When to move to Bend? (hotel, employment, minimum wage)

[Stiflersmom]

Us: Two hospitality industry professionals. 10+ years experience each, mid-to-late 30's, manager level employment sought (but would tend bar or wait tables in a pinch).

Knowing that Bend has a summer season and a ski season, what times of year tend to offer the best employment opportunities for service-minded people who are looking to move to Bend?

Sure, we know the economy is suffering and it's a small town and we should have savings enough to weather a 6 month job hunt. We are just trying to figure out a time when it might be easier to find work.

thanks!

[Smiled]

Try applying from a distance. Or start calling places and asking them. Seriously, I think that's your best bet. If memory serves, the unemployment rate in Bend area is about 14%. I don't see that going down any time soon. But people closer to the action could give you a better idea.
Good luck -

[Smiled]

Oh, I should tell you... since the boom was housing/tourism related, there are likely a fair number of former hospitality managers waiting tables and tending bar. So you would be in good company.

[Bendite]

Tourists tend to visit most in summer and winter. Very recently a company called Jeld-Wen sold its two destination resort properties in Central Oregon to a hotel managemnt company. They plan on re-vamping and building up the two (one is older, one barely on the ground) and that may be your best opportunity. Northview Hotel Group is the name of the company. If you do a search you should be able to find out more - this happened right before Thanksgiving. Otherwise, there are not many hospitality management opportunities here and a lot of people to fill the available service jobs

[davefr]

Originally Posted by Stiflersmom

Sure, we know the economy is suffering and it's a small town and we should have savings enough to weather a 6 month job hunt. We are just trying to figure out a time when it might be easier to find work.

thanks!

6 months isn't near enough savings to weather a job hunt in Bend. I'd budget 1-2 years savings. The money will go much faster then you think.

Better yet come to Bend and spend a couple weeks and try to line up jobs before you commit to a move.

[delta07]

Originally Posted by davefr

6 months isn't near enough savings to weather a job hunt in Bend. I'd budget 1-2 years savings. The money will go much faster then you think.

Better yet come to Bend and spend a couple weeks and try to line up jobs before you commit to a move.

I think this might be the best advice. Bend, and all of Oregon, have been hit particularly hard by the economy. When Olive Garden, Ten Barrel Brewing (a local brew pub) and Kohl's all opened their doors in Bend last winter, they each had over 1,000 applicants in a one to two day period. Almost all of these positions were part-time, minimum wage, and without benefits. They had essentially hired everyone they needed in just a few days. The pool of qualified applicants is far greater in Bend, and the pay is pretty low, compared to many cities of its size, because it's Bend.

With that said, it would probably be best to plan a move either before the summer starts or towards the end of fall. Good luck.