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What areas should I avoid when looking for a job?
It used to be said that once you graduated college, you had your pick of any state to work in because you would be considered a hot commodity. Unfortunately, this is not true anymore. With unemployment steadily on the rise due to bankruptcies and job cutbacks, the job market is now saturated with people looking for work.
One of the biggest factors adding to unemployment rates is the collapse of the American automotive industry. Over the past decade (and more so within the last two years), automakers have been closing plants across the country. Places like Detroit, once known for always having car-related employment opportunities, now are becoming employment dead-ends.
States to Avoid
Fourteen states and the District of Columbia exceeded the average U.S. jobless rate of 5.8 percent last year:
1. Michigan: 8.4 percent
2. Rhode Island: 7.8 percent
3. California: 7.2 percent
4. District of Columbia: 7 percent
5. Mississippi: 6.9 percent
6. South Carolina: 6.9 percent
7. Alaska: 6.7 percent
8. Nevada: 6.7 percent
9. Illinois: 6.5 percent
10. Ohio: 6.5 percent
11. Kentucky: 6.4 percent
12. Oregon: 6.4 percent
13. Tennessee: 6.4 percent
14. North Carolina: 6.3 percent
15. Florida: 6.2 percent
How Credit Can Affect Your Job Search
With the job market becoming increasingly saturated with job seekers — and even more arriving with college graduations — finding a job will be a daunting task. One thing that employers will look at more closely this year than in previous years is your credit score. How you manage your credit is an indicator of your trustworthiness, and it can be a factor for you being insured to work in a particular industry.
Obtaining a student credit card with a low credit limit and a low rate is a good way to begin building a sound credit history. Just having a credit card will not make your credit score look better, though. Making the required payments on time and never going over your credit limit is what will significantly raise your credit score.
In turn, your credit score will show potential employers that you are a person who can be trusted. Now is the time to set yourself apart from the rest. Research viable states to obtain employment, showcase your education and merit, and maintain or establish a good credit score. There are still jobs out there waiting to be filled. Are you ready to fill them?
