Leaving Phoenix for somewhere with Jobs (low income, income, standard of living)

[brightbutdownn]

Originally Posted by Archdevil

Phoenix is a a terrible place to be right now. I was laid off about a year ago...got by on contract work for a little while. Started my own business and did manage to get a little bit of work but now it is all dried up and gone. I'm a regular volunteer and network as much as possible and guess what....networking with other unemployed people doesn't help much....and half of the people that I volunteer with are unemployed, the other half feel lucky to have a job.

I can directly relate to the person who posted this thread and seeing that a few of you are telling him/her to "go find a job and stop crying" makes me sick. Yes...it IS possible to be overqualified for a menial job. Employers see your resume and KNOW that you don't want the job...you just need it so they KNOW you will be bailing on them as soon as you find a job back in your previous field. Trust me...telling them "I realized that my BS and my MBA were stupid ideas....my passion is bartending and I am changing careers" just won't fly in this economy....especially when you are applying with 40 experienced bartenders.

So it is tough...and especially tough in Phoenix. My advice is to tap into your college alum networks and start networking on a national and even international level. You obviously have the means to relocate so just stay open minded. Start talking to people to get an idea of how things are looking in other cities. Do job searches in other cities. Don't just pick cities that look like fun....pick cities that have the most opportunity for you.

I am in the process of moving out of Phoenix.....When the time comes...I think you will just know what you have to do. My choice was to sit and keep sinking in Phx or go try a better market so I am on my way out. Best of luck to you.

I saw that Phoenix has lost more jobs than any other urban area this past recession. That was for both the number of workers who lost their jobs, and the percentage of the workforce.

[actinic]

Originally Posted by PHXtoPDX

Realistically, the only company that is still making significant investment in the Phoenix area is Intel.

That won't last.

"Intel can thrive today — not just survive, but thrive — and never hire another American."

Op-Ed Columnist - A Word From the Wise - NYTimes.com

[brightbutdownn]

Originally Posted by actinic

That won't last.

"Intel can thrive today — not just survive, but thrive — and never hire another American."

Op-Ed Columnist - A Word From the Wise - NYTimes.com

Wow.

[brightbutdownn]

Originally Posted by actinic

That won't last.

"Intel can thrive today — not just survive, but thrive — and never hire another American."

Op-Ed Columnist - A Word From the Wise - NYTimes.com

That isn't good news for the American workforce. There needs to be a sector of growth in employment, but what can it be?

[PhoenixAirConcerns]

Originally Posted by brightbutdownn

Hi. It's been over a year and I still haven't been able to find employment around Phoenix. What are some recommendations from other people that have left Phoenix for jobs? Texas seems to have one of the healthiest economies in nation. NYC is doing OK if in high level finance. I know that everywhere is hurting to some degree, but Arizona is one of the few states that has yet to stabilize from the Recession.

This is happening to many that I know.

[PhoenixAirConcerns]

Originally Posted by Archdevil

Phoenix is a a terrible place to be right now. I was laid off about a year ago...got by on contract work for a little while. Started my own business and did manage to get a little bit of work but now it is all dried up and gone. I'm a regular volunteer and network as much as possible and guess what....networking with other unemployed people doesn't help much....and half of the people that I volunteer with are unemployed, the other half feel lucky to have a job.

I can directly relate to the person who posted this thread and seeing that a few of you are telling him/her to "go find a job and stop crying" makes me sick. Yes...it IS possible to be overqualified for a menial job. Employers see your resume and KNOW that you don't want the job...you just need it so they KNOW you will be bailing on them as soon as you find a job back in your previous field. Trust me...telling them "I realized that my BS and my MBA were stupid ideas....my passion is bartending and I am changing careers" just won't fly in this economy....especially when you are applying with 40 experienced bartenders.

So it is tough...and especially tough in Phoenix. My advice is to tap into your college alum networks and start networking on a national and even international level. You obviously have the means to relocate so just stay open minded. Start talking to people to get an idea of how things are looking in other cities. Do job searches in other cities. Don't just pick cities that look like fun....pick cities that have the most opportunity for you.

I am in the process of moving out of Phoenix.....When the time comes...I think you will just know what you have to do. My choice was to sit and keep sinking in Phx or go try a better market so I am on my way out. Best of luck to you.

Where I am, we simply haven't been able to rehire any vacant positions due to the drop off in consumer demand.

[PhoenixAirConcerns]

With your masters, have you thought about the Peace Corp?

[PhoenixAirConcerns]

There are a lot of people in that position.

[PhoenixAirConcerns]

Originally Posted by krock1dk

You just dont get it.......those are minimum wage jobs. Some of us have education and skills and are much too overqualified to do that. I'm not trying to bash people who do those things--we need that--but many of us need real jobs to pay the bills and feed our families. As I said, minimum wage labor does not count as 'jobs' in my opinion. Too many minimum wage jobs and not enough REAL jobs is why Arizona has lost its appeal to people.

It can be very difficult.

[PhoenixAirConcerns]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

I'm confused by this as well. If he doesn't have a mortgage then why is he still here? He has been posting about his unemployment status for what seems like a year now. Since he supposedly hates Phoenix and has been unemployed for a long time then why didn't he leave a long time ago?

It seems like there are a lot of people in his or her position.