I need a New Career but No Degree... Ho Hum

[kylepetey]

I bummed around in my 20's as an Artist/Painter. Didn't go to college, finished H.S. with a GED. Finally got a solid sales position 10 years ago in an Industry Company and have been here ever since.

 

 

But it's stagnant. Nowhere to go up and no raise anywhere in sight. I feel stuck and want to be able to save up money for college for my two boys. There's time, they are small still, but it'll creep up before I know it. We make ends meet but it's tough to find a better job with better pay with better incentives when I Don't Have That Degree in anything. I'm too busy being a dad and working to go back to school.

 

 

I'm great at Handshakes and Meeting Customers and Deadlines, I'm a good People Person - I just don't know which direction to go. Something similar to what I have at a better company?

[preraph]

If you're good with people in person, try going into commission sales.

[alphamale]

new (not used) auto sales is good. you can make six figures if you are good at it

[pink_sugar]

Ever think about real estate or any self employed direct sales position? If you rock sales, it would probably be great for you. Have your own business, make your own hours with the sky being the limit. There's also insurance sales. I have a friend who makes well over 100k in insurance sales/financial advising. No degree or getting into debt needed, just your motivation and the cost of licensing.

[kenmore]

Ever think about real estate or any self employed direct sales position? If you rock sales, it would probably be great for you. Have your own business, make your own hours with the sky being the limit. There's also insurance sales. I have a friend who makes well over 100k in insurance sales/financial advising. No degree or getting into debt needed, just your motivation and the cost of licensing.

 

I just got into insurance sales. It's commission only and the sky is the limit...if you're good.

 

I have heard many tales of people five six years into it making 50 grand a month. That's due to a good book of business and renewals. I have a LONG way to go yet. I have the motivation, the ability and the backing of a great company, I just don't have the direction yet. I'm figuring it out. I hope I do before I run out of time. It's not easy. Just today I believe I learned a lesson. I was following up on my "warm leads" whom I have spoken to and made quotes for. Not one person answered their phone! I think they tagged my number as "that insurance guy" and don't answer. I can save them money and give them twice the insurance they have! No thanks!

 

So, Fu6k the warm leads. It's time to get back to the cold ones. It just took too long to make these warm ones work. After a month, they have moved on.

 

commission only can be a tough gig. It can be great if and when you figure out how to make it work. Most of the people I work with are in the same boat. It's only a game for the tough hearted!

 

Ken

 

P.S., there is some debt related to it too. If you are not making money (likely for at least the first few months) and you need to pay bills, marketing, exam costs, licensing costs etc, it will cost you thousands before you make dollar one.

[pink_sugar]

I just got into insurance sales. It's commission only and the sky is the limit...if you're good.

 

I have heard many tales of people five six years into it making 50 grand a month. That's due to a good book of business and renewals. I have a LONG way to go yet. I have the motivation, the ability and the backing of a great company, I just don't have the direction yet. I'm figuring it out. I hope I do before I run out of time. It's not easy. Just today I believe I learned a lesson. I was following up on my "warm leads" whom I have spoken to and made quotes for. Not one person answered their phone! I think they tagged my number as "that insurance guy" and don't answer. I can save them money and give them twice the insurance they have! No thanks!

 

So, Fu6k the warm leads. It's time to get back to the cold ones. It just took too long to make these warm ones work. After a month, they have moved on.

 

commission only can be a tough gig. It can be great if and when you figure out how to make it work. Most of the people I work with are in the same boat. It's only a game for the tough hearted!

 

Ken

 

P.S., there is some debt related to it too. If you are not making money (likely for at least the first few months) and you need to pay bills, marketing, exam costs, licensing costs etc, it will cost you thousands before you make dollar one.

 

This is true. My dad has been doing real estate for over 20 years and I have seen how hard it is to never know when that next check will be. Sometimes you can make a lot of money and sometimes none at all. That is the tough part. His ex wife went from real estate to insurance sales and granted she works around the clock, but 5-6 years later she is set making good money.

[kenmore]

This is true. My dad has been doing real estate for over 20 years and I have seen how hard it is to never know when that next check will be. Sometimes you can make a lot of money and sometimes none at all. That is the tough part. His ex wife went from real estate to insurance sales and granted she works around the clock, but 5-6 years later she is set making good money.

 

Pink, they are both good jobs, really! One problem I'm having is, being new, I don't know what works yet, but they push us to do at least five marketing plans at once, plus training days. That took all my time just following up with the leads I had (and paid for!) Now they seem too late.

 

What I'm learning is to finish what I'm doing. Don't run around like a stupid maniac! Sure, keep things moving forward, but if something is working, friggin finish it ASAP!

 

And yes, it's worrying when there is no money coming in. Hopefully it's a short-term problem??

[veggirl]

How about property management? in multi-family housing.

[kenmore]

Veggirl, I have a property management background, but only for a single family house. How many units are you talking about?

 

I can tell you insurance changes once you get over four. It has to do with the line of business: personal or commercial.

 

As for the management side, it's just keeping up with the tenants and their issues. My cousin has been in property management for decades, and she has learned what works for her. She learned men are her only clients (because women don't work with her personality. discrimination? sure, but it's up to her.) She only takes in educated men, ones with certain backgrounds. Sure she's tough, but it works out for her. Don't take in any old person. You will pay eventually.

 

My first tenants were very nice people. Took good enough care of the place, no problems with the neighbors or association, but they put in all "energy saving bulbs" which I had to replace when they moved out because they were not the right kinds for the fixtures. Also, they left dog smell through the place, and black mold on the grout, which took me a good two days to clean!

 

Loved them as people, hated cleaning the mess. Fortunately we did have a cleaning deposit, so I got paid.

 

Like most jobs, it has its good and bad points. How much do you like dealing with people? I love it! If you do, it may be a good gig, just be cautious!

 

Ken