Shopping Bag
North Carolina Jobs And Economic Situation
For many weeks we've been visiting the best places to live Around the Research Triangle in Piedmont North Carolina (yes, we'll be exploring South Carolina in the same way.)
In the meantime as we've traveled, many of you have written asking me about the job situation in both North Carolina and South Carolina.
So, although we haven't finished our journey Around the Research Triangle, with the school year having come to a close and some of you wanting to relocate this summer, I thought it would be a great time to answer some of those questions.
Over the next few weeks, we'll take a closer look at the job market and economic situation in both North Carolina and South Carolina.
One common factor for each of the places we have been visiting "Around the Research Triangle in North Carolina" is their proximity to Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.
What does this mean to You if you are considering relocating or retiring (and wanting to work) to North Carolina and how does this answer your questions about the job situation in North Carolina?
This mean JOBS!
The Research Triangle Park is an epicenter of innovation in more than a dozen companies and North Carolina was ranked #3 Best State for Business by Forbes Magazine in 2010 and 2011.
Whether you are a young professional just starting out, someone mid-career looking to move up or a retired person who wants to keep busy, today we’re going to talk about the job market in North Carolina and some strategies and resources I think will help you find a job in North Carolina.
North Carolina Economy and Jobs:
Anyone looking for work in North Carolina is going to find that the long recent economic downturn has made things challenging but not impossible.
Yes, North Carolina's unemployment rate has been high like many other areas in the country, however that number has dropped significantly in the last year and all recent economic surveys suggest that North Carolina’s economy is expanding and jobs are being created.
According to April 2012 statistics, the North Carolina state unemployment rate was 9.4 however best places like Asheville 7.9, Durham-Chapel Hill 7.4 and Raleigh 7.8 are not only below the North Carolina state unemployment rate they are also below the National Average of 8.1.
So while the good news is yes there are jobs in North Carolina and you can make a living, right now in these economic times, it may be important to keep in mind as you consider the options for your best place to relocate or retire, the pace of economic recovery and how it varies from region to region.
In general, North Carolina’s large urbanized metropolitan areas with diverse economies and future-oriented industries are the places where jobs are coming back the fastest.
Areas that are more rural and dependent on North Carolina’s traditional farming, manufacturing and mineral extraction economy have lost jobs and are growing more slowly.
A recent economic survey put out by North Carolina State University pegged the following North Carolina areas as leading regional centers for economic growth in the state:
The areas in North Carolina expected to grow much slower are:
Rocky Mount
The groups that are currently showing the strongest growth are:
- Up 1.8 – Professional and Business services (managers, IT people, administrative assistants, engineers, scientists, etc.)
- Up 1.5 – Health and Education services(teachers, doctors, nurses, social workers, etc.)
- Up .9 – Trade, Transportation and Utilities (wholesale, retail, transportation and warehousing, utilities)
- Up .7 – Leisure and Hospitality (food service, hotels, performing arts, entertainment, etc.)
The figures above are as of April 2012. This is indicative of the trend in the past 12 months as they continue to do well, but in the current economic recovery people in the professional and business services fields are in high demand and seeing the most job growth.
Manufacturing and construction jobs are harder to come by.
Job Hunt Strategies:
Many of you want to have a job lined up in North Carolina before you move or at least be ready when you get there.
Here are some basic long distance job hunting tips I hope will help.
- Take stock: List all your skills, work experience, strengths and weaknesses. Remember, you are not bound by past or current career paths in your potential new home.
- Research: Get acquainted with the job market in the cities and towns you are looking to relocate. Go online, look at local newspapers and classified ads, read everything you can find on what you want to do.
- Network: Make use of your friends, colleagues, professional associations, alumni associations, etc. and try to make new contacts where you want to settle.
- Inquire: It never hurts to make yourself known by contacting potential employers.
- Assess and Reassess: See what works and what doesn’t and adjust your plans.
North Carolina Job Hunt Resources
I am not an employment agency and I certainly don't have any magic ball to tell you exactly where to go to find a job in North Carolina however, here are a few websites I think will help you find Your new job in North Carolina.
The Employment Security Commission of North Carolina (www.ncesc.com):
Best source on employment statistics and trends. Check out the Find a Job link under the Individual Services tab for a comprehensive list of NC job websites.
North Carolina Job Connector (www.ncjobconnector.com):
Use this website to match your job skills and experience with job markets throughout the state.
Job Hunt.org/North Carolina (www.job-hunt.org/jobs/northcarolina.shtml):
Great list of NC job hunt resources including links to networking, state and local government and NC employer websites.
Career.org/North Carolina (north-carolina.careers.org):
Good resource for specific NC job searches and career information.
Good luck and I hope this was of some help to you as you start making plans to relocate or retire to your best place to live and find Your new job in North Carolina.
Next week we'll continue our conversation about business and jobs in the Carolinas and delve into the job situation in South Carolina.
See you next week!
Bob
About Bob Bencivenga
 |
Bob Bencivenga is a professional site locator and location analyst for major corporations and has been researching the growth of NC and SC to find the Best Places to Retire or Relocate that are still affordable. |
| Visit his blog The Carolina Report and sign up for FREE updates by email,his FREE Affordable Best Places To Live Report and, get FREE Expert Advice on how to find Your Best Place to Retire or Relocate to in North Carolina and South Carolina, additional resources, and a lot more.
Bob does not sell real estate. |
 |
