The truth about dallas job market! (Detroit: fingerprints, how much, contractor)

[caligurltotx]

I know this has come up before with some asking should I move to Dallas and then look for a job. Well here is the meat and potatoes of what I have seen. And at this point I would answer that question with a resounding NO!!

Dallas/Ft Worth may be #1 with job growth in the country but compared to what? Just read today 31 states are in a budget crisis and need help!

I had a job prospect fall through mainly due to competition out here right now. This was a fed job and I rated 93.89 and it turns out that enough people and veterans preference points knocked me out of the game. I have always rated in the 90's on civil service or fed jobs and always got hired. This agency reached their hiring numbers at 94.25.

Now I did plan to live on savings if things did go that way but I am seeing things like professional guys with MBA's in stuff like Marketing at a job fair for customer service!! Very humbling experience.

Even if you relocate with six months of savings, I would say it's a bad idea in this job market. Granted DFW is a great place to move to but look at what is going on financially everywhere. Dallas unemployment rate is at 5.2 percent. According to US Bureau of Labor Stats the national rate is 6.1 percent!

So if you don't have to move and got a job where you are I would say ride it out until things turn around. Unless you got a solid job offer in your field. This is not the time to be adventurous and pack up the volvo with $3,000 in your pocket!

[killer2021]

Like that all over the place. The unemployment rate out here in CA is damn near 7%. That is getting up there with Detroit levels. Whatever you do don't lose your job other wise you will be in a world of hurt. All these people living paycheck to paycheck will probably get thrown to the streets if they lose their jobs. I am looking for an accounting job right now out here in OC and I am coming up with nothing. I have no experience in the field so I always get pushed aside. College degree means NOTHING without experience. Internships are few and difficult to get.

I am just fortunate to have been able to get a 9/hr job back when the housing boom was in full swing. The employer I am working with now hired me on the spot. That is how much they needed people. Now, they don't hire anyone. In fact, they've even started laying off the higher ups (ie. managers/leads etc.)

Though times a head.

[compSciGuy]

Dallas was bad during the last downturn. Unless you have compelling reasons, an economic downturn is typically not a good time to be moving.

[lpepping]

Basically, you do not want to move anywhere without having a job lined up. I don't know why anyone would unless they were independently wealthy.

[Mckellyb]

Originally Posted by compSciGuy

Dallas was bad during the last downturn. Unless you have compelling reasons, an economic downturn is typically not a good time to be moving.

Welcome to 1991, when I graduated college.

New BBA in finance, couldn't land anything but a job which pretty much anyone who could add number couldn't do.

I was competing directly with people holding MBA's and ten years in the biz for jobs paying $30K.

Oh, and so-called unemployment numbers, as provided by the government and media, are 100% worthless. That number does not include anyone but those fired or laid-off, and then only in the past six months.

Not particularly useful in the real world, in which I heard a number recently. 1.8 million unemployed longer than six months, and not counted in said 'unemployment' number.

[caligurltotx]

Originally Posted by lpepping

Basically, you do not want to move anywhere without having a job lined up. I don't know why anyone would unless they were independently wealthy.

Well in some cases you almost have to be here or keep flying out for every single session they have. I had to fly out at my expense for the fingerprinting, background and employee i.d. session. Then found out I would have to come back in a week or two for a telephone assessment test. I come from a law enforcement agency as a civilian and applying with those here, they want you to come and test right away. I have two test lined up with two cities this month so if I were not here I wouldn't bother.

[lpepping]

Originally Posted by caligurltotx

Well in some cases you almost have to be here or keep flying out for every single session they have. I had to fly out at my expense for the fingerprinting, background and employee i.d. session. Then found out I would have to come back in a week or two for a telephone assessment test. I come from a law enforcement agency as a civilian and applying with those here, they want you to come and test right away. I have two test lined up with two cities this month so if I were not here I wouldn't bother.

Well that is unfortunate. Is that common in most industries though? I work in IT and stay away from jobs that make me pay my own way without any job commitment.

[caligurltotx]

Common with federal gov jobs. On most postings it will say no relocation will be paid also meaning no pay for cost associated with going thru the process.

[lpepping]

Originally Posted by caligurltotx

Common with federal gov jobs. On most postings it will say no relocation will be paid also meaning no pay for cost associated with going thru the process.

I've worked on 2 government projects but as a contractor and not an employee. I just mailed in my fingerprints and was pretty much ready to go. Have you explored going the contractor route?

[loves2read]

no benefits with contractor status