Job search - help

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Job search - help
27
Fri, 10-12-2007 - 11:42am

I am in the middle of a job search, and I need some new ideas. I am mid career, looking for a definite step up and a place to grow (and more money/better benefits). For me, that likely means a larger company. (I am in corporate communications - editorial/writing focus right now).

I have been scanning the job boards, Craigs List, trying to go to newtworking events when possible, meeting past colleagues for drinks to ask advice/leads, etc.

What else can I do? How did you all find your current job -- job posting, word of mouth, knew someone at the company? (I know it's a different process for the teachers on the board).

AJ, enjoying life with C.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Fri, 10-12-2007 - 6:26pm

I do freelance work on the side already, and I have actually considered just starting my own business. Like sales, though, the thought of not having guaranteed income is a little daunting - especially knowing how hard it is to get going at first.

I hadn't considered blog ad revenue - hmm. I'll look into that more. Thanks for the tip.


I just don't want to work 24/7 because I have several side jobs.

AJ, enjoying life with C.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-13-2007
Fri, 10-12-2007 - 9:57pm

It's so impressive than anyone could do a job like that.

We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-25-2004
Sat, 10-13-2007 - 12:44am

Yup, I agree, the in-house side is much better. I hope to land something there at some point in the future. Everyone says that's where to be. Most people warned me about going to a firm but I wanted out of my old field bad enough so I took the plunge. It hasn't been too bad but I think it's because I have a really good boss who doesn't breathe down my neck and I do a lot of writing. There are firms out there I'd never go near because I heard their environments are so awful.

In terms of corp comm type jobs I'd probably also just look at the individual websites of big companies and apply through them. I've done that before and got interviews. That's what a friend of mine did years ago and she landed a nice gig and a company she was actually interested in.

I'd say go government also... I used to turn my nose up at civil service until I realized that I'd be the one with no pension at 60 ;-) Try usajobs.gov I think it is. A friend of mine just went from private industry into a terrific government job and she doesn't regret it one bit. She's doing a lot better financially and feels secure with the fact that she has a pension and other great benefits. I think it could be my next stop as well if it's for a branch of the gov I'm interested in working for and the price is right. There are a lot of public affairs jobs listed last I checked (but most are probably out of your state if you're not in the DC area). Worth trying though just to see who calls.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2004
Sat, 10-13-2007 - 2:19am

This was a very informative post - thanks for posting that.


What do you think are the best industries to get into for sales? I think this is one career field I've always overlooked because when I think of sales I think car sales or electronic sales, plus standing around a lot during the day waiting for customers. I'm beginning to think though that I'm missing a large part of the picture here.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-13-2007
Sat, 10-13-2007 - 4:55pm

What do you think are the best industries to get into for sales?


***********


Everything is sold at some point. (-: But think some about the dynamic of the sale.


You have a mattress, right? When you bought it, did you shop for several weeks, collect cards and then come back to a good salesman

We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2004
Sun, 10-14-2007 - 2:10am

Wow! Thanks again for taking the time to post all that. I can see why you are so good at what you do - you almost sold me on a career in sales! :)


I think for me, I love the idea of building relationships with people, getting to know them more personality and finding what the right product for them is. That would be highly rewarding. The thing though that turns me off sales is the cold calling, that I might struggle with, but then again, who knows, maybe once I had done it a few times I'd get the hang of it and it wouldn't be that big of an issue.


Like you too, I'd prefer to not always be 'on call'. Having my own personal life is important too, which is a big reason I never considered real estate.


I think probably a good place for me would be somewhere where clients are coming to look at products/get information and then I am building up rapport with them, providing information and hopefully selling them on the product.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-13-2007
Sun, 10-14-2007 - 10:45am

Insurance.


If you are as honest as me this is something to consider. The best "investment strategy" for anyone who draws air into there lungs is Annual Renewable Term Life insurance. Add to that a balanced savings / investment program. (Stocks, CD's, bonds, whatever, but a long term program geared at growth for retirement.)


To make a living you will sell whole life policy.


The difference . . Term life, you can buy $100,000 or more in coverage for a few hundred dollars a year, and you will earn 10% of first year premium. So lets say your customer was young and healthy, first year premium was something like $360 and your 10% is $36. If you want to earn 100,000 a year, you need $8,400 a month more or less. That means you need to cold call enough to sell 231 of these policy each and every month. (That's not going to happen.)


Or


Whole Life Policies, a

We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-13-2007
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 9:59am

Anyway, thanks again, you've really given me a lot to think about and I'm going to do some looking around - job postings, etc.


*********


Quickly this morning .. . and interesting and good advise in general anyway. When looking at

We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 11:08am
>>Yup, I agree, the in-house side is much better. I hope to land something there at some point in the future. Everyone says that's where to be. <<

Oh, don't get me wrong. Firms allow for excellent experience. If you are starting out in the field, it's a great place to be. Long term, though, burnout is definitely an issue.

AJ, enjoying life with C.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Mon, 10-15-2007 - 11:13am
>> Now, for the next several weeks, and even better, months, keep watching the same section of the classifieds. Notice the same add running every week? (-: Why do you think that might be? Scam? High turnover? What we in sales call a meat grinder? <<

Great advice. I think this applies in other indutries as well. There's one job listing for marketing manager that I briefly considered, but I have seen it posted and re-posted in various places for at least six months. Big red flag -- there's a reason they can't fill the job -- or, when they do, people leave quickly.

My current goal is not to leap at the first thing that comes along. I think doing your homework and waiting for the right fit is key.

AJ, enjoying life with C.