Looking for work in the Austin, TX area...

[Karnak]

I am looking for work in the Austin area, if anybody has leads they are willing to share I'd be grateful.  We are having a heck of a time finding jobs right now and I know it is tough for a lot of people.

[Shifty]

Hang in there Karnak. I feel for you. I was laid off on New Years Eve. I got a job February 23rd.
I'm 50 years old and doing manual labor again. However it more than pays the bills and has taken off some of this AH weight I put on over the years.
Not to mention I'm getting some decent benefits. It wasn't a job I would have picked before being laid off but I feel very fortunate to have it.
I wish you the best and hope things get better for you soon.

<S>

[Karnak]

Thanks, Shifty.

Fortunately I am employed, but I am also running a deficiet.  California is just too expensive I am afraid.  My rent on a one bedroom apartment is $1250/month and the mortgage I pay on my mom's house is $610/month (+taxes twice a year) and if we ever want to be able to buy our own house, well, it won't be one of the $600,000 "starter" houses here.  My wife is looking in Austin and has had no luck after four months.  I have been looking too, but it is hard to do so from California.

Money and time are running out though and I am not sure what to do.

[Die Hard]

Don't know what to say except good luck Karnak. 

[AKHog]

It would help if you posted some information about what you do or what you want to do.

One question though, why are you picking Austin? I could think of about a million places I'd rather live.

[FX1]

Karnak

I am a life long Austenite so any help i can give please ask away.

[FX1]

It would help if you posted some information about what you do or what you want to do.

One question though, why are you picking Austin? I could think of about a million places I'd rather live.

That's a easy answer... Austin is thriving! I cant express the pride that comes with living in this city.

[Karnak]

Thanks, FX1.

Years ago I worked in the high tech industry as a black box QA Engineer, but I have been working as a scheduler and driver for Marin County's paratransit agency since January, 2003.

As to why Austin, my wife has friends and contacts there, it is affordable and it has a relatively strong economy.

[FX1]

Most of my contacts are builders, contractor, skilled labor and marketing. My group of good friends are mostly self employed and run smaller companies. Don't really know a specific company that would relate to your background.

I do understand that job hunting from the west coast is very hard.

[Karnak]

Heh.  My dad and uncles are in construction, but I didn't follow that path.   

[FX1]

My father and brother were plumbers and i should have followed their path   

They made a killing in the past 15 years.

[Getback]

It would help if you posted some information about what you do or what you want to do.

One question though, why are you picking Austin? I could think of about a million places I'd rather live.

Where would you rather live?

[AKHog]

As to why Austin, my wife has friends and contacts there

But earlier you said:

My wife is looking in Austin and has had no luck after four months.

They don't sound like very useful "contacts".

That's a easy answer... Austin is thriving! I cant express the pride that comes with living in this city.

Pride for living in a city, I don't get it. Is that like pride in your local pro sports team (of which nearly none of the players are actually from there), or like pride in your local music scene (of which nearly none of the local artists are from there)?

Where would you rather live?

Anywhere but a major city or metropolitan area. I honestly don't understand why people chose or decide to live in these places.

[Karnak]

Where would you rather live?

Well, I'd like to live in a place where I can actually hope to buy a house someday.   


Yep, but mine here haven't been any better and the costs are too high.  The economy is really hurting right now.

[texasmom]

My #1 all-time favorite job-search site is www.indeed.com.  It combines announcements from nearly all of the public & private announcement lists, government lists & other search site lists. Also, if you use the advanced search option it allows you to remove words from the search (such as nurse, technician, physician, etc).

It sure is beautiful in Austin. I always hear nice things about it.