“One piece of advice can change someone’s life” – In conversation with Nicolina Andall

When Nicolina Andall was striving to become a lawyer, she made 140 applications in the first year, and received 140 rejections. It was a rough start for someone who had worked hard, achieved great grades, and hit the ground expecting to run. But it didn’t put her off; ultimately, she took a step back, and asked herself: “Am I going to sit there and accept failure? Hell, no, I haven’t come this far to fail!”

She got in touch with people in the legal community, including some that had rejected her, seeking guidance, and managed to find someone willing to help. Off she went, C.V. in hand, feeling full of her achievements. At the time, she remembers having “no humility whatsoever – the naivety of being young, right?”

When Nicolina handed her C.V. over, she recalls: “I gave her my two-page C.V., she put on her glasses and got out her red pen. She indicated she only had two comments to make: She crossed out the first page, crossed out the second page, and said: ‘You have no idea what you are doing.’”

The penny dropped and Nicolina listened. That forty-three-minute conversation helped to change her mindset, improve her applications, and she learned how to stand out from the crowd. At the end, she was effusive in her praise for the advice, clearer in how to move forward, and she wanted more. “Can I come back and see you again?” asked Nicolina. “No, you have everything you need; now you have to go and make it happen,” came the reply.

In the following year, she made thirty-five “really good” applications, got five interviews and landed a training contract. All she needed was for one person to say ‘yes’. When Nicolina started her law career, she soon learned she had beaten 1,000 applicants to get the job. “It’s the reason I do so much mentoring now,” she reflects. “I speak in schools, colleges and universities; I just try and pass on what I can to others. One piece of advice can change someone’s life, and it changed mine.”

Jas Hullait: That’s a very inspiring story, especially for developing resilience. I’ve seen it with my friends who are paralegals, trying to get their training contracts; it took years, in some cases. You never know the impact you can have on someone, too…

Nicolina Andall: Totally, and it’s one of the reasons I started ‘Inspiring Diverse Leaders’. So often we look left for a leader, we look right for a leader; actually, we need to look in the mirror and see that we are a leader. If there is something that we can do in the community, to give back, we should do it. I know many people from ethnic minorities and women who are achieving amazing things, and I love to showcase these people to help others to see what is possible.

Hullait: I agree. It’s great to see someone as a role model, rather than seeing a board of people with no one that looks like me. You’ve already talked about the challenges getting into your career, but, looking back, is there anything else you would have done differently?

Andall: First, I would have taken the advice about the importance of networking, more seriously. I always used to think it didn’t matter; it just sounded like marketing and going out drinking. But it’s not that at all. It’s partly about who you know, but it’s also about who knows you and developing relationships. It doesn’t have to be contrived – just authentic and strategic, too. Networking can often open unexpected doors.

Secondly, I would have believed in myself more. Cultivating a mindset of believing that you are good enough and continually putting yourself out there and seeing what happens is very powerful. ‘Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway’ is a book I read many years ago.

Finally, I would have thought bigger. Surround yourself with a network of people who are going to support you in achieving your dreams. I definitely do that now, and need to do more.

Hullait: That’s really powerful, thank you. Can I ask about the best work-related advice you’ve ever received?

Andall: It goes without saying that you have to be competent at your job; but I believe that is only the start. Go over and above that, and seek out those extracurricular opportunities. Work with other people – leverage their time and expertise – and just go for it; see where you can add value and build your personal profile. Over time it really helps you stand out from the crowd.

Be clear on your life goals, and why you are doing something, too. If you join a particular organisation, why did you do that? With a view to doing what? For every single job, I’ve always had a few tick boxes at the back of my mind. Once I’ve achieved those, it’s possibly time to move on. Knowing when to start something is as important as knowing when to stop. It’s okay to move on.

Hullait: Do you have any advice for the next generation of women?

Andall: Yes! The first piece of advice is about the importance of controlling the voice in your head. So often, we are our own worst critics, but we have to be our own best friend. In addition, I would say, be bold, find mentors, ask for advice, seize opportunities, work hard, and just go for it. The world is your oyster, so be clear on your purpose, and immerse yourself in the experience.

Hullait: That’s so impactful, I’m making a mental checklist of all the things you’ve said. Thanks so much for your time, Nicolina, we really do appreciate it.

Andall: That’s fantastic. Hopefully, it does inspire the women in your network. I’m very grateful for the opportunity. Thank you so much.

iGROWW is Protiviti’s internal women’s network group and stands for ‘Initiative for Growth and Retention of Women at Work’. It has a strong voluntary membership that tackles women’s professional issues through forums, and facilitates networking events and community service activities. For more information, please contact Rhianne Williams [email protected].