[Power K-Women] "Women, Do Not Doubt Your Qualifications."

The Company Has Trusted and Entrusted Us

Editor's NoteAsia Economy will select women who are active not only in Asia but around the world as 'Power K-Women' at the upcoming Women Leaders Forum held this October. We have chosen individuals who have overcome and broken down barriers such as race, borders, and disabilities as 'Power K-Women.' This is to widely share the value of those who have not been intimidated by discrimination or confined by boundaries but have fought back, in order to convey new values of leadership to youth and women. Their stories will provide comfort to a weary world, become role models for someone, and give the community the strength to move forward again.
Date ｜ Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 9:00 AM ? 5:20 PM
Venue ｜ Lotte Hotel Crystal Ballroom (2F), Sogong-dong

[Asia Economy Reporter So-yeon Park] "Female office workers, do not doubt your qualifications."

Career Accelerator Kim Nai has conducted one-on-one career coaching with more than 3,000 office workers and job seekers working in large corporations, startups, foreign companies, and professional fields. Among them, 60-70% are women. What is the most important message he wants to give to women? It is precisely 'Do not doubt your qualifications when working.'

Kim Nai, who is working remotely from Jeju Island, said in a video interview with Asia Economy, "Many people who have taken on team leader or executive positions come for career counseling, and the questions they ask me are completely different between women and men." He explained that among those receiving career counseling, women often say they are unsure whether they can do the job or if they are qualified when assigned certain tasks or positions at work. On the other hand, most men do not doubt their qualifications but ask how they can perform better. He said, "I felt sorry thinking that women and men start from different starting lines," adding, "If you start by worrying whether you are qualified for the job, you reduce the time spent thinking about how to do better." He advised, "The company is the one to judge qualifications. When given a task, think about whether you want to do it, whether it is a good position for you, and whether it will help your career."

Kim Accelerator built his career in the financial sector at Hyundai Card, Korea Investment & Securities, and J.P. Morgan. He started working at Hyundai Card in 2003 and from 2011 worked as a structured derivatives specialist at J.P. Morgan, the world's largest securities firm, until he left in 2014. After that, he started working as a career accelerator. Growing up, he was a model student desired by Korean society, and after becoming an office worker, he lived to survive in the fiercely competitive financial investment industry. Without looking into what he truly wanted, he ran like a racehorse until he experienced burnout. After going through a 'career adolescence'?a time to contemplate what he really wanted?he created the profession of career accelerator himself. This is a result of combining the strong 'work muscles' developed from past work experience with his liking for solving others' problems as an 'Ojiraper (Ojirap + er).' Utilizing his financial industry experience, he analyzes the latest trends in industries and companies and helps individuals and organizations grow from a macro perspective. Based on his experience coaching thousands of individuals one-on-one and data, he collaborates with various companies ranging from startups to media outlets and large corporations such as SK, LG, Hyundai Motor, KDB Industrial Bank, JoongAng Ilbo's Pullin, Maeil Business Newspaper, Outstanding, Mitmi, and EO.

A single word from a career accelerator can influence others' lives and completely change their direction. The weight and responsibility are significant. He said, "Rather than giving a certain answer, I try to help people draw out the answers within themselves through various questions," emphasizing, "In fact, everyone has the answer inside." The role of a career accelerator is to help people make the best choices suited to themselves through 'good questions.' He said, "Just by carefully looking into your own mind about what your dissatisfaction at work is and why you are struggling can greatly help you find your path."

Kim Nai also talked about another concern of female workers, 'a workplace good for women.' To put it simply, he said there is no such thing as a 'workplace good for women.' Kim said, "I often receive questions and concerns about companies that are good for raising children and good for women to work at," adding, "In my opinion, a company good for women is not one where you can leave work on time but one where you can do work you love." He explained, "Even if you leave work on time, during working hours you inevitably have to leave your child with someone else and work. If you just do the work because you get paid without being able to fully care for your child, that is regrettable both for the child and yourself." He added, "Rather, a job and workplace where a mother can take pride in what she does and confidently talk about it to her child is a 'company good for women,' and the same goes for fathers."

He also did not spare advice for youth and job seekers who find it difficult to draw a future career map in a rapidly changing world. Kim Nai said, "No matter how much the world changes, those who know exactly what they want can draw a clear 'career map.'" He advised, "This applies both when thinking about a child's future and an individual's career. Think about what you have worked hard on even though no one asked you to." He said, "In Korean education, there are no questions until you go to college, but once you enter college, you are suddenly asked what you like, what you are good at, and what you will do in the future." He added, "If you live to meet others' expectations, you will go through a significant 'career adolescence,' so knowing yourself is very important before changes outside the world." He also said, "For experienced workers, among the things you have done, there are tasks that are not difficult or obvious to you but are unfamiliar and helpful to others. It would be good to take some time to organize those."

Kim Nai said the most important message he wants to give to job seekers and office workers is, "You can have 'self-esteem' about yourself as a worker," comforting, "If you are thinking about work, that itself means you are someone who wants to do well and is making an effort, and if you are currently burned out, it is proof that you have worked hard." Finally, he said, "Don't make yourself too anxious or push yourself too hard," and added, "I want to tell you to take care of yourself as a working person and definitely have confidence."

◇Kim Nai Career Accelerator Profile

▲2003~2006 Hyundai Card

▲2007~2011 Korea Investment & Securities

▲2011~2014 J.P. Morgan Securities

▲2014~ Career Accelerator, KAIST MBA Career Development Center Advisor, Kyung Hee University Adjunct Professor