A vibrant and youth oriented city, great food and affordable downtown housing create and enticing opportunity in finding Philadelphia employment. An easy hour commute by train to New York City adds to the appeal of both living and working in Philly. Known as the “City of Brotherly Love” (from Greek origins), this city on the Delaware River offers historical appeal and a contemporary lifestyle. Philadelphia is the backbone of American democracy and continues to influence new trends in the U.S. Many exciting and challenging jobs can be found in the central downtown region and in the surrounding areas.
Philadelphia Employment Opportunities
The greater metropolitan area offers an abundance of job opportunities in the financial field. Accountants, CPAs and administrators, bankers, stock brokers and investment counselors find solid work potential. Philadelphia employment opportunities also include many jobs in the health care industry particularly surrounding the University of Pennsylvania in West Philadelphia. Educators including university professionals, teachers and aides have an excellent chance of employment in the Philadelphia region. One of the largest food service organizations in the world, Armark Corp., has headquarters in the metro area and hires hundreds of workers in a variety of disciplines. Many of Philadelphia’s older sections have undergone major renovation requiring workers in all aspects of related services including construction, general contracting, interior design, architecture and real estate sales. These highly desirable jobs continue to become available depending on current economic conditions and funding resources. Jobs with utility companies, for example, Philadelphia Gas Works, offer steady employment but require residency within the city. Retail sales of consumer goods, restaurant service personnel and customer service positions make a good starting base for someone new to the area. Many opportunities for Philadelphia employment may be found in the nearby cities of Camden and Trenton, New Jersey, an easy commute on public transportation. Typically the unemployment rate in Philadelphia tends to follow the trends for other regions in Pennsylvania and also the U.S. (reference: www.youngphillypolitics.com/philadelphia_unemployment_rate). The increased interest in inner city renewal projects creates an improved environment for both employment and living conditions. In May 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the unemployment rate in the U.S. at 9.0 % while Philadelphia County reported a 9.7% rate (reference: www.bls.gov). An increase in the unemployment rate reflects the troubled economic conditions for the country during this period. As the market improves, the employment possibilities in Philadelphia will also increase.
Philadelphia Employment Agencies and Resources
One option for finding Philadelphia employment involves choosing an appropriate employment agency that specializes in specific fields or job classifications. For example, Manpower Inc. and Kelly Services have offices in many regions of the U.S. and fill both temporary and permanent positions. These companies work well for a job seeker looking for work in clerical, administration or skilled labor positions. For agencies that have employment opportunities specifically in the Philadelphia area, information found at www.philadelphiajobfair.com provides a listing of various employment agencies, ratings by customers who used the company and a detailed map of their location. A good source for viewing current job openings, www.Phillyjobs.com lists specific details about open positions, the hourly rate or expected salary and regional district of the employer. Another option that lists current openings by specific career is www.philadelphiajoblink.com. At both of these jobsites, an online resume may be posted and a potential employee may apply directly through the site. The advantage is that jobs are quickly screened and eliminated if no interest is shown and time is saved by applying for multiple positions. The disadvantage is that personal contact and interviews are not granted until after a resume is approved which means the resume must reflect superior qualities. Most job listings through online sites and through recruitment agencies are free to the job candidate.
Philadelphia Employment Living Conditions
The greater Philadelphia area provides a full spectrum of consumer goods and all the amenities for comfortable modern living. The famous Philly cheese steak is a regional specialty but other cuisines include Italian, Asian, French, Greek, Spanish and many others. Housing and rental prices vary depending on location with the highest rates typically in the Upper East Side and Rittenhouse Square. Reasonably priced condos and townhomes populate West Philadelphia, South Philly and the Old City. Prices in Philadelphia normally run less than in New York City. Many tourists frequent the city to view the Liberty Bell and historic buildings and hotels, restaurants, shops and cafes cater to these guests. Nightlife in town includes many theatres and clubs and sports events from football, baseball and hockey draws spectators. The transportation in and around the Philadelphia area exceeds most urban centers in the U.S. and provides convenient routes to outlying areas. Along with the top rated University of Pennsylvania, seventeen colleges and universities, ten trade and technical schools and several community colleges service residents. Several large hospitals serve this sixth largest city in the U.S. along with four well renowned children’s hospitals. Philadelphia’s proximity to New York and New Jersey make this more of an East Coast city than other parts of Pennsylvania. Four seasons create a varied climate with warm and humid summers, cold winters and mild spring and autumn months. Increased law enforcement and community involvement have reduced crime in the inner city regions. As more people enjoy living in the metro district, the urban areas provide a safe and comfortable environment for both single adults and families. An all-American mix of ethnic backgrounds and political views characterize the Philadelphia culture.
Philadelphia Employment Conclusion
Living and working in Philadelphia is an exciting prospect for all ages and for people from diverse economic and ethnic backgrounds. An abundance of recreational activities, sparkling city nightlife and plenty of shopping create a comfortable contemporary lifestyle. The historic buildings add charm and with the new high rise architecture, a blend of sleek and Old World style are combined into a unique city landscape. Add this to the opportunities for Philadelphia employment and the result is the perfect set of reasons to make this U.S. city one to strongly consider for relocation.
