What are the chances of my finding a job in Las Vegas?

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   lindaceeposted 13 years ago

   This is a serious question. I currently live in South America and plan on returning to the states by the end of this year. I am looking at Las Vegas as a place to live and work.
   
   I know available jobs are difficult to come by everywhere, but wanted to know if someone could give me specific info on the Vegas job market.
   
   I am a 50+ year old female with a retail/advertising/freelance writing/real estate background. I'm not looking at a major career at this point in my life, so was thinking about places like Borders or Home Depot as potential employers. Is that realistic given today's job market? I have been out of the country for 2 years and need to get a feel for what I'm up against.
   
   Be as honest as you like. You won't hurt my feelings. I want a realistic picture of what I might be jumping into.
   
   Thanks!

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      sagebrush_mamaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Very tough environment, even in part time anything.  If you have friends or family in the area, connect with them ahead of time to get a better feel for things. 
      
      I'm not right there, but have lots of family there.  Hours are slim for even part time positions, and have been cut back, off and on in recent months for family in casino/tourism related services.
      
      Some hopefulness, with my brother's furlough days finally coming to an end a couple of months ago. Last couple of years, full time family in the 60+ age group have dealt with layoffs...casino, and construction related. 
      
      A lot of construction families are hurting, and many have moved on.  Unfortunately, the huge construction boom flooded the area with an excess of workers.  Many are filtering into non-construction jobs, when they can find them.
      
      Recently heard someone state that they had been laid off, and that even Walmart wasn't hiring.  It may take connections to get in somewhere.  Even before everything tanked, it wasn't unusual for folks to be working  2 or more jobs to make ends meet.  You might look into school district related (substitute teaching) possibilites, if this is something that you would care to do. 
      
      Good luck!

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   paradigmsearchposted 13 years ago

   Las Vegas and Nevada currently have one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation.
   
   Go here for further research:
   
   http://www.bls.gov/

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      lindaceeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Not surprising. Thanks for the link.

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   Pearldiverposted 13 years ago

   "Be as honest as you like. You won't hurt my feelings. I want a realistic picture of what I might be jumping into."
   
   
   - OK... Why Not?
   - I'll Get That Guy That Parks on the cnr of Main & West Streets in the Pink De Soto to give you a call then... I'm sure he's looking for hard working ladies, who don't mind jumping... in his.. erh.. Reale State Biz

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      lindaceeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Ha! Don't think I'm quite desperate to be part of that business model...at least not yet! The pink Desoto is intriguing though!

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         Pearldiverposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Damn.... I was hoping to clear my account with him, before he sells the debt to a XXX jumping site

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            lindaceeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            

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   manlypoetrymanposted 13 years ago

   Odds are 25:1...Ready to place a bet?

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      lindaceeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Never been a betting person. Another good reason to consider Vegas, right?

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         manlypoetrymanposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Good Fortune wherever you land!

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   prettydarkhorseposted 13 years ago

   my bestfriend used to lived there and she told me there are lots of jobs out there. She moved here Dallas but her parents are there. Jobs are more on service related ones - establishments, hotel, restaurants and casinos of course. Why not try Tx, Dallas in particular has low unemployment rate comparing to other cities, plus people are friendlier too.

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      lindaceeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      prettydarkhorse, yeah, I'm not sure if a service job would be the right fit--I have absolutely no experience in the hospitality industry.
      
      I have considered Dallas. Lived there many years ago and really enjoyed the city and the people. I have read that the state has a very attractive employment picture compared to many others. Was just looking for a place with a climate that suited me better.
      
      It is a difficult decision and I'm trying to weigh all the pros and cons. Thanks for your input!

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   Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

   I don't know about the LV local economy, but you might want to rethink Borders.  News channels were reporting that they will declare bankruptcy some time this year.
   
   50+ females have one of the highest unemployment rates and longest time to get rehired. (Our health care costs are very high as a group so no one wants us and we have a lot of family responsibilities that are believed to make us unreliable.) I'm not saying this is right, but it's a tough economy with a lot of bias going against you.

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      wildernessposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      You've sure got that right!  My wife (55 years) has put in 2+ applications a day average for some 15 months (around 1000 apps total).  She has had 2 interviews with head hunters looking to expand their employee list,  but that's all.  She has applied for everything from walmart greeter to dental assistant (has a degree there) but has found absolutely nothing.
      
      It's really tough for the older female.

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      lindaceeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I thought that's what I had heard about Borders. But it seems like that has been circulating for quite a while. Maybe it is finally going to happen.
      
      Unfortunately, my hubbing is not bringing in enough money to pay any bills, so I may have to continue to rely on my other freelance writing to help make ends meet once I'm stateside again.
      
      It is a dismal picture at best.

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   rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

   I have to agree with Nelle.
   Baby boomer women are having the hardest time finding jobs now. Borders will possibly soon be on the chopping block. I have heard that Home Depot is a good place to work and hires boomers, but I'm not sure about Vegas with it's high unemployment rate. Check out AARP for boomer employment news and tips. http://www.aarp.org/work/job-hunting/
   and good luck with your move.

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      lindaceeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      rebekahELLE, Thanks for the AARP link. I will def check it out.

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   jiberishposted 13 years ago

   You'll find a job in Las Vegas if you can poll dance or deal cards!

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      lindaceeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Unfortunately can't do either one!

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   Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

   Sorry to hear that wilderness. Have you been teaching her to hub? It's really bad given our increased life expectancy that 50 is considered over the hill by so many.
   
   I really think that our age group needs to be very entrepreneurial. Unfortunately, the link between health care and jobs for most people, make it very difficult to be self-employed. But I do think that it's the only answer for many of us.

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    rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

    here's another article, somewhat recent, with some tips for the 50+ women. http://www.job-hunt.org/job-search-for- … omen.shtml I didn't read it, but it looks helpful.
    
    A woman really has to sell herself now, the resume has to be flawless, keywords geared towards specific job ads. Whatever skills the positions list as requirements, make sure they're mentioned in the resume and cover letters.

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    lindaceeposted 13 years ago

    sagebrush_mama:
    Thanks for the informative response. I do have friend there that can do some additional investigating. May have to look into teaching as a new career path.

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       sagebrush_mamaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Teaching isn't as easy to get into as it was a few years ago...math and science are probably the very best areas...but it's really worth investigating, even subbing.  A relative just got on as a sub, but she was already working in the district.
       
       Also, bilingual ed might be worth investigating, if you speak Spanish (coming from South America, I'm guessing that's a possibility).

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    lindaceeposted 13 years ago

    rebekahELLE, thanks for the other article. Wow, I was so hoping not to have to go through the major stress and competitive nature of interviews at this age. Guess times have changed!

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    lindaceeposted 13 years ago

    sagebrush_mama, I will have to investigate the possibility of bilingual education opportunities. Thanks!

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