Career Choice

After being out of work for over two months, I expect two offers next week. However, they are in unrelated fields. Assuming I receive both:

One will be from a third-party recruitment agency. This is what I was doing previously and I am pretty good at it. Yearly income should be close to six figures after I get my client base back up (there's a small base and I plan to negotiate a draw). I would work in the city centre, would have to ride the bus to work, and would likely work nine or ten-hour days.

The other will be from a real estate development and investment company - they bring investors on board and do their own developments. They started with single-family housing developments and are now doing condos, resort condos, as well as buying foreclosed properties in the US and renting them out. Their business model is set up to take advantage of the current economy and the eventual, at least partial, recovery. I have never worked in this field before but the role is similar to what I do as a recruiter, effectively selling opportunities. (In that sense both jobs are arguably scummy.) I don't know what my total income would be but the indication is that there's a high base and little commission. I would ask for a number comparable to what I would earn in an average year as a recruiter. I would drive to work, but travel across the country often, at least a week per month on the road, and work evenings regularly.

Both jobs allow me to wear proper business wear, so there is no risk of not being able to wear my ties.

I am in my mid-20s, and am not in a committed relationship.

O forum, please light my path (even though I think my mind is made up).

Look, there're a shitload of job hunters, a shitload of recruiters, and little jobs. Recruiter = hungry.

At least with the other gig, you still might have a chance to make real $$$.

You're in your mid-20's so you can try out the real estate investment job. If it doesn't work out, given your current situation, the impact will be minor. At least you come away with valuable experience.

I still can't figure out why anyone would actually want to be a headhunter.

Originally Posted by GQgeek

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I still can't figure out why anyone would actually want to be a headhunter.

Because it still gives you a solid paycheck every two weeks?

Originally Posted by JoeWoah

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You're in your mid-20's so you can try out the real estate investment job. If it doesn't work out, given your current situation, the impact will be minor. At least you come away with valuable experience.

I agree with this.

I would highly recommend the real estate job. My friends who have worked in real estate development/acquisitions are far and away the most career-satisfied individuals I know. And why wouldn't they be? There are very few ways to work less and make more money than getting in with a good real estate group.

Great paycheck
Little intelligence needed
Short Working Hours
Culture of partying and having a good time

I often wished I'd taken that route out of college instead of going into finance.

I am leaning toward the RE job basically for all the reasons posted, so I'm surprised the poll is leaning the other way. Anyway thanks all.

Originally Posted by GQgeek

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I still can't figure out why anyone would actually want to be a headhunter.

No matter what anyone tells you, it's about the money. A good executive head hunter will almost certainly earn several hundred thousand dollars per year, and they may have nothing more than a BA. Straight out of college, with the right company, comp plan and attitude, six figures is easy. Again, not bad for someone without a professional or numbers-related degree.

Other than that, it's a business with more than its fair share of liars and scoundrels.

Originally Posted by unjung

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No matter what anyone tells you, it's about the money. A good executive head hunter will almost certainly earn several hundred thousand dollars per year, and they may have nothing more than a BA. Straight out of college, with the right company, comp plan and attitude, six figures is easy. Again, not bad for someone without a professional or numbers-related degree.

Other than that, it's a business with more than its fair share of liars and scoundrels.

Yup. A friend's wife works as a headhunter in the medical field. I don't think she's made less than $300k/year in the last 5 years.

Originally Posted by DarkNWorn

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Yup. A friend's wife works as a headhunter in the medical field. I don't think she's made less than $300k/year in the last 5 years.

But of course, as you said, right now is a terrible time to be in the business. So probably worth trying something else out and coming back to it if I really want to.

Originally Posted by unjung

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But of course, as you said, right now is a terrible time to be in the business. So probably worth trying something else out and coming back to it if I really want to.

I think it depends on the field. There's still a huge demand in the medical field, and if you have a big enough book of contacts, you're--I hate to say it--recession proof.

That said, I've seen some desperate legal recruiters lately.

Originally Posted by unjung

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I am leaning toward the RE job basically for all the reasons posted, so I'm surprised the poll is leaning the other way. Anyway thanks all.



No matter what anyone tells you, it's about the money. A good executive head hunter will almost certainly earn several hundred thousand dollars per year, and they may have nothing more than a BA. Straight out of college, with the right company, comp plan and attitude, six figures is easy. Again, not bad for someone without a professional or numbers-related degree.

Other than that, it's a business with more than its fair share of liars and scoundrels.

Damn. I had no idea. I'd still hate the job, personally.

Since one of the guys looking for a law job posted an epilogue, I thought I would as well.

The head hunting firm ended up making an offer to someone more experienced. I did absolutely everything I could to get an offer - three meetings, strong references including from clients, extensive follow-up, driving three hours to meet with the CEO, agreed verbally to a compensation offer... all for naught.

I did contract work for the RE company for three weeks and then they made me an offer, which was slightly better on the base side than my previous job, and still allows me to wear proper clothing to work. The long-term future is promising assuming I prove myself, as the company is growing, young, and moves people around a lot. I am fitting well into the team and I think they trust me as not only did I end up with sales responsibilities on my job description, but also recruitment and serving as lead on managing our CRM software.

Happy happy happy.

Originally Posted by unjung

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I am fitting well into the team and I think they trust me as not only did I end up with sales responsibilities on my job description, but also recruitment and serving as lead on managing our CRM software.

So they're effectively making you do more work for the same pay. +1 for the employer.

Originally Posted by GQgeek

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Damn. I had no idea. I'd still hate the job, personally.

What do you do for a living?

Originally Posted by bawlin

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So they're effectively making you do more work for the same pay. +1 for the employer.

Still only so many hours in the day. And it adds diversity.

Which I think is an old wooden ship.