This is Part 2 of an 8 part online course. Start here to learn more about and why this course was created and how it is structured.
Moving to Phoenix Online Course
For some reason people believe that there are more jobs here than in the rest of the country. Do they think that everyone else who moves here is retired? I'm not sure, but I have received some bitter correspondence from people who, for whatever reason, became disenchanted with their jobs or unemployed in the city where they lived and then came here, only to find that it wasn't any better. What were they thinking?
Some people have expressed disappointment in salaries in the metro Phoenix area. They believe they are lower than wherever they came from. This is true in some cases, but not universally. Some people will say that the cost of living here is less. That may or may not be true, depending on where you're coming from, if you own your own home, etc. I always advise people to assume that the cost of living will be the same, and then if it turns out to be less it will be a happy surprise.
Competition here is tough for high tech jobs. If you are a nurse or in law enforcement, you'll find work. If you are an administrative assistant or in sales, you'll find work. If you are a teacher, you can work, but your salary may not be great.
Typically, companies are not interested in hiring people who don't live here now. There are many qualified people already living here, and moving here every day. This is just too transient an area, and they don't want to get stuck hiring you and training you, just to find that you move here, find a better job, and then quit. If you are trying to get a job in the metro Phoenix area prior to moving here, you will be most successful if you are in a specialized field, or if you work with a headhunter to find a position for you.
Here are some articles that will help explain the situation, and help you to research the likelihood that you can get a good paying job in the Valley of the Sun.
Trivia to Impress Your Friends- Maricopa County, where Phoenix is located, had an 18.3% net increase in population from 2000 to 2005.
- 11.1%% of Maricopa County residents are over 65 years old. Nationally, the number is 12.4% (2004).
- As of August 2006, the unemployment rate in Arizona was 3.6%. The national unemployment rate was 4.7%.And One More Thing
So what's the worst job ever? Well, I've seen a lot of good candidates all over the web. Many involve working with animals in ways I'd rather not, or working with humans in ways I'd rather not. But I think the most logical answer is--Kamikaze pilot.
About Jobs in Metro Phoenix
Top Jobs in Arizona
Here are some listings of the most common job openings, as well as the fastest growing job sectors in Arizona. I have listings for various levels of jobs. Also included is a list of the highest paying jobs in Arizona.Best Performing Cities
A study performed by The Milken Institute called the Best Performing Cities index ranks Phoenix as very high. The index ranks metropolitan areas based on their ability to create and sustain jobs.
Where Are the Jobs, and What Do They Pay?
Salaries in Greater Phoenix
These figures for broad employment categories are from data compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of 2005. Find the employment category that interests you, and see median and average salaries for those jobs.Best Places to Work in Phoenix
Each year local employees are asked to respond to surveys about their employers. From their responses, a research firm awards large, medium and small companies with the Best Places to Work in Phoenix recognition.Call Centers
We have many call centers in the metro Phoenix area. These are great for entry level jobs into the marketplace, as well as for students and families, since they often have many shifts available.The Largest Employers
Here are the companies that have the most employees in the area. Maybe you can join their ranks!Online Job Search
Here's where you can do your research to determine if there is a market here for what you do, and what kind of salaries are being offered. The local newspaper classifieds are included in this list.
Right to Work State
What is a Right To Work State
Some people have complained to me that they can't get a better salary because this is a Right to Work State. Whether being a Right to Work State is a good thing or a bad thing is a controversy that will persist. In any case, many people who complain about confuse it with something else. Here's what it means.
Relocation to Phoenix Free Online Course
Introduction
Part 1: How Hot Is It?
Part 2: Where Are the Jobs?
Part 3: Those Dreaded Taxes
Part 4: Health Issues
Part 5: Where Should I Live?
Part 6: House and Apartment Hunting
Part 7: Find a School
Part 8: EEEEWWW! What's That?
