How are job opportunities (entry level) in NOVA (Fairfax)? (Burke: rent, health insurance)

[PSBlows]

I'm thinking of moving back in the US after living abroad for 12 years. This means I will pretty much be starting from scratch.

VA isn't my first choice (Florida is, but have no place to stay there). How are the job opportunities here in NOVA? On the FL boards here people are talking about how hard it is for their struggling family members to find minimum wage jobs in retail or fast food.


And which areas seem to have the most opportunities? I would be in Fairfax/Burke/Woodbridge area.

[VA Yankee]

What kind of employment are you looking for? With the holiday season approaching I would think most retail establishments are looking for employees

[gemstone1]

Not to rain on your parade, but you are asking about entry level jobs in the 5th most expensive place to live in the country ???

[Veritas Vincit]

Most COL issues are tied to housing, and it sounds like OP may have a place to stay here.


I don't know much about the blue collar job sphere, but all the stores/restaurants seem to have "We're Hiring" signs up. There's also always white collar opportunities here, but it would depend on qualifications/previous experience whether those are a possibility for you.

[PSBlows]

Originally Posted by Gregory310

Both Fairfax and Woodbridge should have plenty of job opportunities if you're looking for entry level. Not sure exactly what you mean by entry level though. The restaurants are always looking for folks but it is unclear if this is what you want or not. Is there a particular field you are interested in? Learning a trade can pay off well over time but of course you have to start at the bottom and learn it. Electricians/HVAC/Plumbers and so on need folks if you have any interest in these.

Entry level as in I don't have experience in a specific field. My work experience in the US (2008-2010) was admin assistant/clerical work and before that just typical part time retail work while attending school. While living abroad I was teaching esl.

I have considered HVAC or electrician work, but I don't know if I can afford to go through the whole process of trade school and training before getting paid - sounds like it can take up to a few years.

Originally Posted by Veritas Vincit

Most COL issues are tied to housing, and it sounds like OP may have a place to stay here.

Yeah I have a place to stay in NOVA at least temporarily.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by PSBlows

Yeah I have a place to stay in NOVA at least temporarily.

Your "entry level" pay will feel real small when you will be paying for housing yourself. Most entry level people in this area have multiple roommates.

[sg8910]

teachers are needed, if you have esl experience, thats highly in demand, glad you have housing,thats the main issue here, is you cant survive on entry level salary when paying rent anywhere in NOVA, so just get the experience while you can when your housing is free as you mentioned

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by PSBlows

Entry level as in I don't have experience in a specific field. My work experience in the US (2008-2010) was admin assistant/clerical work and before that just typical part time retail work while attending school. While living abroad I was teaching esl.

I have considered HVAC or electrician work, but I don't know if I can afford to go through the whole process of trade school and training before getting paid - sounds like it can take up to a few years.



Yeah I have a place to stay in NOVA at least temporarily.

For the electrical trade in this area, look into this link for the Local 26 eletrical workers apprenticeship program. https://www.ibewlocal26.org/how_to_apply/ and here for more info: https://www.jatc26.org/

I know a lot about this because my husband went through it as well as several family members. If you are really interested in the electrical trade this is the way to go and I can't say enough about it.

The apprenticeship is 5 years. During that time you get a raise every 6 months, you work along side someone right from the start, and you are in class a certain percentage of the time. You start out at about $20 per hour and your health insurance is paid for out of your dues (which are affordable). Current pay rate right now is $51 per hour for a trained electrician. That goes up every year.

If you're really interested this is the way to go. To get into it for the 2023 class which starts in September, your application must be in by March 2023.

[DAXhound]

Do you love cigarettes..err I mean kids? Drive for FCPS..paid training..23.80 to start..you may have small issues for living out of USA..like TSA won't hire you for a few years..gee..what a shame...the schools don't care as long as your prints are clean and applicant has eligibility to work.

[ecko_complex24]

Look into local 602 steamfitters as well. I work in the HVAC field. A good way to get your feet wet in the HVAC field would be to either look for companies that are hiring apprentices or see if you can get a job as a maintenance technician or even a porter for a commercial property company.

The hiring might be tight right now, but that is a good way to get exposure to the HVAC field and move up through the ranks without needing a ton of qualifications to get in the door. I have known several people who started off as porters and moved up in the building maintenance field to become building engineers or chief engineers for their sites.