Employment Opportunities

[HarryG]

Anyone know of any good employment opportunities in the area. Moving down in about 6 weeks and I am still unemployed. I am currently a project manager with an HVAC company. I have experience with AutoCAD, construction admin, carpentry, site work and concrete testing. I have also worked as a line cook and ran a kitchen for 6 years. Open to anything. I have a resume readily available as well.

[kw]

You could try North Beach Services for HVAC work. I think the guy running the outfit is Jimmy Z.

Sounds like you have a lot of different skills and that's a good thing, as you may have to be flexible depending on the seasons.

There's a lot of HVAC outfits down there. There are some to stay away from.

[HarryG]

I'm pretty much done with HVAC unless something good comes along. I really want to work for a boat builder or something similar. I'd love to work on a boat or in the yard. I'd even work for a builder who was on top of the business.

[kw]

There's a ton of them down there. I recently read something about Spencer and a new more efficient hull design. Might be worth looking them up.

[EricF]

You should also be aware that Hatteras just laid off 300 at it's New Bern facility. They also recently closed the Swansboro facility...that's another 250 laid off. The custom guys normally only have a handful of loyal and highly skilled workers...so no go there I would suspect. The boatyard we're in right now is "empty"...little to no work and they've laid off a few as well. I stopped by yesterday and overheard, "I'm trying keep everyone busy on something."....if that's an indication of 'no work', which translate into 'no hiring'. One of my friends has a 63 in the barn and another in the paint shop...new, custom builds, and he only works two other guys on construction. Try to make some calls and such before you up and move just to get a feel for the area. So, that's 550+ in the boat building business who are also looking.

[HarryG]

This economy is the worst. I hope the best for those guys and all their families. And I'm glad the employers are trying to keep people busy even with no work. I'm just hoping for the best.

[Dave588]

A lot of smaller boat builders in Wanchese and Manns Harbor. There's shops like Island Woodcrafts doing lots of stuff like kitchen cabinets. There's even a Home Depot now and they have installation crews.

[hatrasfevr]

try this guy: mark.burbic@ncbba.org

[kinnakeettom]

With the housing slowdown wages are in the toilet. Too many people out of work, and way too fewer jobs. cost of living is 10.8% higher than the rest of the state. Right now its a bleek picture. Saw this coming 3 years ago and work overseas, Marshall Islands for the money and the tax breaks. The only way I can afford to still live here. Local paper has 15-25 foreclosures every time it comes out. If I were moving out here right now, would only move if I had a 1-2 year savings that I could live on until I found work, and in this case the grass is not greener on the other side. Then again where there is a will, there is a way. Do your homework before you move, and the end result will be a lot more positive.

[HarryG]

Originally Posted by hatrasfevr

try this guy: mark.burbic@ncbba.org

Are they looking for help or does he know some people that he could put me in touch with?

[bhorsley]

In the best of times living on the OBX can be a struggle--cost of living and housing is high. Like kinnakeettom said things be tough.
We are lucky -i have been here for 35 yrs and bought a house before things went crazy--could not afford one now. Love living here --but you need to love it--and a vow of poverty does not hurt

[jellybear]

Everybody wants to live here but give them one Winter and they are outta here.

[beachtoad]

Good luck Harry it dosen't sound too good by reading all these posts. WHen we where down last Oct I couldn't believe the number of house for sale and being forclosed on. I would think it will be worse this Oct when we head down.

[HarryG]

I'm considering what everyone is saying but I also consider this.

1. I live in New England 40 mins from Boston, It's very expensive up here.
2. Winters are worse up here.
3. I've had 4 jobs in the last year and a half becuase of the economy.
4. Housing is much cheaper down there and the properties are nicer for the dollar.
4. I am moving down there because I love to fish.
5. What people were calling traffic down there when I visited doesn't even compare to the traffic up here. So I think it's all perspective.

My significant other is being promoted and relocating down there. She has year round work. I will do whatever I need to do to make it work.
I'm hoping for the best and I do appreciate everyone's feedback. Keep it coming. This site has already provided me with an excellent real estate agent (thanks beachtoad).

[beachtoad]

You do have some real good points in Traffic and Housing prices. I can't believe what stuff cost when I talk to friends out in Ma. Land up here in Ny is bout 500 to 1000 an acre.