Seattle Job Market

Seattle's economy stands up to recession challenges

Seattle and surrounding areas prove to be a tough force to blow over in this recession. With the some of the worlds most enduring tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, manufacturing companies such as Boeing, and increasing agriculture exports, Washington state in general has advantages over many other states trying to survive. Still, it is going to take years for the state to fully recover.

10 worst cities in America to find work

Fellow Seattleites, you may feel discouraged with the current economic times and may find it a challenge to find good work, but rest assured, our city is still not included in the list of 10 worst cities to find a job.

What do 200,000 jobs mean for 2012

There’s a promising start to the new year already. On Friday, a report was released stating 200,000 jobs were added in December (2011) to America’s economy. We shall see if these numbers are a sign of the economic relief to come in 2012 or simply an oddity.

Strange Interview: Alaska Structures

I probably won't be pursuing a job at Alaska Structures.

One Friday in late December, I received a phone call that I couldn’t pick up at approximately 9:14 in the morning. When I got home in the early afternoon, I checked my messages and realized that someone from Alaska Structures had called me for a job interview.

I called Alaska Structures back and was told that I had 35 minutes to come in for an interview if I could make it. I said that I wasn’t sure and was told that I could interview the next morning at 6am if I wanted to.
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Better economy for Washington in 2012?

Unfortunately, the economy here in Washington, as in the rest of the country, weathered a tough year in 2011 and is due for another rough one in 2012. But there are some promising aspects to our local economy that keep us slightly better off than most other states.

Worst jobs in 2011

2011 was not a strong year for jobs anyway, but if you were employed in one of these professions, it may have been an even tougher year. Here’s a list of some of the worst jobs in 2011, rated by the quality of the work environment, average annual income, stress associated with job, physical demands, and the overall career outlook.

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Seattle Seasonal Jobs

Target, Costco, Toys"R"US, and Distribution Centers.

Generally, finding a job in Seattle takes some time. But during the holiday season, many opportunities become available, making it a little easier to snag that temporary job and make a few extra dollars in time for the holidays. Here is a list of some of the most common and most current listings available. Many of which have the possibility of becoming long-term positions.

Seattle: Re-Entering the Workforce After An Extended Absence

I've had some unusual jobs....

I’ve read so many articles recently saying that people should invent their own jobs, which is great if you have the connections and financial security to do so. The hard part for many people is re-entering the workforce after an extended absence. My difficulties are because I was out of the country for several years, but many moms returning to the workforce have similar problems. I’ve applied to literally hundreds of jobs in the past three years, have interviewed for a handful of positions, and have contacts at three temp agencies in town, but have yet to find a single job with the health benefits and job security that I need in this economy.

Barista Jobs in Seattle

Seattle is a hub of coffee shops yet it can be hard to land a barista job.

You never have to look far to find a coffee shop in Seattle. From Starbucks, Tully’s and other chains to independently owned coffee shops which have their own unique feel and coffee, a cup of Joe is never out of reach. This leads to an impressive demand for baristas in the city and yet it can be tricky to land a coffee making job because of all the intense competition.

If you do not have experience as a barista it can seem nearly impossible to land a job at a coffee shop. But if your heart is set on pulling shots and foaming milk then don’t give up. There are a variety of schools which offer barista courses to teach you the ropes or you could just search for places to gain experience such as your church or another organization’s espresso cart. Once you know the basics of making coffee you will be much more desired by coffee shop managers.

Going back to School

Should you use unemployment as an opportunity to further your education?

Searching for a job can be frustrating and as the months go by with no luck or new job in sight, most people begin wondering if there is something else they should be doing in the meantime. Going back to college for a graduate degree, certification or second bachelor’s degree can be very tempting. It can be easy to think that more education will give you a leg up in your job search or perhaps open doors to new position because you are now more qualified, however going back to school isn’t actually the best choice for everyone.

More education is useful in industries where graduate degrees are a must for promotions or if you are considering changing professions. As an adult, college will be a completely new experience which can be good and bad but if you feel another degree will help you in the industry which you want to work then unemployment can be the perfect time to go back to class.

On the other hand, another degree might just be a way to fill your time while you search for a job and in this case it is better to just devote time and effort to your job hunt. School will not only cost you money, but also cost you time that could be spent networking, applying for jobs or even just cleaning your house. Unless another degree will truly be helpful in the long run, don’t let the desire to be “doing something” be your reason for going back to university.

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