Jumpstart Your Job Search in Phoenix :: Sydney Frazer

Starting the job search is hard. It is intimidating, stressful, and easy to put off. But sometimes it has to be done. If you are in this position -- the “I need to start looking right this instant” position -- you've come to the right place. I've done some of the daunting and time-consuming research so you can quickly be on your way to finding the job of your dreams!

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Phoenix has the sixth largest population in the United States and a quick look at the labor market in Phoenix seems to reflect this. As of January 2017, the local unemployment rate stands at 4.5 percent, which is below that of the national average. Phoenix saw eight percent population growth from 2010 to 2015, but the competition for jobs is lessened by the sheer number of open positions -- currently more than 45,000! While the median base salary in Phoenix is below that of the national average, this is balanced out when you examine the cost of living, which is four percent lower than the Arizona average, and seven percent lower than the national average.
 
Now that we have an idea of the local employment environment, we can take a look at some specific jobs and companies in the area.

Three popular job searches in Phoenix

1. Sales

With 10,888 open sales positions, there is a large variety of jobs from which to choose to fit your skill set. The median salary for a person in sales in Phoenix is $45,000, which is similar to the average Phoenix salary. In addition, most people in sales make commission on top of their base salary. Interested in landing one of these positions? Expect an interview that assesses your interpersonal skills and your ability to pitch their product on the spot. Prepare yourself to answer these popular questions:
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• Tell me about some of your biggest challenges in dealing with difficult clients and how you overcame them.
• What do you do if you are unfamiliar with a product?
• How do you go about building a relationship with a customer?

2. Human Resources

There are 2,203 open jobs in HR in Phoenix, ranging from a Human Resources Manager to a Human Resources Generalist. On average, a person in HR in Phoenix makes $56,494. While this is slightly below the national average for HR professionals, it is significantly above the median base salary in Phoenix. Convinced to apply? Prepare for an interview that tests your knowledge on a wide variety of HR topics like compensation, benefits, employee engagement, and compliance. These tests will likely come in the form of behavioral questions. Expect typical questions like:
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• How would you go about improving employee morale?
• Describe how you would design and implement a complete employee benefits package, including health and retirement programs.
• Tell me about a time you handled a difficult employee relations issue. How did you approach it and what was the resolution?

3. Marketing

Neither Sales nor HR a good fit for you? You'll find 4,842 job openings in Marketing across Phoenix. The average salary for someone in the marketing industry varies based on title. A more entry-level position like a Marketing Specialist earns $46,510 in Phoenix, which is on par with the median base salary in the area. In contrast, a more advanced position like a Marketing Project Manager averages $76,257 in Phoenix, which is above both the national average for the role and significantly above the average salary in Phoenix. If you apply for a marketing role, some standard interview questions you might expect for a run-of-the-mill marketing position like a Marketing Manager include:

• How do you influence people who do not report to you?
• Describe some experiences you have with Brand Management.
• Talk about your level of skill and scale in various marketing channels.

​If these positions don't fit your expertise, you still have options. Two popular companies in Phoenix are hiring for all sorts of positions!

Two popular companies in Phoenix

1. Infosys is headquartered in India, but has an office in Phoenix. Infosys has an above average Glassdoor rating of 3.5 and their CEO, Dr. Vishal Sikka, has a 93 percent approval rating. This indicates that Infosys employees are pretty satisfied. Interested in joining the team? There are 19 open jobs at their Phoenix location. If you land the job, you can expect standard benefits like health insurance, vacation and PTO, and job training. In addition, Infosys is dedicated to diversity and offers programs like Women’s Inclusivity Network, Gay Lesbian Employees and You, and Infyability.
2. American Express employs over 7,600 people in Phoenix and boasts a Glassdoor rating of 3.7. While they are headquartered in New York, Phoenix is home to their main data center, as well as technical, operational, and customer service roles. Is the finance industry the right fit for you? Apply for one of their 95 open jobs in Phoenix. Benefits at American Express include a 401(k) plan with up to five percent matching, an HSA that the company contributes to, and opportunities to work from home depending on the team.

If these companies and jobs aren’t the right match for you, don’t fret! Phoenix is seeing quick expansion, strong job growth, and a favorable entrepreneurial environment. Furthermore, if you are looking to escape the direct hustle and bustle of this hub, opportunities abound in neighboring regions like Glendale, Scottsdale, and Tempe. Now go out there and tackle your job search!

Image source: Gerd Altmann • Pixabay

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​​About Sydney Frazer

As a Partnerships Manager at Glassdoor, Sydney works with hundreds of accounts across universities, libraries, and blogs, helping to provide them with content and tools to aid job seekers. Outside of work, Sydney enjoys running, hiking, and searching for the perfect burrito.

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