U.S. Employment Exploration: California

The U.S. is both huge and geographically diverse, and so are its working conditions—the dominant industries, cost of living, salaries, work schedules, and a host of other factors. If you plan to come to the U.S.—or even move from one state to another—it’s smart to explore the employment conditions in the area you’re considering. Factors such as climate, convenient shopping and access to entertainment sources may play a part in your final selection, but they won’t help much if you can’t find work.

This article launches a multi-region look at employment-related conditions across the country, from west to east, beginning with California. Once known as the “Golden State,” California has lost a lot of its luster since such economic disasters as the dot-com bust. Add to that the rising unemployment rate and a projected multi-billion-dollar state budget deficit for 2003, and job searching poses a serious challenge. If you want to look for work here, do it with your eyes wide open.

Major Industries, Unemployment Rates and Salaries

Major California industries include international trade; high technology; tourism and entertainment; diversified manufacturing; agriculture; and aircraft, space, and defense. Finding out which industries are expanding and which are contracting can give you clues as to where your best job chances may lie.

High-tech manufacturing, once an avid recruiter, accounted for more than seven percent of job losses in the manufacturing sector in 2002. Skilled technical workers who used to be in demand now face stiff competition, and some have left the industry. During 2002, the state’s unemployment rate hovered around 6.4-6.5 percent. Some locations suffer from much higher unemployment than others, so keep that in mind when choosing.

One potentially valuable source of data is a list of Labor Surplus Areas (LSAs) available free online. The list shows which counties and cities have high unemployment in a given state, compared with the national average.

Observations from Career Professionals

The following comments from résumé writers and career coaches in California presented an informal picture of the situation in early 2003.

Northern California:

Microsoft is one of the few companies still hiring, but they are being very selective. The banking industry is hiring college grads. Insurance companies are hurting but hiring in specialty markets. High-end residential construction is doing well, as is the home and commercial security industry.
Defense contractors, Homeland Security firms, and banks are hiring. A nursing shortage offers opportunities, and civil engineering firms are doing well right now. Venture capital funding is the lowest it has been in over 20 years. Retail trade is experiencing major difficulties. Even biotech appears to be holding back on hiring. Schools are laying off certified teachers.

[Sources: Makini Siwatu and Randy Block]

Southern California:

It is taking an extremely long time for clients to find jobs. The worst seems to be IT positions.
Tourism has taken a hit since September 11 (2001), and entertainment is losing jobs to Canada. Contract hiring is common.
The staffing industry suffered steep declines. In early 2003 the only areas that seem to be doing reasonably well are the medical field and the packaging industry. Mortgage lending is going strong, but its future is unpredictable.
In the Orange County area, most clients have been experiencing great results, so area is key.

[Sources: Pamela Hillebrandt, Vivian Van Lier, Nita Busby and Christine Edick]