Choosing Freedom...

So, after chucking out so many job applications that I've lost count, I ended up with four job interviews, all in very different industries. And lo and behold, yours truly got offered all four jobs in the same week, therein catapulting me into the dilemma of choosing which one to pick. Do I play safe and pick the job that was similar to what I did before, but required me to drive all over Melbourne (which by the way reminds me of KL so that can't be so great!) and get paid a lot less money, or take a pay cut anyway and try my hand at something different? 

After mulling it over a couple of days, chatting about it to friends and my cousin, and even long-distance calling my sister in the US of A, I decided to explore the home furnishing retail industry with Freedom, Australia's leading homewares and furnishing store (www.freedom.com.au). 

I've always been a fan of Freedom (my last leather lounge suite was from Freedom) and have often joked about how I'd make a great sales consultant for Freedom. I mean, if I can't afford to own my house and furnish it with Freedom products, then I can at least have the pleasure of helping someone who can... and get paid for it! 

Admittedly, I was a little unsure of my decision. It's been a while since I worked in a retail environment, and while they had a decent commission scheme, I would be taking a pretty hefty pay cut if I were to just survive on the base salary. I began to doubt myself... can I actually do this? Have I made the right decision? There were moments I felt like calling up the other employers to ask for the offer back because I was so scared I had made a terrible terrible mistake. Thankfully I had friends to remind me of why I came to Melbourne in the first place: to have a go at a career change. So I stayed put and stuck to my decision.

Two weeks on and I have to say my fears were unfounded. Of course it's been a huge learning curve, having to build my knowledge on the extensive range of products and getting my head around the point of sale system to put through the sale. I also quickly learned that standing around for pretty much 7-8 hours a day isn't as easy as it seems. Oh, and believe me, smiling and always being cheery and ready to serve a customer even when you don't feel like it is even harder. Nevertheless, it really helps when you have a fun crew to work with and interesting customers to deal with... like the gay couple who bought a bed that was more fit for a 16-year-old princess (look for the Priscilla range on the catalogue!), or the many Asian customers who want a discount because they plan to buy several items ("What do you mean no discount? But I buy so many things!"). By the end of week one, I was getting a hang of things and actually sold a couple of beds. But my feet ached, and my legs were tired and I suddenly missed having my own office and desk. 

Week 2 ended yesterday and you know what? Yours truly sold over $32,000 worth of furniture and I'm thinking "maybe this isn't so bad after all..." Yes, my legs are still a lil tired, but my body is adjusting to the new routine and for now, I think this will keep me going for a bit. I'm not sure if I want to make this a career so I am looking out at other jobs. In the meantime, I'm enjoying Freedom while it lasts...