Career Change

[THEONLYTENISEE]

Just looking for some ideas. Early 30s, with a business degree. Looking into sales or territory management careers. Any jobs you’ve liked or absolutely hated?

 

[Hoosier_Vol]

Now would be the time for a career change for anyone since EVERY single place is hiring desperately!

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

Now would be the time for a career change for anyone since EVERY single place is hiring desperately!

Do you think some places would hesitate to fill positions due to the economy?

 

[Go aeiou]

Do you think some places would hesitate to fill positions due to the economy?

Don't leave one job until you have another one.

 

[Panthro]

 

[n_huffhines]

Just looking for some ideas. Early 30s, with a business degree. Looking into sales or territory management careers. Any jobs you’ve liked or absolutely hated?

I hate sales and sounds like it's what you want to do, so maybe don't listen to me on specific suggestions, but think about your career/job in broad terms. What are the things you want? This is how we bought our house. We made a list of 25 things we wanted, and each house we looked at had about 12-15 from the list. Then we found a house with like 23 of the 25 and we knew it was the one. Suggestions:

Work from home vs. in person vs. hybrid?
Commute?
Collaborating or working solo?
Do you want to manage people or work alone?
Autonomy or structure/interactive managers?
Chaos or order?
Do you tolerate a lot of meetings and trainings?
What amount of $ do you need to be happy?
Etc.

 

[n_huffhines]

BTW, figuring out that I didn't want to manage people was the most liberating thing in my career. I started out my career managing a couple dozen people on a fulfillment team. I got the opportunity to do more technical work in my field, no longer managing a team, and I had no idea it was going to be so important to my job satisfaction. I avoid so many meetings and uncomfortable conversations and dealing with people's BS because of that choice. My current employer asked me to become executive level and I said no. It wasn't much of a pay increase and the title doesn't matter to me because I don't care to have that on my resume. I'm not trying to be executive level anywhere.

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

BTW, figuring out that I didn't want to manage people was the most liberating thing in my career. I started out my career managing a couple dozen people on a fulfillment team. I got the opportunity to do more technical work in my field, no longer managing a team, and I had no idea it was going to be so important to my job satisfaction. I avoid so many meetings and uncomfortable conversations and dealing with people's BS because of that choice. My current employer asked me to become executive level and I said no. It wasn't much of a pay increase and the title doesn't matter to me because I don't care to have that on my resume. I'm not trying to be executive level anywhere.

I love this mindset and am quickly reaching the same conclusion. I always get pegged for leadership wherever I go, which is flattering, and I’ve been in leadership at my company for about 7 years now, slowly climbing the ladder, but I’m starting to ask myself “Do you even enjoy being in charge of people?” At one point I really did, but I’m not so sure anymore.

I’m in the same boat as you regarding another promotion. If I was asked to move to the executive team (which would be my next step), I would decline, and that’s a good feeling to have.

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

I love this mindset and am quickly reaching the same conclusion. I always get pegged for leadership wherever I go, which is flattering, and I’ve been in leadership at my company for about 7 years now, slowly climbing the ladder, but I’m starting to ask myself “Do you even enjoy being in charge of people?” At one point I really did, but I’m not so sure anymore.

I’m in the same boat as you regarding another promotion. If I was asked to move to the executive team (which would be my next step), I would decline, and that’s a good feeling to have.

I’ve been in management in a past career. The upper corporate leadership is what bothered me the most. It felt like Office Space, 8 bosses and all 8 are never on the same page.

 

[n_huffhines]

I love this mindset and am quickly reaching the same conclusion. I always get pegged for leadership wherever I go, which is flattering, and I’ve been in leadership at my company for about 7 years now, slowly climbing the ladder, but I’m starting to ask myself “Do you even enjoy being in charge of people?” At one point I really did, but I’m not so sure anymore.

I’m in the same boat as you regarding another promotion. If I was asked to move to the executive team (which would be my next step), I would decline, and that’s a good feeling to have.

Freakonomics recently did an interesting pod about the management path. It's kind of a backward system we've incentivized. Too many people striving to be managers when they wouldn't be happy doing that and too many companies promoting people to manager based on their performance instead of management qualities.

They used the example of promoting your best sales guys to be managers....why would you distance your best sales people from customers? Why would you want to be a manager if it makes sense for both parties to negotiate better pay to keep doing sales? One point they did make is that promoting sales people is a strong incentive to do well in sales for all the people who don't want to do sales forever, so they do have good reason...but collectively, we need to get it out of our mindset that this is the desirable path for anybody capable of it.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

Don't leave one job until you have another one.

And don't burn bridges when you do leave. You never know when you might need a reference, to do a deal, or maybe need to come back for whatever reason. Keep your options open

 

[05_never_again]

Freakonomics recently did an interesting pod about the management path. It's kind of a backward system we've incentivized. Too many people striving to be managers when they wouldn't be happy doing that and too many companies promoting people to manager based on their performance instead of management qualities.

They used the example of promoting your best sales guys to be managers....why would you distance your best sales people from customers? Why would you want to be a manager if it makes sense for both parties to negotiate better pay to keep doing sales? One point they did make is that promoting sales people is a strong incentive to do well in sales for all the people who don't want to do sales forever, so they do have good reason...but collectively, we need to get it out of our mindset that this is the desirable path for anybody capable of it.

Peter Principle.

There's a hierarchy, and it is assumed that good performance at a lower level in the hierarchy is a signifier that person would be good at the higher level in the hierarchy, even if the higher-level position in question requires a different set of skills. You see it everywhere, from the corporate world to coaches in college and professional sports.

 

[allvol123]

BTW, figuring out that I didn't want to manage people was the most liberating thing in my career. I started out my career managing a couple dozen people on a fulfillment team. I got the opportunity to do more technical work in my field, no longer managing a team, and I had no idea it was going to be so important to my job satisfaction. I avoid so many meetings and uncomfortable conversations and dealing with people's BS because of that choice. My current employer asked me to become executive level and I said no. It wasn't much of a pay increase and the title doesn't matter to me because I don't care to have that on my resume. I'm not trying to be executive level anywhere.

Ha, we are essentially the same person here.

Took me years to figure out I didn’t enjoy managing people. Once I got away from that I felt so invigorated. I have also turned down the promotion of which you speak. Just knew it wasn’t a good fit and I prefer being excited about my day.

 

[05_never_again]

Ha, we are essentially the same person here.

Took me years to figure out I didn’t enjoy managing people. Once I got away from that I felt so invigorated. I have also turned down the promotion of which you speak. Just knew it wasn’t a good fit and I prefer being excited about my day.

It is also very common in my experience to take very experienced/skilled client delivery people, operations people, or subject matter experts and "promote" them into a sales position. There is an assumption that somebody who has an expert-level knowledge base in something or is good at project management will also be really good at selling and bringing in new business. Sometimes that is true, sometimes it is not. It is far too hit or miss to ever be thought of as an assumption though.

If you want good managers or salespeople, you should identify people in the organization, regardless of current position, who appear to have good management or sales skills. That seems like such a "duh" statement but not many organizations actually do that. They just simply promote based on the fact that is the next level in the hierarchy.

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

Now would be the time for a career change for anyone since EVERY single place is hiring desperately!

Most places that are desperate can't find people because they're paying **** wages. When you can work at Chic-fil-a starting at $17 an hour everyone else needs to step up.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Grass ain’t always greener. Also, if the recession deepens to the point that we start seeing mass layoffs like 2008/09, the axiom of last hired is first fired will rear its head because its an easy out and a good hedge against discrimination claims. I’d think it through.

While probably not applicable to the OP, starting hourly wages for low skilled jobs are already falling in Nashville area. I’m starting to see places that had $17 hr minimum a year or so ago drop to $13 hr, and that’s with 8% inflation and almost $5 gal gas.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

Grass ain’t always greener. Also, if the recession deepens to the point that we start seeing mass layoffs like 2008/09, the axiom of last hired is first fired will rear its head because its an easy out and a good hedge against discrimination claims. I’d think it through.

While probably not applicable to the OP, starting hourly wages for low skilled jobs are already falling in Nashville area. I’m starting to see places that had $17 hr minimum a year or so ago drop to $13 hr, and that’s with 8% inflation and almost $5 gal gas.

This is the bigger problem. People who dont want to move up sometimes have to because of the money. Companies need to learn that sometimes there is more value in keeping a person where they want to be and paying a little more vs forcing people to go where they arent comfortable.

 

[WestTennesseeVol]

This is the bigger problem. People who dont want to move up sometimes have to because of the money. Companies need to learn that sometimes there is more value in keeping a person where they want to be and paying a little more vs forcing people to go where they arent comfortable.

Off topic, but that’s the military in a nut shell.

 

[utvolpj]

Just looking for some ideas. Early 30s, with a business degree. Looking into sales or territory management careers. Any jobs you’ve liked or absolutely hated?

I hated sales

 

[Aesius]

This is the bigger problem. People who dont want to move up sometimes have to because of the money. Companies need to learn that sometimes there is more value in keeping a person where they want to be and paying a little more vs forcing people to go where they arent comfortable.

I used to work with a guy who was a very talented developer who, over time, became pretty well-versed in almost all aspects of his department. New owners came in and essentially forced him into a director position, which he was NOT qualified or remotely suited for. He was fired a year later after doing some damage as director. So not only was the promotion a terrible move but they also lost their best developer in the process.

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

I hated sales

What kind of sales job did you have?

 

[utvolpj]

What kind of sales job did you have?

Plumbing, piping, industrial, mechanical building supplies. Once I took over quotations and only dealt with the engineers or quote departments I was much happier. Just sales feels like begging

 

[BAJAvol]

Went through this exact same thing a few years ago. Working in finance, I hated the fact I didn’t finish what I started, which was attending med school. I finally said eff it, enrolled back in school to update my pre-reqs, started volunteering to building hours, and started shadowing all while being a 26 year old homeowner, husband, and new dad. I worked my ass off and was actually accepted to UTHSC in Memphis. I was fascinated by science and medicine. It wasn’t until my 4th shadow that I realized maybe being a doctor wasn’t what I wanted. I figured out working for myself was what I was after. I knew the chances of me owning my own practice with the debt I was about in endure would be slim and would likely be later in life. I gave up a seat in medical school and started pursing real estate. I lucked up and got a great work from home job making great money that I basically use to finance my business. My goal is to get enough doors to walk away from my 9-5. Wild turn of events I know. But at 28, I am about 17 rentals away from replacing twice my monthly income. My plan is to get there by 35.

 

[YankeeVol]

I hated sales

I love it (car sales).

I recently went through a career change (though I’ve been doing it for 2+ years now due to having good leadership in the Army, which in itself is hard to believe lol).

I had no idea what I wanted to do after the Army. Landed a sales consultant position a couple years ago. Just moved over to a finance manager position.

The one thing I like about (car) sales, is that you make of it what you put in it. I was basically my own boss. I lucked into a good spot. I’ve interviewed at quite a few other dealerships (when I was going to move to GA, still gotta figure that out). Not many dealerships like mine out there I’d think anymore though.

 

[BAJAvol]

Friend of mine is a medical sales rep and it’s unreal what he makes. He is damn good at sales. He 31 and just finished building a 650k lake house (lot he bought previously) in cash.