Help! Looking for a new job

[CrazyCaper]

Hey ladies & gents,

I've recently decided, within the last several months, to begin looking for a new job. I currently work in sales in the transportation industry and it has begun to get stale. I just feel like its time to move on to bigger and better things.

Anyway, I've been applying for sales opportunities in many different industries without even a phone call of interest from any prospective companies.

I've had my resume professionally reviewed and adjusted to show prospective employers what I can offer.

Has anyone else experienced any major obstacles trying to break into a new industry after working in one type for a prolonged period of time? (I've worked in transportation for 6yrs now).

Appreciate the feedback.

[Claeren]

I have had a similar problem.

After 10 years in a government job i need to move on too but, despite the fact my employer would gladly rave about me to anyone who asked and i would consider myself highly capable, it seems impossible to find anything offering more then a looooow down starting position at the very bottom and never at more then $20/hour wage.

Where is this labour shortage?

We have a Tim Horton employee shortage and a McDonalds employee shortage - and even a super-high skill shortage - but for the rest of us in between those two extremes? I guess you need to know someone high-up?



Claeren.

[dubc80]

Originally Posted by Claeren

I have had a similar problem.

After 10 years in a government job i need to move on too but, despite the fact my employer would gladly rave about me to anyone who asked and i would consider myself highly capable, it seems impossible to find anything offering more then a looooow down starting position at the very bottom and never at more then $20/hour wage.

Where is this labour shortage?

We have a Tim Horton employee shortage and a McDonalds employee shortage - and even a super-high skill shortage - but for the rest of us inbetween those two extremes? I guess you need to know someone high-up?

Claeren.

Just a thought, but perhaps potential employers are looking at that as a bad thing?

[CrazyCaper]

I'm thinking there is a stigma when it comes to transportation salespeople. All the reps I've seen, when they switch jobs, they always land at another transport company. I find that really weird. If I can get out of transportation, I'm never looking back.

[CaptainCrunch]

Fact is gents, that the labor shortage isn't in the high dollar jobs, and the super experience skilled jobs. The labor shortage is in menial and entry level positions, thats the big crunch.

For the most part, you won't ever see the large dollar jobs posted, because Company's have become very good at recruiting and targeting the specific person that they want.

Frankly posting a resume on line, or sending it out is useless, or less then useless, it doesn't really get their attention.

Maybe your resume needs a punch up or a format change, especially for a person who's in a sales role. My resume is all about my results, my initiatives, my ability to generate and create new business. Its not the typical

1991-93 IBM - Sold servers, dealt with a diverse client base blah blah blah.

Whats your job history, do you come across as a flight risk, do you have a lot of jobs in a very short time? Thats kills phonecalls right away.

Register with every recruiting and headhunting firm in the city, and I'm not talking about registering for temp jobs. Get your resume into their data base and let them do the work for you.

Over the last 15 years, I've never had to look for a job, no word of a lie. I've always been recruited, because I can prove success, and my resume speaks to that. I take advantage of resources like head hunters etc. Also as a pre-emptive measure, I really try to network like crazy, I've been recruited that way before.

Anyways, if your expectation is that companies are going to call because you sent in a resume think about this stat.

Every job posting gets on average 100 to 200 applicants, an HR persons mandate is to cut that down to 5 to 10 to move to interviews.

Odds are terrible that your going to get called. Now with new ATSystems, they scan your resume in, and a computer looks for key words and variables. Again if your resume is lacking you'll never know.

Out of those 5-10 that are interviewed 1 to 2 are usually bought back for seconds, reference checks etc.

So your chances are pretty low, even in a labor crunch.

Also if your not known, or registered, that hidden job market, you'll never ever see it.

[CrazyCaper]

Thanks for the input Captain. I will definitely take your advise and run with it. Hopefully I will see some results.

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Fact is gents, that the labor shortage isn't in the high dollar jobs, and the super experience skilled jobs. The labor shortage is in menial and entry level positions, thats the big crunch.

For the most part, you won't ever see the large dollar jobs posted, because Company's have become very good at recruiting and targeting the specific person that they want.

Frankly posting a resume on line, or sending it out is useless, or less then useless, it doesn't really get their attention.

Maybe your resume needs a punch up or a format change, especially for a person who's in a sales role. My resume is all about my results, my initiatives, my ability to generate and create new business. Its not the typical

1991-93 IBM - Sold servers, dealt with a diverse client base blah blah blah.

Whats your job history, do you come across as a flight risk, do you have a lot of jobs in a very short time? Thats kills phonecalls right away.

Register with every recruiting and headhunting firm in the city, and I'm not talking about registering for temp jobs. Get your resume into their data base and let them do the work for you.

Over the last 15 years, I've never had to look for a job, no word of a lie. I've always been recruited, because I can prove success, and my resume speaks to that. I take advantage of resources like head hunters etc. Also as a pre-emptive measure, I really try to network like crazy, I've been recruited that way before.

Anyways, if your expectation is that companies are going to call because you sent in a resume think about this stat.

Every job posting gets on average 100 to 200 applicants, an HR persons mandate is to cut that down to 5 to 10 to move to interviews.

Odds are terrible that your going to get called. Now with new ATSystems, they scan your resume in, and a computer looks for key words and variables. Again if your resume is lacking you'll never know.

Out of those 5-10 that are interviewed 1 to 2 are usually bought back for seconds, reference checks etc.

So your chances are pretty low, even in a labor crunch.

Also if your not known, or registered, that hidden job market, you'll never ever see it.

yep...and networking is likely the best way to get what you want. Get out and mingle with your peers.

[JD]

I'm in the energy service industry. Our sales reps are always people known to the company already. They are either poached from another company or brought in from another department within the company, usually engineering. And in rare occasions, former professional athletes... haha.. those don't necessarily work out too well.

Even if you manage to get in our sales VP's face and truly convince him that you're an outstanding candidate, he's probably already got 5 other guys in his mind that he's been wanting to acquire for years now.

[CrazyCaper]

That really helps my confidence level. hehe

Originally Posted by JD

I'm in the energy service industry. Our sales reps are always people known to the company already. They are either poached from another company or brought in from another department within the company, usually engineering. And in rare occasions, former professional athletes... haha.. those don't necessarily work out too well.

Even if you manage to get in our sales VP's face and truly convince him that you're an outstanding candidate, he's probably already got 5 other guys in his mind that he's been wanting to acquire for years now.

[dustygoon]

As someone who does a lot of hiring, i am always perplexed at how tough it is to find good people. Lots of qualified candidates. But there is a lack of people who honestly WANT to work at my company or any company. They just want a job. All candidates need to do is some decent research on the company and the position and give me some honest reasons why they would LIKE to work here. I can look past a lot of short comings on a resume as long as there is evidence of some achievement, ability to adapt, a university degree, good personality (keen but not too keen....the guy/gal has to have some self respect! i can't stand when people are too desperate), and solid written and oral communication skills. Showing confidence and that I am not their only option for a job balanced with an interest is usually the clincher for me. These are finance type jobs that I am talking about but I think this applies to any field.

[BlackArcher101]

It comes down to one thing. It's all about who you know and networking.
This is true even more so in a sales position with a highly competitive industry. If you have a larger network/client base, you will bring the company more business than someone fresh that has no contacts and is cold calling.

My advice? Stop worrying about the resume and get yourself out there and talk it up with others. Networking, networking, networking. Did I mention networking? Once you have that in, you will be golden (as long as you are a good salesman).

[DementedReality]

When you say transportation, do you mean trucking or are you in Logistics?

There is good money and quite an interesting business in global logistics/forwarding.

What is it you dont like about your job? Anyhow, if you are any type of sales person, especially in "transportation" busines, your clients should be a huge source of opportunity, no?

Any clients you are close with that could use your inside knowledge of the transportation business?

Anyhow, I am a senior manager in Global Logistics, if you want some feedback let me know.

[dustygoon]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

It comes down to one thing. It's all about who you know and networking.
This is true even more so in a sales position with a highly competitive industry. If you have a larger network/client base, you will bring the company more business than someone fresh that has no contacts and is cold calling.

My advice? Stop worrying about the resume and get yourself out there and talk it up with others. Networking, networking, networking. Did I mention networking? Once you have that in, you will be golden (as long as you are a good salesman).

Networking is key that is for sure....but many people think it is the type of networking where you have to build longer term relationships first before you can tap them. My wife has gone to the top MBA school in the US and I have been around lots of folks from these good schools.....the "network" that they are tapping into often is one that is built on relationships that are not very deep. It is ok to ask a friend of a friend to "chat" about what they do. It will open up lots of doors.

I am just trying to say that it is ok to ask a remote acquaintance in the right way to get you in the door. People like helping others out. Makes them feel important

And I would never ever appologize for your background or admit that it is thin on experience. Make those that you speak to believe that you have the skills and interest in whatever field you want to move into. The workplace is full of people who BS'd their way into a job.

Hope I am being useful here and not sounding like some airy fairy marketing puke.

[Locke]

I hear 3rd Avenue is looking for help. They simply dont have the supply to keep up with demand.

[maverickeastwood]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

As someone who does a lot of hiring, i am always perplexed at how tough it is to find good people. Lots of qualified candidates. But there is a lack of people who honestly WANT to work at my company or any company. They just want a job. All candidates need to do is some decent research on the company and the position and give me some honest reasons why they would LIKE to work here. I can look past a lot of short comings on a resume as long as there is evidence of some achievement, ability to adapt, a university degree, good personality (keen but not too keen....the guy/gal has to have some self respect! i can't stand when people are too desperate), and solid written and oral communication skills. Showing confidence and that I am not their only option for a job balanced with an interest is usually the clincher for me. These are finance type jobs that I am talking about but I think this applies to any field.

I just picked up a new position, in a different industry, with no experience relating to that industry yet was qualified. The only thing I did different was try out the position for a few days. A 20 minute interview pales in comparison to actually giving it a shot on days off. It works well for everyone involved, even your current employer. You actually find out if that new position is what you want to do, your prospective employer has a better idea of your capabilities and if things don't work out, you still have a job.

[CrazyCaper]

I'm being told when meeting with current customers, even prospects, that good salespeople are hard to find. I have a feeling that some of these companies are just narrow-minded when it comes to giving quality people an opportunity to show what they can do.

I appreciate all the feedback guys, except Locke's of course..hehe

[Option84]

Well, if you don't mind getting specific, what exactly do you sell? How many years specific sales experience do you have? Do you have a college degree, and in what? All these things matter in how you create a strategy for job hunting imo.

[Claeren]

Originally Posted by dubc80

Just a thought, but perhaps potential employers are looking at that as a bad thing?

haha, yeah i guess...

In fairness, the work is a lot harder now then it was 10 years ago and we face more year-over-year (public) pressure to cut costs and increase productively. Where the joke was always something along the lines of 3 people doing 2 peoples work, it is now 1 person doing 3 peoples work while being threatened that their job will be privatized despite the fact no one in the private sector could do it for less then the $28,000-$48,000 a higher level support worker makes. All while our-once-generous-government-wages have stagnated compared to private industry wages. In 1997 when no one else was getting a raise our 3% looked pretty good. These days when the average is 4.5%+ (often a BIG PLUS), with bonuses and/or options and companies best workers are rewarded far better then that, our 3% is not keeping up at all.

Some of the best and most industrious people I have met work for the government for (what are now) below typical wages because they enjoy the work and they enjoy helping people. Sadly the breaking point is being hit and the best are slowly leaving for greener pastures outside government - not inside.


That is all why i am going back to university in fall (and thus will be fine in the longer term) - but it still sucks that despite working so hard, obtaining many specialized skills and doing a fantastic job no one outside government wants you for more then ~$18/hr (often more in the $14-$16 range!) despite the labour shortage! But as i said, it is the top skill and bottom skill jobs that are paying better then they should.



Claeren.

[CrazyCaper]

See me above post for relevant information.

P.S. I have a college "diploma" not a degree.

Originally Posted by Option84

Well, if you don't mind getting specific, what exactly do you sell? How many years specific sales experience do you have? Do you have a college degree, and in what? All these things matter in how you create a strategy for job hunting imo.