In anticipation of my soon-to-be-empty-nest, I have been testing the waters for my next act. Such a wonderful market out there for a job-seeker. Not. But I have always had a clean, half full glass, so I am hopeful. I have been offered a 100% commission-based sales position, and while I have never considered my to be a salesperson, I believe we are all basically involved in sales of some sort...either selling ourselves or our ideas. I want to get back into the world of the gainfully employed after spending the last 18 years volunteering. The catch? I don't want to be a sales person. The possibility of high earning potential had me initially interested, but my heart isn't in it. While the income is important, I want to be really happy in my choice. I wonder how many people love what they do...and how many just go to work to keep the bills paid.
26 comments:
Right now...just there to pay the bills....sad but true...
I enjoy aspects of my job, but in the end - it is about getting the bills paid.
I have worked for the same company 23 years. I like my job and the benefits. But there are still always days you want to be doing something else.
I have a theory ... work begets work. Once you are employed, employment offers seem to come out of the woodwork ... no, not to do woodworking, silly.
And you might surprise yourself .. and like it.
Seek work in the non profit industry. The pay's not total crap and you'll drive home with either a sense of accoplishment or a vow to kick ass the next day.
Believe me, I know your dilemma. After years of doing work for free, you'd be surprised at what your resume' would look like. Have you thought about working for a non-profit agency? The reason I work for myself is it's been too long since I took orders from anyone, so I opened my online shop and I hit the local estate sales.
The other thing is that Mr. Snoots wants me to be free to travel when he wants to go somewhere. Most companies require that you work a year before getting vacation time, so it's just out of the question for me.
I thought I could sell Silpada Jewelry, but found that I'm not pushy enough & that I hate being pushed by someone else. Not my bag. So, the online shop has worked for me. I can't imagine having a brick & mortar business though. I barely have time for the house & yard & laundry & cooking.
Good Luck...
I agree with Daryl's theory. Don't say no quite yet.
when able find the ONE job that I love... when necessary take what ever I can find and keep the bills paid...and I agree with Daryl too. when I am working stuff comes around like crazy when I am not its a dry river bed.
I agree with Snooty on this. Have you given any thought to working at a hobby you might love. Something handcrafted you might do and could open up your own shop on Etsy.com
Or if interested in what I am doing now just let me know and I will happily pass on the information. I am enjoying working from home this week and after only one week have had two jobs now and still interviewing.
Oh boy, do I ever know what you're talking about. The job I have now; 31 years here, with many different jobs in many different departments, same company. Loved all of the jobs. The company? Heh. Now going to school for my "dream"--but it is an amended dream. Wanted to be a nurse. But, at 52 with no previous college, bad knees, etc., not likely to happen. So I'm going into the medical field but in an area that fits with skills I already have.
Just remember--if you try something and don't like it, you can always leave it and go on to something else! I think that you can have both--you can pay the bills and enjoy getting there, too. Still, there is no Shangri-La in the working world, at least not that I have found!
Good luck and keep us posted...
Wow, that's a tough one. If your heart is not in it, would you REALLY give it 100%? That's a big factor in a commission-only job:/
I do what I love but that is only possible because hubby is working his tail off so I can mother our girls..after they leave the nest I plan to love what I do. Different perspective, same results ;)This would be a great two cents post.
I consider myself a jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none. I have a degree in Secondary English Education that never evolved into an actual teaching job but opened many doors along the way. 9-1/2 years ago I made the move from Chicago to Atlanta for a job that lasted only 2 months. I am still with the same company, but have taken a completely different career path. Such is the way of life. Many doors, many options, but which to choose? I have been a department of one in Human Resources and I LOVE my job. It's not the actual job that makes it worth getting up each morning. Rather, it's the people I work with and whom I support. They make all the difference. The point in all of this is to find something you love - that gets you up in the morning - that gives you passion. Have fun and good luck with your search! I look forward to your posts as this saga unfolds.
I can answer both ways to this.
As an HR person, I'd say take the job. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. It will look good that you have been employed, and if you hate your job you can look while still being employed which is always helpful and something a potential employer will desire. (how many times can i say employed or employer?) Plus it gets you focused on something other than your empty nest.
As a human being, however, I will say that to find a job that you LOVE is rare. Most anyone I've ever worked with would quit if they won the lottery in a New York minute. Of course there are exceptions, but the majority of folks work to live, they don't live to work.
Other tips would be to identify those things you love doing, and try to do volunteer work or externships in that area (assuming there are such things, depending on what your interests are). For example, you're thinking about nursing? volunteer in a hospital or nursing home. Want to teach? Try being a substitute first. There are infinite volunteer opportunities that could keep you busy (but not pay anything) but may lead to other opportunities.
When you find out how to make money blogging, please, please, please let me know.
Hmmmm, Commission sales takes a special kind of person (I know this because The Salesman is on commission) and you really have to believe in your product or be really good at BSing everyone that you believe in your product. So.... does that help? My job however, just pays the bills :)
Wow..I'd say that if you aren't having to work exactly for the money then wait and find something that you WANT to do. If you need the money, well, then you need the money and take the job. If it is the sense of accomplishment and the money is a wonderful side effect, figure out what it is you like to do and find that.
IMHO
Well, at least you got an offer. I haven't yet and I am beginning to think I am now unhireable after 18 years of only working for my husband's business.
I say go for it, you never know it could be fabulous.
I wish I could offer some profound advice but the truth is there is only one reason I roll out of bed, get dressed, and drive to work every morning and that is to earn a buck. There is nothing existential in it for me. Maybe a thought or two; if you work for the government you get a lot of days off. If you work for a school district you may get some of the summer off and a couple of vacations during the year. I worked for a temp agency for a while and really enjoyed that.
What would I do? I'd take it. In this economy it's good to have SOMETHING, even if it's not your ideal job.
I don't get paid much but I enjoy what I do. And I get 6 weeks off a year, all told.
Coming from someone who is still looking for the perfect job, I'd say I don't think it's out there. I definitely agree you should do something you love doing and feel passionate about.
You're going to need an outlet to replace the part of you that your babies don't need anymore. If you're not sure yet what it is that you want, but need the money, then take it and as sure as you do, you'll start getting ideas.
I think. Who am I to say? I'm working at a damn jail LOL
((hugs))
I have a great job - I know this because I left it once and it wasn't until I left it that I realized that I had the best job. I was blessed enough to get it back. Do what you love, the money will follow.
Don't do it, that's what I think. What does your gut tell you? I say hang in there and something much more appealing will come up.
I have another year before I can head in the same direction, but I would love to learn to do portrait photography -- babies, kids, families... My previous jobs were all in copy editing -- not really a growing field! Good luck with your job search. I hope you find something you love to do. :)
xoxo,
Mary
Do you need to pay the bills, or are you just looking for a time filler? 100% sales commission in this economy seems a bit off-putting to me. Now if you are looking to fill time rather than survive, be true to yourself instead. In the long run, you'll be happier doing something you love.
I actually do love my job, but it pays just enough to buy piano lessons for the kids and not much else. So although I love my job, I would walk away given the right offer.
I happen to think you might make a fortune in sales. You surely are a gifted communicator. But the pressure of 100% commission...yuck.
Daryl's advice is brilliant.
I've been wondering what the heck I will do. My degree is now obsolete and all career quick fixes don't appeal to me. at this age, I can't imagine working anywhere I wasn't happy to get up in the morning for-- life's too short, BUT if there's bills to be paid, you do what you gotta do.
Post a Comment