What's the job market like in DFW these days ? (Dallas: buying, statistics)

[hertz]

I know it's tough everywhere, but would like to hear from people who recently either looked for the job or have a friend or family member who did.
What are your experiences?

[xS☺B☺s]

My somewhat qualified opin is is not all it's hyped up to be. Essentially I think although DFW has been somewhat insulated from the recession, DFW is not economic nirvana. Check it out, but don't believe the hype.

[getmeoutofhere]

There is no definitive answer, it all depends on which jobs you are referring to.

Depending on your skills and your contacts, you could look for a job for 2 days or 8 months.

[bluescreen73]

Our unemployment rate may be lower than some of the harder hit areas but it's still nearly 9% (8.6% in Dallas County, 8.2% in Tarrant County, 7.6% in Denton County, and 8.5% in Ellis County). I know people who have personally been out of work a year or more.

Add into that a large number of people who are buying into the hype and moving here sight-unseen, without jobs, and you've got pretty stiff competition for the jobs that are out there.

[nomore07]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

Our unemployment rate may be lower than some of the harder hit areas but it's still nearly 9% (8.6% in Dallas County, 8.2% in Tarrant County, 7.6% in Denton County, and 8.5% in Ellis County). I know people who have personally been out of work a year or more.

Add into that a large number of people who are buying into the hype and moving here sight-unseen, without jobs, and you've got pretty stiff competition for the jobs that are out there.

Very true. Getting a job in the area also requires an inside connection.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

Our unemployment rate may be lower than some of the harder hit areas but it's still nearly 9% (8.6% in Dallas County, 8.2% in Tarrant County, 7.6% in Denton County, and 8.5% in Ellis County). I know people who have personally been out of work a year or more.

Add into that a large number of people who are buying into the hype and moving here sight-unseen, without jobs, and you've got pretty stiff competition for the jobs that are out there.

The DFW MSA's unemployment rate is currently 8.3%.

Not great, but alot better than most places.

[blkdogb]

How is it for the I.T. field? Particularly for web application software development?

[catluvr]

IT...not good. Hubby's recruiter says it is getting a little better, but still very bad. Hubby spent 10 months out of work and is now back as of 2 months ago working a short term contract. He is a Project Manager with an IT background.

Many of the people we know that have been unemployed have dropped off the unemployment benefits database, or were just not able to collect benefits. If enough people are unemployed long enough, they are no longer collecting benefits and the statistics make it look like the unemployment rate is going down.

We all know what statistics can be manipulated to show. My opinion is that it is not getting better.

[DallasMD]

Healthcare seems to be strong. I went down for 2 interviews and got 2 offers.