jobs in NW Arkansas (Johnson: relocating, universities, employers)

[biv2biv]

My family is hoping to relocate to NW Arkansas from Ohio. From reading the posts, it looks like the big companies hire from outside of the area. Are most of these new hires from online job sites or professional recruiters? What's the best way to get your foot in the door if you don't have contacts there? thx

[bchris02]

Originally Posted by biv2biv

My family is hoping to relocate to NW Arkansas from Ohio. From reading the posts, it looks like the big companies hire from outside of the area. Are most of these new hires from online job sites or professional recruiters? What's the best way to get your foot in the door if you don't have contacts there? thx

Most of the jobs are with Wal-Mart or one of their vendors. Tyson chicken and JB Hunt have significant presence there as well. I would say most of the hires are between recruiters who recruit at universities and experienced hires. The online job sites don't do much good period, not just in NWA.

[Mulerider93]

Trolling the Wal-Mart online postings are effective - worked for me!

As mentioned, JB Hunt, Tyson, and WM are headquartered here. There are scores of major vendors with large offices: Proctor & Gamble, General Electric, SC Johnson, Mars (M&M's and Kal Kan), Del Monte Foods, and so on.

Though not the most effective, do not ignore Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com, etc. Best 'o luck.

--jcd

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Mulerider93

Trolling the Wal-Mart online postings are effective - worked for me!

As mentioned, JB Hunt, Tyson, and WM are headquartered here. There are scores of major vendors with large offices: Proctor & Gamble, General Electric, SC Johnson, Mars (M&M's and Kal Kan), Del Monte Foods, and so on.

Though not the most effective, do not ignore Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com, etc. Best 'o luck.

--jcd

yes, monster.com etc is worth checking, but it is like checking the newpapers, only a long shot for a job.

Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by bchris02

Most of the jobs are with Wal-Mart or one of their vendors. Tyson chicken and JB Hunt have significant presence there as well. I would say most of the hires are between recruiters who recruit at universities and experienced hires. The online job sites don't do much good period, not just in NWA.

My feeling as well. In fact our granddaugher is graduation in a couple of weeks from UAR and has been told not to waste her time with on line job sites.

[bchris02]

Originally Posted by nmnita

yes, monster.com etc is worth checking, but it is like checking the newpapers, only a long shot for a job.

Nita

Monster, dice, careerbuilder, and the likes all left a horrible taste in my mouth. Many of the jobs posted on them aren't real job and some are flat out scams.

[boulder]

Originally Posted by biv2biv

My family is hoping to relocate to NW Arkansas from Ohio. From reading the posts, it looks like the big companies hire from outside of the area. Are most of these new hires from online job sites or professional recruiters? What's the best way to get your foot in the door if you don't have contacts there? thx

Here is a link to job postings by one of the executive search firms that specializes in Wal-Mart and the CPG supplier teams. Best way to get your foot in the door ... have experience in retail sales, co-marketing, packaged goods, supply chain / logistics, etc.

Cameron Smith Associates (broken link)

[Mulerider93]

Boulder, +1. Forgot about CSA.

--jcd

[Stormcrow73]

I've heard from a variety of sources that Tyson will not even look at a resume unless it has a local address on it. I have no personal experience, just what I've heard.

[bchris02]

Originally Posted by Stormcrow73

I've heard from a variety of sources that Tyson will not even look at a resume unless it has a local address on it. I have no personal experience, just what I've heard.

I know how that is. It seems like more companies have this policy than not. It isn't a Tyson or NWA thing. In fact, you will probably find less of it in NWA than in larger cities. I wanted to move to DFW after college but couldn't because so many of the employers there wouldn't even consider a resume with an address more than 50 miles from Dallas or Fort Worth. I think that is the biggest hurdle to people packing up and relocating.

One thing I know though, Wal-Mart hires nationwide.