Relocating to Las Vegas

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Employment

Your Guide to a Career in Las Vegas
This chapter is designed to assist the trailing spouse, a person who follows a partner who is relocating to a new city – in this case, Las Vegas. While your spouse’s employer may provide relocation assistance that includes job search services for you, you’ll also want to do your own research and familiarize yourself with the Las Vegas employment market. Additionally, you’ll want to develop new contacts and learn about ways to use your expertise. This section will familiarize you with local job search ideas as well as online resources. As many experience when they relocate here, Las Vegas is a welcoming region with limitless opportunities.

According to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, Las Vegas employers expect to hire at a modest pace during the second quarter of 2009. From April to June, 14 percent of the companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 12 percent expect to reduce their payrolls, according to Manpower. Another 65 percent expect to maintain their current staff levels and nine percent are not certain of their hiring plans.

The Manpower survey indicates that, looking forward to the third quarter, job prospects appear best in durable goods manufacturing, transportation and utilities, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality and other services. Employers in construction, wholesale and retail trade, information, financial activities and education and health services plan to reduce staffing levels, while hiring in nondurable goods manufacturing and government is expected to remain unchanged.

Key Business Sectors
Thanks to the many incentives provided to businesses in the state and in the region, you’ll find a diverse range of employers beyond the traditional base of leisure and hospitality. While these sectors drive the Las Vegas economy, the employment base is diversifying in order to maintain long-term economic stability.
The top six employment sectors in Las Vegas include:
Leisure and hospitality .......................................................................... 29.3%
Trade, transportation and utilities ....................................................... 17.6%
Professional and Business Svs. ........................................................ 12.1%
Construction ........................................................................................... 10.9%
Government ............................................................................................ 10.8%
Educational and Health ........................................................................ 6.9%

Here is a snapshot of key business sectors in the region:

— Construction
In the last 15 to 20 years, the Valley has experienced tremendous growth in commercial and residential building, and this activity brought many people to the area. Cranes are still visible on the horizon as hospitals and high rises are going up. As of April 2009, construction employment in the Las Vegas-Paradise Valley remains at a steady 80,000. One major high-profile project is the almost-completed CityCenter project. It’s currently accepting résumés to hire more than 12,000 people, representing the largest opportunity in the U.S! Employment opportunities at CityCenter include hospitality, casino, hotel, property operations, food and beverage, general operations and support services.

Also, the city of Las Vegas supports a Green Building program to support and expand sustainable development. Over time, this support will translate into good paying jobs for the community and attract companies to the area.

Making its way through the Nevada legislature is a “green jobs” initiative that, if passed, will allow use of stimulus funds to train approximately 3,200 workers to perform weatherization, energy retrofit applications and energy audits. The money would be used by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation and the state Housing Division. Those two organizations would contract with qualified nonprofit groups to create or enhance job-training programs throughout the state. Initial projects under the initiative would involve weatherization of about 6,500 homes and upgrades to government buildings and schools to make them more energy efficient. The bill also would require the Public Works Board and state universities and colleges to begin weatherizing and using renewable energy.

— Trade, Transportation and Utilities
In addition to trading activities, companies in this industry group provide passenger and cargo transportation and electricity, gas, steam, water and sewage services. In general the organizations in this industry have activities, workers, and physical facilities distributed over extensive geographic areas. More than 154,000 people are employed in this industry group, according to NVDETR.

— Professional and Business Services
In January 2009, Las Vegas employed nearly 109,000 in the professional and business services industry group, a category consisting of a wide variety of establishments that provide services and technical expertise to clients, other businesses and households. The industry group is divided into three sectors, including Professional, Scientific and Technical Service, Management of Companies and Administrative and Support.

— Financial Activities
According to the 2009 Las Vegas Perspective, there are more than 40 banks in Clark County and more than 15 credit unions. Banks represented here include Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank and Citibank. As of January 2009, NVDETR reports that more than 46,000 people were employed in the finance and insurance sector of the economy in the Las Vegas metro.

— Leisure and Hospitality
More than 260,000 people in Las Vegas are employed in the gaming, tourism and hospitality industries, which is expected to remain Southern Nevada’s top economic drivers for the foreseeable future, and they are also helping to support and grow a number of other industries including construction, technology and health care into major segments of the economy.

CityCenter is an unprecedented urban metropolis that will open in late 2009 on 67 acres between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. CityCenter will be hiring for positions at ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel and Crystals, the development’s retail and entertainment district. Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas will be accepting applications through the website beginning spring 2009. Opportunities are available in a variety of categories including food and beverage, hotel operations, casino operations, retail management, entertainment, finance, human resources, facilities, security and more. The Harmon, a luxury 400-room boutique hotel, is slated to open at CityCenter in late 2010 and will announce hiring plans at a later date.

Within the Leisure and Hospitality category, Accommodation and Food Services is the largest industry sector in Nevada, accounting for 24 percent of Nevada’s total employment. Casino-hotels make up about 65 percent of this sector and includes businesses primarily engaged in providing lodging and meals. Examples of businesses in this sector are casino hotels, hotels and motels, restaurants and bars and food service contractors, caterers, mobile canteens and food carts.

— Government
As of April 2009, more than 100,000 people were employed servicing the government sector in the Las Vegas area, according to NVDETR. There are federal jobs to service the Nevada Test Site as well as Nellis Air Force Base. Among the largest employers in the area are the cities of Henderson, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Clark County, which employs more than 15,000.

— Education
As the largest employer in the area, the Clark County School District (CCSD) has more than 38,000 employees and a student body of more than 311,000. CCSD operates one of the nation’s largest school construction and modernization programs and is anticipated to spend approximately $4.9 billion through 2010 to build new schools and improve existing schools. CCSD opened seven new schools and four replacement schools for the 2008-2009 school year and will spend an estimated $709.6 million from the bond fund during 2008 to 2009.

Higher education institutions are well represented in the Valley. More than 6,000 graduate and professional students are enrolled at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Since 1969, its school of medicine has been a leader in health care, medical education and research. The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) provides the Las Vegas community with an affordable liberal arts education. Acclaimed programs include automotive, business, accounting/finance, computing, drafting and graphics, law enforcement and public services. In 2008, CSN reported an enrollment of 41,766 students.

— Health Care
With the rapid population growth experienced in the region, it is so surprise that Southern Nevada has now become a healthcare hub. Today, there are 15 full-service hospitals in the area, staffed by professional doctors, nurses and other professionals. In addition, there are 14 specialty hospitals that treat a variety of conditions, including rehabilitation, psychiatric, brain injury, stroke and long-term acute care.

By the end of 2009, work is to be completed on the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute (LRBI), which will be managed by the renowned Cleveland Clinic. The 65,000 square-foot facility will be located in downtown Las Vegas with a proposed completion date of late 2009. The institute is dedicated to the conquest of Alzheimer, Huntington, Parkinson, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and all forms of memory disorders and is a medical-scientific affiliate of Keep Memory Alive (KMA). Both are devoted to the promotion of healthy, vital aging for all citizens of Nevada and seek to enhance the quality of life for the growing number of people with cognitive impairments or dementia.

In addition, a new Veterans Affairs medical center is now under construction in North Las Vegas. With a completion date scheduled for late 2009, the facility will consist of a 100,000 square foot, 120-bed nursing home care unit, which will be built adjacent to the future medical center. The next phase, consisting of the main medical center, is scheduled for completion in mid-2011.

To support this leading industry, educational institutions are providing training and continuing education in health care. The University of Nevada School of Medicine offers a four-year curriculum leading to a medical degree or M.D. and offers physician residency and fellowship programs. The school comprises 16 clinical departments including family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, surgery, and psychiatry and behavioral sciences and five nationally recognized departments in basic science. The school has trained more than 1,500 physicians since its founding in 1969.

Nursing programs are provided at more than six institutions in Southern Nevada, including Nevada State University, College of Southern Nevada, the University of Southern Nevada and the University of Nevada Las Vegas. NVDETR reports the median income for a registered nurse in Nevada is $56,809.

— Manufacturing and High Technology
The 2009 Las Vegas Perspective lists more than 100 manufacturing companies located in Clark County, representing a wide variety of products, including plastics, concrete, printing and metal work. More than 23,000 people are employed in manufacturing jobs in the Las Vegas area as of the end of April 2009.

Located in the city of North Las Vegas, the Cheyenne Technology Corridor (CTC) exemplifies the region’s success in attracting high-tech companies. Designated as an integrated, accessible and diversified technology district, the CTC’s five-mile stretch boasts office, industrial and retail space. The city of North Las Vegas invested in fiber optic cable, which runs the length of the CTC, is a key element in attracting high-end and high-tech tenants. The fiber optic network makes it easy for new companies to get their communications and other high-tech systems running smoothly. Local telecommunications providers supply both wired and wireless connectivity, and Las Vegas’ leading co-location and interconnect facility enables companies to store their servers and other telecom equipment in a secure state-of-the-art location.

Regional Workforce
Southern Nevada’s workforce is supported by a pro-business climate. In 2008, nearly 900,000 people were employed in a metropolitan area of nearly 2 million, providing employers with a workforce that is trained, diverse and motivated. The median age of the population is 35.7, and more than 30 percent of residents hold a high school diploma and 26.1 percent have attended college.

Training and employee development resources in the Valley include:

The College of Southern Nevada’s Career Development Center (www.csn.edu): They provide a strategic hub of unlimited learning opportunities for business, industry, government and area residents. Its workforce specialists encompass all occupational areas and assist in the assessment of the region’s business and industry education and training requirements to provide customized solutions. For more information, call (702) 651-7566.
Areas of specialization include:

Department of Hospitality Programs & Services: Assists business and industry in the design, development and implementation of customized programs, assessments, training services and workforce training. The division provides services to adult learners, employees and employers seeking educational opportunities, new skills or career advancement.

Construction, Transportation & Manufacturing: Assists the construction, transportation and manufacturing industries of Southern Nevada by upgrading field and office staff through training on cutting-edge technology and successful, innovative business processes. Training programs and workshops are tailored to fit the specific needs of clients, while not interfering with their day-to-day operations.

Fire, Police & Security: This program serves local police, fire, state patrol, ambulance and other emergency service businesses and industries with programs designed to meet pre-hire, post-hire and continuing education needs for entry, post-hire and/or recertification in these areas.

Occupational Safety and Health Programs & OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center: Provides training programs for business and industry. The courses are divided into key segments including General Industry, Construction, Disaster Site and Maritime.

Other workforce development resources in the area include:

Nevada JobConnect Offices: Oversees and provides workforce development services to employers and job seekers in Nevada. For employers, Nevada JobConnect offers recruiting, retention, training and retraining and outplacement services, as well as valuable information on labor law and labor market statistics.

For job seekers, Nevada JobConnect offers career development information, job search resources, training programs and, as appropriate, unemployment benefits. While targeted populations receive intensive assistance to overcome barriers to employment, all Nevadans can benefit from the services offered by Nevada JobConnect and its network of workforce partners.

Nevada JobConnect is part of a local/state network dedicated to developing the workforce of Nevada. The network is comprised of the statewide efforts of the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board coupled with planning and service provision on a regional level by two local workforce boards. This network gives customers access to local workforce solutions and statewide services in a single location – Nevada JobConnect Career Centers. Primary services of Nevada JobConnect and network partners are funded by federal tax revenue and are generally free to all Nevadans. For more information, visit www.nevadajobconnect.org or call (702) 486-0100.

Nevada Department of Employment & Training Rehabilitation (NVDETR): This department was formed to help the citizens of Nevada achieve their career goals and to help strengthen Nevada’s economic health by supporting businesses and their employment needs. Nevada’s Employment Security Division (ESD) is a full-service no-fee employment resource. For more than 60 years, the Division has served the needs of Nevada’s job seekers through a statewide network of offices providing a full line of employment services. DETR encompasses the Employment Security Division, Rehabilitation Division, Equal Rights Commission, the Research and Analysis Bureau and the Information Development and Processing Division. For more information, visit www.nvdetr.org and www.nevadaworkforce.com

The Southern Nevada Workforce Investment: This area is made up of the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City and from the counties of Clark, Lincoln, Nye and Esmeralda. The Local Elected Official Consortium, which is comprised of an elected official from each of the above, is responsible for appointing members from the public and private sectors to the Southern Nevada Workforce Investment Board. The quality of the Board appointments is critical to ensuring that a well-respected and powerful local board is appointed. The board is expected to reflect the local community. For more information, call (702) 638-8750 or visit www.snwib.org.

Nevada Partners Inc.: This is a community-based, non-profit organization located in the Southern Nevada Enterprise Community in North Las Vegas. It was established in 1992 to provide education, employment and training services to youths, adults and dislocated workers. Since its inception, Nevada Partners has provided more than 20,000 individuals with employment and training services using federal, state, local and private grant dollars. Nevada Partners’ mission is to create an educated workforce by providing comprehensive education and career services to youth and adults in the community. For more information, call (702) 399-5627 or visit online at www.nevadapartners.org.

Southern Nevada Hispanic Employment Program (SNHEP): This is an interagency group that undertakes special projects and activities aimed at increasing the number of Hispanics within the workforce.Its mission is to be a valued/comprehensive community resource that educates, employs and develops the Hispanic community, thereby enhancing the economic development of Southern Nevada. For more information, call (702) 467-5298 or visit online at www.snhep.org.

Local Employment Resources
Job leads can come from many sources, including talking to people, checking out personnel services, answering newspaper ads, searching the Internet and inquiring about local professional associations and hotlines in specific industries. Include these valuable local resources in your search:

Recruiting Nevada: Job seekers can post resumes and search for positions. Visit www.recruitingnevada.com.

Relocation Transition Assistance Programs
Due to the complexities of the relocation process, many companies today are ensuring the success of the employee’s longevity at the new position by providing relocation transition assistance – a service that supports employees and their spouses/partners and families through a career-related move to a new location. Many companies realize that they must support the entire family in order to ensure the relocation is a success.

According to the transition expert firm, Impact Group (www.impactgrouphr.com), relocation transition assistance programs are the only programs that provide support services before, during and after the move. The process addresses both the emotional and practical needs of the family regarding dual-career issues and helps acclimate the family to the new location by providing both coaching and resources about the area.

Each employee is assigned a coach who will work with the employee/family throughout the transition. Each coach will identify the needs of the employee, family members and the career-seeking spouse. By identifying these needs upfront, the coach can provide research and information to the family ahead of time – helping with the adjustment process.

During the move, the coach is “on call” – ready to provide information on the job market, city demographics or anything the relocating family may need.

After the move, the coach works closely with the dual-career spouse by preparing his/her résumé, researching labor market information, helping with networking and interviewing. In addition, the coach will provide any information on living in the Las Vegas area, such as childcare options, school information, clubs and extracurricular activities, utility information, neighborhood demographics and eldercare information.

Whatever the need, the coach is a lifeline to support the family so they feel settled and excited about their new move to Las Vegas. If this program sounds of interest to you, the Impact Group suggests you speak with your HR department and determine if such a program is available to you.

Professional Development
Professionals also can find contacts by attending seminars, conferences, community meetings, volunteer groups, hobby clubs and professional association activities. Las Vegas is home to local chapters of professional development associations in various fields. Search online to find out if there is a Las Vegas chapter affiliated with your profession. Here are a few notable organizations, including Relocating Resources affiliates, that may match your interest and career skills:

The American Marketing Association (AMA): This is the largest marketing association in North America. It is a professional association for individuals and organizations involved in the practice, teaching and study of marketing worldwide. It is also the source that marketers turn to everyday for information/resources, education/training and professional networking. AMA members are connected to a network of experienced marketers nearly 40,000 strong and include leading marketing academics, researchers and practitioners from every industry. (Las Vegas website: www.amalasvegas.com)

Asian Real Estate Association of America – Las Vegas: Since its inception in 2003, AREAA has worked tirelessly to close the homeownership gap facing the Asian Pacific American community. The Las Vegas chapter launched in 2007 and is dedicated to providing a forum for all real estate-related practitioners to interact, share ideas and create long-lasting business relationships together. It’s a place where ideas are fostered, voice are heard and the organization responds to the wants and needs of its membership. Membership is open to any individual or business subscribing to the mission of the organization. (www.areaa.org/lasvegas)

eWomenNetwork: This is the No. 1 resource for connecting and promoting women and their businesses. There are other brands within the organization, including eWomenNetwork Foundation, the eWomenPublishingNetwork and the eWomenSpeakersNetwork. (www.ewomennetwork.com/chaper/lasvegas)

Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors: This association was founded in 1947 and provides its more than 14,000 local members with education, training and political representation. The local representative of the National Association of Realtors®, GLVAR is the largest professional organization in Southern Nevada. Each GLVAR member receives the highest level of professional training and must abide by a strict code of ethics. (www.lasvegasrealtor.com)

The International Association of Administrative Professionals: This is a not-for-profit professional association for office professionals with approximately 40,000 members and affiliates and nearly 600 chapters worldwide. (Las Vegas chapter at www.iaap-nts.org)

Las Vegas Highrise and Condominium Association: This association exists to assist and educate the public, the real estate industry and the development community through an open and honest exchange of non-proprietary information and ideas. LVHCA creates a synergy among its members who share extensive experience, knowledge, expertise and resources in the condominium and mixed-use development industry to serve as the cohesive authority regarding the Las Vegas market. (www.lvhca.com)

Nevada Bankers Association: Promotes the general welfare and usefulness of banks and banking institutions, secures uniformity of action, together with the practical benefits derived from personal acquaintances and from the discussion of subjects of importance to the banking, commercial and industrial interest of the sate of Nevada. (www.nvbankers.org)

Nevada Healthcare Association (NHCA): This is the main source of representation and advocacy for skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities in the state. The association presently represents 37 facilities providing quality service to more than 4,600 residents. The association educates its members and strives to provide programs and services to assist them to deliver the highest quality of care to their residents. (www.nvhca.org)

Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association: Since 1979 NHLA is the unifying voice for Nevada’s multi-billion dollar resort and lodging industry. With over 200 resort hotels in membership representing more than 135,000 rooms, NHLA is the state’s largest industry advocate. www.nvhotels.com

Nevada Restaurant Association: This is the leading business association serving the needs of food service operators in Nevada. As an affiliate of the National Restaurant Association and together with the Nevada Restaurant Association Educational Foundation the Association’s mission is to represent, educate and promote a rapidly growing industry that is comprised of some 5,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets employing over 100,000 people in this state. (www.nvrestaurants.com)

Nevada Society of Association Executives: This association promotes the field of association management through professional growth, education and development of high standards. (www.nsae.net)

Southern Nevada Home Builders Association: This association is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life by meeting the housing and community development needs of Southern Nevada. Incorporated in the state in 1954, SNHBA ranks as the oldest and largest local trade organization representing the residential construction industry. It has nearly 472 members, working in all facets of the homebuilding industry and is an affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders. (www.snhba.com)

Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition: This association exists to have a collective voice to improve access and the delivery of quality healthcare in Southern Nevada by fostering strategic alliances in the healthcare community, collaborating on human resource issues and by being a proactive force for legislative improvements. SNMIC is a unique alliance of five sectors of this area’s economy and includes: healthcare professionals, healthcare institutions and organizations, higher education, local and state governments and local chambers of commerce. (www.snmic.com)

Online Resources
Today, many resources are online and include the following that are worth checking.
Academic360.com: jobs in Higher Education – guide for the academic job hunter (www.academic360.com).

America’s Career InfoNet – wage and salary information, career resources and job bank for employers and job seekers (www.acinet.org).
America’s Job Bank – national employment site serving employers and job seekers. Provides links to all state employment sites (www.jobbankinfo.org).
Careers in Government – offers state, county and municipal government job postings. Post résumés online and receive e-mail notification when an opening matches (www.careersingovernment.com).
Careerjet – employment search engine for jobs across the United States (www.careerjet.com).
CareerMag.com – search by job title and city (www.careermag.com).
Careers.wsj.com – online version of the Wall Street Journal’s National Business Employment Weekly (www.online.wsj.com/public/page/news-career-jobs.html)
EmploymentGuide.com – offers searchable job listings, free résumé posting and e-mail notification of new openings. (www.employmentguide.com).
FedWorld Federal Job Search – employment opportunities with the United States Government (www.usajobs.opm.gov).
Hoover’s Online – Provides great resources to research companies (www.hoovers.com).
www.lasvegas.craigslist.org – provides local classifieds and forums for more than 550 cities in over 50 countries worldwide; it is community moderated and largely free.
Job Hunt – online job search resources and services (www.job-hunt.org).
JobStar Salary Surveys – online salary and cost of living surveys both general and by profession (www.jobstar.org/tools/salary/sal-surv.php).
JobWeb – links jobs, job seekers and job search information. Target audience is recent college graduates (www.jobweb.org).
Monster.com – comprehensive international online job search and recruitment site. Résumé posting and relocation material available (www.monster.com).
Occupational Outlook Handbook – job outlook information for hundreds of occupations from the Bureau of
Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov/oco).
Public Service Employees Network – job searching and interviewing tips with links to job listings for public sector jobs in major cities (www.pse-net.com).
Riley Guide – an index to employment opportunities and job resources on the Internet (www.rileyguide.com).
Salaries and Wages – U. S. Office of Personnel Management pay scale for federal jobs in 30 cities and rural areas (www.opm.gov/oca/08tables/index.asp).
Salary Calculator – this relocation tool compares the cost of living in hundreds of U.S. and international cities (www.homefair.com/real-estate/salary-calculator.asp).
Salary.com – detailed salary information for a wide range of jobs sorted by occupation and region, and additional career advice, news and resources (www.salary.com).
TrueCareers – national employment service for employers and job seekers (www.truecareers.com).
USA Jobs – employment opportunities with the federal government (www.usajobs.opm.gov).

Other avenues for job hunting include the Web pages of large and mid-size companies. Local librarians are also very helpful in assisting job seekers to find directories that list companies in specific fields. University alumni magazines and directories often list current companies and titles of their graduates. In addition to the Clark
County Public Library, job seekers can visit libraries at Las Vegas’ colleges and universities.

Personnel and Staffing Services
Many personnel and/or staffing services in Las Vegas offer full-time or temporary placement. Client companies pay the fee for most full-time personnel services. There are a few personnel services where the applicant pays the fee, so it is important to determine who is responsible for any fees before registering with a personnel service.

Temporary jobs are plentiful in Las Vegas, and many types of positions are available since most industries use temporary employees. Many temporary services specialize in specific types of jobs. Search online for companies in your neighborhood and call to find out what types of services they provide and if they have particular employment specialties. Numerous temporary jobs turn into full-time positions. In fact, many companies prefer to hire through the temp-to-hire process. It gives both the applicant and the company a trial period before the temporary employee converts to the company’s full-time payroll.

Networking – Virtually and In Person
The ability to network is considered as important in finding a job as combing through classified ads. To network, job seekers should contact everyone they know in their professional life. Job seekers should be prepared to explain quickly about their skills and recent experience. Commonly referred to as a the “15-second elevator speech,” being prepared with this speech can make a big difference. To learn more, visit 15secondpitch.com, where you can discover ways to focus your thinking on what is most important.

Another useful online tool that has become essential to networkers and job seekers is to join LinkedIn (linkedin.com), an online network of more than 25 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries. By staying linked in with your professional network, you’re always connected to people who may know of open positions or know of a contact at a company you might be interested in approaching. It’s about being more effective in your daily work and opening doors to opportunities using the professional relationships you already have.