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| Recruiting for Houston |
So you have decided to move to Houston, but since you have come to this chapter, it is likely you are not being recruited or relocated by your company. More likely, you are a spouse coming along with your mate’s relocation, or you’re simply looking for a change or career enhancement by moving to Houston area. If that’s the case, this chapter gives you an introduction to the Houston economy and region, with an overview of the most significant industries. Then take a look at the special considerations of a trailing spouse as well as some local personnel-placement services and job-training programs. For more in-depth information and specific help finding a job in the area, you also can visit www.RecruitingForHouston.com.
When moving to a new region or area, one of the most important considerations is the local job market. Luckily for you, Houston has one of the best job markets in the country, boasting a strong history of consistent job creation, relatively low unemployment rates, diverse industries and 26 Fortune 500 companies in 2016. In dominating the recession and recover an impressive number of jobs since the downturn, the city’s recent booming success makes it stand apart as the most powerful job engine in the country.
Attractive for its multicultural cosmopolitan vibe, low cost of living and healthy job prospects, Houston ranks high on the list of best big cities for young families and new graduates. The U.S. Census in 2015 estimated the city’s population at 2,296,224 and more than 6.6 million when combined with its surrounding metropolitan region. Expert projections put the city’s population upwards of 7.4 million by 2020, meaning that it may surpass Chicago as the third largest city in the nation.
A multicultural juggernaut, the Houston region is distinguished by its incredible diversity as no major ethnic group makes up more than 50 percent of the population, and more than one-fifth of the population is foreign-born residents. In addition, the city is home to 82 consulates and more than 90 languages are spoken throughout the region, making it a welcoming place for people from all backgrounds.
The city and region also boast a comparatively low cost of living when compared to the nation’s other large cities. For example, when considering the cost-of-living indices of New York City (295), Los Angeles (233) and Chicago (222), the country’s fourth largest city is cheap with a cost-of-living index of 189.
The city’s job market fared well during the recent recession, largely because of its industry leaders’ ability to learn and adapt to the changing economic landscape. The recession effects were relatively mild thanks to understanding and avoiding previous mistakes made by the real estate and energy industry, creating jobs and also keeping jobs local.
With its proximity to oil, Mexico and the Gulf Coast, the Houston area is blessed with a great location, an effective infrastructure and pro-business attitude that make it easy for many companies do business internationally. A recent International Business Survey showed more than 3,500 local firms and organizations trading more than 280 products and services in 17 worldwide regions. As such, employment opportunities abound in an array of industries that require skilled professional and technical workers.
Considered a “candidate’s market,” the Houston region’s demand for skilled labor is so high that many companies struggle to fill positions with qualified candidates, which makes employers compete to attract those with the necessary skills. Because of this demand, Houston consistently has remained one of the best places in the country for working professionals to find gainful employment and successful careers.
Obviously Houston is a great place to live and fortunately the job market is extremely strong with abundant opportunities in many sectors, so you’re sure to find a place for you to begin your new working life in the Bayou City.
MAJOR HOUSTON INDUSTRIES
The diversity of the Houston area’s industry base lends itself well to gainfully employing a variety of workers from different career backgrounds. The following provides an overview of Houston’s top industries and details regarding job locations, business strength and some of the city’s top employers.
Widely regarded as the “Energy Capital of the World,” Houston’s largest industry sector has been the primary mover in the city’s economy since oil was first discovered locally in 1901. Artfully surviving both the oil and gas bust in the 1980s and the recession in the early 2000s, Houston kept hold of its experts, technology and resources that have allowed the city to meet current national and international market demands and look toward future growth.
Despite a recent downturn in oil prices, Houston remains a powerhouse in the oil and gas–extraction industry. Home to more than 3,600 energy-related companies, including around 600 exploration and production firms and 170 pipeline companies, Houston serves every segment of the industry—exploration, production, oil field service and supply and development—so it is a great place to be a petroleum engineer. With this many firms and a technically trained and experienced workforce, Houston is on track to remain the center of the energy industry in the United States. The addition of the shale industry has proved a great industry booster. Capable of reinvigorating wells once thought of as dormant, shale field oil extraction promises a boost that will stabilize regional production of oil for years to come. In particular, the discovery of the Eagle Ford Shale across south Texas is redefining and reenergizing the region as an oil industry hotspot, creating more than 116,000 jobs in the 30-county area through which the shale field runs.
When moving to a new region or area, one of the most important considerations is the local job market. Luckily for you, Houston has one of the best job markets in the country, boasting a strong history of consistent job creation, relatively low unemployment rates, diverse industries and 26 Fortune 500 companies in 2016. In dominating the recession and recover an impressive number of jobs since the downturn, the city’s recent booming success makes it stand apart as the most powerful job engine in the country.
Attractive for its multicultural cosmopolitan vibe, low cost of living and healthy job prospects, Houston ranks high on the list of best big cities for young families and new graduates. The U.S. Census in 2015 estimated the city’s population at 2,296,224 and more than 6.6 million when combined with its surrounding metropolitan region. Expert projections put the city’s population upwards of 7.4 million by 2020, meaning that it may surpass Chicago as the third largest city in the nation.
A multicultural juggernaut, the Houston region is distinguished by its incredible diversity as no major ethnic group makes up more than 50 percent of the population, and more than one-fifth of the population is foreign-born residents. In addition, the city is home to 82 consulates and more than 90 languages are spoken throughout the region, making it a welcoming place for people from all backgrounds.
The city and region also boast a comparatively low cost of living when compared to the nation’s other large cities. For example, when considering the cost-of-living indices of New York City (295), Los Angeles (233) and Chicago (222), the country’s fourth largest city is cheap with a cost-of-living index of 189.
The city’s job market fared well during the recent recession, largely because of its industry leaders’ ability to learn and adapt to the changing economic landscape. The recession effects were relatively mild thanks to understanding and avoiding previous mistakes made by the real estate and energy industry, creating jobs and also keeping jobs local.
With its proximity to oil, Mexico and the Gulf Coast, the Houston area is blessed with a great location, an effective infrastructure and pro-business attitude that make it easy for many companies do business internationally. A recent International Business Survey showed more than 3,500 local firms and organizations trading more than 280 products and services in 17 worldwide regions. As such, employment opportunities abound in an array of industries that require skilled professional and technical workers.
Considered a “candidate’s market,” the Houston region’s demand for skilled labor is so high that many companies struggle to fill positions with qualified candidates, which makes employers compete to attract those with the necessary skills. Because of this demand, Houston consistently has remained one of the best places in the country for working professionals to find gainful employment and successful careers.
Obviously Houston is a great place to live and fortunately the job market is extremely strong with abundant opportunities in many sectors, so you’re sure to find a place for you to begin your new working life in the Bayou City.
MAJOR HOUSTON INDUSTRIES
The diversity of the Houston area’s industry base lends itself well to gainfully employing a variety of workers from different career backgrounds. The following provides an overview of Houston’s top industries and details regarding job locations, business strength and some of the city’s top employers.
Widely regarded as the “Energy Capital of the World,” Houston’s largest industry sector has been the primary mover in the city’s economy since oil was first discovered locally in 1901. Artfully surviving both the oil and gas bust in the 1980s and the recession in the early 2000s, Houston kept hold of its experts, technology and resources that have allowed the city to meet current national and international market demands and look toward future growth.
Despite a recent downturn in oil prices, Houston remains a powerhouse in the oil and gas–extraction industry. Home to more than 3,600 energy-related companies, including around 600 exploration and production firms and 170 pipeline companies, Houston serves every segment of the industry—exploration, production, oil field service and supply and development—so it is a great place to be a petroleum engineer. With this many firms and a technically trained and experienced workforce, Houston is on track to remain the center of the energy industry in the United States. The addition of the shale industry has proved a great industry booster. Capable of reinvigorating wells once thought of as dormant, shale field oil extraction promises a boost that will stabilize regional production of oil for years to come. In particular, the discovery of the Eagle Ford Shale across south Texas is redefining and reenergizing the region as an oil industry hotspot, creating more than 116,000 jobs in the 30-county area through which the shale field runs.
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