I was very amused some years ago, when advertising for a cleaner for our home and for an accounts assistant in our office, that we received applications for both jobs from the same woman.

Vesna who had escaped the escalating political unrest in Bosnia – had come to Australia “the land of opportunity” determined to be an accountant.  She was doing well with studying and had completed her  degree but had given up hope of clients and finding work due to language problems and had resorted to applying for cleaning jobs.

On interviewing Vesna I advised her to look inwards “What are you good at?” Understanding communication barriers when you cannot speak a language? “Minimise your weaknesses!”. Concentrate on getting better at English. Combine the two –  clients are those from your own country and others struggling with English and understanding Australian legislation and taxation. This is your niche market to focus on where you can make a difference.

The last time I heard from Vesna she had qualified as an accountant and had opened an accounting practice in the Northern Beaches of Sydney. She rang to thank me for those few words of advice that many years ago.

Vesna became a very good accountant. Just as well, she was a terrible cleaner!