Gov't Jobs, Employment in Austin (Mart: credit, job market, transfer)

[fancy pants]

Hello. My husband will be transitioning out of the military in six months and we are thinking about moving to Austin. He has no other work experience except for four years in the military which qualifies him for some vet benefits including some preference for getting hired into gov't jobs. I'm concerned though that he will have trouble getting work as I've read from different sources that the job situation in Austin is a little tough. Does anyone know how difficult it is to find gov't work in Austin? He might try to get a CCNA certification also and work in tech support while going to school. Is there a job market there for this type of work? Starting pay? Thanks!

[Neil]

A friend of mine used www.workintexas.com to look for government jobs. Might be a good starting place. I believe they're tough to get into, but he got a couple of phone interviews at least.

[Trainwreck20]

There are thousanda of government jobs, so there are any number coming open at any given time. Does he have a college degree? If so, there are many oppurtunities. Without a degree, it is quite a bit tougher. Anyway, if he has a technical background and a degree, he might try the TCEQ (Tx Commission on Environ. Quality). They employ about 2,000 in Austin, and in many areas (IT, admin, and a variety of technical areas). There are quite a few military there, though they are mostly 20-yr+ vets who buy into the state retirement program.

I do not know the web-sites that list jobs for each state agency, there may be a central site now. A quick google ought to find them. Fill in the application once and then all you have to do is fill in the job number for each different job. Most state jobs don't take resumes at all (they rip em off and toss em in the trash), although a few do use them. It is all a numbers game with the big agencies. Make sure your application form matches as close as possible to the job requirments. Don't quibble on the finer points...if it says wordperfect experience, but you generally use Word, don't try to tell em that. Just say you have WP experience (if you have ever even type a single letter in it).

Don't know what the pay is these days, but it isn't great. I think a degreed starting position at the TCEQ is ~$30k, but you work a 40 hour week, good time off, decent benefits, and you will get pay increases (at least for the first 5 years) on a regular basis.

[AustinTraveler]

Not sure if he can get hired with no work experience other than military but take a look at the City of Austin jobs. They have really good benefits, etc.

http://tinyurl.com/g9wjv

Good luck!!

[Screenial]

My husband is also getting out if the Marine Corps in six months, and we are looking at relocating to Austin. Has your husband done the TAPS program yet? Also, be sure to have him get his work experience transferred over to college credit through the SMART program. Best wishes