Should the nature of one’s previous job dictate their next?
Apr 25, 2011
MICHAEL has a masters degree in business administration. However, due to the scarcity of jobs in the country, he settled for less and worked as a brothel and casino manager in Kampala. <br>He then sought employment as a writer in a controversial magazine that traded in pornography.
By Viqué-Ocean Kahinju
MICHAEL has a masters degree in business administration. However, due to the scarcity of jobs in the country, he settled for less and worked as a brothel and casino manager in Kampala.
He then sought employment as a writer in a controversial magazine that traded in pornography.
When Michael saw a job advert of a reputable organisation in a newspaper looking for a general manager, he wrote an application letter and enclosed the required credentials portraying his working experience.
He was confident he would nail the job interview because he thought he had all the requirements for the job.
However, Michael received an email from the management of the firm in which he had applied for the job, informing him that his application was rejected because he had a bad career history.
But with the prevailing lack of jobs, many graduates find themselves doing any kind of work available.
Many jobseekers, therefore, are discriminated upon because of the stigma tagged on their previous jobs.
“Stigmatising workers because of their previous jobs is depriving organisations of good skills,†says Jeremiah Munene, a human resource consultant.
“What matters is adoption to the new job expectations. After all, jobs have no bearing on the workers’ traits. Any competent and versatile person should be able to adjust to the job market,†he adds.
Munene says job markets vary from time to time due to different business demands. He adds that a non-dynamic worker is not good for any organisation, especially in today’s competitive world.
“Therefore, it is imperative to note that in today’s competitive world, an employee’s job history should have minimal bearing on their next job,†clarifies Munene.
He, however, adds that management should concentrate on the performance and productivity of the employee.
“Nothing should stop an organisation from hiring a good worker, especially if they have the qualifications and are productive,†he says.
Gorreti Namuddu, a human resource consultant at Jobs.com in Kampala, says job stigma is usually fostered because of the culture of an organisation.
She says some organisations are based on religion and cultural norms, which employers have to preserve.
Namuddu explains that because of this, employers are left no choice but to discriminate against certain groups of people because of their job backgrounds.
But she adds that employers should avoid denying job opportunities to workers who have had a diverse work background differing from theirs.
Namuddu also cautions job seekers not to succumb to stereotypes.
MICHAEL has a masters degree in business administration. However, due to the scarcity of jobs in the country, he settled for less and worked as a brothel and casino manager in Kampala.
He then sought employment as a writer in a controversial magazine that traded in pornography.
When Michael saw a job advert of a reputable organisation in a newspaper looking for a general manager, he wrote an application letter and enclosed the required credentials portraying his working experience.
He was confident he would nail the job interview because he thought he had all the requirements for the job.
However, Michael received an email from the management of the firm in which he had applied for the job, informing him that his application was rejected because he had a bad career history.
But with the prevailing lack of jobs, many graduates find themselves doing any kind of work available.
Many jobseekers, therefore, are discriminated upon because of the stigma tagged on their previous jobs.
“Stigmatising workers because of their previous jobs is depriving organisations of good skills,†says Jeremiah Munene, a human resource consultant.
“What matters is adoption to the new job expectations. After all, jobs have no bearing on the workers’ traits. Any competent and versatile person should be able to adjust to the job market,†he adds.
Munene says job markets vary from time to time due to different business demands. He adds that a non-dynamic worker is not good for any organisation, especially in today’s competitive world.
“Therefore, it is imperative to note that in today’s competitive world, an employee’s job history should have minimal bearing on their next job,†clarifies Munene.
He, however, adds that management should concentrate on the performance and productivity of the employee.
“Nothing should stop an organisation from hiring a good worker, especially if they have the qualifications and are productive,†he says.
Gorreti Namuddu, a human resource consultant at Jobs.com in Kampala, says job stigma is usually fostered because of the culture of an organisation.
She says some organisations are based on religion and cultural norms, which employers have to preserve.
Namuddu explains that because of this, employers are left no choice but to discriminate against certain groups of people because of their job backgrounds.
But she adds that employers should avoid denying job opportunities to workers who have had a diverse work background differing from theirs.
Namuddu also cautions job seekers not to succumb to stereotypes.