Would you take part in a reality-style competition to get a job? Unemployed workers who are interested in a Chicago sales job - and a shot at owning a business - will soon have the chance to do just that.

Graphics Resource Management LLC recently announced the creation of “The Partner,” a reality-style competition for sales and marketing professionals. The top three contenders will have the chance at a job and at owning part of the business. Candidates will be selected through July 3, with the top three candidates to be selected by July 10. The competition among the top three is scheduled to take place from July 13 to August 14.

Candidates will have to show their ability to create a business development plan and find and win new business. Candidates will be given a small budget and about one month to prove their entrepreneurial skills by gaining clients, marketing the business and showing how they would run sales and marketing if they were selected as the winner. They also will earn commission on all business they gain during the competition.

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Gasoline supplier British Petroleum recently announced that it will be moving 1,200 jobs out of the western suburbs and into the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. This is a complete reverse of the company’s decision to move many jobs out of the city a decade ago when BP obtained Chicago-based Amoco.

The positions will be transferring from Warrenville and Naperville mainly due to the needs of a majority of BP employees. A large portion of these individuals are younger professionals, which is a group that enjoys the idea of both living and working in downtown Chicago. Donald Smith of Jupiter Reality says that the growth of the West Loop market has made downtown living more desirable, especially for young professionals.

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