Are there any jobs in Michigan???!!!!!!!!! (Grand Rapids: hotels, teaching jobs, top schools)

[ElphinKnight]

Originally Posted by jeanniepep

Just for the record, that 8.7% is for people who are actively seeking work and receiving unemployment. That doesn't count the people for whom unemployment has run out, nor the millions of underemployed who have had to take lower-paying jobs (sometimes several of them) just to try and keep food on the table. I work part-time and make less than $100/week. Am I part of that 91.3%?

Not to be a glass-half-empty person, I'm really not. My own situation is actually very good because of my husband's job, so my part-time job is actually not a problem. He's technically employed in Michigan but his job involves 100% travel so we see each other once a month at best. But what can I say, it's good to have a reliable paycheck in this economy.

Anyway, you're right that employment situations are grim all over the U.S. It just seems like it's been grimmer for longer around here, but maybe it's just our perception because that's what we see every day. But, employment percentages are not an accurate reflection of how many people actually have full-time jobs.

I definitely agree that the unemployment figure does not capture the true problem. The number you refer to includes "underemployment" and is reported by the BLS as U-6 unemployment, while the "headline" unemployment rate is called U-3. Right now the U-6 rate is about 4.5% above the U-3 rate, so Michigan is running a U-6 rate around 13.2%. During the 1990s the government redefined unemployment in a way that made about 4% worth of the rate "disappear". Economist John Williams re-figures several government statistics that have been "conveniently modified" in the past 25 years, and publishes them in his SGS report. The SGS unemployment rate for the U.S. is at about 15%. Using that for rough estimates to re-figure the rate in Michigan puts the state at about 17.2%.

My previous post used the government reported U-3 because it's the only "fully unemployed" number reported by the government, and it's the one that everyone looks at and knows about.

I don't deny that things are ugly, but even using our worst-case number, 82.8% of people that want to work full time have a full time job. Nonetheless, no statistic can ever capture the difficulty each individual person may be having.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by ElphinKnight

For whatever it's worth, my wife and I are moving back to SE Michigan after 5 months in South Carolina. Even with a business-related Master's degree I've been unable to find a job. We came down here for a job she had, but they lied to get her down here and then changed the job once we uprooted our lives (I left a FT job in Mich) and came here. Let me tell you, the job market is horrible everywhere. Where we moved was one of the 15 fastest growing places in the U.S. Ought to be jobs, right? Nope. Nothing worth anything. And what there is here is substantially lower-paying than Michigan. For example, if I were lucky enough to land the same type of position here as I had in Michigan, the pay is 35% lower. And no, the cost of living is NOT really any lower once you add up the real costs here. Anyhow, my wife is getting out of this job because they lied, and we're happily returning to our friends and family.

Yes, I know 8.7% unemployment is rough, but remember two things: First, the rate is closer to 6.2% in GR, Ann Arbor, and suburban Detroit. Flint area, inner Detroit, and the rural northern 2/3 of the state yank that rate up. Secondly, even if take the 8.7% rate, that means that 91.3% of people HAVE jobs. Take the positive outlook... I know it's hard. I'm right there with you. But seriously, don't think it's better anyplace else right now.

I believe it is better in other places right now but maybe not for long. I would bet money someone can move to San Antonio for example and find a job.

[know_bettor]

Have you tried to apply at the Meijer distribution center north of Monroe off of 75? I always see (now hiring) sign on the building. good luck

[rid0617]

We are in South Carolina and considering moving to the Boston Edison subdivision. I'm disabled so the VA check will follow me. My wife has been in restaurant work for 25 years and after 20 years of being a manager is quite happy being a waitress. How is the job market for waitresses? She currently works for a large family restaurant that has a bakery. Serve all three meals and you can get all three types of meals *breakfast, lunch, dinner) 24 hours a day.

[Coldjensens]

Boston Edison is a really neat place, but your wife proabbly does nto want ot work as a wiatress anywhere close to there unless she works downtown. They are building a Tim Hortons in the Ren Cen right now. That is kind of a familay type place. (Not sure why they are putting one in the ren cen). For family places, she will probably need to go out to the suburbs either north, or downriver. People have more money in the north (oakland county) so tips might be better. Downriver probably has more family type resturuants, not as many high end or bar type places. You may want to explore your options a bit before you settle in a particular place. Boston Edison is pretty neat, but most of the surrounding area is pretty awful.

[srussell252]

The job market in MI is terrible. My husband has a finance degree from U-M and has been out of work for almost 6 mos since VW moved to VA. He has gone on several interviews and has had what seemed to be promising opportunities until due to budget cuts the positions they were hiring for were cut - this has happened 3 times. My dad was also out of work after being laid off by Home Depot for 8 mos. He just took a job making 50% what he was making just so he could get back to work. The teaching market in MI is just as bad, however should get better soon as older teachers begin to retire. Substitute teaching or a para-pro job would probably be your best bet.

Good luck!!

[BagongBuhay]

I thought it strange to find mid- to senior level jobs in yesterday's Careerbuilder notice I got for financial analysts for Amway in Grand Rapids. They even will pay for relocation! The Sr. Fin Analyst position pays up to $90K plus bonuses. And I could have sworn that last week's Careerbuilder ad had GM paying top dollar as well for finance positions.

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by Ahmsmom3

I left a job of three years as a Teacher's Aide in Kansas to move to Monroe, Michigan for my husband's job. We moved here 3 months ago, without any friends or family living here, so my references are all out of state. I have sent out at least 100 resumes and applied at plenty of places. I am starting to wonder if there are any jobs at all in Michigan. I have experience in the hotel industry along with my school experience and have held plenty of odd jobs since I was 18.

I am now 32 and feel like I will never land a job. Is it me or is this area hypocritical of those who move from out of state? I am getting really depressed that I cannot find a job. All I want is a job with a steady paycheck and opportunity for advancement. I would love for someone to be able to help me out.

I read that the average "wait-time" between jobs, is unfortunately 4 months. That's a looong time if no money is coming in.

Best of luck to you! Did you find a job yet? I certainly hope so!!

[Ahmsmom3]

Well I di through a temp agency. Took them three months to find me that at Cabela's and now getting laid off from there. I have put my applications in at Meijer, Wal-Mart, Target and K Mart right after we moved in May. I am going to estimate that I have sent out over 200 resumes and the only place that called was a temp service. I am starting to think that we made a mistake in moving here. This is really depressing me! I just want to work and Taco Bell won't even hire me full time. I put my app in there and they didn't even call me. Is it me or the economy?? I am so tired of worrying about me finding a job. I never had a hard time finding one till I moved here!!! Anyone out there wanna help me find a job??? I could certainly use some help.

[BagongBuhay]

Here's a finance job:
General Motors

It's so strange they still are hiring...worldwide nonetheless!