Despite the fact that the unemployment rate is exceedingly high and that you may need a job in the interim, if you have any choice at all (nowadays a luxury), there are certain industries to avoid becoming situated with as there is no more money to be made and they are proving to be a waste of time. These industries and, subsequently the majority of the firms in the verticals are a dying breed.
Of course, exceptions to the rule do exist such as if you were offered a good compensation package with good benefits and retirement to match at one of the more prestigious companies within the below listed industries. However, in this economy, for an offer to come out of the blue is exceedingly improbable. This is primarily due to stagnant growth combined with the hiring firms being able to take advantage of a robust applicant pool solely comprised of employees with a solid experience from directly related fields.
Below, you will find some of the industries that would fall under the category of "dying," and that don't appear to be making resurgence anytime in the foreseeable future.
Anything Paper Related
It's a commonly known fact that paper related goods and their subsequent companies are disappearing at an alarming rate. The internet is beating up on check manufacturers, the timber industry, print media companies as well as a host of others. Trying to figure out a solution, these companies are taking in manufacturing sales representatives that are commission only cold-callers. Simply taking the time to attempt to sell paper related products that yield little to no monetary gain.
Even worse, aligning yourself with this industry, to any extent can quickly put you back on the job market with a resume that shows less employment stability than it previously did. Also, the constant rejection via aimless cold-calls can weigh very negatively on your mind and professional spirit.
Commercial Real Estate
Why would a new company lease an office when the employees could work from home? Despite the government trying to help the industry out, the internet continually reigns blows upon the future revenue potential of the commercial real estate vertical.
Moreover, for recruiting purposes, companies know that employees are more apt to accept job offers from firms that encourage a home office. Not only does the vanished commute give the employee heightened production, a home office proves to be a significant tax deduction that otherwise would not have been available. Simply stated, it's too costly for a company to not utilize home office space when and where it can. In 2010, commercial office space is more of a luxury rather than a necessity.
Travel Agencies
Unless you are firmly entrenched in the industry and have a preexisting, loyal client base, selling travel packages at your average local agency is proving to be nearly impossible. Online travel agencies such as Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz have access to deals that smaller firms do not, thus taking away any allure for the average traveler to purchase your company's services.
Furthermore, heavy cable and online advertising has allowed many hotels and resorts to successfully circumvent travel brokers altogether. Needless to say, this does not leave you in driver's seat and does not set you up to efficiently generate revenue for either yourself or the agency that you've decided to work with. Unfortunately, it's a lose, lose situation.
Smaller, Unknown Software Resellers
With internet globalization becoming more of a reality by day coupled with the first-class technology and software education currently given in foreign countries, many small software resellers are hurting. They are seeing competition that is faster, that has better and cheaper customer support and that is taking market share at an alarming rate. Though, with all the advantages just listed even these firms are having trouble competing with your Oracles and Microsoft. Prior to accepting a sales position at this type of firm, think where in the equation does this leave you?
Software remains a commodity and, partly to stay away from offshore software purchases with potentially shaky support, U.S. firms are more apt to buy from the companies that they know. Additionally, despite you being an U.S. reseller, firms simply don't want to buy from the smaller companies. Needless to say, your energy would be better spent focusing on finding a career rather than a job at one of these organizations.
Ken Sundheim runs KAS Placement Sales Management Recruiters Los Angeles Headhunters, a sales and marketing staffing agency with recruiters covering the major U.S. cities including DC Headhunters Washington DC Recruiters Sales. KAS is headquartered in New York City.