Employment in Des Moine (Des Moines: insurance, job openings, universities)

[syzygy]

Good morning everyone,
I just moved to Des Moines two months ago and have a few questions about finding work here.
I am an educated individual. Although I am not seeking work in my field, I have a strong skill base, diverse employment background, and impeccable references.
My question is this: I routinely send my resume out to companies for appropriate positions, and am additionally signed up with both temp and permanent hire agencies. My resume is well written and formatted, and has been read and vetted by individuals who are in positions where they routinely see resumes.
My question is this: do many of the large companies advertise externally, but hire from within? There are several places, Drake, Des Moines U., and several of the hospitals to whom I have consistently sent resumes for positions for which I am qualified, but all to no avail. At least the Universities send out rejection letters so I know that the position has been filled.
Any thoughts, suggestions, or comments would be helpful. I am really not sure what is going on or what I am possibly doing wrong, but doing temp work just isn't cutting it. I need a FT position, but I don't understand why I am not getting any responses.
Many thanks for reading this far! And thank you for your comments, etc.

[capitalcityguy]

I can't speak to the universities or colleges, but I work for one of the big financial services companies in Des Moines and can tell you that the job openings that are advertised on the website are also open to current employees as well. I think you can resonably assume that many openings you see "advertised" on a company's website often go filled by their own employees (especially those that are not entry level positions).

[ehenningsen]

Des Moines is an economic dream to 99% of american cities...

It seems that Des Moines - Omaha - Minneapolis - Sioux Falls has economic opportunities of all ranges...

Trust me, if you put a little effort into it, you will not go wrong in the still economic booming Des Moines..

[Luke9686]

Economic dream? Didn't Regency just fire all their employees?

[ehenningsen]

Originally Posted by Luke9686

Economic dream? Didn't Regency just fire all their employees?

Oh my gosh, you mean that companies can fire people! Nevermind all the job expansions, lets just focus on one company firing people..

Only in the Plains, right?

[zz4guy]

Des Moines is an economic dream? Um yeah, if you like insurance.

Anyways I would try to get a hold of somebody inside the company and send your resume to them directly in the mail. That is how I landed positions I had at two large corporations. It's probably not Des Moines that is the problem, but inability to break into the big corporate firewall. In big companies there is a big pool of qualified people for a given job, and they automatically have an edge over outsiders. You might have to settle for a less than ideal postion too to get your foot in the door. I had to work in my "foot in the door" job for three years. Even though it wasn't the greatest, I had time to figure out what I really wanted to do in the company. Also, another thing that may be stopping you is your lack of a degree. Believe me most managers only care that you can get the job done. But most HR depts. only care that you have the right letters beside your name. Good luck!!

[DSMGuy]

Once again our highly jealous and envious "friend" posts.

Anyway... DM has a diverse economy, primarily white collar, focusing on these areas:

- Insurance
- Finance
- Biotech/Biogenetics
- Technology (Microsoft is the latest addition to the growing list of tech companies that have moved operations here)
- Advertising/Media
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing

It is also at the top of most lists of desirable places to live. Which, unfortunately makes some people bitter.

[capitalcityguy]

Originally Posted by Luke9686

Economic dream? Didn't Regency just fire all their employees?

Have your read anything on this??!??! The sons of the founder of this company ran it into the ground. They were sh*tty businessmen. This is not a reflection of Des Moines' economy.

Poorly run companiess fail when times get a little tougher. Recency is a prime example.

[ehenningsen]

Originally Posted by DSMGuy

Once again our highly jealous and envious "friend" posts.

Anyway... DM has a diverse economy, primarily white collar, focusing on these areas:

- Insurance
- Finance
- Biotech/Biogenetics
- Technology (Microsoft is the latest addition to the growing list of tech companies that have moved operations here)
- Advertising/Media
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing

It is also at the top of most lists of desirable places to live. Which, unfortunately makes some people bitter.

LOL, I get a kick out of the Nebraska and Iowa boards. It seems that people get pissed off like heck when they read that cities like Omaha and Des Moines are consistantly rated above theirs..

[DMRyan]

I still maintain that most labeling Des Moines as an insurance town would be pretty surprised to learn how diverse the insurance/financial economy really is here. It's definitely a white collar city, but is hardly a one industry place. If I lived in almost any other city in Iowa, I would be a little jealous of all the job gains and positive economic growth coming out of the capitol city too.