helping a friend get started?

Are you talking about how your friend could get started in the IM niche using his writing skills? If so, maybe he could try creating a gig here on the forum as an article writer or maybe even do copywriting if he has that type of skill set. If he could write compelling copy for IM and related products he could probably make a good bit of money here.

Could also get him started on a few web 2.0 properties to showcase his skills and start him down the path to an IM set up. He could try his hands at a few different things and see what he likes best. Sales copy and PLR can both earn quite well with honed skills and a proper pitch.

If he is a good writer, the options are out there. Just have to figure out how to package his skills and sell them effectively. Grant writing by its self can be quite lucrative, though not necessarily IM related.

Thanks for the ideas. Any other ideas for him?

Does he really want to be a history teacher?

Have a look at this. Hardly use it anymore. But I wanted to be a sales exec, sales trainer, copywriter, whatever...I have a body of work employers can look at. Nobody finds this site unless I send them to it. But it doesn't matter: the body of work is there.

Employers/potential clients/whoever I send--everyone reads this stuff. They get to know me. They know my values. They hear my "voice."

Who do you think stands out when they're going through resumes? Who do think they want to talk to in person?

Your friend has done nothing to stand out.

So the department heads interview a bunch of history candidates...and hire someone else. Because he just blends in.

Have him make a brief a la "Think And Grow Rich". Have him make a blog. Have him make an online portfolio. Doesn't matter. As long as he creates some content with PERSONALITY.

I have created jobs for myself many times by walking in to a place with a brief. Not knowing who should receive it. Doesn't matter. Talk to the receptionist, and off it goes. One, two days later I get the call for the interview.

Obviously I don't need to do this anymore; in fact, the last time I did it was about 10 years ago. But it WORKS. The website I linked to above has helped me get offers for sales trainer jobs. Luckily for you guys, they don't pay enough and I turn them down.

Tough love: your friend needs to get off his ass and stop thinking that everyone is going to somehow instantly "know" he's a wonderful guy. Get some content out there. Doesn't matter if the public sees it or not: as long as he has something employers can link to.

The biggest problem people have when it comes to getting employment is their unwillingness to get off their duff and DO SOMETHING. Churning out resumes, and cover letters that nobody actually reads, is worthless. Send targeted applications with your own special content. No one can duplicate that. It isn't that there are no jobs out there. People talk to people. People hire people.

Finally, he should do what I do: pick some key potential employers and put them on the feed list. Just like I do for potential clients. When I spot a big company and I meet the CEO at some function, I talk to them and put them on the list. When I do my interview with Dave Kurlan, they get it. When I make a video, they get it. Pretty soon, what are they thinking about me?

Credible.

Knowledgeable.

Connected.

We want this guy.

Next time a need comes up, who do you think they're gonna call?

I completely agree with putting something online to showcase his talents. I used to approach businesses as a consultant with my business website. To them, I was just another Internet guy trying to make a buck. So I changed tactics and created a more personal website that served as an online resume. I got MANY more call backs after going that route.

If your friend takes a week to do that, he will have much better luck getting the job he really wants.

I know its tough but casting about for an opportunity without focus early in your career is dangerous. The wrong thing now can make a CV look very clunky if your friend has real aspirations to academia. Make money opportunities and IM are not easy options - though the best advice here is to stick to the writing. I guess with a background in history research skills would be pretty good so maybe quality articles or plr would be an area to look at?

Become a english teacher in japan, they pay good, travel, experience and all you need is an undergrad degree. Look it up on youtube if you are interested

Usually, potential professors would start out as an assistant professor or an adjunct professor. Has he tried for any of those positions?