As I stated in the first blog, there is nothing wrong with a blue-collar job and many of them offer pay, benefits and other advantages that exceed certain white-collar. But, the clientele I work with as a coach is usually looking to open the door to white-collar careers. But what does a typical white-collar career offer that you won’t find at most blue-collar positions?
According to Indeed.com, here are many of the reasons you would want to consider a full-time, white-collar job:
They offer more opportunity for upward growth, such as becoming and executive or manager.
Generally, they involve higher salaries with greater chances for increases with advancements in your position.
Mentally they are more engaging, such as participating in activities in the field to accomplish essential tasks like meeting clients and traveling to events like conferences.
They will help you to maintain specialized skills and allow for updating them over time, especially in area of technology and healthcare.
Most white-collar positions demand a certain level of real-world knowledge, including current events, regulations and trends of the industry.
While it may seem like a no-brainer to choose a white-collar career over a blue-collar one, they are far harder to find. There are far fewer CEOs, doctors, lawyers, account managers and college professors in this world than there are retail employees, waiters/waitresses and construction workers.
The drawback to a white-collar job is that you either have to start at the very bottom of a company’s food chain, or you have to spend many years preparing for the job itself. For instance, when it comes to sales executives, nobody starts at the top. You’ll be the bottom-of-the-barrel just about everywhere you start. Or, in the case of a doctor or lawyer there are many, many years of schooling, both general and specialized, that are necessary before you can even consider the job.
Here, also from Indeed.com, are some of the things to ask yourself when deciding if it’s worth putting in the time to go for a white-collar job:
What are the education or training requirements?
While most blue-collar jobs simply need a high school diploma, there is no template for white collar jobs. Researching the education or training you’ll need is the most important first step.
Should you gain experience first?
There are jobs like administrative assistant, freelance writer or data entry associate that will give you experience in a white-collar environment before you leap in with both feet and commit to a career. This is a good way to determine if you’re cut out for white-collar life without leaping before you look.
Do you have a strong resume?
What is it that is going to make you stand out, even if you have the experience and education that would go with the career you’re pursuing? Consider a professional resume writing service to make yours one that gets into the good pile.
How do you perform in interviews?
While a great resume will get you through the door, it’s just part of the equation. What will the interviewers remember about you 5 minutes after you walk out the door? What will they remember when it comes down to making a decision?
The perks of a white-collar job are certainly there, but before you make the commitment, make sure you’re not dedicating a lot of time, energy and potentially money going down a road that you won’t be best-served traveling.