According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida's unemployment rate is currently 3.8 percent, the lowest its been since April of 2007. And, Tampa Bay is faring even better with an unemployment rate of just 3.3 percent as of September 2017. In the past year alone, the Bay area has added more than 17,300 jobs, a 1.3 percent increase since September of 2016. What all these numbers mean is If you're considering moving to Tampa or just looking for a new job, this data shows that right now is a great time to make a change.
Some of the biggest job industries in Tampa include Healthcare and Social Assistance (166,827 employed); Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (89,174 employed); and Finance and Insurance (73,283 employed) according to the latest data from the U.S. News and World Report. Tourism and hospitality are also industries of significance, especially in St. Petersburg and Clearwater.
So, how do you find a job in Tampa? If you're looking, you probably know there are plenty of ways to find a new career - from posting your resume on common job sites like Monster or Indeed to attending networking events, signing up with a staffing agency and more. Even so, these common avenues for finding a job in Tampa don't always work.
That's where Monikl comes into play. Created by local entrepreneur Zachary Senz Kamler and his partner Ken Pomellla, this free platform (mobile app and website) works more like a matchmaking service than a job board. Its proprietary algorithm matches job applicants with potential employers based not only on the necessary skills but also on company culture preferences and key personality traits. "Think of Monikl as Match.com meets a job board like Monster.com meets a staffing service like Manpower,” Senz Kamler said when we spoke with him late last month. "Monikl offers the best of all three plus more."
Related Content: Monikl Seeks to Change the Job Hunting Process for Good
Since then, this local startup has made several job placements through their platform and plans to keep these matches coming for job seekers in Tampa. We spoke with Senz Kamler again recently to get his take on the pulse of the Tampa job market.
What are some of the biggest changes you've seen in the Tampa job market over the last five years?
Tech jobs have exploded in the Tampa Bay area in the last 5 years. Additionally, the number of startups employing talent in the community has increased exponentially, possibly due to the Tampa Bay WaVE accelerator program.
Which industries do you think have the biggest demand for talent right now in the Bay area?
The biggest demands for new hires are in the Tech, Financial, and Healthcare industries.
What big trends, if any, do you think will emerge in the Tampa job market in the next one, three, five years?
I think the biggest trend to develop in the Tampa Bay area will be the change in the way people find jobs and the way companies hire. One of those ways will be Monikl, as our breakthrough platform allows candidates to find jobs that are right for them, and employers to find potential employees that are a good match to their needs and workplace. The post and pray method of finding candidates will become antiquated.
What do you feel like the national perception of Tampa is when it comes to the city's job market?
Tampa is a growing city of entrepreneurs and technology providers. I believe the perception of the Tampa Bay area is becoming more recognized, nationally, as a great place to live, to work, to find talent, and to open a business.
So, if you're looking for your dream job in Tampa, give Monikl Jobs a try. All you have to do is sign up at Monikl.com or download the app on your smartphone.
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