Networking — Vanine Gilmore
Vanine is a career coach, mentor, trainer and counsellor for Worklife Directions, based in Cairns. She is a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) and Career Development Association of Australia.
Q: What is your current role within your organisation? How long have you been in this role?
A: I am a coach, mentor, trainer and counsellor, and business owner, at Worklife Directions. I have been in this role for three years.
Q: What are some major achievements or awards in your current role?
A: I have assisted many organisations and individuals to find work following retrenchment, as well as defence personnel who have needed to make a career transition, not having worked in a civilian job for a long time, or those who have had health issues.
Q: What was the career journey that brought you to this position and work role?
A: It was a transition from a human resource management role to working for a number of recruitment firms, and owning and operating my own recruitment businesses. It was then a natural transition into career development.
Q: As a child what did you want to do when you grew up?
A: Nothing like what I have ended up doing. I think it was to be a fashion designer. I was always drawing fashion and models. But now I tell people that when I grow up (retire) I want to be an artist — I must be going back to my drawing roots!
Q: What did you do or study upon leaving school?
A: Nothing for a long time, as I was just interested in clothing. I couldn’t wait till I was earning money so I could buy the latest fashions. But when I finally came to my senses some time down the track, I studied English literature and philosophy, and that got me into university. I went on to study psychology and later business management.
Q: Who or what was a major influence in your career choices?
A: I would say it was my first job in Sydney when I was 17, working as an HR assistant for a large multi-national, multi-unionised organisation. From there, I went on to pursue recruitment and then career development.
Q: What were some major challenges in your career journey?
A: Having your own business is always challenging. You not only have to have the ‘skills of the trade’, but also management skills so that you can run the business successfully. I have owned and operated three businesses now, including Worklife Directions.
Q: What are you currently reading?
A: A James Patterson novel — a perfect way to de-stress. I’m also doing lots of reading and research on leading change and innovation for my next workshops series.
Q: What is the most memorable book you have read? Why?
A: That’s a hard question — I can’t really pick just one. I like reading and always have a book at hand; however, after spending so many years at university, I just find myself wanting to read fiction.
Q: What is the movie you most enjoyed? Why?
A: There are many good movies, but I saw The Fisher King recently and thought it was beautiful. It’s an oldie but I missed seeing it when it initially came out. The acting was very good, especially the role Robin Williams played as the down-and-out derelict. The story line was very interesting — it was also very funny and very sad, but it has a good ending.
Q: What is your ‘dream job’? When do you plan to achieve this dream?
A: An artist (when I retire!).
Q: What is a life dream you still would like to achieve?
A: I think it is to draw and paint. I haven’t done this in a long time due to being tied up with work; however, I have enrolled in a week-long art workshop this month that should be a good teaser to get started.