KEY POINTS:
Neil Whittaker
Managing Director, Fuji Xerox New Zealand
What was your first job?
I started as an apprentice electrician with the Auckland Regional Council in 1974. I was 18 years old and my weekly wage was about $30.
How did you get that job?
Through a newspaper advert and then an interview process. I was there for just short of five years and left to do my OE.
Did you enjoy it?
It was good from the point of view of learning a trade as young guy. I preferred the academic side to the tools. I won the Norman Kirk award as apprentice of the year. It was a good challenge.
What did you learn?
On the people side, I worked with a good cross-section of people; from the education point of view, it gave me the academic side. These days I can relate to people working on tools as much as I can people working in offices. I learned to work hard. Particularly on the academic side, [doing this] gives you payback later.
What was your boss like?
He wasn't a [people person] but he was good on direction and very supportive.
Advice to someone starting out?
These days, a lot of young ones change companies quickly but my opinion is that they should find two or three roles within the business they're in, target them and set time frames to pick up those roles. You can move quickly inside companies if you focus that way. Work hard, set goals and never say the word "can't".
Is it harder for people entering the job market now?
Business is the same, the fundamentals are the same. Maybe some jobs are a bit broader.
