Career Retraining Qualifies Electronics Sales Professionals for Niche Specialties

Circuit City seemed to symbolize a shrinking economy when it closed all 567 of its remaining stores in early 2009. Meanwhile, thousands of other employees at well-known companies like Best Buy and Tweeter received recession-related pink slips of their own. Not counting employees who remained on company books but received few or no hours on their store schedules, workers at electronic stores ranked near the top of the Bureau of Labor Statistics list of industry layoffs in March 2009.

Fortunately, many electronics store employees already have the basic job skills necessary to find new, recession-resistant jobs in other fields. By combing their current talents with expertise developed in career retraining programs, these former retail workers can attract strong offers from stable employers.

Common Job Skills of Electronics Sales Professionals

• Communication Skills
• Sales and Management Experience
• Familiarity with High Technology

Career Opportunities for Former Electronics Sales Professionals

After spending eight hours every day explaining electronics to shoppers, sales professionals develop the ability to make complex ideas accessible to the public. When those communications skills are combined with industry-specific technical knowledge, sales professionals can discover strong salaries in niche professions. For instance, completing a medical technology job skills course can help qualify many professionals for work supporting doctors' offices and hospitals. Other sales professionals can earn networking and systems certifications that lead to jobs as enterprise-level IT professionals.

New Economy Careers for Electronics Sales Professionals

• Network Systems Engineer
• Remote Computing Consultant
• Medical Technology Specialist

Benefits of Career Retraining

Economists are still debating how long it may take for Americans to resume spending money on lavish home theaters and high end appliances. For electronics retail professionals who want to ride out the rough economy, health care and enterprise computing services offer two well-paid safe havens. However, for former sales professionals ready for more stable hours and predictable working conditions, career retraining can lead to powerful new opportunities.

Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 30 Fastest Growing Jobs
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Mass Layoffs Summary
CNN, Circuit City to Shut Down
Fool.com, Is Best Buy Channeling Circuit City?
San Diego Union-Tribune, Small business optimism fades as stores shutter