Are there really jobs in North Dakota? (Fargo, Bismarck: credit, home)

[Competitive Eater]

I want to know from real ND residents, because you can't trust the media. I'm 35, have few career options, and live in an area with EXTREMELY high unemployment. I was laid off back in April of 2009 and haven't worked since. My last job was as a security officer. I have a college degree, but it's basically worthless b/c it's a BA in General Studies. I'm in good shape & tried to join the military, but I'm too old they say. There are few jobs in this area, and what makes things worse is that cronyism and nepotism are rampant. It's impossible to get a job on your own merit, it's all about who you know here.

I constantly hear that there are jobs in North Dakota working for the oil industry or driving trucks, but is this true? I'm not going to be too picky if I relocate, I'm not above flipping burgers or mopping floors, I just need any job. Sitting at home all day and doing nothing just sucks. I'm not intimidated by the weather, it's nearly as cold here in the winter. I can deal with 30 or 40 below, all you gotta do is layer up a lot and make sure every bit of skin on your body is covered.

Should I try and look for jobs in ND?

[trickey280]

housing is an issue so try to look for a place that helps find a place to stay. There are jobs a plenty here, I'm from Michigan and its like night and day.

[Competitive Eater]

Originally Posted by trickey280

housing is an issue so try to look for a place that helps find a place to stay. There are jobs a plenty here, I'm from Michigan and its like night and day.

OK, I'll check into housing. I'm a pretty tough individual & wouldn't mind living out of my car if I had to. I had to do it for 6 months before I moved back with my parents. However, I don't think that would be doable in a ND winter.

Where I am is worse than Michigan, but if it's way better than Michigan there then it sounds alright.

What type of job do you have there trickey?

[danwlewis]

Lots and lots of work, but prepared:
1) Housing is hard to find, and when its available, they want you to have excellent credit (700+), and a job...
2) People tend to ostracize outsiders somewhat...
3) The cold is nothing to play with... I saw it reach -38 last winter, WITHOUT wind chill
4) Hope you have a 4WD... Unless you live within Bismarck or Fargo or Grand Forks, you need to have a good 4WD vehicle....

[trickey280]

it's not that there is alot of snow out her its that they don't plow much. It gets extremely cold and windy, -30 and the kids still went to school. I work at a hospital and my husband is in the oil fields.

[barbarae]

I just posted a similar question. We need a job. Period. Good Luck in your search.

[3-Oaks]

You won't be making near what you would in the oilfields if you settle in a different part of the state, but your housing and other costs of living will be only 20-30% of what you'd pay to live out there....and there are plenty of places to live in the eastern 1/2 of the state.

[lastgs]

The jobs situation in the oilfields its not what it used to be. It is more difficult now with the influx of people. It might take you months instead of days to find a position.

[Norsk/Deutsch/Polska]

Stay away from Minot at present, due to the total unavailability of housing. Every business is hiring, but the pay is low, usually minimum or slightly above, leaving even long term residents with lower incomes with not many choices but to relocate to somewhere else where housing is more affordable. I would definitely take the advice offered about the eastern part of ND, at least for the foreseeable future.

[jtatscha]

I posted this in another thread, but if you go on North Dakota's workforce website they give you the salary info on open positions. One listing says they are paying security guards $25.00 an hour! I was a correctional officer and never came close to that.