Late in life career change, how to survive in todays economy

by Bill Frank
(Atlanta, Ga. )

After 36 years in the jewelry business, I am changing careers, looking for a job in sales, but not commission, or in management of a sales team, of course if there is a job in the jewelry business that has the ability to weather this storm, I could be persuaded to look into it. I am a young 60 with 15 - 20 more years of working before I choose to retire, really I am not the sit around the house and watch TV all day, I like the fast pace of working more than anything else. I rarely miss work, I have a very strong work ethic, and I would like to be part of a team in sales or marketing.

This is all new for me, I have worked for companies, have had partnerships, and I have owned my own Jewelry Companies. I also maintain a customer base of between 1500 to 2700 people all of which have bought repeatedly from me over the years, but since the economy is at it's worst, no one is buying jewelry.

This being the 1st time since April 1973 that I have had to look for a job in any industry has been out of my comfort zone, but you have to do what you have to do. My specialty for most of my career has been Insurance Replacement of Jewelry for the Insurance Industry. I am open to many job possibilities and I am working part time now, 2 days a week as a diamond buyer and I am used to 6 days a week, I would consider 1 or 2 part time jobs or one great job full time, plus I am keeping my status as an Independent Jeweler open for my customer's requests.

Well that's my story and I am sticking to it!