Work situation in SA? (Houston, Dallas: sales, job outlook, construction)

[Rebecca2009]

From what I've been reading around here, it sounds like Houston is better for finding jobs right now. Opinions?

Also curious as to job outlook in areas around SA. We are looking for work from out of state. Any info or advice would be much appreciated!

[Quattro72]

If you are a white-collar type professional, Austin, Dallas, and Houston will have more opportunities. Unless you are in healthcare, general construction, or the military, there are not as much opportunities in SA compared to those cities and salaries here are typically lower than those cities.

SA is a big city stuck in a small-town mentality and it shows. Many companies are not willing to pay decent salaries to attract the talents here.

[firstclassflyer]

Originally Posted by Quattro72

If you are a white-collar type professional, Austin, Dallas, and Houston will have more opportunities. Unless you are in healthcare, general construction, or the military, there are not as much opportunities in SA compared to those cities and salaries here are typically lower than those cities.

SA is a big city stuck in a small-town mentality and it shows. Many companies are not willing to pay decent salaries to attract the talents here.

Well said, Quattro72.

[NaturalizedTexan]

Being a transplant from Houston (moved here December 2008) I can honestly say it's a trade-off: Houston's cost of living is higher than San Antonio's, but it is entirely true that you won't earn as much here as you would in Houston.

As everywhere else, sales and medical professions are in high demand; in Houston, so are process operators and other petrochemical plant personnel. Forget about the aerospace industry...for the next few years, anyway.

San Antonio seems to have a lot of opportunities in both the hospitality and customer service fields; be aware, though, that unless you speak Spanish very well, you will be at a disadvantage in this particular environment. Some employers prefer that their associates be bilingual, while others require it. And in many venues - especially call centers - bilingual employees earn more than those who speak only one language.

If you check with some of the larger headhunting firms - and on Craigslist - you'll get a better idea of what's available here. And USAJobs lists government jobs....

[majormadmax]

I know and hear of more people being unemployed in Houston and Dallas than I do in San Antonio...

It is well known that our economy has weathered the depression better than most areas, and while I do know a lot of people looking for better jobs, most everyone I know is employed at the moment.

Of course, there are jobs here that some feel are beneath them; but there are jobs available...

[huckster]

As far back as I can remember, I was twenty in 1972, the Houston job market has always been better than San Antonio's.

Originally Posted by Rebecca2009

From what I've been reading around here, it sounds like Houston is better for finding jobs right now. Opinions?

Also curious as to job outlook in areas around SA. We are looking for work from out of state. Any info or advice would be much appreciated!

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by Rebecca2009

From what I've been reading around here, it sounds like Houston is better for finding jobs right now. Opinions?

Also curious as to job outlook in areas around SA. We are looking for work from out of state. Any info or advice would be much appreciated!

San Antonio is miserable, imo. I'm not seeing too much except service jobs, 100% commission only jobs, member services jobs and the like. I want to get out of here so badly!!

[SAguy]

Originally Posted by Rebecca2009

From what I've been reading around here, it sounds like Houston is better for finding jobs right now. Opinions?

Also curious as to job outlook in areas around SA. We are looking for work from out of state. Any info or advice would be much appreciated!

There's several companies hiring such as Rack Space and USAA. Although, some people on this board believe that there's no "professional jobs" available when in reality, it's just a matter of searching.

Btw, San Antonio unemployment rate is in the low 7% range which better than most major cities across the country and second best in Texas. Austin is first but not by much.

[arlaporte]

Originally Posted by SAguy

There's several companies hiring such as Rack Space and USAA. Although, some people on this board believe that there's no "professional jobs" available when in reality, it's just a matter of searching.

Btw, San Antonio unemployment rate is in the low 7% range which better than most major cities across the country and second best in Texas. Austin is first but not by much.

I agree with SAguy - While the availability of jobs are not as wide as a larger metro area, there are definetly still places to find work here. The talent pool here in San Antonio, at least from my experience and field not very large compared to those larger cities so while there may not be a lot of jobs providing that you have the skills and experience to get you an interview it should not be very hard.

In the long run I don't see myself staying in San Antonio - Simply because flying out of here is less than desirable, but overall San Antonio has a pretty good job market, again depends on your line of work.

[skeet09]

Depends on your industry of work Rebecca2009. If you can let us know your field, we can give a more detailed response.
Some industries are easier to find positions than others. Good luck in wherever you may end up calling home!