Finding a new job advice needed please.

[towernick]

Hello ladies and gentleman, I am in dire need of a new job. The one I have, which I used to love has now taken a turn for the worse, and I fear the old axe might drop soon. I work for a major insurance company on the financial side of retirement markets. I am 24 and simply have not been through a job market like the one we have now. I was hoping to get some advice from people who may have gone through a job market similar to this in the past or who have had recent success. I live in Los Angeles so anyone either in LA or another big city who can offer advice or point me in the right direction, that would be great. Thank you in advance, I really appreciate it.

[jdc]

Don't panic consider your options carefully. Going through a similar thing myself, look at your skills write them down and see which are transferable to other areas. Sign up for some recruitment agencies you will get an idea of what is on offer or wether to stick it out where you are.
Will your employer look for voluntary redundancy? Maybe you can get a favourable settlement package that will give you time to look at better options?
Good luck tough times for all at the moment

[redshirt1957]

You are young so don't sweat it. One bit of advice I will give was passed down to me when I was in my early 30s while working for both a law and CPA firm. Here is it......"Most people think the job is the end all of FINANCIAL happiness and security. But that is a blantant lie spread by bankers, lawyers, CPAs, stockbrockers, the Government, family, your dog and so on. No, the basis for true FINANCIAL happiness is your spending habits. Keep them in check and your job will start to work for you". Or maybe I just made this up. Getting old and can't remember.

Sounds dumb, but true. My redneck advice for the day.

[Jimbits76]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

You are young so don't sweat it. One bit of advice I will give was passed down to me when I was in my early 30s while working for both a law and CPA firm. Here is it......"Most people think the job is the end all of FINANCIAL happiness and security. But that is a blantant lie spread by bankers, lawyers, CPAs, stockbrockers, the Government, family, your dog and so on. No, the basis for true FINANCIAL happiness is your spending habits. Keep them in check and your job will start to work for you". Or maybe I just made this up. Getting old and can't remember.

Sounds dumb, but true. My redneck advice for the day.

You never give me any advice...well none I can repeat here!!!!!!!!!!!

J

[B Square]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

You are young so don't sweat it. One bit of advice I will give was passed down to me when I was in my early 30s while working for both a law and CPA firm. Here is it......"Most people think the job is the end all of FINANCIAL happiness and security. But that is a blantant lie spread by bankers, lawyers, CPAs, stockbrockers, the Government, family, your dog and so on. No, the basis for true FINANCIAL happiness is your spending habits. Keep them in check and your job will start to work for you". Or maybe I just made this up. Getting old and can't remember.

Sounds dumb, but true. My redneck advice for the day.

Well said Bubber. Always live within your means, pay yourself first and one day you will not have to work for your money, it will work for you

[Tools]

In many developed nations today, the job that lasts into retirement is a thing of the past..


Most job seekers in your age bracket can expect to have as many as a half dozen "careers" or major job changes in their lifetimes...

Do good work, maintain a positive attitude, keep your resume in top shape and you will always land on your feet.......

[ratae1950]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

You are young so don't sweat it. One bit of advice I will give was passed down to me when I was in my early 30s while working for both a law and CPA firm. Here is it......"Most people think the job is the end all of FINANCIAL happiness and security. But that is a blantant lie spread by bankers, lawyers, CPAs, stockbrockers, the Government, family, your dog and so on. No, the basis for true FINANCIAL happiness is your spending habits. Keep them in check and your job will start to work for you". Or maybe I just made this up. Getting old and can't remember.

Sounds dumb, but true. My redneck advice for the day.

Great advice! Times are extraordinary at the moment so I suggest you hang in and let your employer make the moves unless you have something concrete and secure to move to. It's tough to feel things are not under your control, but Bubba's advice shows ways that they are. Another way to 'take control' is through furthering your education/skill base. You are young and have the time to take the small steps to do this. Through education you can also diversify your skills, which will I believe become more important in future years. You can also look to industries that will thrive in the future ie energy sustainability in California is becoming more and more significant, also demographic bump induced needs ie., care for old fart baby boomers like me in a few years etc., etc.,
I will close with the advice from my old high school woodwork shop teacher 'Belly'.
"Boys, find something you love to do then find someone to pay you to do it."

[clenz]

One tool I have found useful is LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/home

This is an online networking site that let's you put your profile out there for others to see, and through your connections, touch base with other professionals in your industry that can offer advice and leads.

As I prepare for a possible search myself, a friend that just went through a layoff and successful search told me that the most valuable thing he did was to create a 3 min "elevator" speech about who he was, his experience, and what he could bring to the table. This is tougher than it sounds, but helps you hone in your pitch to prospective employers. You actually need to sit down and write it out.

Good luck!

[bodybump]

i totally agree with bubba joe...its the way we spend our money...spending habits are killers...even a rich guy will still have a problems with money...the only difference is they spend a lot more than us...

[gmh1013]

Originally Posted by B Square

Well said Bubber. Always live within your means, pay yourself first and one day you will not have to work for your money, it will work for you

have been through so many downsizings I cant remember...
The advice above is good....I retired at 48

[Rolexitis]

I will address your question with some advice other than the obvious.....as stated above LinkedIN is a good networking website for job search. Depending on your actual sales experience (needs to be documented), there is a great site called Medreps.com. I subscribed to medreps and it gives you access to dozens of recruiters directly. I have gotten good feedback, but the medical device industry is a tough cookie to crack and very competitive. I think Monster and hotjobs are a JOKE for the most part, but sometimes there are decent companies listed. Start looking in your spare time and get some eggs in your basket just in case you are cut from your job.....

[towernick]

Thank you all for your responses so far, 34 of my co-workers got the axe today. Honestly, it was a pretty shi**y day. I do really appreciate the help and advice. Keep it coming if possible.

[Bisquitlips]

There is one philosophy that I have embraced.

You can't keep a bad man up, or a good man down.

Now go get it!