Dirk Diggler Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 The word came down that I am not much longer for my job. I have had this job in sales for 4 years since graduation and have been miserable for much of it. It is the only job I have ever had. I need a new job, preferably a career change and right now I do not have a whole lot of direction. I picked up a book "Interviews for dummys" so I will assume I am covered there. The problem is where to look for jobs. The paper sucks. Monster is swamped. I've had my resume on there for like 5 months and I have only gotten 6 hits. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Depends what you want to do. But, Monster is still good. You can look up certain jobs and contact companies yourself on some of those job sites. There was one site up in Minnesota called TwinCitiesTechies.com that I was able to find many possible openings. You also should contact some companies on your own. Just walk in with a suit, a resume and say, "hey, can I speak with HR real quick." Better to call first to just have a get to know and "Keep me in mind" call. You have to search out many jobs yourself though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Do you want to stay in sales but change industries? Do you want to change geography? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Diggler Posted May 16, 2003 Author Share Posted May 16, 2003 Art Thanks Kil Looking to avoid sales, just dont think i am cut out for it. Lookin to stay in the NY/NJ area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchogs Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 i do know that education has several companies that are dedicated to private education jobs. you turn in a resume and some paperwork, schools contact the companies with openings, the company sends out resumes that fit with the schools' needs, and the school contacts you. the comanies also hold huge "job fairs" where you basically line up like cattle for interviews. the fee for educators to use the company is pretty cheap ($40 i think). for regular (non teaching) jobs, i've done two things. 1st: temp agencies. go in as a temp, impress the hell out of the company and get hired. 2nd: intern/volunteer. walk in, say you're impressed with x,y, and z about the company, and ask to help out for free. again, impress the hell out of em and get hired. i can't say it will always work, obviously, but that's how i've gotten the three real jobs i've held. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbear Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 temp agencies are great, especially if you have a field you are interested in. Plus, you get some money while you are looking because atleast your working. The better agencies either specialise in certain fields or have contracts with other large companies. The one I worked in sent pretty much everybody to the discovery network at some point. Many of my friends ended up working There for a few years after being hired there. Heck one of my friends went to work at the temp agency simply because he knew it was a foot in the door at the discovery channel. Other options, find a head hunter. I don't have much experience with this. From what I've heard, it's faster but not free. I don't know what your skill set is. Do you want to work for gov? fair warning, those jobs take forever from the point you apply to when you start if you get one. Did you go to college? If so, try your college recruiting office. You don't need to be a current student to use their resources most of the time. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Evil Genius Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Dirk - what's your degree in? That might help out... Also, check out craigslist.com for NYC or Philly (:doh:) - depending on what part of NJ you are in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Diggler Posted May 16, 2003 Author Share Posted May 16, 2003 I graduated University of Delaware with a degree in International Relations. It was sort of a situation where I had to pick "something" to major in and that was it. I had a minor in Econ. Not really interested in either field. Does that help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo-toni Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Dirk, Whereabouts in Jersey are you, if you don't mind my asking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Diggler Posted May 16, 2003 Author Share Posted May 16, 2003 North Central- Morris County Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Evil Genius Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Dirk, Does that mean you are fluent in another language - I know other languages were a necessity at my school for International Relations.... That might help if you have fluency in Spanish or something like that - makes you more marketable. There are a lot of jobs in government (local, state, fed) that are reachable - if you dont mind starting out at entry level...justa thought. Good luck man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codeorama Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Dirk, if you have a degree, you can get into teaching. There's no pressure for sales, weekends and summers off, so if the money is not to your liking, you can work a second PT job. Most school districts are short handed and need teachers and will allow you a provisional contract that requires you to take "education" classes that you are lacking within a 3 year peroid, most school districts will cover some of the costs. Many don't want to teach, thus the shortage, but if you value having some free time in the summer, it could be an option for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awgustlab Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Dirk ......Diggler??? Ummmm....porno industry?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlitzFiftySix Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Too bad Dirk, I am currently hiring salespeople in the wireless technology industry. Nextel, Sprint, GPS tracking devices for business solutions, wireless internet, etc... Let me know if you are interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burgold Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Teaching is very intense especially if you do it right. Sounds like a lot better deal than it is. You have to deal with parents, lawyers, advocates, kids, bureaucrats, and more drama than you would believe. On the other hand, if you want to do some good and you've got a good deal of patience and are decent at both planning and improvising it can be a great thing to do. If you have savings, interning, volunteering is a great way to explore and put your foot into the door. I found Careernet to be pretty good when I was looking. Also, check your network of friends and see if any want to introduce you. Strangely enough, the best way I've found to get a job is to meet the people before they're looking. Go on informational interviews at dream places and get to know them and get them to like you. Overall, congratulations on making a change from a situation where you've been mostly unhappy and my sympathies for the situation. Losing your job is tough. The job market is not very good in most areas right now, so keep your spirits up. Good fortune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buddha Posted May 17, 2003 Share Posted May 17, 2003 What about law school? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Om Posted May 17, 2003 Share Posted May 17, 2003 Dirk, if you're about taking on challenges, I hear they're looking for shrinks in Atlanta. Fact is, no one here, or anywhere else for that matter, can tell you what kind of field to look into. Only you know what turns you on (besides Burt Reynolds Productions of course). Being relatively young as you are, you may well have a couple more "career changes" in your future. I say this primarily because it does not seem you have a love right now that's calling out to you. So, don't force it. When you do find it, you'll know. That is when you'll need to decide if you 1) need more schooling / training to make a real go at it; be it in law enforcement, the law itself, education, tech, marketing, real estate, entertainment ... you name it, or 2) that whatever it is that crosses your path that lights you up is already within you to do based on your experience. I have known a whole lot of folks who got into a "profession" after investing incredible amounts of time, sweat and money in getting qualified ... then found themselves dissatisfied, cornered, in debt, and regretting having chased something more on perception, the expectations of others, and dollar signs, than they did on personal desires and the pursuit of happiness. Bottom line ... you don't need advice from someone on an internet message board whom you've never met, but I'll offer some up anyway, that you can obviously take or leave at your discretion: don't get caught up in the money. Rather ... find something that fits into the way you see yourself. Something that affords you the opportunity to pursue whatever dreams you have outside of your work. I know some folks for whom their work IS their life, and some of them seem happy enough, I guess. But the fact is the happiest, most fulfilled people I know are every bit as intense in their pursuit of a full, balanced life as the most "successful" people I know are in the pursuit of their material goals. If you can do both, power to you ... and be sure to drop us a line from your private island one day. Meanwhile ... don't forget to enjoy the trip. * Sorry to go all serious on ya. Must be time for another brew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchogs Posted May 17, 2003 Share Posted May 17, 2003 again, om, you make me feel smart for voting for you. right on on all accounts. doesn't matter what the job is; just the happiness you glean from it. do what makes you happy, and figure out a way (if necessary) to make that very thing your profession. country singing, bass fishin', day trading, dry walling...it doesn't really matter. figure out what you value and then strive to maximize your values. that's happiness, man. PM me if you want teaching info. good luck with your decision... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Diggler Posted May 18, 2003 Author Share Posted May 18, 2003 Much oblidge to all who chimed in on this one. Om...you are right on the money. I don't have "a love that is calling out to me" right now. But I am young, traveling light, and willing and able to try a few things until I "get it right." Who knows where the hell I will end up. I kinda feel like Forrest Gump sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy-the-Greek Posted May 18, 2003 Share Posted May 18, 2003 Dirk, Pm me. I work for the largest homebuilder on the east coast and we are hiring for many positions right now. There are sales positiongs opening and manager and supervisor postions too. I just got a newsletter yesterday from the company asking me if I knew of qualified people to bring into the company. We are going back to having a large Warranty/Service dept. It is going to be based out of our Edison regional office, exit 10 off the turnpike. The salaries are among the best in our industry and the benes are incredible 401k with profit sharing, full medical dental and vision. And for most positions bonus plans with the potential to realistically make 20% of your salary paid out quarterly. I almost forgot that some positions get company trucks. I have had a company truck for the last 12 years. Every 3-4 years I get a new one. It is a nice bene to know all I have to do is turn the key. They pay for everything for the truck. Gas, tolls maitenance, Insurance. You keep it 24-7 so it is a really nice perk. Plus I am the only guy in the corp office that is a Skin Fan. I am surrounded by Giant, Jet and Eagle fans. It would be nice to have another Skin fan around. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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