Jobs and Careers Spring 2020 - 21

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Like all of us, Karren Brady has had every aspect of her life affected by the
coronavirus pandemic. But she is facing the challenges head on - much like the
rest of her very successful life - and is looking forward to returning to business as
usual in her 10th year as vice-chair of West Ham United FC, a Baroness in the
House of Lords and as Lord Sugar's right-hand woman on The Apprentice.

THE FALLOUT FROM COVID-19
The coronavirus pandemic has been devastating for many industries.
How has it affected your businesses?
Our absolute priority as a football club continues to be the health and wellbeing of
everyone in the West Ham United family, including our players, staff, supporters,
their families and local communities.
We are putting our efforts into a dedicated set of fundraising initiatives focused
on addressing frontline NHS staff needs now and in the future. These include
fundraising initiatives for equipment and staff wellbeing, 1,000 shirts for West
Ham supporting patients and NHS staff, and special experiences for patients, their
families and NHS workers to raise their spirits. The activities directly benefit Barts
Charity - the dedicated charity for Barts Health NHS Trust - and the King George
& Queen's Hospitals Charity, which supports the Barking, Havering and Redbridge
University Hospitals, which are all in our local area.
We closed our offices because we didn't want our staff using public transport, as
well as shutting our retail shops and warehouse. I took a 30% reduction in salary to
ensure my staff could still be paid 100%. We've spent more time on Zoom and in
virtual meetings than ever before and understand the importance of being a team.
What would your advice be to young people who are looking to start their
careers at the moment?
Firstly, don't panic - future businesses' success is still dependent on employing
people with skills. Keep applying for roles, be as flexible as you can and consider
your career choices carefully. And if you've been offered a job, stay in constant
contact with your new employer over email or Zoom.
Some people will lose their jobs because of the pandemic. What is your
advice to help people get back into the world of work?
Focus on the short term. What jobs are out there that you can do right now? And
which industries are hiring, from logistics to carers to supermarkets? Or do you
have an idea or hobby you can turn into a business in the short term?
Also take the time you have to polish your CV, because a great resumé will help
you stand out in a crowded market. And make sure you are prepared for a virtual
interview rather than a face-to-face one.

G U E ST E D I T O R

Which industries do you think have
benefited from the pandemic?
It goes without saying that everyone
who works in the NHS, teachers, carers,
delivery drivers, bin men, chemists, postal
workers, bus, cab, tube and train drivers,
supermarket workers and everyone in
between are the heroes of this pandemic.
And to everyone else who is being a good
neighbour, volunteering and showing
kindness to others, we all have to thank you.
We will all be judged by our actions during
the crisis, long after the pandemic is over.
What do you think the pandemic has
taught us about work in the UK?
That we're good at adjusting and adapting,
from restaurants offering home delivery
through to fitness coaches doing online
videos; that it is possible to work from
home; that kindness and ethics as business
leaders are vital, as is having a good network
of people to connect with; that it's OK
to freelance; that we have the ability to
do what is required to survive; and that
being self-motivated is a vital skill.

KARREN'S CAREER
When did you know what you
wanted to do as a career?
I didn't know, but at the age of 18 I made
the decision not to go to university even
though I had four A-levels. I'd been at
boarding school since I was quite young
and I'd had enough of being told where
to go and when. My one ambition was to
have independence, and I knew that would
come from having my own money and
being able to look after myself financially.
That was my goal, and I presumed it
started with a job. I had no qualifications
beyond O-levels and A-levels, but I knew
what my core values were and I knew
the person I was - that I was ambitious,
determined and had integrity. Those are
the things that make you who you are, and
I still have those values 33 years later.
What was your first "proper" job?
I applied for two jobs: one was a very
low-level junior role at advertising agency
Saatchi & Saatchi and one was a sales role
at the London Broadcasting Company
(LBC). I was offered both, but took the
Saatchi & Saatchi one, which paid £9,000
a year. It doesn't sound a lot now and,
trust me, it wasn't a lot then either!
That was my first job - doing every bit of
work that nobody who was smarter than
JOBS & CAREERS /// 21

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Jobs and Careers Spring 2020

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