Need help with serious career question

[brijames]

Some quick background.
I'm 50 yrs old, live in Michigan.
Just laid off from the manufacturing sector like thousands of others in this State.
It is time to read the writing that I need education and or training in a field with a future.
very scary at my age but I have no choice if i want to stay here near my kids and grand kids.
Recently divorced after 24 yrs of marriage. Now is the time to get moving.
Could definitely use some idea as to what field I can get working the quickest in and also have a future in.
I am kind of leaning towqard the IT field as the demand seems very high even in the crappy economy of this State.
Any advice would be hugely appreciated. Thanks!

 

[benny0420]

Do you know anyone at Public Works in your surrounding cities? Preferably the Engineer?

 

[tkim11]

I would say accounting. No matter what the hell happens to this world, every company will need an accountant. Its a necessary evil. You'll have to start low as AP/AR but should be able to move up the ranks after a yr or 2. If you want to work for small company get used to Quicken products. Corporations use programs like Great Plains. But once you're an accountant, debiting is debiting and crediting is crediting.

Good luck with everything. And sry about your lay off

 

[DollarDay]

Your friendly neighborhood bill collector.

If you have any proficiency with computers there is always work for collectors - and top end collectors, at least in buffalo, ny, make a killing - $150k - $200k.

Even fair / average collectors can make $50k-$60k / year.

Not much training is needed and it is one the most non-cyclical jobs in the world. Think of it this way:

The worse the economy gets, the better it gets for us (more accounts delinquent, more placmements, more potential money to collect). The better the economy gets, people start paying off their old bills that built up in the last down cycle.

I've been in this line of work for damn near 20 years now and have never, ever ever seen a down year.

 

[tkim11]

Hey baccy, I saw on TV are you guys are mean as F to these people. You call them anything from worthless to cussing at their grandmothers for having their mother only to have them. Is it true?

 

[DollarDay]

Hey baccy, I saw on TV are you guys are mean as F to these people. You call them anything from worthless to cussing at their grandmothers for having their mother only to have them. Is it true?

No. FDCPA - Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

There are TONZ of consumer protection attorney's out there now that make their living sueing collection agencies - and winning.

Yes, there are bad apples out there - and in all reality more than there should be - but the best collectors don't beat the crap out of people. It's more of a sorting game.

You figure that at best we collect 10% of the placements (and that is the BEST) - the average file our company works does about 1% - 2%. That means we gotta call 100 people to find one that has the ability and willingness to pay.

2 keys - ability and willingness.

The best collectors go call to call to call and diligently work their file. The whole idea is not to collect every penny from every person - find those people that want to pay and help them to pay.

By help, i mean give them a settlement, take payments, or get paid in full.

Most top collectors build their files, similar to the way an insurance agent builds a business, and work on residuals.

Example:

September has 21 collection days
Work to get 2 "new" payments per day.
That gives you 42 payments for the month.
If your average payment is $100 that gives you $4200 cash
The average client fee in our office is around 40%
That means you generate around $1,680 in "fees" or commissions in Sept.

October rolls around - 22 collection days.
Same scenario gets you 44 "new" payments.
Now, the residual of September kicks in. Generally speaking after you setup a person on a payment plan you really don't have to do much to it. The computer will send a monthly statement and the majority of these people will pay from the statement, thus your residual of 42 payments kick in giving you $1,680 in fees from Sept and $1,760 fees from Oct payments totaling $3,440 in fees.

November folls around - 17 collection days this month.
Same scenario gets you 34 "new" payments - but now your residual is 86 payments. Nov "new" fees is $1,360, residual fees are $3,440 - total gets you $4,800 in fees now.

Keep building and building and the next you know you're hitting $20,000 in fee and taking home a $4,000 / month bonus check along with your salary which is in the $36,000 a year range and you make $84k a year. In buffalo, that is a GREAT living.

 

[Jabow]

Baccy

Nice, real nice, i would love to do that , and like like you said you have not seen a down month, because of the greatest country for that kind of biz. Everyone and thing is on credit and love to spend and not budget. :toast:

 

[Hamilbet]

What $$$ range are you looking for.

If it's a high end career you are looking for and qualified for, I would recommend a headhunter. (job locator)(google will give you a few.) Companies higher them to find "proffessionals". Ususally jobs $65K and up.

OR

Postmen and garbage/recycling collectors usually start around $40K+ to start.

IT is great but VERY difficult, expensive and intensive training but rwardin financally.