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I am almost at the end of my lease for my apartment here in philly and won't be renewing it since I plan to relocate to the DC metro area this summer. However, I can't seem to find a job down there from here in philly. Worst case scenario is that I would move down there and have to commute back and forth to Delaware where I work until I find work in DC. But I'm just curious as to how easy it is to find work down there. Has anyone moved there without a job? If so, how fast did you find one, especially in this market? I know the government won't be laying off anytime soon so I know there are thousands of governmental and contract positions there. I'm thinking it should be fairly easy once I get there to find something because DC has a relatively stable economy. Am I right? Please let me know what I'm getting myself into so I can plan accordingly.
Umm, what field? Easy to find a job flipping burgers or waiting tables? Yea, sure. Secretary, probably. College educated government job, finance, attorney?
Thanks, I left that part out. I currently work in the finance and accounting field so that's the area I would be looking into to find a job. I'm looking at governmental jobs right now but am open to contractor positions as well. I heard there's a good job market down there. Am I right?
In relative terms, the job market in DC is good right now, but in absolute terms the job market in DC is poor right now, just like everywhere else. As an example, my federal agency has a hiring freeze in effect. There may be additional opportunities in government work once the stimulus bill kicks in.
CHIP72: What federal agency do you work for that has a hiring freeze in effect? How long has hiring been frozen there? Do you know of other agencies that are frozen?
I'm just wondering because I have a tentative offer from a federal agency (which I believe is in the department you work for), but haven't heard anything since the offer and haven't been able to get in touch with HR...
CHIP72: What federal agency do you work for that has a hiring freeze in effect? How long has hiring been frozen there? Do you know of other agencies that are frozen?
I'm just wondering because I have a tentative offer from a federal agency (which I believe is in the department you work for), but haven't heard anything since the offer and haven't been able to get in touch with HR...
I work for the Federal Highway Administration. I think the freeze took effect in October or November. Jobs that opened up because of promotions/retirements are still being filled in most cases, but there is a freeze on creating any new positions that weren't pre-existing.
Regarding not hearing from HR, I have to chuckle - don't worry too much. The federal government (or at least FHWA) is notorious for taking forever to get people into advertised positions. Just as an example with my own experience, the job I'm in now was advertised in October 2007 (closing date 10/22/07), I was contacted in about mid-November, had a phone interview in late November (11/26/07), was contacted after the interview in mid-December (I think 12/12 or 12/13/07), had a follow-up in-person meeting (not a formal interview; they were strongly leaning towards hiring me) in mid-December (12/17/08), was offered the job on 1/3/08, formally accepted the job on 1/9/08, didn't receive clearance to begin the move (relocation authorization) and set up the contracts with the moving company until 2/1/08, and finally started the job on 3/17/08 (could have tried for 3/3/08 but I would have been pushing it). Between waiting for my relocation authorization and having to find a place to live, I had to wait about 1 1/2 months to tell my old employer I was leaving; I was specifically told I shouldn't make an announcement at least until I received my relocation authorization. Other people I've talked to who were mid-career hires had similar experiences.
The greater DC area has about the most stable economy in the country and a huge variety of jobs for well-educated people.
The only problem is that the overabundance of very highly educated and qualified people in the area has driven a commensurately competitive job market.
I have a law degree from a good school, plus about 9 years combined experience working on Capitol Hill and for trade associations and other businesses in the DC area, and I am now trying to relocate from Las Vegas back to DC. I'm finding the job search maddeningly hard, because every job announced anywhere lists a breathtaking set of specific requirements. For instance, requirements like the ones I've randomly listed below are THE NORM on most DC-area vacancy announcements:
- Applicant must have at least 7 years experience working for a health care lobbying group doing government relations work on HCFA and/or Medicare reimbursement policy
- Applicant must have a Master's degree in Romance Language or Cultural Studies and be fully fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese
- Applicant must have an advanced degree in Environmental Policy, and at least 4 years of dedicated government relations experience working with the RCRA Act
- Applicant must have 7-10 years of experience working at a high level in corporate communications and crisis management for a major international consultancy
- Applicant must have at least 5 years experience performing contract compliance negotiations with a NASA contractor
- Applicant must have 6-8 years demonstrated experience as a diversity training director, organizing corporate seminars and proactive outreach events
The upshot of this is that DC area employers have an almost insane bias towards job applicants who are narrowly-specialized down to a razor's edge level of narrowness. The only way to demonstrate interest in or capability in a certain field is to demonstrate an obsessive quest to pursue that one field, and no others, on your resume. In the world of DC careers, everyone is (or is forced to become) a specialist and almost no one has the luxury of being a generalist. The ultra-competitive job market drives that, and employers simply will not take a chance and hire someone whose resume strays even a few millimeters outside the rigid parameters they've drawn.
Thanks for your response, CHIP72! I know that these things take a long time with the government. I do have my ear out for hiring freezes, though, because the hiring manager was worried that there would be a freeze once the new administration came in. My starting date isn't until late March, so I still have some time.
LasVegan 2008....I am so feeling ya on this....I thought it was just me...I looked at what they want for those jobs and I'm thinking...if I had that type of background and all those experiences...guess what?....I WOULD WORK FOR MYSELF!!!!...LOL....*smile*...but seriously I was thinking the exact same thing...and I have tons of experience and a Master's degree...and I feel I am still underqualified...wow...it really is a tough market to crack....
But I actually think that once you move there...you'll find something...I've had tons of friends do this..(unwillingly!)..but they relocated and within 3 months found something...maybe not ideal at first...but now they are okay...
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DC area job market - competitive!
