No idea what to do really........

So as some of you might remember I had some salary issues here a few months ago that haven't been completely resolved just yet and I won't know if they will be until July 30th rolls around, my next anniversary date here at the police department. Some of you will remember that I was considering leaving law enforcement for several reasons. Well my other part-time job is as a personal trainer at a Kosama located in the metro area. I've made several friends there and one of those friends is another trainer. He works at the Nebraska Furniture Mart here in the metro area and called me tonight as he got promoted a few weeks ago to a management position. He offered me a job in sales which has the potential of making me anywhere from $90,000 to $100,000 a year if I'm a good salesman, which I probably would be to be honest with you. If I'm mediocre I'll make the same that I'm making now. I don't know if I'd enjoy it or not, but the hours would be better, the money seems to be better, but I have to work every weekend which I don't do now. I work every other weekend, but work 4 pm to 2 am and I obviously will miss out on a lot of my kids activities as they get older. I'll obviously talk with my wife as that's the most important discussion to have, but I have no idea what I should do? He told me in a year and a half to two years they are opening another store in Texas and half of the management from his store is going to Texas so I'd have the opportunity to move to management and make over $100,000 a year. Any advice? I probably won't do it, but if it's a good opportunity I'd think about it.

 
Sales, especially furniture/appliance sales, is a tough gig. Your income is dependent on, among other things, the economy, and you can be a very good salesman but make no money if the economy tanks.

Personally, guaranteed money, even in the situation you're in at the department, is better than money you're not certain of.

 
I'm with Lance. There has to be options in other jurisdictions that would be better if the problems in your current job don't pan out. The only people I have ever seen that enjoyed sales are the ones where the "kill" gave them an adrenalin high.

 
Not sure what your retirement system is like there; but you're over halfway there for at least twenty and most retirement tops at 30 years depending on the plan. My son is 3% @ 50 so he still has twenty years to work but he only has 8 years in the Sheriff's Department.

Somethin' to consider.

 
I decided against it after talking with my wife, just not the opportunity that would make me leave law enforcement. It has to be a GREAT opportunity before I take the leap.

 
Something else to consider if your going to enter sales from my 7 year experience in the field of recruiting, sales and college admissions.

  1. Are you passionate about what your going to sell? Can you get pumped about patio furniture? dishwashers? green lawns? you get my drift. If you can't, don't try and sell it, the job will become painful after the first week.
  2. Can you sell something to someone who obviously can't afford it or in my case complete the school work because they don't own a computer? You can have someone who wants that 65" tv, but just mentioned they haven't paid rent in 2 months, and their kids eat 1 meal a day. Your boss, in most cases, doesn't care what there situation is, they want to know what the goods sold for and the profit. Can you go home and feel good about yourself after selling this person a whatever and watch their kids leave hungry?
  3. is there a solid training plan and professional development in place to help you get started? As much as you think you could be good at this, you have never done it before.

 
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