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Career Advice - Dying Industry
Posted on 7/24/12 at 11:18 am
Posted on 7/24/12 at 11:18 am
I come to the Money Board seeking career advice. I am currently 26 and have been in insurance sales since graduation (5 years; all with the same independent agency). The independent insurance industry in Louisiana is slowly dying and becoming a pain to deal with (all the preferred carriers pulled out of state; left only with substandard companies).
I was overwhelmed at the beginning of college and was unable to pick a career path, therefore I ended up 3 years in with no major. I graduated in 4 years with a degree in General Studies on the advice of old people that were out of touch with the reality of the job market ("just get a degree, it doesn't matter what its in, blah blah blah"). Last year I decided the GS degree wasn't enough and enrolled in an Exec MBA program that I'll finish in March.
My problem now is I can't find a new job. I've been looking over a year and have come up with nothing. I've been scouring the career websites, but it seems everyone is looking for skilled/experienced/senior positions, and no one is looking to train. It seems my loyalty has hurt me as I worked for the same company all 4 years of college (full time; restaurant) and the same company since graduation.
Does anyone know what the best way to get an interview is? Anyone tried headhunters/staffing companies/etc? I really need to get out of my toxic work environment, but need to find something with comparable pay. Benefits are not important right now as my wife has excellent benefits. I NEED ADVICE.
Sorry its so long. Thanks in advance for anyone who took the time to read it and offer advice.
I was overwhelmed at the beginning of college and was unable to pick a career path, therefore I ended up 3 years in with no major. I graduated in 4 years with a degree in General Studies on the advice of old people that were out of touch with the reality of the job market ("just get a degree, it doesn't matter what its in, blah blah blah"). Last year I decided the GS degree wasn't enough and enrolled in an Exec MBA program that I'll finish in March.
My problem now is I can't find a new job. I've been looking over a year and have come up with nothing. I've been scouring the career websites, but it seems everyone is looking for skilled/experienced/senior positions, and no one is looking to train. It seems my loyalty has hurt me as I worked for the same company all 4 years of college (full time; restaurant) and the same company since graduation.
Does anyone know what the best way to get an interview is? Anyone tried headhunters/staffing companies/etc? I really need to get out of my toxic work environment, but need to find something with comparable pay. Benefits are not important right now as my wife has excellent benefits. I NEED ADVICE.
Sorry its so long. Thanks in advance for anyone who took the time to read it and offer advice.
6
Posted on 7/24/12 at 11:36 am to Slickback
After reading that, I need to quit bitching about my job. My job still sucks. Good luck to you.
Posted on 7/24/12 at 12:04 pm to Slickback
quote:
. I've been looking over a year and have come up with nothing. I
Where(geographically) have you been looking? I hear people bitch about not being able to find a job then they tell me they have been looking only in their city or their state.
Posted on 7/24/12 at 12:06 pm to Slickback
The short answer is look outside of Louisiana. It sucks believe me I know (left a year ago) but there just aren't that many opportunities in Louisiana for young professionals. I came to a career fair in Houston, got an interview the next day and have been working for a fortune 200 company for the past year. I don't have the MBA by the way and I am a year younger than you for reference.
Posted on 7/24/12 at 12:37 pm to Slickback
I have mainly been looking in Louisiana (Ascension-Baton Rouge area), but also spend some time looking in Shreveport and Houston areas. For other insurance related jobs, I've been looking all over.
I'd really like to get into the O&G industry, but they want experience or specific degrees.
Where did you find out about the career fairs? Both the career services for my universities were of no help whatsoever.
I'd really like to get into the O&G industry, but they want experience or specific degrees.
Where did you find out about the career fairs? Both the career services for my universities were of no help whatsoever.
Posted on 7/24/12 at 12:48 pm to Slickback
quote:expand your search
I have mainly been looking in Louisiana (Ascension-Baton Rouge area),
if you really want to get in a better career, you have to be willing to relocate
Posted on 7/24/12 at 1:01 pm to Slickback
Come up here to DC. Plenty of companies hiring.
Posted on 7/24/12 at 1:07 pm to foshizzle
As everyone has said, get out of Louisiana
Posted on 7/24/12 at 1:08 pm to foshizzle
I have been looking in a few places outside of Louisiana, but it is a little harder now because of my wife and son. She has her "dream job," so I'd have to find a really good job to convince her.
Anybody ever had any luck with the career websites? I've filled out 100s of applications with the same result; nothing.
Anybody ever had any luck with the career websites? I've filled out 100s of applications with the same result; nothing.
Posted on 7/24/12 at 1:16 pm to foshizzle
quote:no kidding, my fiancee was laid off last summer and it took her like 3 weeks to get a new job...and she had 3 other offers
Come up here to DC. Plenty of companies hiring.
if i were him, id be looking at jobs in the surrounding area pronto
Posted on 7/24/12 at 1:21 pm to Slickback
With an insurance background have you looked here GreatInsuranceJobs.com?
Posted on 7/24/12 at 1:22 pm to Pilot Tiger
quote:
Come up here to DC. Plenty of companies hiring.
This.....did it 2.5 years ago (not even for a better job, had a damn good one in Baton Rouge). This place is a gold mine for jobs especially bright and intelligent go-getters.
Posted on 7/24/12 at 1:25 pm to wickowick
quote:
ith an insurance background have you looked here GreatInsuranceJobs.com?
quote:
Go to Rigzone.com they are always having career fairs and list only jobs in Oil and Gas.
Thanks, I'll look into those two.
I was unaware that DC area was booming. I'll check it out.
Posted on 7/24/12 at 1:26 pm to Slickback
Network, Network, Network
Work at it hard. Let everyone know you are looking, socialize more and work the room while socializing and make connections. Your chances go up dramatically when someone, anyone "vouches" for you in a market like this.
Alternatively, if you find a listing for a job you are interested in, start working that too. Find someone who knows someone who works there. Call the HR department and talk to the HR manager, make sure he/she remembers your name. Ask if it would be OK to talk to the hiring manager. Make sure the resume is perfect and tailored to the position. Look closely at your accomplishments; you need to fully understand why you are a good hire to convey it well in an interview setting.
If you are going to work hard in your job, work hard in finding it.
Good Luck
ETA: If you are in insurance sales, tap into your customer base. There's got to be someone out there who likes you!
Work at it hard. Let everyone know you are looking, socialize more and work the room while socializing and make connections. Your chances go up dramatically when someone, anyone "vouches" for you in a market like this.
Alternatively, if you find a listing for a job you are interested in, start working that too. Find someone who knows someone who works there. Call the HR department and talk to the HR manager, make sure he/she remembers your name. Ask if it would be OK to talk to the hiring manager. Make sure the resume is perfect and tailored to the position. Look closely at your accomplishments; you need to fully understand why you are a good hire to convey it well in an interview setting.
If you are going to work hard in your job, work hard in finding it.
Good Luck
ETA: If you are in insurance sales, tap into your customer base. There's got to be someone out there who likes you!
This post was edited on 7/24/12 at 1:29 pm
Posted on 7/24/12 at 7:39 pm to Slickback
quote:
I was unaware that DC area was booming. I'll check it out.
It isn't booming like North Dakota but it is never really bad here either, all the federal money sloshing around makes it basically impossible. Yes, if times are bad you can get laid off but someone else next door will be hiring.
The drawback of course is that the cost of real estate is drastically higher. Once you're established the cost of daily living isn't terribly higher but rent and/or real estate is the difference. I think it's worth it, obviously.
Posted on 7/24/12 at 8:04 pm to foshizzle
Go to thibodaux.com usually have openings in the hospital.
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