I had my first ‘interview’ with a ‘small’ (they actually describe themselves as medium sized) accountancy firm. It was a short notice – was called the day before the interview.
Really it wasn’t an interview it was just a screening exercise to verify that I had what I claim to have. The interesting part was when it came to what my expectation as regards to compensation. Now this is a question that I prefer not to engage in at the initial stage.
Things have changed or maybe I just did not have my ears to the ground.
Perusing the jobs in the daily papers I’m surprised almost all require one to be a graduate with maybe ACCA/CPA, which is not bad. For one I think it shows the pool of talents employers have at their disposal. What is not amusing is when you read the what the role is all about – anyone who has basic accounting knowledge can do the job. Come to think of it what are the market rates at the moment when it comes to compensation?
By the way when I told the interviewer what my expectations were I could see he was shocked. I wish I had added and that was the net amount! If there are too many accountants around does that not mean I should quote a lower figure?
But I’m impressed I with the interview though I wouldn’t hold my breathe about getting to the next round, I needed to get that feeling of interviews probably will go down.
Part two, everything held constant next Wednesday morning I will be in Nakuru, officially I’m a hustler so to speak.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
A new beginning
I feel to some extent like I’ve made an exit while making an entrance
Probably I have been too hard on myself, expecting too much in a rather short time. Being away for 7 years you are bound to be overwhelmed at times with what’s happening around you.
Actually at the back of my mind I thought I would arrive, send my CV to a few places and my phone would be ringing like crazy. A little bit dramatic but honestly it’s close to the truth.
7 years! You can’t just come back and expect everything had stalled waiting for you.
So there I stand. This week might be a turning point – not because of Obama’s inauguration, though that’s cool – I might end up in Rift Valley in quest of ideas.
Summer Bunny - the big debate rages on
I think that partly exonerates me from my pathetic attitude in the past few days. No joke it gets on your nerves please take my advice don't watch the news. You become restless with anyone or anything that you come across – from the weather when the suns comes out its too hot when it drizzles it’s too muddy, courtesy when you are out there is nought. I mean EVERYTHING rubs off you the wrong way.
It’s time to get your hustle on.
PS: These posts should have been sometime ago, the usual logistic problems are to blame.
Probably I have been too hard on myself, expecting too much in a rather short time. Being away for 7 years you are bound to be overwhelmed at times with what’s happening around you.
Actually at the back of my mind I thought I would arrive, send my CV to a few places and my phone would be ringing like crazy. A little bit dramatic but honestly it’s close to the truth.
7 years! You can’t just come back and expect everything had stalled waiting for you.
So there I stand. This week might be a turning point – not because of Obama’s inauguration, though that’s cool – I might end up in Rift Valley in quest of ideas.
Summer Bunny - the big debate rages on
I think that partly exonerates me from my pathetic attitude in the past few days. No joke it gets on your nerves please take my advice don't watch the news. You become restless with anyone or anything that you come across – from the weather when the suns comes out its too hot when it drizzles it’s too muddy, courtesy when you are out there is nought. I mean EVERYTHING rubs off you the wrong way.
It’s time to get your hustle on.
PS: These posts should have been sometime ago, the usual logistic problems are to blame.
Voila!
Finally I managed to get the Safaricom modem something I have been pondering over and agonising for a while now. I'm that stingy! I knew it had to happen soon.
The best part is my patience paid off because I got it under promotion price of 4K and monthly have 1G worth of download. The design too is better since it is the flashdisk size type. When I got here the one on offer was 10K I did not like the design (the long cable) and when lucky you could get it for 5K.
Even better it will cost me like 1000 pm - I'm sure I've been using more than that in the cybercafes around.
So I'm cool.
The best part is my patience paid off because I got it under promotion price of 4K and monthly have 1G worth of download. The design too is better since it is the flashdisk size type. When I got here the one on offer was 10K I did not like the design (the long cable) and when lucky you could get it for 5K.
Even better it will cost me like 1000 pm - I'm sure I've been using more than that in the cybercafes around.
So I'm cool.
Friday, January 09, 2009
By the way
Seems like the it is going to be another tough year for investors...
By the way I enjoy watching CNBC Africa. Maybe it has something to do with the different times zones, now I get to see when the markets are opening/closing in the US (also a big factor must be the fact that I'm at home most of the morning and evenings!)
I do not really care what happens in the US but the energy of the presenters has to be admired - maybe it's just me!
Back to the market news: First the German Billionnaire Adolf Merckle committed suicide - jumped in front of a moving train
In India Santyam is in trouble after its CEO confessed to massaging the figures
Of course and the big news from the US - ponzi schemes run by Madoff - the man was good - and all along he fooled analysts or even auditors - this is an outrage! So exactly who do we trust?
I kid you not it is hard to sleep at night, what next?
Yeah I know I'm a boring guy but you have got agree with me we need more energy in our newsrooms. Tired of people seating in front of me looking pretty I need action. And the daily polls - so predictable does anyone really have so much credit to text their responses?
Bonne Week end!
By the way I enjoy watching CNBC Africa. Maybe it has something to do with the different times zones, now I get to see when the markets are opening/closing in the US (also a big factor must be the fact that I'm at home most of the morning and evenings!)
I do not really care what happens in the US but the energy of the presenters has to be admired - maybe it's just me!
Back to the market news: First the German Billionnaire Adolf Merckle committed suicide - jumped in front of a moving train
In India Santyam is in trouble after its CEO confessed to massaging the figures
Of course and the big news from the US - ponzi schemes run by Madoff - the man was good - and all along he fooled analysts or even auditors - this is an outrage! So exactly who do we trust?
I kid you not it is hard to sleep at night, what next?
Yeah I know I'm a boring guy but you have got agree with me we need more energy in our newsrooms. Tired of people seating in front of me looking pretty I need action. And the daily polls - so predictable does anyone really have so much credit to text their responses?
Bonne Week end!
It's Friday and the Weekend is here
It was one of those days I guess.
If there is anything frustrating, typical complaint among those who have come back home, is the feeling that you are going round in circles. In fact maybe it is just me but I dread at times going to some of these offices.
After applying for the CDS account I checked yesterday to confirm everything was OK only to find that my application was just lying in a pile because CBK needs more information. If someone called me I would have brought the copy of my passport simple that’s why they have my number right?
Like I said I live in Ushago at the moment so coming to town is a hustle – I have to meticulously plan my day. All that was needed was a copy of my passport to confirm the dates I came back to Kenya. I was disappointed though I couldn’t let that part of me be seen – somebody might recognise me! So now I have provided them with what is needed and have to wait for 7 more working days. That sucks. And did I mention the sun is killing me
I hope that is not how interviews are conducted – imagine waiting for feedback for months, yet they were supposed to get back within two weeks.
I stumbled upon a blog (intricately me) of a Kenyan coming back home from the US and I was so looking forward to reading the experiences. But I understand why the posts have almost suddenly stopped – there are so many distractions plus it easier to read other peoples experiences than narrate ones own.
If there is anything frustrating, typical complaint among those who have come back home, is the feeling that you are going round in circles. In fact maybe it is just me but I dread at times going to some of these offices.
After applying for the CDS account I checked yesterday to confirm everything was OK only to find that my application was just lying in a pile because CBK needs more information. If someone called me I would have brought the copy of my passport simple that’s why they have my number right?
Like I said I live in Ushago at the moment so coming to town is a hustle – I have to meticulously plan my day. All that was needed was a copy of my passport to confirm the dates I came back to Kenya. I was disappointed though I couldn’t let that part of me be seen – somebody might recognise me! So now I have provided them with what is needed and have to wait for 7 more working days. That sucks. And did I mention the sun is killing me
I hope that is not how interviews are conducted – imagine waiting for feedback for months, yet they were supposed to get back within two weeks.
I stumbled upon a blog (intricately me) of a Kenyan coming back home from the US and I was so looking forward to reading the experiences. But I understand why the posts have almost suddenly stopped – there are so many distractions plus it easier to read other peoples experiences than narrate ones own.
Bad PR day:
I think others who have done this – especially to Phd level should know better. Remember it does not matter what the facts are – only the few and resilient among us I think really believe anything said by the politicians. I think most are just bearing with the situation.
I have not seen the leaflets and sorry I’m not interested I suspect it is the same story where the truth is well hidden. The president’s press secretary (!?) is coming out fighting – what is this man’s job description? I understand he also produces TV programs. Surely he knows more about packaging than any common Kenyan on the street – for the love of God that must have been part of communication 101.
Day after day we watch them make a fool of themselves.
Again one does not need one to have a Phd to understand that ‘If you find yourself in a ditch stop digging!.’ I could have sworn that is taught in any communications class/PR.
What is frustrating is after a long day you expect at least something positive on the evening news only to be met by clowns who are not amusing.
After all the leaflets should have come before the government (oops sorry the president) signed the bill. They are supposed to be a team at least – I wonder what they discuss at State House because everything they touch of late seems to go wrong.
Now that is someone I wouldn’t hire in my PR team – I know I’m harsh I don’t know what went down (I doubt if it would have made a difference). One person who is going to look really bad is none other than the President’s spokesman – everything the government touches rubs off the masses in a bad way. So what is he waiting for now that the President has ordered a fresh review of the concerns of media owners – well of course after signing the Bill into law (?).
Probably my most negative post to date, I hope you can tell I’ve had a beautiful day!
It’s a brand new year by the way let’s see where this takes us.
I have not seen the leaflets and sorry I’m not interested I suspect it is the same story where the truth is well hidden. The president’s press secretary (!?) is coming out fighting – what is this man’s job description? I understand he also produces TV programs. Surely he knows more about packaging than any common Kenyan on the street – for the love of God that must have been part of communication 101.
Day after day we watch them make a fool of themselves.
Again one does not need one to have a Phd to understand that ‘If you find yourself in a ditch stop digging!.’ I could have sworn that is taught in any communications class/PR.
What is frustrating is after a long day you expect at least something positive on the evening news only to be met by clowns who are not amusing.
After all the leaflets should have come before the government (oops sorry the president) signed the bill. They are supposed to be a team at least – I wonder what they discuss at State House because everything they touch of late seems to go wrong.
Now that is someone I wouldn’t hire in my PR team – I know I’m harsh I don’t know what went down (I doubt if it would have made a difference). One person who is going to look really bad is none other than the President’s spokesman – everything the government touches rubs off the masses in a bad way. So what is he waiting for now that the President has ordered a fresh review of the concerns of media owners – well of course after signing the Bill into law (?).
Probably my most negative post to date, I hope you can tell I’ve had a beautiful day!
It’s a brand new year by the way let’s see where this takes us.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Scandals
It has been from one mishap to the next. I’m telling to be a Kenyan at the moment one has to be made steel. There is always a twist in even what seems to be something that would otherwise not be an issue. At the moment there is fuel shortage rumours are rife that it is artificial (problem started as soon as fuel prices started going down). This after the problems with maize meal ‘shortage’ and who can forget the famous ECK debate. It is like we are stumbling from one crisis to the next
So we all know the last elections were grossly flawed – each side of the political divide know who stole what. But we have chosen to turn a blind eye on what is bothering us and instead. I am against the trend – and it is in Africa where elections are held something happens and then coalition governments are formed. So for the time being to avoid anarchy we sweep our issues under the cover and somehow expect life to be
Is it me or are we living in a bubble?
By the way I have no solution of what has to be done all I think is there is a class war already underway. Ordinary folks on the street are simply tired and disgusted by the way the rich seemingly get away with murder. Should paying or not paying taxes be something to debate about in public? We are talking about huge allowances.
You know sometimes you wish we go back to the basics – I mean when scandal was about sex and related gossips. Now ours is about lives of seemingly powerless people. Anytime give me a Monicagate in the White House just leave the rest of us to be!
Lest I forget I’m not suggesting Kenya is unique in the sense that other countries are any better. But it says quite a lot about the leadership here – they have a government communications department yet very poor PR. They cannot read the public mood before introducing a bill in parliament.
So we all know the last elections were grossly flawed – each side of the political divide know who stole what. But we have chosen to turn a blind eye on what is bothering us and instead. I am against the trend – and it is in Africa where elections are held something happens and then coalition governments are formed. So for the time being to avoid anarchy we sweep our issues under the cover and somehow expect life to be
Is it me or are we living in a bubble?
By the way I have no solution of what has to be done all I think is there is a class war already underway. Ordinary folks on the street are simply tired and disgusted by the way the rich seemingly get away with murder. Should paying or not paying taxes be something to debate about in public? We are talking about huge allowances.
You know sometimes you wish we go back to the basics – I mean when scandal was about sex and related gossips. Now ours is about lives of seemingly powerless people. Anytime give me a Monicagate in the White House just leave the rest of us to be!
Lest I forget I’m not suggesting Kenya is unique in the sense that other countries are any better. But it says quite a lot about the leadership here – they have a government communications department yet very poor PR. They cannot read the public mood before introducing a bill in parliament.
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