tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37476568146075378422024-03-17T22:03:39.777-05:00Things could be worse...Just give it a while.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.comBlogger384125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-48202336118569330402013-12-15T20:11:00.000-06:002013-12-15T20:11:00.912-06:00Hey...so...blogging?Yeah, so, as it turns out, I don't really blog anymore. <br />
<br />
I started working at another startup company in the freight industry several months back. It's an opportunity for me to get in on the ground floor of a company and be in a top position, provided we do well.<br />
<br />
I've been in the suburbs for the past few months, which has been a nightmare. My day starts at 4:30am and ends at 9:00pm. Luckily, we just signed a lease for an office in the city, so my commute is about to go back to normal and I'll have this thing called "free time" again. It's going to be amazing.<br />
<br />
Oh, and I'm married.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-13486216495075160232012-09-03T21:00:00.000-05:002012-09-03T21:00:31.956-05:00Still aliveI'm still alive, just ridiculously busy. I still like my job and don't regret leaving law behind one bit. It's amazing how much better life is when you don't spend every minute of your work day hating your job and everything it stands for. With that in mind, if there's anyone still following my blog who hates being a lawyer, my advice is to find a new job immediately. Life changes drastically and only in good ways.<br />
<br />
It's approaching my bedtime, but I'll give a few more updates on things in my life. In job-related news, the company I'm with really likes me and is fast-tracking me to a position where I can make some serious money if I stay with them long-term. Evidently, being hard-working and reasonably intelligent can actually get you places in sales. They're actually handing three clients over to me starting tomorrow, so I'm a little nervous.<br />
<br />
Oh, and I'm engaged. I suppose that should top the list of updates but it's not really something my blog was ever focused on. <br />
<br />
Anyway, that's about it. I keep meaning to start blogging again on a regular basis, but free time is a little scarce nowadays and I sort of have better things to do.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-25184314694400732332012-06-02T07:48:00.000-05:002012-06-02T07:48:13.959-05:00It's been a whileObviously, I've been too busy to post. Here's my typical day right now:<div>
<br /><div>
05:30: Wake up</div>
<div>
06:15: Leave for work</div>
<div>
07:00: Work begins</div>
<div>
17:00: Work ends</div>
<div>
18:00: Either teach kung fu, work out or take a French class</div>
<div>
20:00: Finish kung fu/working out/French</div>
<div>
20:30: Dinner</div>
<div>
21:30: Bed</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That leaves just enough time to study French on my commute and hang out with my girlfriend at night and on weekends. Since I'm legitimately busy 90% of the time at work, blogging has taken a serious hit.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Overall, things are going pretty well right now. I work with an entertaining group of guys and the freight industry is actually pretty interesting. Medical sales is on the back-burner right now, but I'm meeting with a guy this morning just to keep it as an option in the next 6-12 months.</div>Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-54337620321586398752012-04-10T10:02:00.001-05:002012-04-10T10:02:34.682-05:00New jobI officially have a new job. I start at the end of the month and it will be at the logistics company I was talking about in my last post. This Friday, I'll be quitting my office supply job and taking a couple of weeks off before starting. Watch out freight industry, here I come.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-27181510240673665502012-04-05T10:17:00.001-05:002012-04-05T10:24:18.870-05:00Interview in ReviewYesterday, I had an interview for a sales position with a logistics company. It seems like a really legit company and would be a great opportunity for me to move up in the sales world. The guy asked me to provide some references, so I think that's a good sign that the interview went well.<br />
<br />
For as much as I bitch about the jobs that I've had, you might be surprised to know that people are more than willing to be references for me. The interviewer actually asked for a reference from the kung fu school where I teach. That one is going to be hilarious. The owner speaks English, but understanding him can be one hell of a challenge.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-18118075053074848212012-03-27T10:36:00.001-05:002012-03-27T10:36:42.193-05:00KarmaRemember how things ended at the original firm where I used to work? In brief, Attorney 2 didn't want to hire me, I worked at a different firm for a while, got fired, then did contract work for the original firm for a while. I left on good terms with everyone there, but was a little bitter that Attorney 2 didn't hire me. Well, karma just kicked Attorney 2 in the ass.<br />
For the past month, I'd been seeing on Linkedin that some of the attorneys there had found different jobs. After a while, curiosity got the best of me and I emailed Attorney 4 to see what was going on.<br />
<br />
First, Attorney 5 left in January for reasons that I don't know. Attorney 4 had been badgering Attorney 2 to hire a new attorney for a long time, but he wasn't budging and Attorney 4 was really overworked. So, Attorney 4 left in February and convinced her new firm to hire both Secretary 1 and another new attorney that recently started working there.<br />
<br />
To sum up, that firm lost three attorneys and one secretary in three months. That leaves Attorney 2, Business Manager and a secretary. What's the moral of this story? People should hire me when given the opportunity.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-80773134700632087272012-03-10T17:07:00.000-06:002012-03-10T17:07:03.403-06:00UpdatesI haven't posted any updates in a while, but there have been some goings on lately.<br />
<br />
1) Last week, a guy I was trying to sell to was really impressed by me and asked me to interview for a job selling logistics with his company. I went on the interview but didn't get the job. Given how the interview came about, you might be thinking that I royally fucked up the interview. You would be correct. I'll go into details in a seperate post.<br />
<br />
2) I reconnected with a medical sales rep I was talking to a few months ago and he gave me a list of recruiters who I can use. It's not too promising, but it's better than nothing.<br />
<br />
3) This guy my dad knows is starting up the U.S. branch of a medical device company. He doesn't need any reps yet, but he will in the future and says that he'll keep me in mind.<br />
<br />
4) That same guy has a lot of connections in Chicago and thinks that one of them might be hiring immediately. This is probably my best prospect at the moment, so I'm really hoping something comes of it.<br />
<br />
5) A girl I'm in French class with just started working in the sales division for a pretty big company. She forwarded me an internal job posting for an entry-level sales job which she thinks I can get. <br />
<br />
6) The brother of a lawyer my girlfriend used to work with is in sales and has been helping me tailor my resume towards sales positions. He has actually been pretty helpful and I'm feeling good about my resume right now.<br />
<br />
7) Since I've been looking for jobs a lot recently, my sales have dropped off significantly. I'm absolutely hemorrhaging money right now, so I'm going to need to seriously pick things up again this week or hope a new job falls in my lap as soon as possible.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-821711362610933992012-03-06T11:37:00.000-06:002012-03-06T11:37:12.907-06:00Black market antiquesI absolutely love some of the conversations I have during my day. Yesterday, I was in a Chinese antique store I was marvelling at some of the stuff this lady had on display. This prompted a half hour conversation about Chinese antiques. Here are the highlights:<br />
<br />
Me: This stuff is so cool. Where do you find it?<br />
Owner: Oh, I buy it whenever it comes up for sale in the U.S.<br />
Me: Interesting. Who is your main clientele? Do you sell mostly to individuals or museums and stuff?<br />
Owner: I can't really sell to museums. They worry too much about the legal ramifications.<br />
Me: Oh? How does that come into play?<br />
Owner: Well...most of this stuff starts out on the black market and then works its way into the legal market through some loopholes.<br />
Me: What?!? Wait. Why is it in the black market? Where does this stuff come from?<br />
Owner: Oh, gets excavated and then it just makes its way out of China. <br />
Me: Come on. I'm just an office supply salesman. Where did this stuff come from?<br />
Owner: Ok. Most of it is dug up by graverobbers in China. I can't sell to museums because China has a law stating that anything taken out of their ground is legally theirs, so museums don't want to risk it. <br />
Me: WHAT?!? You mean this statue I'm holding was taken out of someone's tomb by a graverobber and is here illegally?!?<br />
Owner: More than likely.<br />
Me: ...would you like to buy some toner?<br />
<br />
Yes, she bought some toner from me.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-39645772771747516942012-03-01T08:22:00.001-06:002012-03-01T08:22:00.059-06:00Job leadAt the very least, people in sales seem to have a lot of respect for the fact that I can sell office supplies door-to-door. For instance, the other day, I was in an office that sells some form of logistics. After talking to me for a while, the guy told me that his company is hiring and told me to give him a call if I want a job.<br />
<br />
At this point, I definitely want the job. Even though I'm having fun doing what I'm doing, my company is a little shady and I'm making next to nothing. Needless to say, I left this guy a voicemail and emailed him my resume. With any luck, I'll be selling logistics sometime soon.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-48282412367813609922012-02-29T15:54:00.000-06:002012-02-29T15:54:17.460-06:00Must have been looking good that dayAt the very least, I'm getting some good stories from this job. I walk into this one really big office, having no idea what type of business it is, and I introduce myself to the receptionist. She tells me to wait and she'll get their office manager. After a couple of minutes, this really busy man runs over to me and we have this conversation:<br />
<br />
Man: You're my two o'clock, right? Go get changed!<br />
Me: What? No, that's not...<br />
Man: Get dressed! We're already late!<br />
Me: Seriously. You've got the wrong guy. I'm selling office supplies.<br />
Man: What?<br />
Receptionist: Yeah, you've got the wrong guy.<br />
Man: Oh...ok. I'll go look somewhere else.<br />
Me: What was that all about? What is this place?<br />
Receptionist: You don't know? This is ABC Modeling Company.<br />
Me: Hahaha! I must be having a good day.<br />
<br />
Maybe it's time for a career change.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-16937811200520212432012-02-11T08:37:00.001-06:002012-02-11T08:37:00.776-06:00That's more like itRemember how my last post was about a lawyer who was nice? Don't worry, things are back to normal.<br />
<br />
Lawyer: Door-to-door sales? That must suck.<br />
Me: Yeah, it's not great, but I have fun with it. It's a lot better than other things I've done.<br />
Lawyer: What else have you done.<br />
Me: I used to be a lawyer.<br />
Lawyer: [five minute lecture criticizing my life choices]<br />
Me: Wow, you're right. Getting away from assholes like you and endless paperwork was definitely the wrong life choice.<br />
<br />
I don't usually tell people that I used to be a lawyer. This is why.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-82463872626402796872012-02-10T20:36:00.002-06:002012-02-10T20:52:50.699-06:00Some people like me<div>Fact: Most lawyers are dicks. The other day, however, I had a conversation with a really nice lawyer.</div><div><br />
</div>Lawyer: Are you just going door to door?<br />
<div>Me: Yep.</div><div>Lawyer: I've got a lot of respect for that. </div><div>Me: Really? Thanks.</div><div>Lawyer: It takes a lot of balls to generate business that way. I actually started my practice 20 years ago by going door to door and asking other lawyers for their overflow. </div><div>Me: Wow. I actually used to be a lawyer. I'm kind of doing things backwards.</div><div>Lawyer: Well, good luck. Not a lot of people can do what you're doing and it will serve you well in the future, regardless of what you end up doing.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I pretty much get that response from anyone who has ever done door-to-door sales. It's always nice to hear.</div>Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-69514482399898383772012-02-08T19:55:00.000-06:002012-02-08T19:55:59.795-06:00OverheardOverheard this conversation while selling to a law firm. This client is getting kicked out of their apartment for a variety of reasons.<br />
<br />
Client: ...and then they accused us of bein' gangbanga's!!<br />
Lawyer: And these are your neighbors to the left, correct?<br />
Client: Naw, them's to mah right.<br />
Lawyer: Ok, what happened with the ones to your left? Weren't you talking about them on the phone?<br />
Client: Dey thinks we's gangbanga's, too! We's good churchgoin' folk! Not no gangbanga's!<br />
Lawyer: Wait. This sounds familiar. Did you have this same problem with your downstairs neighbors last month?<br />
Client: Yeah.<br />
Lawyer: So, three of your neighbors are under the mistaken impression that you are all gang members?<br />
Client: Yeah. But, we's good churchgoin' folk.<br />
Lawyer: ...great.<br />
<br />
My job is hilarious.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-74047612328567048572012-02-01T18:55:00.000-06:002012-02-01T18:55:13.240-06:00People just like to ventI was about to sell some folders to an office manager when her boss suddenly walked into the room. This guy exploded into a rant about my company. I thought I was going to lose the sale and also get kicked out of the building, but that's not quite what happened.<div><br />
</div><div>Boss: What company are you with?</div><div>Me: XYZ Company.</div><div>Boss: Get out of here! We got FUCKED by XYZ years ago and I'm never dealing with them again! Get out!</div><div>Me: Sir, I am so sorry to hear that. If you don't mind me asking, what happened?</div><div>Boss: I'll tell you what happened - we got FUCKED! They sent us to collections...(ten minute rant about my company)...and I swore I'd never deal with the sons of bitches who own your company again!</div><div>Me: Those sons of bitches actually aren't with the company anymore. We got bought out by ABC company a few years ago.</div><div>Boss: Really?</div><div>Me: Really.</div><div>Boss: And you have good prices on folders?</div><div>Me: Yep. Anything else you're out of?</div><div>Boss: Paper clips</div><div>Me: And...</div><div>Boss: ...and post-its, and envelopes, and copy paper and photo paper.</div><div>Me: I'll get that taken care of and give you an additional discount for placing such a large order.</div><div>Boss: Thanks! I'm glad you came in today!</div><div><br />
</div><div>People are ridiculous.</div>Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-63051744572193450502012-01-25T20:36:00.000-06:002012-01-25T20:36:49.799-06:00Calling it a daySo, I was going to try and sell some office supplies to a homeless shelter, but I was interrupted by a homeless man taking a dump on the sidewalk in front of me. On that note, I've decided to call it a day.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-20275010834642874972012-01-12T17:15:00.000-06:002012-01-12T17:15:35.352-06:00Bonus timeThis is the first week that I've hit the quota for getting a selling bonus, so I'm pretty stoked. But, if I make 2 more sales, I'll get an even bigger bonus. So, you can bet I'll be out tomorrow looking for 2 more sales.<br />
<br />
Right now. I'm sitting in a bar trying to dry off. It's snowing pretty hard and I accidentally took a rather lengthy and unproductive turn down a residential street.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-30085049722306825382012-01-10T15:04:00.001-06:002012-01-10T15:05:59.047-06:00I'm aliveDon't worry, I'm alive. I'm just really busy and don't have access to a computer when I'm walking around, so I haven't had much time to blog. Right now, I'm trying to make a post with my iPhone.<br />
<br />
I still like my job. I hada brief slump durin the holidays, but I'm selling the shit out of these office supplies this week. I'm currently sitting in the lobby of a hospital, tying to figure out how I'm going to sell to the docs without getting kicked out.<br />
<br />
Also, I've had to work in the suburbs for the past two weeks. Twelve hour days arenot conducive to regular blogging.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-44686303524915542332011-12-14T10:18:00.000-06:002011-12-14T10:18:27.610-06:00Bad dayOverall, I like my new job and I'm pretty good at it. Today, however, I really wish I had an office job again. It's pouring in Chicago and I got so wet in the first hour of my day that I look like I just jumped in a pool. I'm currently getting funny looks while I'm trying to dry off in a Starbucks. I've got a hunch that sales aren't going to go well today.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-2666378989277878102011-12-05T20:21:00.000-06:002011-12-05T20:21:57.198-06:00First couple of daysMy first day was going pretty poorly until I sold about $800 of office supplies to some tax guy late in the afternoon. That kicked ass. <br />
<br />
I only sold $70 worth of paper today, so my second day didn't go so well. But, a sale is a sale, so I suppose I'm doing better than most of the new people.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-72807368064972145572011-12-04T16:35:00.000-06:002011-12-04T16:35:08.461-06:00New jobI'm officially selling office supplies door-to-door. I know it sounds like it sucks, but it's really not that bad. I work with a nice group of people, the job is a good experience builder for other sales positions, there's a lot of room for advancement within the company and I'm actually having fun wandering around talking to people all day. <br />
<br />
All in all, even though I get weird looks whenever I tell people I'm selling office supplies, I'm pretty pleased with the way things are going right now.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-23434695976989306522011-11-17T15:28:00.000-06:002011-11-17T15:28:02.519-06:00Job offerIt's official, I have a job offer from the office supply place. I also have a second interview with the real estate place but, based on how uncomfortable I was with the entire environment over there, I don't see myself taking that job. Regardless, I'm going to go on the interview just to see where it goes.<br />
<br />
I don't feel like breaking this up into separate posts, so here are a few random comments:<br />
<br />
1) How weird is it that I got this job exactly one year after getting my previous job? My girlfriend pointed that out.<br />
<br />
2) It kind of sucks that I'm going to be selling office supplies door to door, but I'm going to give optimism a try and consider this as a good stepping stone to other sales jobs.<br />
<br />
3) I'm going to play with my blog's format a bit now that I won't feel bad about playing around online rather than looking for jobs.<br />
<br />
4) I told them I'd give a definite answer about whether I'd take the job on Monday. I imagine they'll want me to start right after Thanksgiving.<br />
<br />
5) I'm planning on posting a lot more now that I'm going to have a job and places to go every day worth blogging about.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-35677889481748386472011-11-17T09:28:00.000-06:002011-11-17T09:28:51.510-06:00Interview in ReviewHad an interview yesterday with a real estate sales company and it was bizarre.<br />
<br />
Basically, I would be cold-calling people for 12 hours/day for the first two to three years. Then, presuming I don't suck at what I do, I would start making big money. In the meantime, I'd be getting paid on a "draw system," which I had never heard of, but I guess it means that I'd be taking out a loan from the company every month in lieu of a traditional salary. <br />
<br />
I interviewed with three different people, but my favorite line from the entire process came from the last guy. As soon as he walked in, he said, "I'm in the business because I want to be "jet rich". Ten years ago I was "range rover rich", now I'm "yacht rich", but I really want to be at a point where I can have my own jet."<br />
<br />
I don't doubt that these guys make tons of money. But, I don't think I can handle 12-14 hour days of doing something I'm not that interested in just for the elusive possibility of making tons and tons of money...all while being paid on a draw. <br />
<br />
The entire interview creeped me out. Don't get me wrong, I would love to be "jet rich." But, I don't think 14 hour days of cold calling to land a big real estate deal is how I want to do it. I'll happily settle for "yacht rich" if it means I can enjoy what I do.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-66029841015576033302011-11-11T15:04:00.000-06:002011-11-11T15:04:02.281-06:00Interview in ReviewToday, I had an interview at some sort of sales/marketing company. To be completely honest, I had no idea what kind of stuff they were selling before I went into the interview. As it turns out, the sell a bunch of stuff, but I'd specifically be working with office products. Yes, I'd be one of those annoying door-to-door office salesmen. Normally, I'd make some sort of depressing statement about my life right now, but I'm just excited to have any sort of job prospect right now.<br />
<br />
Evidently, the interview went well because I just got a call saying that they want me to come in for a second interview on Monday. It sounds weird, but I guess the second interview involves spending a day shadowing one of their reps. Should be interesting.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-40273995251047760222011-11-09T13:47:00.000-06:002011-11-09T13:47:41.753-06:00Nerd partyA buddy of mine works for a company that produced Saint's Row III and they had a release party a few days ago. Since I have nothing going on, he got me into the party as his "plus one." Yes, that elicited a lot of gay jokes, but I'll put up with a lot for a night of free food and booze. <br />
<br />
Also, nerd parties are hilarious. Throw a bunch of socially inept people into a bar with free alcohol and you've got yourself an entertaining night. Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3747656814607537842.post-1046900003484262922011-11-03T15:00:00.001-05:002011-11-03T15:13:30.056-05:00UpdatesFor those of you still paying attention, here are the most recent updates:<br />
<br />
1) My parents' financial adviser's brother is in medical sales and I have been in touch with him. He's a really nice guy and is going to give me the names of several recruiters and he is going to contact people he knows at other companies to see if they are hiring. Overall, that sounds pretty promising.<br />
<br />
2) A buddy of mine is in sales and is friends on Linkedin with a guy who does recruiting for medical sales. I'm getting introduced to that recruiter so, hopefully, that sounds promising as well.<br />
<br />
3) Both Christmas and my girlfriends birthday are quickly approaching. Thinking about trying to buy presents while unemployed is one of the most depressing thoughts I've had in a while.<br />
<br />
4) I just finished reading In Search of Memory by Eric Kandel. Even though some of the science was over my head (not as much as you'd think, though), it was a pretty good book. It's a mix of autobiography and brain science and, it you're into that kind of stuff, I'd recommend the book. <br />
<br />
5) I just stared reading Knowledge and Decisions by Thomas Sowell. Never let it be said that I don't read interesting books.<br />
<br />
6) I'm at my parents' house and I can't figure out where my mom hid the extra Halloween candy and it's driving me crazy.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00873305351253214400noreply@blogger.com2