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?As one of the largest cities in the country, we are certainly not shielded from events and economic impacts that affect the rest of the country. For instance, after 9/11 we all know that tourism, on which our economy depends greatly, suffered. As another example, when high tech tanked several years ago, that industry cut back on hiring as well. Phoenix did not escape the economic turmoil following the mortgage industry crisis.
There is a concentration of technical jobs here. The Phoenix market fluctuates with respect to saturation of IT professionals. Opportunities in that area were better in the latter part of this decade than they had been until the general economic malaise and rise in unemployment rates after 2007.
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. In a 'normal economy' you'll find work if you are a nurse or in law enforcement. If you are an administrative assistant or in sales, you'll find work. If you are a teacher times are tough right now, and even if you find work 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 a 28.7% net increase in population from 2000 to 2008.
- 11.1%% of Maricopa County residents are over 65 years old. Nationally, the number is 12.9% (2007).
- As of December 2007, the unemployment rate in Maricopa County was 3.7%, and in December 2008 it was 6%. The national unemployment rate was 4.9 and 7.2%, respectively at those same periods.
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.
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. 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.
Largest Government Employers
These are the largest public employers in the metro Phoenix area. They often promote from within, but there are almost always jobs available to external candidates.Largest Non-Government Employers
Here are the companies that have the most employees in the Phoenix 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.
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?
