Finally, at the age of 27, I've got my degree. I want to do a Masters degree next. But I want a year in the real world. I've considered everything from sports coaching to retail. Some jobs are really fun but no money, which is kind of essential really. Other jobs are lots of money but, well, do I have the necessary skills and experience? A sales job, I feel, delivers a good balance on what I've proved to be good at before, and what skills and experience I need to combine with my masters to get an even better job after that!

My two children are in primary school. So I will need to apply for a sales job that will fit in around that. There's always childcare, so the sales job that offers a reasonable childcare provision will be one of my priorities.

Would I need to apply online. Recruitment web sites are a good way of finding out what's out there, and also a good place to market your skills, experience, and potential.

Or do I apply for a permanent job at the company I've done summer jobs for. They've been good to me. But part of me feels I've outgrown the position I was in there. I could always ask if there was a possibility for moving upwards.

I usually find asking employers these kind of things uncomfortable. You have to go in with a real good reason why they should, and it's got to - just got to - be about what you can do for them. They appreciate it that way.

Do I feel afraid of the unknown, working for a completely new company, working with completely new people? A quick browse on a recruitment web site at the sales jobs, and the information on how it all works - upload CV, enter your details, skills, experience and that sort of thing - does make me feel more comfortable about applying for a new sales job.

All companies have their advantages and disadvantages I guess. And quality recruitment web sites hopefully mean quality sales jobs. It's a case of knowing what's right for you and ensuring you are right for the company that might consider you.

I do really enjoy working in sales, and it's a healthy contrast to my academic side of life. I like the fast paced nature of sales, and especially when you are pitching a great product, for clients you understand and want to see do well.

But to choose - the company I work for now, some other company prepared to give me a good position for just a year (if that's at all possible!) or just an altogether different line of work. Interviews for one job can still count as good contacts with potential employers even if in that case the job wasn't right for you. Thankfully, just engaging in the recruitment process enables you to assess what type of work you really are looking for.