According to an article from CNNMoney.com, for every job opening across this country there is an average of 6.3 applicants. The research was conducted by the job-search engine Juju.com based on Bureau of Labor Statistic (BLS) numbers. They ranked 50 U.S. metro areas in order of the number of applicants per opening.
Now, of course, that’s just the national average and this number will rise or fall according to the individual city. However, it is important to keep in mind some very specific thoughts on what gives a city the edge in keeping the unemployment level at a low rate.
Seek a City with a Highly Diversified Economy
One of the first and likely most important elements that the metro areas with the lowest worker competition offer is a highly diverse number of industries from which to choose. By not becoming too dependent on a single industry, the market doesn’t become saturated nor does it rise and fall solely based on the ups and downs of that particular industry.
The second piece of having a highly diversified economy is to look at cities that are home to growing industries. And according to the BLS figures the best job markets contain health care, government, and defense contractors. Though focusing on any one of these alone is not necessarily desirable. Cities such as Detroit where the auto industry has taken a hit or Sacramento which is heavily dependent on a financially struggling government sector are not good choices.
Another segment to consider is the growth in business and professional services such as consulting, computer systems design and employment services. According to BLS figures these industries are seeing a strong upswing as well.
Be Prepared to Establish a Home Base Immediately
One of the most important things to look at when considering relocation as an option is to establish a presence in the city as quickly as possible. It should come as no surprise that employers are more likely to hire someone local rather than wait for a job seeker to move. Plus the uncertainty as to whether or not the relocating employee is going to stick around can weigh into the hiring decision. So it is important for job seekers to show they have roots in the city.
One of the smartest moves is to connect with someone already living there and utilize their address and phone number for the job search. Close friends or family members not only help job seekers by providing a local base, but may have the skinny on local employment opportunities as well.
The Top Five Cities Where to Look for Work
Naturally a lot has to do with the industry or career that a job seeker has chosen; however, according to Juju.com these are the top five cities for workers based on having a low worker competition rate.
Weighing in at number one is the capital city of Washington, D.C. While this area is best known for its large government workforce, there are many other organizations such as law firms, independent contractors (defense and civilian), non-profit organizations, lobbying firms, trade unions, industry trade groups, and professional associations with their headquarters in and around D.C. It also has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.
Number two Baltimore was once an industrial town focused on steel processing and manufacturing. And while industry is still there it now has a growing financial, business, and health service base. Look for Fortune 1000 companies such as Black & Decker, T. Rowe Price, and McCormick & Company. It’s also home to world-famous Johns Hopkins Hospital.
The third top-rated city is on the West Coast. San Jose, California is best known for being part of the Silicon Valley with a large concentration of high-technology engineering, computer, and microprocessor companies such as Cisco, eBay, Hewlett-Packard and IBM. Plus there are a ton of universities within a reasonable commute of this area including Stanford, San Jose State and UC Berkeley.
Sitting in the fourth spot, Salt Lake City is service-oriented with major industries such as government, trade, transportation, utilities, and professional and business services. Major employers include Delta Air Lines, University of Utah, Sinclair Oil Corporation, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Rounding out the top five is New York City, a global hub of international business and commerce and a major center for finance, insurance, real estate, media and the arts. Nearly 50 Fortune 500 firms are located in the city alone. Along with financial giants Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, New York City offers industries such as biotechnology, game design and television and film.
See the complete list of the 50 most promising cities for job hunters according to Juju.com. A special thanks to Wikipedia for the information regarding employers in the five cities listed.
Good luck and good hunting.
Deborah S. Hildebrand - Deborah S. Hildebrand is a freelance writer & HR consultant with 20+ years in human resources & a Bachelor's degree in Business.
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