How many here are changing professional direction? (Full Version)

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lusciouslips19 -> How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 8:42:26 AM)

So we all know the job situation is in the toilet. Right? Well anyway, I quit a job when my hours were cut at the end of 08. I would have worked 20 hours but I still recieved benefits at 20 hours. I thought, "hey, I'll make more on unemployment so screw them". I really had no idea it would be this bad. I currently do not have unemployment insurance left.

There are very few teaching jobs in the field of massage therapy. None have benefits of any kind. And many are so flexible that you dont know from month to month how much you'll be working. Its all independent contracting with no protection to the worker. I also was verbally hired on 3 jobs to be told later they werre giving the class to someone else whos hours were cut that already worked for them,

The field of massage therapy has taken a hit as its seen as a luxury and frankly, its not work that you can do full time and into old age. Some people who have been in the business a long time have clientele. But after being a way to teach, Im starting over but without the passion for it that I had years ago.

Blah blah, I know I'm long winded. I am looking at other avenues. I have an interveiw for part time work in public relations for a chiropractor. I was wondering what kind of direction changes have some of you made to find work and how sucessful have you been? I have tried sending resumes that I know I would be good at the work, but Im sure there are hundreds of others in the field with experience that I am going up against.

So tell me...what changes you have made and how sucessful have you been in the current market? Your failures but really love to hear some triumphs.



LadyEllen -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 8:58:51 AM)

One thing is for certain - the nature of the labour market is (and has been for some time) such that if you stand still, failing to add new skills and abilities to your resume, you shall before long be outmanouevered by those who have and/or by changes to the requirements for your preferred occupation whether these are market induced changes or the results of changing laws.

The other thing that is certain is that far too many prospective, let alone existing employees seem to misunderstand the nature of employment as an investment by an organisation in a person, on which a return is expected, whether this be improvements to the way an existing level of work is performed or a quantitative increase in the level of work performed. Job interviews are not job interviews, they are sales presentations wherein the employee must convince the employer to buy his/her services over another's on the merits of a higher return for the salary invested. Upon success it is for the employee to demonstrate consistently that the investment was a good one, resulting in good returns for the employer - an appointment therefore is an opportunity to prove the boasts made at interview, not a means of getting your feet under the desk as it were in order to kick back and collect salary regardless of results.

And this applies to we happy few who employ others too; regardless of appearances, we know more than most that our salary relies on these things; if we dont consistently market a desirable product or service then we're out of a job just as much as the poor employee who doesnt bother making his best efforts. Consequently we are on a continual marketing drive to ensure our product or service is saleable and profitable, just as employees must be with the labour service they seek to sell to us.

E



LaTigresse -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 8:59:07 AM)

I have had such vastly different jobs, done things I never would have imagined. I just go into it, "Well if that person can do it, so can I!!" and dive right in.

I cannot really talk about success or lack thereof in this job market. I've been here since July 2001. But I have never worried about getting a job. I would wait tables again if that was what I had to do. I've never narrowed my search to any one avenue but would instead read the entire 'Help Wanted' section. Wondering....."How much does that pay and could I do it?" If the answer was "enough and yes" I went for it.



LadyEllen -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 9:10:10 AM)

I like your style LaT - apart from some very specialist occupations, I've always believed myself (and through being self employed proved it too) to be capable of any job. The problem however is as ever proving it to an employer, some of whom take the view that unless you have a piece of paper to show it then you cant do this or that and others of whom judge prospective employees by all manner of criteria that have little or nothing to do with the job - which is to say that they are equally in the dark about the return on investment that an employee may yield as those whom they interview.

E



LaTigresse -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 9:20:42 AM)

I think a large part of overcoming that, is to create a resume that fits that specific job. I am not talking about lying, but highlighting the aspects of experience that would better fit the job the person is applying for and leaving off some of the descriptives that just clutter things up. 



susie -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 9:21:13 AM)

I am concerned that when / if I return to work I will find it very difficult to return at a level I once worked at. Not only are there fewer openings at that kind of level now I have the issue of being out of work for nearly 3 years with the added problems of frequent hospital visits to cope with.

So as Masters business is continuing to do well I have taken on some of the things like helping with the marketing and of course running the finances. This has been encouraged by my consultants as a form of therapy and to get my brain more active. I have learnt to write websites as part of the marketing of the company which is a skill that is very different from corporate finance so who knows what I will eventually end up doing.



LaTigresse -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 9:24:35 AM)

Susie, one thing I did was not think about the 'level'. I once took a job at the lowest level in a company, part time mail room. Before that company closed I had been promoted multiple times, was able to transfer to their corporate credit head quarters when I moved, and had learned invaluable new job skills.

I just concentrated on getting in the door. After that, I let my abilities and work ethic speak for itself.



WinsomeDefiance -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 9:36:55 AM)

Before I moved to Michigan, 9 years ago, I'd worked at a large oil refining plant for 15 years.  I was fortunate in working there, because I had the opportunity to step into many different positions as well as attend extended learning courses.  If I say so  myself, I have some mad skills. 

Still, when I moved to Michigan, I was surprised at the state of things.  I found that I had to extend my search beyond what was most comfortable for me.  I worked as a medical assistant, caregiver, insurance sales, Executive Adminstrator, credit manager assistant, etc.  All things I knew how to do, and I was willing to work temp jobs, whatever was available.  I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a job that I never expected to be good at, it was as commercial/residential designer.  It was a whole different world for me and I loved it.  It was especially fulfilling to walk into a business and see it finished and know that it was my vision that pulled it all together.  I had to stop working for medical reasons, but it was a blast while it lasted.

Sometimes, the best things that can happen to us, are the unexpected blessings that arise out of hardship.

Best of luck in your new adventures! 



Mercnbeth -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 9:55:52 AM)

~ Fast Career Consulting ~

There are only three jobs in the world; marketing, operations management, support. Every job is one of those three. If you are good at any, the industry is immaterial. If you are good at them all - you should be an owner. If you are good at any of them and are unemployed, or underemployed, you not sufficiently motivated. If you are bad at them all - you are unemployed.

To get a job in the private sector your resume may get you an interview, but to get hired you have to prove that you add to the bottom line of whoever is considering hiring you. That philosophy goes for any level of hire, from CEO to receptionist. You better consider yourself the same way any business manager does, as an 'investment'. At the interview you have to sell the person interviewing you that you will generate a positive return on that investment. When you do so, make sure to include what it costs your employer to provide the benefits you seek.

It's incumbent on you to do your 'homework'. Talk about them on specifics using terms and references indicating you know their business and their goals; providing examples from your experiences pointing out how you will help them accomplish them. At the end of the interview, they should wonder how they ever got along without you.

Or - find out what you are worth and go out and work for yourself. If nothing else it will give you an appreciation of what private business has to deal with on a daily basis. You can accomplish and provide yourself with every possible benefit. They are all available from vendors; all you have to do is what the businesses that you want to work for have to do - figure out a way to pay for it by at least breaking even with all the expenses, taxes, fees, and regulations. Maybe you'll even make a profit.

From the little you've disclosed, open your own teaching facility. You think there is a market for chiropractic "public relations" sell that not to one chiropractor, but an entire group. Show them how their 'investment' in your public relations ideas generate clients and income to them. How? Well that's what you'd be paid for by them to do.

The problem is, you have to recapture that "passion" you say you lost. At minimum you need a "passion" for yourself, your goals, and what path you want to progress through life. They call it 'work' because it's not play and there are always things you don't like or want to do; yet you continue to do them because they serve your daily needs as well as your ultimate long term goal.

Good luck!

Edited to add:

Realized I didn't answer your original question. Through the years, my "professional direction" took this path.

Assistant Bank Manager
Collector
Personal Loan Manager
Real Estate Loan Manager
Loan Underwriter
Bank Branch Lending Manager
Training Administrator
Training Director
Regional Bank Manager
Commercial Lender
Market & Acquisition Officer
Specialty Financial Product Development Officer
President of National Commercial Lending Division
Owner / Operator
COO Specialized Financing for Private Investor Services

There was no way I had this path in mind getting out of college where I majored in 'partying'. I minored in 'Business Management'; however getting turned down for a trainee position at both 'Color Tile' and 'Florshien Shoes' educated me how disconnected academia was to the business world. However, I still draw upon my 'Major'; albeit it's more of a avocation or hobby.

I always had the same professional or life goal which I've yet to achieve - 'comfortable retirement'. Working on it - and if it requires street cleaning, janitorial work, or... - I'm prepared to do it.



xxblushesxx -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 10:11:09 AM)

I'm having some success. I was having fabulously wild and wonderful success until the company I contract with screwed up their operations. Now I make enough to pay my bills, stay home and take care of the kids, the house, and do whatever other things HM requests of me.

I start with a second company tonight, and expect to again return to faulously wild and wonderful success shortly. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to be able to stay at home, and pay at least my minimal bills. It's much more wonderful when things are going extremely well though.



Reyn -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 10:24:45 AM)

I sometimes wonder with all the vast changes in society that are taking place
whether any of us will have non-government jobs... Look at France and Italy
where the vast majority of workers are goverment controlled positions in some
way...

The health and housing crises in USA are producing so many instabilities
with traditional work avenues that a primary option is to get into state/federal
or some medical support mechanism ( nursing, caregivers ... ).

I personally think that people who have a low investment in education
for often very good reasons ( like no school leavers certificate or lack of an
applicable degree possibly due to medical or financial hurdles that could
not be overcome ) have only the immediate option of medical support or
government.

For the normal person who has experienced an interruption in work history
and possibly medical issues that force lower levels of performance and
challange things will very difficult.

Not everyone has the ability through character, intelligence or training
to create value "on the fly" in a new financial climate. Sad times - did you
notice how many people are on some form of assistance from the government
in the USA like food-stamps whatever ?




calamitysandra -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 11:53:43 AM)

Blushes, would you mind sharing what you are doing? It sounds quite good.



LaTigresse -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 11:59:57 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Reyn

I sometimes wonder with all the vast changes in society that are taking place
whether any of us will have non-government jobs... Look at France and Italy
where the vast majority of workers are goverment controlled positions in some
way...

The health and housing crises in USA are producing so many instabilities
with traditional work avenues that a primary option is to get into state/federal
or some medical support mechanism ( nursing, caregivers ... ).

I personally think that people who have a low investment in education
for often very good reasons ( like no school leavers certificate or lack of an
applicable degree possibly due to medical or financial hurdles that could
not be overcome ) have only the immediate option of medical support or
government.

For the normal person who has experienced an interruption in work history
and possibly medical issues that force lower levels of performance and
challange things will very difficult.

Not everyone has the ability through character, intelligence or training
to create value "on the fly" in a new financial climate. Sad times - did you
notice how many people are on some form of assistance from the government
in the USA like food-stamps whatever ?




I highlighted the things that I call.......pages of an Excuse Book. Many of the people on government assistance are on government assistance because they want to be. If I lost my job today, I guarantee you I would be employed again, by the end of the week. Not because things are that great but because I am willing to work.



Jeffff -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 12:01:10 PM)

I would always offer YOU a..... position.


Ward



susie -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 12:50:57 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LaTigresse

Susie, one thing I did was not think about the 'level'. I once took a job at the lowest level in a company, part time mail room. Before that company closed I had been promoted multiple times, was able to transfer to their corporate credit head quarters when I moved, and had learned invaluable new job skills.

I just concentrated on getting in the door. After that, I let my abilities and work ethic speak for itself.


The problem here is if you have been in a postion like was of Financial Director most companies will not take you on at a lower level because they will say you are over qualified. When I first returned to work after my first brush with cancer I decided to temp at a local company instead of travelling to London each day. The agency I went to told me they would find it very difficult to find me any work because of my CV.

Part of the reason I want to help my partner continue to increase his business is so that if I am unable to find work (and there are still many pre conceived ideas about cancer suffers here) then I can continue to do something useful for his business.



LadyEllen -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 1:55:30 PM)

That is true enough what Susie says - how it is over in the US I dont know, but here you tend to be pigeon-holed to a certain level in a certain role, with little opportunity to trade down or up or move across to another role, regardless of your capabilities. And there is also of course the problem of paying the mortgage if you accept a lower salary for many.

In my case for instance I wouldnt stand a chance in hell of getting a job as managing director of a group of companies - this mainly because I dont have a degree it must be said (any degree would do it seems though). Yet here I am, 7 years into such a role that I made for myself by founding the group. If it all failed tomorrow, I may have a slightly improved chance of acquiring a similar position but only slightly improved, and it would be in the same sector whatever job it was, however much I fancied a career change. But then, having been self employed, its highly doubtful I should ever want to work for someone else ever again - I'd likely go consultant.

E



windchymes -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 2:24:33 PM)

Changing direction? Yep....I'm about 7 weeks away from finishing school.....to be a massage therapist! [:D]



lusciouslips19 -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 3:02:16 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: windchymes

Changing direction? Yep....I'm about 7 weeks away from finishing school.....to be a massage therapist! [:D]


I havent wanted to burst your bubble but honeyyour fantasy will become a reality and you will be part time with no benefits. When one does manage to get full time work the burnout level is 6 years because of the physical dememnds. If you dont have kids and can work at 4 places at once all on call, you may be able to string a living together. If you can have your own business and make money from other working for you it may be better. Though the place I take calls at the owner went back to work as an Engineer to pay the bills and others have to run her business on the things she cant afford to pay people for like laundry and cleaning.


I just wanted to add that I am not trying to be harsh. I have been in the business for many years. I was a bright eyed new therapist at one time too. In a much better economy. I have also taught massage. The one thing student have in common is an over inflated sense of how much money they are going to make and an under inflated sense of how hard it truly is physically over time or that it is a service job that you are making money off the sweat of your brow whether you are helping people or not.



littlewonder -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 3:30:07 PM)

I'll be soon seeking another job when I move within the next 6 months or so. I currently do clerical/legal work but I'd like to change into the IT field since it's something I enjoy doing. Unfortunately right now I feel like my life is just way too busy to take on schooling for it with trying to get my home ready to sell and packing, getting through other things that need to be tied up. I'm hoping that once I move and get settled in again I'll maybe be able to go back to school and take on a new career and a new life.





mnottertail -> RE: How many here are changing professional direction? (3/1/2010 3:40:11 PM)

I used to be a computer geek, now I am a pure capitalist.



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