The worst of times has not even hit yet

and I'm sick, sick to the depths of my stomach that I will have these horrific stories to tell future generations of my generation's bad economic times, layoffs.

Today, I found out via facebook.com that a friend, an ex-colleague got her pink slip in Augusta, Ga., and it makes me sad for her. Her mother passed away years ago, her father is ill and couldn't contribute much to the family (as far as I could tell, I never dared pry). She has a brother but he has his own family to care for. She learned the newspaper trade by chance, it's not something she chose. And while she's not the star copy editor, she has held her own very well. I won't know the reason why she's one of the 15 picked this time to be deemed not valuable. I know very well though that she must be questioning her self worth compared to so and so.

My husband did not survive the 2nd round of layoffs in Knight Ridder many years ago, and I was dismissed early about 2 years ago by a Morris company. And those were not pleasant. While crying is generally more acceptable for girls, for men, it's still taboo.

I never want to relive those moments again, but in these bad economic times, when downsizing is so rampant, one can never tell when the bad news were to come from the top.

I was hired into this job with a 5% reduction in salary at the time of offer. Then another cut came 6 months later when we were all offer a furlough day in exchange for 8 fewer hours pay a month.

When is this madness going to end?

Psychology of Sales

It's been a while since I posted anything. Apart from my laziness, I truly, truly want to share something substantial. I believe I found a topic that all of us can benefit from.

As most of you know, I finally landed a job, back in newspaper industry (bleah) but now in the opposite end of the spectrum -- SALES!

If I had known how fun sales can be, I would have jumped at it a long time ago. But I truly believe there's a time and place for everything. A long time ago, I did not have the maturity or life experience for me to handle this area. Now, having worked in various locations, dealing with more breeds of professionals, I have a better sense of people management, and a better moral compass as an individual.

Being an inside salesperson, where I am on the phone ALL DAY, I have gotten my share of karma, and in return, have become a better consumer myself.

Many of us have (to this day) picked up the phone to call our credit card/cable/phone hotline when we have a problem that were either created by them (wrong billing, bad service etc) or received inept service. What resulted is usually us bitching the bejesus out of them, and for the most part, hung up dissatisfied. Right? Right!

Remember the old adage: You can catch more flies with honey.

For the most part, the frontliners cannot resolve the most severe of situations. But you still need to secure the sympathy of the frontline to reach the boss.

Most thing can be negotiated to a point when it's a Win-Win. Business are out to make money, even at a discount, but they got to FEEL they are making a "sale" And you as a consumer, while most of the time, may not walk away with a FREE transaction, but in most cases, you could leave satisfied with a discount or some reconciliation - if you are patient and conciliatory.

Always ask for specials. There's a good chance there's always something available. Think about the credit card interest rates. They are not going to offer you that lower rate. But it exists.

While this may seem obvious to most of you, just remember not to raise your voice. And acknowledge how you want to keep your business with them -- that's honey to the sales force ears.
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Jeremy: Amen. I've come to realize that you can get what you want better if you don't try to force yourself. It's a bit cunning, and a bit slick and clever (in that negative British connotation), but if you calmly explain the situation, instead of bitching someone out, the person on the other end will be more likely to help you.

Good to hear you blogging again. I need to do that myself soon.

Job lesson

I was anticipating a Monday start day for my job. Instead, I started midweek on Wednesday. At first, I was bummed.

But after my 3rd day training, I was really glad I didn't begin on a full work week. It's mentally draining trying to absorb so much, even for material that're quite familiar.

Oh, for those who aren't in the know, or with whom I didn't do a good job of staying in touch, I'm in recruitment inside sales. This means I'm tethered to a headset or having a sore neck from cradling a telephone receiver talking to customers placing help-wanted ads. If I do well enough, I may move on to outside sales, soliciting agencies. We'll see.
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Back on the chaingang ... ooh, ahhh

Finally, after a week of putting off the other job offer, the one I want came through. How nervewracking. So, I'm back to work first thing Monday, my anniversary. So, that means no Jerry! for me. I'll settle for Cherry Garcia and a paycheck instead.

Oh, what am I doing? Sales, baby. Gonna work my way from inside sales to outside. I'm so excited yet scared. Never calculated commission in my life. I only hope I don't get burned come April 15.

Why does shit, even good ones, happen at the same time?

So, the days of unemployment are coming to an end. And everyone's right, I should've done all the crap I wanted to do before working. Now I have 2 weeks to do as much as possible.

I was offered a sales job by a direct mail company. Went for my 2nd interview today and was given the offer at the end of it.

But the downpour came over the weekend when I was asked to apply for an inside sales position at Mark's paper. The thing is, I KNOW I will have this job if I want it. So I have an interview tomorrow after sending in my resume today. And I was to give an answer to the first company on Wednesday noon! Aargghhhhh......

Decision, decision. Help......
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Bob: Work with your hubby.

Will you still respect me in the morning?

Recently, I took an aptitude test at Prudential Investment, you know, The Rock. The test is a two-parter, one character and one along the lines of the GRE Math.

I got a call today to return for an interview. Apparently, I did so well in both parts that they want to talk to me about being certified as a money manager.

I am stoked at the chance of breaking into this lucrative field, and more so, that now I'm at this stage in my life that I am freaking out about retirement, I am actually interested in finance. I even renewed my subscription to Money magazine a few months ago.

Hence, the question. Will I still have your awe and admiration if I switched gears? Don't worry, I won't come after you to buy life insurance, Roth, funds unless you truly want me to.
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Jeremy: Of course you will :) And you have my total respect. ANd I'm sure I'll be trying to get free advice from you :) Changing careers is not easy but it will be worth it if you truly would like to get into the field.

Patrick: Were I the type of person to hold a grudge against someone who is leaving an industry that is collapsing, then yes.

Dan: t's hilarious, one of my friends here and I were discussing money last night. As in, I don't have any right now.

It's funny how journalists talk of money in alternately dreamy and disdainful tones ... boy, having money would be great but I'm a journalist, so we won't ever get paid, etc., etc.

So go for it. At least take the interview. The worst thing that can happen is that they're not doing what you thought they were, and you're right back where you are.

Buena suerte!

Crossroads

It just struck me that I don't know what I want to do when I arrive in Chicago.

The realization that there is a wealth of opportunities there compared to Augusta, Lubbock, Wichita, leaves me with this overwhelming feeling that I can do anything.

But having so many choices pose some challenges: What do I want to do? What should I do? What can I do?

Thirteen years of work, of which 12 are spent in newspaper editorial, and 1 in sales research. It seems I would be relegated to the publishing arena. But those of you who have been loyal readers of my blogs get a sense I want out of the newspaper business. The hours, dwindling profit margin, pay are not appealing. On the other hand, if I return to newspapering, I know I can continue to demand a higher pay scale given my experience (please don't be mistaken I make a lot).

Being more extroverted, sales and marketing seem logical. Here're some options I can think of:

Sales: I've no experience, but I like the idea of pursuing the almighty dollar, that given hard work, will have no boundaries. Real estate comes to mind. The downside of that: first year is a bitch since I've no contacts or connections. Not to mention the hours for being an agent is going to take me away in the evenings and weekends. Agencies are another option.With my newspaper background, maybe they will accept someone with my experience to be the print liason. I can certainly lend my editing/design experience to agency work.

Marketing: Again, no experience. Maybe the research and one year in sales department will help. The downside: event marketing, like real estate, demands odd hours and weekends.

Research: ABC Audit, AC Nielsens and a host of agencies and corporations are headquartered in the suburbs of Chicago. With one year of experience here, will they accept me as a junior member? The pay may not be great to start, but I definitely enjoy what I do. Downside: I don't know what to expect of the REAL world of REAL research. Afterall, I've no statistics, economics or math degrees under my belt.

Any advice for this old workhorse?

Ah, the irony

I just completed my first work back in the job circuit. I also had my first training of three so far.

Newsroom folks will know the cruel joke of our profession and our reason for choosing it -- and that is we are lousy at math, and excellent at sentence construction.

As my new job will have it, I'll be interpreting lots of columns and rows of numbers and percentages, and making correlations out of them. Sure brings me back to my college sociology major where I had to take 3 credit hours in statistics. That turned out to be the only college course I opted for the pass/fail option.

To my Singaporean friends, that option means I won't be receiving any grades, hence my overall grade point average (GPA) will not be affected.

It's been interesting so far, especially to have the privilege of a few to possess these figures of the marketplace and consumers' habits.

But it has also been frustrating cuz there's so much to figure out and so much unknown of the job to brace myself for.

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Amy: What are you doing??!!! Journalists can't do math!! you crazy girrrrlll!

Bob: the more you are scared of something...the MORE it comes to haunt you! Anyway, you need help with the spreadsheets, you know where to find me! I'll gladly help.

Melissa: Ohhh my! Just the mere mention of a college statistics class is enough to illicit sheer panic in me! LOL!!! I had to take a Psych Statistics course at USC (many, many moons ago!), and it would take 3 hours - and I can't remember how many pieces of paper - just to do one statistics problem! But I know you can do this new job! In no time, calculating those rows of numbers and percentages will be old hat for you! And then I'll be calling you for help with all my math questions! :-P I'm so glad the job has been interesting!!! Yay!

Going to the Dark Side

I accepted a job offer Thursday as a research sales analyst.

The role is newly created and from what I gather, it's to assist the sales reps. with presentations and making research data on the local market understandable for them to present to advertisers.

I'm extremely nervous and excited about this position.

Nervous cuz I've been in the editorial aspect of the newspaper for 12 years and now am venturing into sales.

But my goal this year is to learn about sales and marketing.

I think this is a step in the right direction.

Job SHITuation

Does this happen in your corner of the country where every job, be it professional degreed or blue-collar, commands the same level of commitment yet pays the same? Something just doesn't sit right here.

I have interviewed at small publications, advertising agencies, even as a non-interior design required decorator at a furniture store, and have been offered the same pathetic low pay. I'm the queen of 2nd interviews or callbacks. I told the same earnest truth of the level of expertise and dedication that I will bring to the job. They all seem impressed. But all they could "afford for the position" is an insulting $xx,xxx.

I'm too ashamed to list the figures. I would hate for word to get around to my old colleagues and be either sympathized or worse, mocked. (I love you all but I know about 'em loose lips around the beer garden.)

It appears there is no consideration for "commensurate with experience" nor a college degree nor the knowledge of various computer programs. They want the talent but they won't pay for it. Which may explain the generally appalling work ethics and quality I've witnessed around here.

I truly am giving up. I felt I'll be better off with a relatively stress-free, 9-5 vocation than pursue my passion for the same pay. Afterall, the quality of life will be better. I won't be bringing work home with me, and how to schedule my vacations around it.

Seriously, Chronicle folks, the pay there is NOT shabby at all.

News folks, don't let the daily grind get to you. You know it's just going to repeat its cycle.

Just roll with the punches and let the stress go like water off a duck's back. I've been there and I'm here. I know what I'm talking about.

Take this job and shove it?

I've been job hunting for four months and am getting really frustrated. A lot of folks just don't care to return phone calls. And frankly, I'm tired of being desperate so I don't follow up on them either.

Anyway, I received a call today from a health club in town. It's a really good one and they are expanding to include a 4th location in Lubbock. And this will be a sales position. Basically what it involves is me showing you the curious "just looking" customer the facilities and hopefully have you enroll in the end. Sounds easy, right? And the perk is even greater.

No, the money's not so hot but I've pretty much resigned to the fact that Lubbock doesn't pay well. I really want the sales experience under my belt and some hot sales numbers so that I can soar to greater heights.

No, the perk is I get to exercise FOR FREE!!!!! I may even regain my svelte figure of the 20s afterall.

So, what do you think? Shall I do it for experience and a little savings money until something better comes along?