I want your job: Jo-Ann Strauss

Name: Jo-Ann Strauss

Job: TV Presenter/MC/Model/"Media Mogul in the making"

Tell us about your job, what does it entail?

I do so many different things that I refer to myself as a “media mogul in the making”. Right now I am busy with my presenter search competition.

How did you get here?

I auditioned like everybody in the beginning and five years later I got a job with Top Billing and I have never looked back.

What made you want to start your own company? Was it always the dream?

I have always done my own thing besides being on TV. I do a lot of international MC jobs and producing. I just finished producing a TV commercial.

What is the best part of your job?

No day is the same. The next day is always a surprise. For example I just got a call from Top Billing to shoot an insert for the show. I always meet and work with different people.

What is the hardest part of your job?

What I do not like about my job is the self-entitlement attitude that young people have. Everywhere I go I have people telling me that it is my duty to give back, but helping people is more like a privilege. My job is not all about glitz and glamour. Sometimes it takes 10 hours of non-stop editing behind the scenes. A lot of effort goes into making it look like you live an effortless life.

Tell us about your most memorable interview?

I have interviewed a lot of people and some of the best ones are the ones you do not see on television. For example, I had a great interview with Antonio Banderas and George Clooney about politics. I also had a great interview with Kevin Spacey about the international competition he is running for film makers and Charlize Theron sang happy birthday to me in Afrikaans.

What is your beauty secret?

Sleep, water and sunscreen. You can wear as much make-up as you want but if you don’t feel beautiful and proud of what you do it will show. I am blessed with a loving husband, family and great friends. If you have a happy soul it shines through.

What has been your career highlight so far?

It will have to be the presenter search that I am currently running because I am giving back to the community and mentoring school kids. I took the finalists to Zambia and it has been non-stop work after that.

What is your recipe for success?

It goes back to the issue of entitlement. Expect no favours and do not ever feel that you are entitled to something.

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

I read somewhere that the harder you work the luckier you get.

What characteristics would you say a person needs to do your job?

Endurance, focus and drive. You have to always be positive and never take yourself too seriously. That does not mean you do not have to work hard, but you have to be able to laugh at yourself in this industry. Do not ever let your ego get the better of you.

If you were not on TV, what would you do?

I would be a game ranger. I love animals and for my honeymoon we did so much with animals. I have already enquired about a course with Kruger National Park.

What's your dream job? Is there someone's job you would absolutely love to have? Tell us on Facebook or comment below.