Job market in Atlanta - PatienceGC and Others.

G

GC050102

Registered Users (C)
I apolozize for posting non-immigration issue, but important for me.

I am planning to move South, how's the IT job market in Atlanta, can somebody who lives in Atlanta (PatienceGC and others) share their opinions? Thanks.
 
Since Atlanta has not been a home for internet and telecom companies, there has not been a lot of job losses in Atlanta. Though the job market has deteriorated, I think it is possible to get one if you try.
 
I'm in MA, and also thinking about moving south. Atlanta, Tampa/FL, RTP/NC .. these are some of the names which came to mind. I'm an Oracle DBA. Would appreciate is someone can share thoughts/exp on job oppoutunities in these areas.
 
Originally posted by GC050102
I am planning to move South, how's the IT job market in Atlanta, can somebody who lives in Atlanta (PatienceGC and others) share their opinions? Thanks.
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When I look at computerjobs.com, Atlanta has the most opportunities outside of DC (and most of those require security clearances, so we wouldn't qualify anyways).

Probably the best of a bad lot.
 
Re: Re: Job market in Atlanta - PatienceGC and Others.

Originally posted by TheRealCanadian
When I look at computerjobs.com, Atlanta has the most opportunities outside of DC (and most of those require security clearances, so we wouldn't qualify anyways).

Probably the best of a bad lot.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I've seen that too (that actually influenced my thinking). Are you in IT field? How about living cost in addition to job market?
 
Its not too bad

It depends on the field that you are in and what you want to do.

Oracle DBA might be a little hard. I know two people who are Oracle DBAs and they had a tough time finding a job.

As far as Telecom, Java/EJB, SAP goes, there are quite a few opportunities.

Mainframe with healthcare experience is also in demand.

Computerjobs.com
Monster
Hotjobs
Dice

are all very good. But its a lot better if you go to specific company websites. More so if you know anyone there.

Alpharetta (suburb) has many good companies. Especially wireless providers.

If you are okay with living in cities two hours away, Columbus GA has some major companies like AFLAC and Total systems.

well-known Companies:
Home Depot
IBM
First Data corp
UPS
Delta
Cingular
Verizon
Equifax
Federated Systems Group

Not so-well known outside ATL
ChoicePont
LYNK systems
Manhattan Associates

Cost of living is not too bad. Definitely better compared to Tri-state/California . You can compare it at bankrate.com. Its pretty reasonable for a Metro. Only problem is traffic and lack of public transportation but then we dont have any snow. If there is a "chance" of snow, you can stay at home

;)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Re: Its not too bad

Originally posted by patienceGC
It depends on the field that you are in and what you want to do.

Oracle DBA might be a little hard. I know two people who are Oracle DBAs and they had a tough time finding a job.

As far as Telecom, Java/EJB, SAP goes, there are quite a few opportunities.

Mainframe with healthcare experience is also in demand.

Computerjobs.com
Monster
Hotjobs
Dice

are all very good. But its a lot better if you go to specific company websites. More so if you know anyone there.

Alpharetta (suburb) has many good companies. Especially wireless providers.

If you are okay with living in cities two hours away, Columbus GA has some major companies like AFLAC and Total systems.

well-known Companies:
Home Depot
IBM
First Data corp
UPS
Delta
Cingular
Verizon
Equifax
Federated Systems Group

Not so-well known outside ATL
ChoicePont
LYNK systems
Manhattan Associates

Cost of living is not too bad. Definitely better compared to Tri-state/California . You can compare it at bankrate.com. Its pretty reasonable for a Metro. Only problem is traffic and lack of public transportation but then we dont have any snow. If there is a "chance" of snow, you can stay at home

;)
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Thanks for your detailed reply patienceGC. I'm a QA Manager, thinking of moving from NJ to Atlanta. Are you in IT field?
 
Re: Re: Re: Job market in Atlanta - PatienceGC and Others.

Originally posted by GC050102
Thanks, I've seen that too (that actually influenced my thinking). Are you in IT field? How about living cost in addition to job market?
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm a J2EE developer. The cost of living is quite good - gas is cheap, taxes aren't outrageous and the real estate is affordable (still) considering the size of the city. Good real estate appreciation.
 
Yes

I am in the IT field. I dont know about QA specific issues. I am more of a developer and so are my friends. I would go with the big companies cuz they'd proly have a more defined QA team. good luck

As far as salary goes, its pretty average.

You can go to salary.com and plug in some Georgia/Atlanta zipcodes and the salary information is pretty accurate.
Of course there are outliers... EJB guys who dont get paid much and Business Analyst who make obscene salaries.

I dont think its proper to compare East coast with west coast. Just recently there was a post that said 100K in west coast is good only for survival whereas even in a city like ATL thats quite a bit.
 
Re: Yes

Originally posted by patienceGC
I am in the IT field. I dont know about QA specific issues. I am more of a developer and so are my friends. I would go with the big companies cuz they'd proly have a more defined QA team. good luck

As far as salary goes, its pretty average.

You can go to salary.com and plug in some Georgia/Atlanta zipcodes and the salary information is pretty accurate.
Of course there are outliers... EJB guys who dont get paid much and Business Analyst who make obscene salaries.

I dont think its proper to compare East coast with west coast. Just recently there was a post that said 100K in west coast is good only for survival whereas even in a city like ATL thats quite a bit.
Click to expand...

thank you. You made a good point about comparison. Even though the salary in boston area is not super duper high, the least affordable state in US is Massachusetts according to a recent survey. California, New York, New Jersey comes next..
 
Re: Re: Re: Re: Job market in Atlanta - PatienceGC and Others.

Originally posted by TheRealCanadian
Yes, I'm a J2EE developer. The cost of living is quite good - gas is cheap, taxes aren't outrageous and the real estate is affordable (still) considering the size of the city. Good real estate appreciation.
Click to expand...

Thank you
 
Re: Yes

Originally posted by patienceGC
I am in the IT field. I dont know about QA specific issues. I am more of a developer and so are my friends. I would go with the big companies cuz they'd proly have a more defined QA team. good luck

As far as salary goes, its pretty average.

You can go to salary.com and plug in some Georgia/Atlanta zipcodes and the salary information is pretty accurate.
Of course there are outliers... EJB guys who dont get paid much and Business Analyst who make obscene salaries.

I dont think its proper to compare East coast with west coast. Just recently there was a post that said 100K in west coast is good only for survival whereas even in a city like ATL thats quite a bit.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I've compared the salaries, we can take a 30% pay cut (compared to NJ) and still have the same purchasing power.
 
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