Job Scare (Anchorage: job market, law, shop)

[Marylandkitten]

I have been up to my elbows, (instead of just posting a blind new thread) reading/skimming through every page of the older Alaska posts here.

And my question still remains somewhat more prevalent after my research.
I have seen and visited the links for job searches up there, thankyou, I have even called different job-location specialist agencies, (they say to hold your horses till you get up here, there's not a lot they can do yet). The people of the forums say it is harder to find jobs during the fall / entry of winter time. Is this true? Or just an opinion? I don't have a specialized degree. It would be entry level work, and above, for clerical/admin/office specialist/data entry type thing.
(hopefully, that's what I've been doing for years in other places at least)

44 days and counting.... and beginning to get worried.

[soldn2slavery]

I feel like I've walked into the middle of a conversation :-)

Are you looking for an entry level/admin/clerical/office specialist job? Are you moving to Alaska in 44 days (and counting)? If so, which city?

Banks are always good for entry-level jobs, and they seem to always be looking. Won't be the highest paying job in the world, but the benefits are usually decent.

[Marylandkitten]

Yes 44 days till the move. And I'm sorry, it will be Anchorage!

Single white female, you know the drill. Moving up there, hoping for a better (if not warmer) life

[soldn2slavery]

Not knowing your skill set, and going with the assumption that you're looking for entry level, I'd suggest checking with First National Bank or one of the other banks up there. As I mentioned in my previous post, banks always have entry level positions available. Great way to get your foot in the door.

HTH.

[Out of Alaska]

I think that might be true, just because if a company is 'short' they might be able to make it through winter until they get busy again in the spring. HOWEVER - I don't think that is going to have a significant impact on your search.

I think when you get up here, you will have no trouble finding a job! Really. I would bet a dollar that 14 days upon arrival you will be employed.

[Marylandkitten]

Thanks a lot for the imput you guys!

I feel a little helpless not able to do anything (to a certain extent) while I am still here. It helps to try and plan accordingly for what I may/maynot be up against!!

(((hugs)))

[DannyL]

Start hitting the temp agencies.
Due to the "nature of the beast", most companies are reluctant to hire someone "right off the plane", invest time and training in them, just to have them haul butt right after their first winter.
A lot of agencies will place you somewhere, and after a period of time (up to 1 year) make you an offer for full time employment.

[Tressa]

Hi there, DannyL is somewhat correct in his post. If I were you the first day I would hit the employment agency not the State of Alaska's emloyment but the placement agencies. AES would be a good one for your skill level they are listed in the phone book up here, if you would like to PM me I will give you the additional details of these agencies as it might be misconstrude as advertising even though I don't work for any of them, I just have excellent personal experience with them. Be sure to bring up a copy of your resume

[DannyL]

Believe it or not, this is a typical job interview in Juneau. I swear, just yesterday (monday) at 7:30 a.m. I heard this conversation, I was standing right there...

The manager of a popular coffee shop on Franklin St was meeting a young man applieing for a job, 7:30 a.m., clean-cut, polite, doing everything right.
"Hello, my name is "Bill" and i'm appling for a position you have open, they gave me an application to fill out and here it is".
Manager: "I see that, Hi, my name is "John", now tell me, how long are you gonna stay in Juneau?"

I'm serious. That was almost word for word. I got the same treatment during my initial interview, and I work in a semi-profesional position.
Just stepping off the plane or ferry seems to put one strike against you, but it's easily overcomed.

[Delaneyland]

Although I'm not familiar with the job market for clerical work, I think if I were you, I'd check with the Anchorage and Mat-Su boroughs as well as the job service and temp agencies. The business people I know in AK always seem to be looking for someone that will stick around longer than a couple of paychecks. I know the AK troopers are dying for qualified people, if you're looking for a career in Law Enforcement, I think it would be a dream job there. They have more information on their website, just type Alaska Troopers in your favorite search engine, I don't have a link handy. Seems to me from the time I've spent there that most employers jump at the chance to hire someone that is stable, sober, not looking for the quick buck, and will show up when they are supposed to. Best of luck to you and yours!!