Career change tips : Part time sales opportunities

I am currently in my first year out of college in office furniture sales. I have been here around 10 months and find this job somewhat rewarding. However when I first started this job my boss never trained me well, and he isn't a very likable person, but I have done decently well here on 100% commision. Lately I have noticed my boss is going behind my back and selling to my customers. I haven't said anything yet, because I need to research it a little. However I am enrolled in an EMT-Basic course so I can persue a firefighter career which he does not know about. I would be working as a firefighter 4 days on and 4 days off, so a career in sales is still a possibility. I like sales and would like to continue part time or whatever. Anyways, I don't want to stay here much longer than another 6 months. Does anyone have advice on any sales I could possibly do part time or on the side from a fire/rescue career? I already know how to leave the job after reading all the other posts.

How about merging those two jobs: Firefighter/Rescue and Sales by learning more about the lifesaving equipment individuals can purchase, especially the elderly or handicapped, which will make their lives more enjoyable and your job as a member or the rescue team easier.

Identification bracelets, alert buttons, wheelchairs, pharmaceuticals, oxygen, etc.

That's a great idea. I have thought about medical sales in the past, but don't know where to start. I live in Montana and our healthcare is making leaps and bounds in my hometown. Thank you for the input Kelly.

You could definitely get into retail sales. Big corporations like Best Buy tend to offer great career advancement opportunities, too. Type in "part-time sales" under job search on Monster, and you'll find a bunch of opportunities.

Bamfrud, There are many opportunities in part-time sales in a variety of fields. Some can be worked from home. There are affiliate programs and network marketing companies that cover just about every interest. One program that I am currently working part-time involves helping people pay off their mortgages in a fraction of the usual time, typically 1/2 to 1/3 the time, and they save tens of thousands in interest in the process. There are about 65 million mortgage holders in the U.S. so the market is huge. I am always looking for good agents to work part-time or full-time.

Follow your GUT. Never your mind or heart. It will never lead you astray.
Sales positions can be very rewarding financially, but there is so much stress with quotas,
impossible managers, rejection, and all the work that goes into closing the sale.
Some people just don' t have it in them and tend to be more suited to other jobs, like you.
You tend to want to "help people" and that seems where your heart is, now if your gut tells you
the same thing, then transition out of the sales position. You are not doing the company a service
by only working part time, find some other part time job or go full time with EMT.
I think it' s too much, unless you are totally driven and can multi-task, switch hats, (not to mention
the need to lie at times) . This is just my opinion, only you can make this decision.
Perhaps inquire about going part time, but you might lose benefits.

My boss is also a VERY unlikeable, and a micromanager. I think it is the management that want people to want to
leave their jobs, not the job.
Also, I noted someone else posted the possibility of combining the two, great idea.
Find a job in Fire/Police sales or companies that sells furniture strictly to Emergency Management
centers, etc. Look at companies like Galls, Inc. or do a google search.

It appears you have a big heart and it is great you want to help others. It was mentioned in one of the previous responses that you should tie in your part time sales job with your EMT/Firefighter work. I represent a financial sevices company designed to help people save money, make money and get out of debt. Everybody needs that wouldn' t you say? The company is called HBW (Helping Build Wealth). We have a business system in place that is truly recession proof and is needed by every adult person. We specialize in Insurance, Investments & Mortgages. If you take some time to evaluate the number of people you are already in contact with whom do not have a retirment plan in place nor are working for a company that offers one, you will see the enormous opportunity you have to help people and build wealth at the same time. There are two groups of people that are typically employed at your neighborhood McDonalds. They are the young adults, ages 16-21 and the senior citizen. The senior citizen is typically working to subsidize their $800-$1200 social security income in order to make ends meet. This is for failure to invest in their own retirement (pay yourself first). Not to mention the other group of people you are bound to come in contct with while performing your EMT/Firefighter duties that do not have Life, Health or Disability insurances. We are looking for independent non-captive agents who are looking to develop a second stream of income. We provide ongoing training and support and very lucrative commissions. You can never be too prepared for retirement (think of the value of todays $$$ tomorrow).

Career Tips

Part time sales opportunities