The Southwestern Company Alumni Blog
Shayne sold books with the Southwestern Company from 2001-2006. He is a member of Southwestern’s Wall of Greats and is currently a Career Counselor with Southwestern Career Services.
Breaking News: Our economy is in a recession, and that this is the worst job market in the last 60 years. Ha! Okay, so everyone with access to any form of media knows the market is tough right now. An indication of the severity of the job market could be that I have helped more Southwestern Alumni with their resumes and provided more interview counsel than ever before. But to the contrary, I have also placed more salespeople, year to date, into careers than ever before.
So, what’s the lesson? The world will always make room for top performing, proven salespeople. It’s not that there are not opportunities available and companies are not hiring—the problem is that there is an abundance of qualified candidates on the market.
So, how can you separate yourself from the pack? For anyone that finds themselves in career limbo, this is the time to put your ‘bookfield’ skills to work! No, that doesn’t mean that you have to strap on the ol’ sample case—although, my friend Ryan Davis DOES have a spot on his team (wink)—this means apply the success principles learned on the ‘bookfield’ to your career search! This is the time to develop a prospect list, re-establish the positive self-talk, feed your mind with positive material, set realistic goals, and go knock on company doors! Just as the top Southwestern salespeople were always those who saw the most people, the people who are finding great new careers are those who are pleasantly persistent and work the numbers. The things that worked on the ‘bookfield’ will work on the ‘jobfield’, as well. Everything besides cold showers, that is.
But, don’t take my word for it, hear what Fortune Magazine has to say in a recent article entitled,“How to Get a Job”.
Southwestern Career Services is the division of Southwestern dedicated to helping alumni in the career search….for anyone in need of career assistance, contact your appropriate Career Counselor directly.
Power Division: Joni Bicknese | jbicknese@southwestern.com | 615.231.4038
