TC Metro Area Unemployment Numbers Drop; Lowest In The Country. (headhunter, month-to-month)

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

The unemployment rate has dropped in the TC metro area. Currently, we are the lowest in the nation at 5.4%! See
Unemployment Rates for Large Metropolitan Areas


Notice how fast the month-to-month percentages are dropping (See Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed ). Please note: the 1st link is a spreadsheet including just the metro areas . The 2nd link shows the unemployment numbers for MN as a whole.

Do you personally feel this positive shift? Are there still a lot of people unemployed that are not being reported?

[Minnesota Spring]

This is good news! Hopefully soon those that gave up on the job market will start looking again and be able to find something.

[west336]

Yet, Sun Belters will just tell us that our unemployment is low because nobody wants to live here.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by west336

Yet, Sun Belters will just tell us that our unemployment is low because nobody wants to live here.

I also noticed that correlation (sunbelt states have a lot worse unemployment rate). I wonder why?

[Cruz Azul Guy]

I was essentially offered an attractive job out of the blue a few months ago and was just contacted by another headhunter about a job a few days ago. Things are really looking good in the local economy! I really like the fact that jobs are plentiful here right now and it certainly doesn't hurt that there are so many large companies based here. It looks like it's a great time to make a move to the Twin Cities!

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by Slig

I was essentially offered an attractive job out of the blue a few months ago and was just contacted by another headhunter about a job a few days ago. Things are really looking good in the local economy! I really like the fact that jobs are plentiful here right now and it certainly doesn't hurt that there are so many large companies based here. It looks like it's a great time to make a move to the Twin Cities!

As you know, the northern burbs are full of housing subcontractors. In the past 6 months, I've talked with several subcontractors and builders who are now busy. Still, there are plenty people that are still sitting on their hands but things are looking up. The bad news is there is a lot of wage pressure but at least they are putting food on the table.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

As you know, the northern burbs are full of housing subcontractors. In the past 6 months, I've talked with several subcontractors and builders who are now busy. Still, there are plenty people that are still sitting on their hands but things are looking up. The bad news is there is a lot of wage pressure but at least they are putting food on the table.

Yeah, it will still depend alot on the industry. I still think that overall things have improved dramatically from 12-18 months ago. At that time I had alot of friends/family and acquaintances who were out of work and collecting unemployment. Currently almost everybody I know in the area is employed and doing alright financially.

[momn]

Unfortunately there is still a bias about older workers. Heads up - Goodwill Easter Seals has training opportunites for hard to place people (us elders being in that group) and I am currently taking classes through them. Also, they partner with companies who tend to hire those who have taken and passed the training. So I am hopeful.

Also, the numbers do not show those of us who are no longer uneligible for UI. I have never been in this situation! Have always had a job and it was the worst experience I've gone through since I was laid off that I finally had to apply for food stamps and medical help.

I do feel positive about the training though and am so, so hoping that this will be the ticket to finally working again. I have never been out of work like this!

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by momn

Unfortunately there is still a bias about older workers.

Unfortunately, that has always been the case. Anytime there is a layoff, the experienced work force is viewed as being expensive.

When I worked at Honeywell years ago, I quickly learned that age discrimination is alive and well in corporate America. After seeing how frequently it happened, I made a promise to myself that I was going to own my own business which I do.

We made semiconductors. One simple mistake could cost $50K. But Honeywell preferred the 28 year old engineer for $30K less a year versus a 50 year old experienced engineer. That $30K savings worked out to be half of a mistake a year. One processing mistake a month works out to be $500K a year of errors which isn't all that uncommon. Don't assume smart managers can figure out the actual costs when their math ignores mistakes.

[Workaholic?]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

I also noticed that correlation (Sunbelt states have a lot worse unemployment rate). I wonder why?

The White Unemployment rate in the Southern Cities is similar to Minnesota but the huge Black Population with it's resulting tendency to have high unemployment rates makes the City and State Unemployment rates higher in places like Atlanta than a place like Minnesota that is 85% White.

The large number of highly educated and trained white people in Minnesota is the main reason the unemployment rate is lower than down south.