My Recruiting Blog

If there is one city that embodies the new American economy, it is Las Vegas, Nevada. It has been the fastest growing US city for 30 years: the population doubles about every decade. Like most successful parts of the country, its growth has depended on a very successful service-based industry, and many new arrivals. It is one of the few places in the US that has carried on creating jobs online and off since 2001.

As housing starts decline, not only do construction workers lose their on-site jobs, but many factories building appliances and carpets cut workers, too. Employees have no shortage of opportunities, and there is a lot of competition for workers. There are always Las Vegas jobs available. You have to work hard to attract talent to yourself. It's a very tight marketplace with a very short supply of viable talent, and it is expected that this trend to continue for the next 12 to 18 months.

In the manager, senior manager and executive levels, we are seeing even more urgency among employers looking for good candidates both locally and from outside Las Vegas. Analysts say it is hard to find workers partly because the local economy is growing so quickly. As employment rates go up around the rest of the country, we expect economic migration numbers might fall off a bit as people have opportunities elsewhere.

Improved prospects in other markets could also magnify Las Vegas' rising cost of living as an issue for companies looking to recruit for jobs in Las Vegas. In gaming and tourism, 53 percent of companies said higher home prices are hurting hiring, while 50 percent of employers in the retail and service sectors reported trouble recruiting. Nearly half of restaurant companies 46 percent said housing prices were creating recruiting issues, while just 35 percent of respondents in the finance sector cited real estate values as a hiring hurdle.

Economic pressures are not the only factors hurting recruitment strategies for local companies. Local schools and colleges are not properly preparing students for today's work force. In addition, many high-school students are missing technical training that would enable them to practice a specific trade. Among the Las Vegas employers, one of the main things they talk about is the employability skills of the available work force.

They are seeing individuals who lack language skills and a basic work ethic. It is not that the schools are not trying. It is that they are not specialized enough in the areas employers are demanding such as Information technology and other highly skilled areas. "We need to look at more creative ways to educate young people and get them better prepared for the work force and life in general” comments one Las Vegas business owner.

College should be an option for every student, but schools should also be training students to enter apprenticeships and other postsecondary options. Many agree Las Vegas area guidance counselors of local high schools need to expand perspectives about career opportunities and vocational training for those not planning to attend college.

There are jobs that offer $20, $30 and $40 an hour that do not require four-year degrees -- plumbers, carpenters and certain health care specialties, for example. The schools need to focus on giving kids better hands-on experience, but employers also need to reach out to the community, build better relationships with schools, and make internships more available to students. Still the local job market and employment prospects are bright in the Las Vegas, Nevada area.

Labels: Las Vegas Jobs

The seven counties of Minneapolis-St.Paul area have faced a couple of major unforeseeable situations on their progressive path, the collapse of the I35W Bridge and the wrath of Mother Nature, that caused major flooding in Some parts of the state. Yet, it is certain every resident of the state has felt the after shock associated with such disasters. Many residents working in the downtown and financial industry will continue to experience the burden for some time into the future due to traffic re-routing that has contributed to significant increases in travel time and normal wear and tear associated with traveling further distances.

The numbers of commuters realizing this type suffering are suggested to be in the range of 140,000. Nevertheless, whether or not these disasters will affect the state’s ability to compete on a global level is not yet certain. However, Minnesota’s participation in international trade and actual import and export activities has for some time been a bit askew. It is one of the few states which routinely imports a disproportionate number of products while exporting much fewer internationally. Perhaps this will help rather than hinder the future of this state’s economy and ability to fill jobs in Minneapolis, for example, since they are not very self-reliant.

Just prior to these identified disasters, the second quarter employment projections were looking really hopeful and prosperous for Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Job Vacancy Survey conducted by the state Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), there were 60,000 job vacancies. In addition, hourly wage earners had risen to $11 per hour, which is an increase of one dollar over the previous year. Also reported in the study was the estimated fact that for every one job there were 2.2 people unemployed during the same quarter.

Now that the state has witnessed two unforeseen tragedies in the form of disasters such as a major portion of the infrastructure collapsing and the extreme, flooding of seven counties the state’s Department of Labor has received emergency assistance from the United States federal government. Whether or not it is enough to sustain this state and its working population is simply a matter or wait and see.

In addition, the additional travel time imposed on both workers and recruiting companies is likely to take a physical toll somewhere down the line. How these and perhaps even other events will help or harm the working class in respect to international trade import and exports can be hinted at and studied but likely will require the lapse of time in order to recognize the real picture.

Labels: minnesota employment

In a city as economically diverse as Minneapolis there is always a large number of different goods being manufactured. With this wide spread quantity of products being created comes the need to transport said items to various different areas throughout the nation. Because of this, there is a great number of jobs in Minneapolis, MN available to those who are qualified truck drivers.

With one job search engine yielding 45 different companies looking to hire individuals who already have or desire to have their commercial drivers license (CDL) in the Minneapolis area. Job specifics vary depending on the company. Some circumstances require that the individual be away from home for a longer period of time while others involve routine runs that take mere hours.

Instead of being paid by the hour or by salary, as most of the country is, most truck drivers are paid by the mile. The average pay is 45 cents per mile. Although this may not sound like a lot, one has to realize that 70mph highway speeds translate into a little over $30 an hour. With that sort of pay, watching the scenery pass by from the elevated view of an 18 wheeler never sounded so good.

Although those who find Minneapolis jobs as truck drivers will more than likely experience long hours, there are certain perks to these positions. Individuals with their CDL have a certain level of flexibility in their job as they often have to option of passing on a run if they are feeling road weary. There is also the added bonus of never having to fight someone else over what's played on the office radio.

For those interested in finding a Minneapolis job in the transportation of goods, many companies will assist in funding the CDL course. If one desires to obtain their license on their own, courses can cost as little as $95.

Despite some of the unpleasantness of Minneapolis truck driving jobs, such long hours, there is a relatively high job security that comes along with the position, which can be reassuring. As long as American's continue to consumer different products from the area, there will always be a need for those willing to transport said goods.

Labels: minnesota employment