Job Market

[Dolby]

I've been looking for a product manager / account manager / channel manager type role for the past few months ... with very little activity.

Am I unlucky with regards to the timing (over Nov, Dec and Jan) - or is there a real shortage of activity out there? Is 6 months fair? I have no qualifications - but neither do most the other guys here that have left and got something within a few weeks. :/

 

[Chevron]

Well since you don't list your location it is hard to say.

 

[Dolby]

Sorry ... Johannesburg

Unless I'm **** ... or asking too much ... or just horrible in interviews :/

 

[mooks]

Why do you want to move jobs? Bored? Badly paid? What what?

 

[Dolby]

A few reasons :

* I also feel that I'm underpaid and I've brought this up with the owner of the company back in November. I was assured something would happen come new financial year ... but he simply gave me higher commission percentage. It means pretty much nothing on the product I'm 'selling' as we don't make a large profit off it anyway.

* I dislike the product I 'sell' to the very core ... I don't like (closer to hate) the people I need to deal with, the processes, the procedures. I've become the most negative person at work having to deal with the product. I've asked to move - but that was denied.

* Lastly, I've been here almost 6 years and need a change.

There is one final reason that I can't mention here

I've been looking for over 6 months now and for some reason, I can't find a thing. Slightly disheartening actually :/

 

[InvisibleJim]

Here's a couple of things to consider:

Are you not finding jobs that match your skills advertised? If yes, maybe they are scarce at the moment or you are looking in the wrong way/place

Do you apply for jobs that closely match your skills but don't get contacted by recruiters or don't get interviews? If yes, review your CV to see if any improvements can be made here.

Money(since you asked) - Are the jobs you are applying for advertised at the same salary bracket that you are looking for? Do you have an evidential basis that what you want is realistic?

Are you getting interviews but these are not turning into job offers? If yes, this may not be to do with you (maybe just someone else pipped you to the post) but you should review how you presented yourself in the interview(s) and whether you could have done better in some way.

It sounds like you are having a tough time in your current role. That can be a big knock to your confidence and very stressful so is difficult to hide in interviews etc. I sympathise, I have been there myself. If your current role doesn't suit you any more, it may even be worth considering a career change. Whatever you do, your next role should be something that suits you and preferably that you enjoy.

Hope this helps. Be patient, be persistent and look for the right job (or career.) Good luck.

 

[Maverick Jester]

A few reasons :

* I also feel that I'm underpaid and I've brought this up with the owner of the company back in November. I was assured something would happen come new financial year ... but he simply gave me higher commission percentage. It means pretty much nothing on the product I'm 'selling' as we don't make a large profit off it anyway.

* I dislike the product I 'sell' to the very core ... I don't like (closer to hate) the people I need to deal with, the processes, the procedures. I've become the most negative person at work having to deal with the product. I've asked to move - but that was denied.

* Lastly, I've been here almost 6 years and need a change.

There is one final reason that I can't mention here

I've been looking for over 6 months now and for some reason, I can't find a thing. Slightly disheartening actually :/

Given that for all intents and purposes you hate your job and what it encompasses, perhaps this is an opportunity to perform a career change? I don't suppose you want to find yourself in the same boat in another 6 months, at a different company?

 

[killadoob]

Recruitment agencies dude. Assuming you have not been to one as yet

 

[rubytox]

The real bummer when looking for a new job, is when you relocate from a place like Jozie to CT.

The other day I saw an ad for a PA, R3000 per month. Sure, when a person is desperate, R3000 is better than nothing. It's the requirements of the job that left me breathless. It reminds me of the old saying "if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys"
Another downer is that they look at your last salary and invariably I get the message "you are over qualified".

 

[Dolby]

Thanks for the advice.

We work with different products. In the almost 6 years, I've dealt with 4 - but it's the one I've been dealing last that has turned me into this negative person just wanted to get out there. So I'm not unhappy in the job actually ... just dealing with the product that I'm forced to, as I deal with certain people that I dislike.

In addition it's the salary - and the reason I didn't mention before? I got involved in office politics, which also makes things uncomfortable. So it's a mixture between the reasons

Oh - and registered at agencies. Gone for a few interviews, but nothing yet. Got to the final one twice ... but no cigar. I'm being picky about what I want because I don't want to find myself in a horrible situation in 6 months of leaving when I'm comfortable right now (but disliking - if that makes sense)

 

[Dolby]

I get the message "you are over qualified".

I don't even get a message!

I never hear from them ...

 

[Fuma]

I think I know the company you work for. Some IT distribution co. close to where I used to stay.

 

[Dolby]

Yea I've mentioned products in other threads that should give it away ...

 

[mooks]

I know the SA job market isn't always geared to this type of approach, but in my current and previous job, I took positions that I didnt really fancy, but in companies/industries that I was super keen to get involved in. In both instances I was able to move into the departments/positions that I was hoping for within 6mnths. It is a bit of a risky move, and granted, my circumstances were quite different to yours but, my point is that sometimes short term sacrifice for long term gain can actually pay off.

Good luck with everything!

 

[Dolby]

Yea I didn't really want to bring that up because there are a few work folk that may see it But you're 100% ...

Thanks for the advice and edit , mooks