So, hows the job scene where you are?

[Hiryo]

Well, I havent seen a job thread on BG in a long time so I figured now is a great chance if any to discuss how things are in the local areas of BG members. In a lot of places jobs are still hard to come by but from what I've been hearing, the market is starting to open back up. Unfortunately with summer right around the corner, the younger people will have a lot of other young people to compete with as far as jobs go.

Unemployment(by national percentage) is a few tenths of a degree less than it was in 2009, which is good I suppose, but it is still much higher than any year before 2009. Last year the New England area was at an average of 8.9% unemployment with Rhode Island being number 5 of the most jobless states at a terrible 11.4%. Massachusetts, where myself and a number of other BGers live, was at a pretty lackluster 8.4% -_-
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a395/hiryo/jobs.jpg

I myself have a job. Of course it's not a career, it's something to get me by on my seemingly endless job hunt. Usually I just search the interwebs, all my local classified sites, monster, even craigslist for jobs. I do occasionally get replies back, but only as far as "Please submit your resume to XX" or "Yes, we are a legitimate post". I've only just began making phone calls, but my experience leads me to believe that human resource managers have "calling you back" on the very bottom of their to-do list.

So yeah, feel free to leave any tips on getting feedback for job inquiries. Or post about your and your area's situation. I'm curious to hear if anyone's having better luck than I am lol

[Olo401]

I live in Rhode Island.. it's on your list. Don't come here heh..

[Boyiee]

the guy running new jersey is laying off, cutting pay, and shitting on pensions of all emergency personnel. EMS/Fire/Police are losing jobs by dozens, and in some places hundreds. My department just took a 30% pay cut in order for all of us to stay employed. Because of how our contracts work and Civil Service, a few of our employees are actually making LESS than when they started.

Years ago people get into jobs like this because there is always a need for it, always a security blanket. That's no longer the case and it's becoming risky. I know a few cops in the academy that will not have jobs when they get out. Due to civil service, the lowest people on the seniority list/totem poll are laid off, so all the old guys that are 50-65 out of shape slow still employed and still come to work even though they are useless are keeping jobs from young 21yr olds that are in perfect shape.

[Hiryo]

so all the old guys that are 50-65 out of shape slow still employed and still come to work even though they are useless are keeping jobs from young 21yr olds that are in perfect shape.

I never understood this. I even, at one point, thought about trying the academy test for where I lived because I noticed a very large amount of seniors as officers. But then I thought this exact thing and realize wtf kind of bs is that. Let them retire early or something and give the job to all those new kids who are more than capable.

[Cream Soda]

the guy running new jersey is laying off, cutting pay, and shitting on pensions of all emergency personnel. EMS/Fire/Police are losing jobs by dozens, and in some places hundreds. My department just took a 30% pay cut in order for all of us to stay employed. Because of how our contracts work and Civil Service, a few of our employees are actually making LESS than when they started.

Years ago people get into jobs like this because there is always a need for it, always a security blanket. That's no longer the case and it's becoming risky. I know a few cops in the academy that will not have jobs when they get out. Due to civil service, the lowest people on the seniority list/totem poll are laid off, so all the old guys that are 50-65 out of shape slow still employed and still come to work even though they are useless are keeping jobs from young 21yr olds that are in perfect shape.

dayum son

[tyven]

DC goes hard baby. Recession proof as a mug
http://magazine.jfaonline.net/?p=8842

[Hellfury]

depending a little on field etc. it can oftentimes be wise to do a follow-up call (and/or show up in person with your cv), it:
a, shows you're interested, and have some initiative/persistence.
b, makes you "more real" than just another name in the bunch.

if possible, throw in some volunteer work of some sort or the other, looks good on the cv.

certifications of various sorts (depending on field) are usually a good thing, it documents your qualifications making you less of a gamble.

the core of the matter is that you need to distinguish yourself (positively) from the other applicants. Best way to do this kinda depends on your field.

logically, look at states with low unemployment rates ( http://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm ), the higher the unemployment rates, the pickier the employer can be.

(and make your CV look good, if you haven't, google some standard formats etc.)

[Tekoa]

I have to say I lucked out quite a bit this year. Graduated last year with my degree in Elementary Ed. and couldn't find a job to save my life. I was lucky enough then to still have a job as a bank teller so I could pay my student loans, car insurance, etc. Flash to Jan. of this year and I land a job halfway through the school year at a school where I interviewed and lost the position to a friend who subbed at the particular school. The grant with which my position was funded runs out at the end of this school year. Yet despite all of the cuts, I still have a job (and my own third grade classroom) for the next school year.

[Cantih]

Los Angeles is still crap for getting work.

[sephir]

Summer job situation in the Toronto area is a mess. The future shop near me had 2000 applications for a part time position, and my town is only about 80,000 people.

Shits ridiculous.

[Soa]

I don't really know how Philly is on the whole, but several friends of mine who have been laid off 1+ years have all gotten jobs in the last 2 months.

The company I work for announced that they are expecting to hire again by the end of the year.

A friend of mine who lives in Detroit just finished up his Masters in some IT field (don't know which one exactly) and he is getting offers thrown at him left and right. I guess there are too many unskilled and untrainable people out there that can't fill those type of positions.

[Corrderio]

I live near Sioux Falls and the unemployment here is pretty bad. Right now I think Sioux Falls unemployment is the worst it's been in the past 25 years.

[Tekoa]

Shore area's in Jersey are expecting to hire a ton of people for the summer. Other then that shit is pretty dry. My mom is having a hell of a hard time finding employment (previous employer went out of business). Philly seems to be doing pretty decent as my fiancee is putting in her resume for a teaching position at a charter school.

[Melena]

I lucked out and a year ago the sheriff's department for where I lived decided to finally meet minimum IT staffing levels, and was able to beat out about 300 people for my job, which is pretty much career level. My fiancee on the other hand keeps having her hours changed and cut, and still can't find a second job so we can pay cash as much as possible for our wedding next year. I may need to stick the tin cup out for that lol.

[Absolutely Virtue]

DC goes hard baby. Recession proof as a mug
http://magazine.jfaonline.net/?p=8842

say word. this socialism thing is the balls. between 8 years of bush and the first two years of obama, my company is fucking printing money. i'm in your w2, stealing all your tax dollars and spending them on shiny preciouses.

[Hellfury]

disclaimer about not knowing the U.S. jobmarket very well.

look outside of the larger cities, at least in Europe a well known phenomenon is that younger people oftentimes gravitate towards the cities to look for first jobs etc. putting excessive pressure on the job market these areas, while outlying parts actually often need people.

(In Norway, where I reside, it's so bad that in the northernmost regions of the country, there are massive tax breaks and other benefits if you're willing to move and work there. They even pay off your student loans and if you have special skills they need, sometimes they even provide you with housing and pay your moving costs and everything. )

[volcanicweather]

I guess there are too many unskilled and untrainable people out there that can't fill those type of positions.

This. As long as you have skills, experience, and some sort of a personality and work ethic finding a job shouldn't be difficult as long as you aren't totally deadset on working in one specific geographic location.

[Omniyoji]

Los Angeles is still crap for getting work.

Confirming.

[Corrderio]

This. As long as you have skills, experience, and some sort of a personality and work ethic finding a job shouldn't be difficult as long as you aren't totally deadset on working in one specific geographic location.

In a way I can't blame some people, with Gas going up I do have a bit of a limit on how far I'll travel.

[Norellicus]

DC goes hard baby. Recession proof as a mug
http://magazine.jfaonline.net/?p=8842

say word. this socialism thing is the balls. between 8 years of bush and the first two years of obama, my company is fucking printing money. i'm in your w2, stealing all your tax dollars and spending them on shiny preciouses.

Fistbump