Looking to start over

[Stmfuller]

I am looking for outside opinions. And since everyone here has plenty of opinions...I thought I'd bring them here for a 3rd party perspective.

I've been in tech telesales for 2.5+ years now. I'm not good and it, but I'm also not bad either. In fact, I would call myself decidedly average in every way when it comes to sales with a little bit of weakness when it comes to cold calling. I'm totally one of those people that thinks of the good zingers much after the moment has passed. This makes it hard to cold call as thinking on your feet is probably the most important part. The funny part is that I have been told in the past that I could be very good at this...but I struggle with my self esteem a bit...so I rarely see what others do.

I made a move from one company to another (sideways move) with the promise of more money and better opportunities about 6 months ago. I took zero risk in moving other than finding a new acct base. But, the struggling economy has made calling tough as a LOT of places either aren't spending, or have locked down harder than usual. It's very tough to get a foot in the door. Harder that it's been the entire time I've been in the industry. I've been calling and calling only to see ever diminishing returns and the promise that I will soon be sans-job. (Honestly, it's not just me, I have friends in the industry at different companies who are saying that people are leaving en masse because their accounts are drying up and they're stuck with a huge quota and don't have anyone to fill it with). Victim of my own success...yup that's me!

So, here's the point: I tried to make a career out of it. I've been patient, and have tried to work hard, but all I see are diminishing results and a pink slip in my future (well, many are going to be getting the boot where I work, if you can't make your quota, then you're really no good to the company). It makes getting up in the morning tough...so, I'm thinking of trying a different career. Since I have nothing to lose at this point, I'm thinking now is as good of a time as any. I'm concerned about the welfare of my family, but I'm more concerned about being jobless and homeless too.

Man, that was a long thread just to ask if anyone's got any good ideas on how to make a resume that looks ideal for a certain job look ideal for a lot of jobs.
I'm pretty open when it comes to new positions, but the big part is that I want to be in a position with a salary or hourly pay...No commissions...maybe a bonus (those are always nice), but I don't want to depend on a commission.
any ideas or opinions?

[Stmfuller]

and, I need this moved to off topic as I obviously posted this in the wrong forum.
duh

[Dark Acre Jack]

Take an "eduvacation".

Or just buy a degree online.

Employers are big on credentials these days, real or no.

[pomeroy]

Take an "eduvacation".

Or just buy a degree online.

Employers are big on credentials these days, real or no.

That's maybe the least helpful post I've seen ever.

[Ancalagon]

Take a short course in computer maintenance and system administration, and maybe you can get a job as helping a system admin somewhere.

I guess an important place to start is to find out what you enjoy. did you got into technical telesales because of the marketing side, or the computer side?

[scythe]

What do you enjoy doing? What are your hobbies? It's reasonable to assume that you have at least a passing interest in computers and video games (based on you visiting this site and the content of your post), but you've got to have some other interests. Give us some food for thought.

Were it not for the obligations you have to your family, my first recommendation would have been the military. No better career variety or adventure on the planet.

[Purple Santa]

What scythe said. We need more background on you. What kind of education have you had? Any broad ideas what fields you want to do this hourly wage/no commission in? Sit down and write what you have, your qualifications and then list what you would want to do. From the most real to the "most challenging". Decide first the parameters you are looking at then we here can give you...shudder...advice :).

About that self esteem issues...any career you choose will be affected by this. Actually everything in your life will be. If YOU notice you have self esteem issues, that's a good start. Means you have the insight to see "hey there might be something there". If nothing else, go find some flaky self help book. Try a few. They won't solve any real deep issues, but they can make you more aware of some of your thoughts and it's possible you can help yourself. Besides..it's cheap...and if you don't like the book, you can toss it. Just my two cents...

[Stmfuller]

Take a short course in computer maintenance and system administration, and maybe you can get a job as helping a system admin somewhere.

I guess an important place to start is to find out what you enjoy. did you got into technical telesales because of the marketing side, or the computer side?
This is probably the closest thing to the right move. Money is kind of an issue, but it does make sense.
My main hobby is computers and video games. I build computers "for fun" (when i have the $$) and well, obviously I like video games. I got into telesales because I thought it would give me the opp to get inside the industry and be "on the cutting edge", but wow that's about the farthest thing from the truth. In the time I've been here, I have seen the dumbest bimbo girls (and I mean girls in a mean way) become successful and the smartest, most knowledgeable fellas bottom out and move on/leave.
If you're ever looking for insider information, that's it. Tech sales has almost ZERO to do with your technology knowledge...I might as well be selling colored beads.

I have a degree in music as well, and I've been thinking about getting back into that again. All this working has taken away all my free time, so I don't practice anymore. I had a successful gig as a piano teacher in college...but the money isn't good enough there and would be best described as "2nd job money, or retirement job"

to tell you the truth, I'm a little upset at my degree right now. Other than landing me sales jobs (which I recently found out I didn't even need in the first place as half the people around me didn't even attend), it's done nothing for me. I've said it before and I'll say it again...if I could return my degree I would, but I paid 10s of thousands of dollars for nothing and basically worked myself into a lifetime of indentured servitude.

ninja edit: my two hobbies have ALWAYS (since as long as I can remember) Computers and Music. I enjoy watching sports, but don't like the fact that the players are paid millions of dollars while adults that do actual important things in life get paid nothing.

[Purple Santa]

I would start simply by looking into stuff you could do with music. Maybe not a career off the bat, but maybe just making some extra cash. At least you would be involved in something you are interested in. Makes dragging your ass to work a little less cumbersome. I say do the same with your computer love. Start simply...then build upon that.

Small changes are better than none at all. Small changes are better than big radical kind that sometimes lead you the same as none at all.