My First Job: Jason Watabe

December 7, 2007

My First Job: Jason Watabe

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Jason Watabe

Now: Real-estate broker

Then: Display ad sales clerk

Current position: Associate broker at Windermere Real Estate in Bellevue and 2008 president of the Seattle-King County Association of REALTORS.

First job: Display ad sales clerk in the classified advertising department of the Fairbanks Daily News Miner in Alaska. Most of the time was spent on the phone and in the production department checking proofs.

Pay: Hourly wage plus commissions (about enough to cover the basics).

How I got the job: I was doing part-time work at the zoning department in Fairbanks when I learned of a job across the street at the News Miner.

What I learned: Selling classified display ads to local car dealerships week after week required serious relationship building, along with hard work and tenacity. Working in such a challenging sales environment taught me the importance of relationship building and communications. As my understanding and knowledge of advertising grew, so did my sales abilities.

Want to tell us about your first job? Fax the above information to 206-382-8879 or e-mail business@seattletimes.com

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