Forbes Ranks Jacksonville #3 Best City to Find Employment
There may be little diversity in the industries hiring; the cost of living can be high; and the required skill sets can be too specific.
The human resources firm Adecco Staffing U.S. looked at the U.S. cities with the fullest employment, according to the Department of Labor, as well as internal data around job growth and demand–and then determined which areas are the best for finding a job. The ranking reflects considerations such as: the diversity of industries in the city, the cost of living, the range in size of companies offering employment, and high level of education among its residents. All those factors were weighed equally.
“Within the last year, we’ve really seen the number of employment opportunities pick up, and there’s hiring taking place in many sectors,” says Joyce Russell, president of Adecco Staffing U.S. “We’re seeing demand in a number of areas including healthcare, technology, skilled labor and professional and business services. Companies are feeling confident enough in the economy to hire, and we’re also seeing an increasing number of clients opting to hire temporary workers permanently after their contract period ends. These are signs that lead to an overall improvement in the job market in 2013.”
No 3. Jacksonville is another example of city with a diverse and highly educated labor force. With unemployment at 6.5%, Jacksonville is seeing the heaviest hiring in higher education, healthcare, IT, food services, transportation and logistics, and government work from the city’s three military bases.
“Jobs are being added in Jacksonville because of the recent addition of several companies and headquarters that are new to the area including finance and manufacturing companies,” says Sam Gillespie, an Adecco branch manager. “The IT job market has been hot throughout the city with the addition of these companies.”
What do the top 10 cities have in common?
“In addition to the pure job growth, these cities are booming with new businesses–be it technology start-ups or new manufacturing plants,” Russell says. “When companies move their headquarters to a new city, it’s a time of hope and opportunity for job seekers. These cities offer a well-educated and skilled workforce, which make them attractive to companies seeking to expand or change locations.”