JAMES REED is the Chairman of reed.co.uk, the recruitment specialists. James first joined the company in 1991 after graduating from Harvard Business School. Along with Paul G. Stoltz, James is the author of Put Your Mindset to Work. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). James will be joining us on our forthcoming Business for Bohemians course where he’ll take a class on the importance of carefully choosing the people you work with.

1. Are you happy?  Usually.

2. What are you reading at the moment? The Churchill Factor by Boris Johnson.

3. What was your worst job? Temping for Alfred Marks in Staines; they failed to tell me the role was only 20 hours a week when my priority was to earn as much money as possible.

4. How many hours do you work each day? Ten.

5. Town mouse or country mouse?  Country mouse.

6. Does love bring happiness or misery? That depends on who you fall in love with, rather like recruiting its important to choose wisely and to be lucky. I’ve been lucky.

7. Mp3 or vinyl, real or e book? Vinyl and real book.

8. What are your three greatest pleasures? My family, my work and being in the countryside

9. Do you believe in the nap? Yes, certainly. I can sleep anywhere and I frequently do

10. What advice do you have for young people? Be curious, be brave and never be afraid to ask for help

James Reed’s s new book Why You? 101 Interview Questions You’ll Never Fear Again is published by Portfolio Penguin and available to buy through the Idler bookshop by following the link on the right. James will be a guest speaker during our Business for Bohemians course and his book launch is to be held at The Idler Academy on Wednesday 18th March.  Email victoria@idler.co.uk for an invitation.