What's up with all these NYC jobs paying $25-40k/year?!?!?!

[mayorofnyc]

Originally Posted by BingCherry

Random Q. Has the NYC area job market always been this bad? Is this something new or has it always been like this? Low wages and 2-3 jobs for the price of one?

It's always been cyclical. I remember the mid-late 90s and early 00s being a great time for a job-seeker in NYC. There was a nasty recession in the early 80s, but NYC quickly recovered, at least according to what my parents told me. I think the problems started when the local job market became saturated with out-of-towners and illegal immigrants. I feel like the competition for work has increased tenfold after around 2007. In other words, I'd say that NYC is a city of extremes, when times are good, they're REALLY GOOD...however when times are bad, they're REALLY BAD. Just my .02 cents.

[BingCherry]

Originally Posted by mayorofnyc

It's always been cyclical. I remember the mid-late 90s and early 00s being a great time for a job-seeker in NYC. There was a nasty recession in the early 80s, but NYC quickly recovered, at least according to what my parents told me. I think the problems started when the local job market became saturated with out-of-towners and illegal immigrants. I feel like the competition for work has increased tenfold after around 2007. In other words, I'd say that NYC is a city of extremes, when times are good, they're REALLY GOOD...however when times are bad, they're REALLY BAD. Just my .02 cents.

I get what you mean! Well, we're about to hit 5 years of this ridiculous recession. Did the other recessions hit this hard and last this long?

[balmain]

Originally Posted by BingCherry

I get what you mean! Well, we're about to hit 5 years of this ridiculous recession. Did the other recessions hit this hard and last this long?

Hmmmm, don't they go over U.S. history or econ 101 in school? If not, you could have easily looked it up.

If you're having difficulty with this question, or finding the answer, I can clearly see why you're having a hard time finding a decent job.

[BingCherry]

Originally Posted by balmain

Hmmmm, don't they go over U.S. history or econ 101 in school? If not, you could have easily looked it up.

If you're having difficulty with this question, or finding the answer, I can clearly see why you're having a hard time finding a decent job.

Oh Lord balmain. I have a job...........just gave it two weeks notice because I was sick of it too lol!

[goldengrain]

Originally Posted by balmain

Hmmmm, don't they go over U.S. history or econ 101 in school? If not, you could have easily looked it up.

If you're having difficulty with this question, or finding the answer, I can clearly see why you're having a hard time finding a decent job.

The other times there was a fairly steady labor situation without jobs going overseas, and don't forget all of our production after WWII, how selling overseas helped to bail us out.

Now it appears that 'the cycle' is morphing into a worldwide phenomenon and who knows when things will change, there being no precedence for that?

[NickL28]

Originally Posted by BingCherry

Yup, exactly and it's making the temp agencies FILTHY rich. They'll tell you "temp-to-perm" to make positions sound promising. I have YET to see ONE temp worker, at my agency working for big firms, go from temp-to-perm. Some have been temping for nearly 2 years. I guess if they like it that way right?

Oh, btw, most of the positions that come in, we are billing $45-65/hr to the investment firms and paying our temps in the neighborhood of $18-26/hr.

That is absolutely right. Not to mention that once you have temped for a period of time, it is much harder to find a perm job and you get stuck on that temp treadmill.

Temp to perm usually is a lie. They just rotate temps every 3-6 months...

[NickL28]

Originally Posted by BingCherry

Yup, exactly and it's making the temp agencies FILTHY rich. They'll tell you "temp-to-perm" to make positions sound promising. I have YET to see ONE temp worker, at my agency working for big firms, go from temp-to-perm. Some have been temping for nearly 2 years. I guess if they like it that way right?

Oh, btw, most of the positions that come in, we are billing $45-65/hr to the investment firms and paying our temps in the neighborhood of $18-26/hr.

That is absolutely right. Not to mention that once you have temped for a period of time, it is much harder to find a perm job and you get stuck on that temp treadmill.

I am sure most hate it but the alternative is unemployment. It is also harder to interview while working a temp job because you are paid by the hour. If you need to take a longer lunch or leave late/come in early you don't get paid for that time. Not to mention NO benefits, NO sick time/vacation.. The cheapest individual health plan if you live in NYC costs (get ready) $697 a month for someone like myself mid 30's, single with no health issures and that includes a $5,000 deductible.

Temp to perm usually is a lie. They just rotate temps every 3-6 months and MOST temp positions are in the back or middle office of the large I banks mostly operations & accounting type functions. As a temp you are held to the same standards & must perform & take direction as a perm employee but they really have NO intention what so ever of converting you.

[NickL28]

Originally Posted by mayorofnyc

It's always been cyclical. I remember the mid-late 90s and early 00s being a great time for a job-seeker in NYC. There was a nasty recession in the early 80s, but NYC quickly recovered, at least according to what my parents told me. I think the problems started when the local job market became saturated with out-of-towners and illegal immigrants. I feel like the competition for work has increased tenfold after around 2007. In other words, I'd say that NYC is a city of extremes, when times are good, they're REALLY GOOD...however when times are bad, they're REALLY BAD. Just my .02 cents.

It is completely true. Most jobs that have been created in NYC in the past 5 years are low paying (or paying 60K a year or less).

I honestly don't know how all these adult retail workers you see at stores like THE GAP (they look older than typical student age) can make it...

[wawaweewa]

Originally Posted by NickL28

It is completely true. Most jobs that have been created in NYC in the past 5 years are low paying (or paying 60K a year or less).

I honestly don't know how all these adult retail workers you see at stores like THE GAP (they look older than typical student age) can make it...

The US subsidizes employers who pay low wages. NYC has it's own programs as well.
If you make under a certain amount you're eligible for welfare, medicaid, housing, etc.

This is nothing but a subsidy for low wage employers. Same with the child credit (look up the time period and the reasons for its introduction). It puts downward pressure on wages as employees and employers know that part of the cost of living will be subsidized by the state.

This does more damage than these folks simply not working at all and collecting the benefits.

[Nyc77]

So how has the job hunt gone?
Hopefully things turned around for you