just wasn’t being valued. And even worse, thinking that it was because they were doing something wrong. But it’s not. It’s just that many people don’t know how work ‘works’.

I have had many great mentors and colleagues over the years who had helped me work through and find solutions to many challenges at work and I wanted to share what I have learnt.

At school I…was an average student until I discovered Economics in Grade 12 where I topped the school. Finally something that made sense!

When I was young…I read every Agatha Christie mystery novel (over and over again). I tend to watch the movies now but I still love the process of figuring out who-did-it despite the red herrings along the way. Not unlike being a Career Chick looking for answers in business today. Miss Marple rocks!

My first job…was cooking fries at McDonalds.

I desperately wanted…to be a school teacher. When I was young I used to make my little brother play ’schools’ on the weekend (poor thing!). I started my degree part time to work towards this goal but life took me in a different direction.

My ‘luckiest’ break…was getting a role as a sales representative early in my career. Because it gave me a profession as opposed to a job. I applied for the job because it had a mobile phone, a car, an expense account and it was a job where I could talk all day!! In retrospect it wasn’t just luck, I had to apply for the role to get it.

I’m glad I…completed my Bachelor of Arts degree even though it was part-time. I learnt great skills and the value of perseverance.

My silliest career move…was taking a role because I was flattered to be offered it. It turned out that I learnt quite a lot from it but it was a difficult time. And I was mad at myself when I realised why I had accepted the position.

I always avoided…being associated with women’s business forums. I didn’t want to be seen as getting ahead because of positive discrimination. Seems pretty funny now!

I’ve learnt…that people are incredibly generous with their time and knowledge if you really want to learn. But you need to ask. Start with people you know and just ask them what they do and how they do it.

I bought myself…a small momento from Tiffany’s when I won a major sales award many years ago. When I wear the necklace today I still remember how proud of myself I was.

My hottest tip…is that when you learn things you have to be prepared to try them and make them part of what you do. There is no point reading a book like “Hot Tips for Career Chicks” and then not using any of the tips

I get excited when …Chicks tell me they’ve followed the Career Chick Hot Tips and how they have helped them.

My favourite chapter is …Earn What You’re Worth because I learnt so many insights when I was writing the book from men about what they do. I was completely surprised how happy they were to share them. I just hadn’t known the right questions to ask until I was researching a book.

I really believe…that if Chicks can break through the male culture of business by understanding how it works the culture will change. If business culture has evolved to have male characteristics because there have historically been more men, then having more successful Chicks will to lead to change.

Work is important…but I try and keep it in perspective. It’s what I do not who I am. I just want to do what I do to the best of my ability.