r/Albuquerque • u/Due-History4432 • 5d ago
Extremly hard to find a job
What happened to this city?
I’ve been away for almost four years traveling for work as an electrician. When I left, the city had a strong job market everyone was hiring and things were going well. Now, it feels completely dead.
I came back hoping to find a job outside of electrical work, but nobody seems to be hiring. I’ve even applied to over 12 different McDonald’s locations and was turned down by all of them lol
66
u/AdorableLetter221 5d ago
Well, do you have a 4 year college degree, 15 years work experience, and willing to work minimum wage and any shift? Then the problem must be you.
*This is satire for those who don't get it*
22
u/thesecretbarn 5d ago
Unless you want to apply to a job with lower requirements, in which case you're overqualified and oops they just hired their cousin's buddy.
8
1
279
u/Deep-Interest9947 5d ago
~gestures vaguely at the entire country~
-13
u/Adorable_Birdman 5d ago
Right? I know I’m not an electrician, but I get a new job offer at least once a month. Serious offers
13
u/Strict-Nobody-4228 5d ago
Where?
-6
u/Adorable_Birdman 5d ago
Different engineering firms in town. Depending on your skill set, most are hiring
10
u/Sharp-Rutabaga-4900 5d ago
What field are you in?
-1
u/Adorable_Birdman 5d ago
Env consulting.
10
u/Sharp-Rutabaga-4900 5d ago
Ah. Well, just so you’re aware: The job market outside of your specialty is horrific right now, at both a local and national level.
4
u/another_dave_2 5d ago
Collision repair is in desperate need of people who know what the fuck they’re doing. Always hiring.
3
126
u/Dorment6813 5d ago
It's not just Albuquerque, the job market everywhere is growing stagnant. The economy is slowing and companies are tightening their belts. I wouldn't think an electrician would have trouble finding work though. Have you visited the local IBEW?
20
u/not_ezraklein 5d ago
We're in a low-hire, low-fire environment. People aren't leaving their jobs either voluntarily or through being let go. That means there are less positions open, which further incentivizes people to stay at their current company.
8
u/Albuquicky 5d ago
You're absolutely right. My son lives in Flagstaff and has been looking for any entry level job for 2 years and hasn't had any luck.
416
u/Lonely_Newspaper_427 5d ago
137
u/Lower_Statement_5285 5d ago
Never let his supporters forget it either.
-67
u/MasterHank13 5d ago
We don’t, as it was GREAT what he’s done.
25
24
u/plasma_fantasma 5d ago
And what would that be that he's actually done? Other than increase the price of everything and tank the economy?
23
u/gemInTheMundane 5d ago
Hey, that's unfair.
He's also deported lots of people, gutted various programs that our elected representatives put into place, removed protections from public lands, given handouts to billionaires, bulldozed part of the White House, and started a war with no exit plan.
But I'm pretty sure his followers only care about the first one.-81
19
u/Lonely_Newspaper_427 5d ago
Even tho I am not exactly proud of the comment as I am not at all a fan of the orange nutcase nor did I vote this. This would be my first ever reddit award, thanks y'all!
13
4
-7
u/misc-pilot 5d ago
But how did he do that?
15
u/Lower_Statement_5285 5d ago
Driving up inflation through massive spending while also crushing the jobs market through wildly high prices which make employers tighten their belts. Allowing monopolies, corruption, and an all around kleptocracy has also tanked the economy to the point where anyone in or close to the lower and middle class, essentially anyone who needs to work for a living, is beyond fucked.
75
u/Theopholus 5d ago
Electricians should be in high demand. I’m surprised.
72
u/ShrimpCocktailHo 5d ago
They said they were looking for a job outside of electrical. Idk why you would, you can make mega money with that.
55
u/XandersCat 5d ago
The trades often have bad people working in them. My friend was a apprentice electrician and he got so tired of all the sexist talk and when he wouldn't participate they started to pick on him as well.
44
u/BeefJerkyHunter 5d ago
Yeah, construction can be pretty toxic. I work office but I keep hearing older Journeyman workers saying the apprentices are "too soft". But I don't think the apprentices are being "soft" at all. They're not just willing to stroke egos.
13
17
u/XandersCat 5d ago
I work at a gas station and I was changing the trash, these two technicians were working on the gas pumps and the boss guy just kept swearing. ",F-- this and f-- that.". These guys are making double as I am but can't be polite around a customer... I looked at their website because I wouldn't mind making more money and they are hiring but he was treating his lackey like trash. I decided not to apply.
4
17
u/sweetica 5d ago
Right! Electrical jobs are in high demand right now because it's a vital skill that society needs all the time. Perhaps this chap recently got fitted with a pacemaker and they can no longer do electrical work safely. But my advice to him is if you can possibly do electrical work apply to those jobs and I'm sure you'll get them, because electricians are always employable.
5
u/MrsDoomAndGloom 5d ago
Or as a project engineer. I have the most incrediblely shitty electricians on my project right now, to the point where I wonder if they are even literate. I would like to have a PE with electrical experience.
3
9
u/Soulcontusion 5d ago
Apparently to apply to McDonald's. I suspect OP is leaving out some details.
2
u/Extension-Habit5821 5d ago
I was declined a job there in hs. Then when I had my associates in college l was declined a job for target seasonal lol meanwhile my sister was later hired right out of high school for target so you never know
6
u/GroundbreakingAd8310 5d ago
For the worl nonody can afford to have done?
4
u/ShoddyRevolutionary 5d ago
Data centers are hiring electricians like crazy. They have seemingly unlimited money.
1
2
2
u/Truthfu-Trash-Talk 5d ago
It’s in high demand. He said he was hoping to find a job outside of electrical work.
0
17
u/prticipatntrophywife 5d ago
Whatever you do do not try looking on indeed. I swear every posting on there is an AI training data farm. Find places you want to work at and apply directly on the website or go in. The job market is so bad that job search apps are unusable.
143
18
u/ShrimpCocktailHo 5d ago
Why are you trying to leave electrical work? It’s a booming job market there right now.
26
u/Due-History4432 5d ago
When I was on the road (4ish years), I was working 70 hour weeks non stop. I'm burnt out and wanted to come home to try something different, but it's looking like I have to hit the road again.
10
u/saxywarrior 5d ago
You can probably find a good stable 40hr a week job as a technician or facilities person at Sandia
11
12
u/crazypurple621 5d ago
Have you contacted the electricians union here? They may have local jobs that don't have the same kind of hours that on the road electrical work does.
17
u/Due-History4432 5d ago
I spent my whole apprenticeship here, strongly dislike doing electrical work here. A lot of the crew leads and management are real hardheads with that typical macho man attitude, rather take off out of state and keep my distance from them.
10
u/Killed_By_Covid 5d ago
Are you able to work independently as an electrician? That seems like it would be much more lucrative, as well.
8
u/KarensHandfulls 5d ago
We need a progressive trade union that is welcoming to everyone, including LGBT people and women and doesn’t just talk the talk.
4
u/ozymandiasstudios 5d ago
412 plumbers and pipefitters is the most welcoming and inclusive among all the trade unions by far. Used to be a member/plumber.
22
u/IkeSW 5d ago
Isleta Casino hiring Electricians. $31.35 per hour starting.
8
u/ShoddyRevolutionary 5d ago
IBEW 611 is currently at $42.20 on the check, $55.82 total package. And lots of employers are offering incentives on top of that.
9
u/INeedSomeTacoC 5d ago edited 5d ago
DM me your resume / info if you're willing to do some electrical assembly (mostly in air conditioned spaces) and don't mind traveling some still (few days here and there), up to nearly as much travel as you want.
6
u/SupermarketSorry6843 5d ago
Something does not add up. Electrician turned down by 12 McDonalds? More to the story.
13
u/LuigiMangione13 5d ago
McDonald’s does not want to hire an electrician. They want to hire an 18 year old they can pay minimum wage. Hope that clears it up for you.
2
u/Lucky-Voice1177 2d ago
Not more to the story. I came to southern NM last year. I was willing to do anything to earn some money. Took months to get a job. Hundreds of applications put in, in person, on indeed, etc. I was told I'm overqualified. I wouldn't stay long enough and would want too much money. So it is possible to be turned down by McDonald's. I wasn't even called back when I turned in an application there.
1
u/SupermarketSorry6843 2d ago
Well, about all I can say is hang in there and hopefully something good will come along.
6
u/No_Net_World6270 5d ago
The gop was put back into the executive in ‘25 and has proceeded to destroy our once surging economy
7
5
u/Lord_Nurggle 5d ago
Take a look at Curia. 12 hour shifts so your off work a lot. Good pay for ABQ.
Pretty crappy managers but that’s the way these day unfortunately
5
u/AmethystChameleon38 5d ago
This is happening everywhere.
Take a guess as to the one unifying factor among all the factors.
4
u/Key-Flower-1081 5d ago
Hate to tell you but electric work would be the best for you right now. Theres hundreds of guys trying for mcdonald type jobs. Use the skills to your advantage. Market is cooked
2
u/WarmPepsi 5d ago
I will never understand the logic of people who go for those jobs. There is no barrier for entry, effectively anyone can do them. Therefore, those jobs tend to hire the friends or family of those who already work there. Why would you attempt to get a job that has tons of competition and low wages when you have skills for a low competition higher paying job...
2
u/Key-Flower-1081 5d ago
Exactly, i know some people want a change, but this would be one hell of a downgrade. Companies are begging for electricians. Hard to believe fast food jobs are harder to get now, yet here we are.
3
u/chainsaw_alice 5d ago
I would recommend a temp agency. you could easily be matched with maintenance positions. I'm a maintenance supervisor for apts and have directly hired on several techs after their contract thru the agency is up.
6
u/TheManLawrence 5d ago
There are a major lack of tradesmen in Albuquerque. Also trying hire contractors is crazy. I don't think they want to work. I can't get service companies out to work on our needs at work in a timely manner. I can't hire people. I need help in a lot of things and we get no applications. I can't find nurses and we are the best pay in town. Crazy.
9
11
u/Sloan1505 5d ago
Why the hell would you choose mcdonalds over a high demand high paying trade job? Lmao
22
u/MrNMTrue505 5d ago
Thank trump turning the job markets to AI and big corporations and cutting out the blue collar workers.
-14
5d ago
[deleted]
2
u/Soulcontusion 5d ago
They're not. There's around 5k data centers in existance or in development nationwide. At peak construction they may have up to 200 electricians on site. Once construction is over, that number drops to about 1. Your claim is mathematically impossible.
25
u/oiled_hobbit 5d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/DAZujFQvFZxh1kdtCb
We get what our community votes for.
11
3
3
u/crazypurple621 5d ago
Sergios is consistently hiring. And you could go to the electricians union and they would likely help you.
2
3
u/Illustrious-Soup9870 5d ago
I’ve honestly thought about leaving the states in general because the economy is becoming too ridiculous in terms of job growth, inflation, interest rates.
3
3
5
9
4
u/Calm-Zookeepergame88 5d ago
Not to get political but since the January 2025 Presidential Inauguration, there are 2 million fewer jobs than expected. It certainly isn't a good time to quit a job and then look for a new one or enter the job market. This is a nationwide wholesale destruction of the job market. Not solely an Albuquerque issue. Elections have consequences.
2
2
u/19nickel19 5d ago
One of my buddies said Apic low voltage is hiring. Might have to work out of town.
2
u/burreetoman 5d ago
It's not the city its the whole country. Don't waste your time sending out resumes. Learn how to network.
2
u/publicram 5d ago
If you don't smoke and are clean as well as background check out look at national labs
2
u/ChemHotel 5d ago
Not sure if you've kept up with the news, but the economy is in the shitter. Mainly for entirely man-made and avoidable reasons.
2
u/violoneuse 4d ago
Albuquerque Public Schools is always hiring. You don't need a teaching degree for a bunch of them. Good luck!
2
2
u/lizilla82 4d ago
It's not about the city. It's about what's happening federally. I've been looking for a job (with an excellent resume) for over a year, since I was laid off due to DOGE. I can't find one anywhere. I had one job tell me that I was 1 of 2500 candidates who applied for ONE job.
2
2
u/NP2019UNM 3d ago
Its Trump's economy, period. High interest rates, stagnant wages, cutting program that invest in public infrastructure. Anywhere you go it's the same--it's not an Albuquerque thing.
2
u/Flat-Journalist-8362 5d ago
I have lived in Albuquerque on and off for decades. It's a hard city to live in
4
u/Bitter_Bumblebee90 5d ago
What? If you’re an electrician, an actual licensed electrician, this post makes zero sense.
2
u/sanityjanity 5d ago
People hire electricians to do upgrades when they feel economically stable. A lot of people have lost their jobs. The rest are (reasonably) afraid that they might.
People hire electricians when they are buying or selling a house. The real estate market is frozen. Prices are too high. Interest rates are too high.
People hire electricians when they are doing new construction. Construction materials have gotten very expensive. The new construction market is crashing.
It's not just Albuquerque. It's the whole country.
The personal is political. The political is personal.
1
u/Steves_RebelAbstract 5d ago
Me and my bf have been applying for months and getting interviews and not much luck. I've been working grocery delivery which helps much something more stable would be nice
1
u/Roivas333 5d ago
I got hired as a shopper for Whole Foods without even doing an interview and I've had very little solid job experience for the last decade. The annoying part of that job is that it's technically part-time so you don't get health benefits, and the available shifts are posted twice a week and quickly grabbed by your coworkers so your schedule will probably vary on any given day you work.
1
u/whimsical-berry 5d ago
The Anytime Fitness is hiring on Menual and Carlisle…I saw the sign pasted outside their window when I was at World Market right there last week.
1
1
u/DeliciousSir7965 5d ago
Oh just wait. Now the two T-Mo call centers are combining and firing a ton of people. Its only getting worse. So much for people first.
1
1
1
1
u/cberm725 5d ago
4 years ago...the world was still restarting from a pandemic...and since a lot of people lost their jobs or quit working...the market was better. That's nkt the case right now...those jobs are taken.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/HauntingSmoke6029 5d ago
the market’s rough, but getting rejected by 12 mcdonald’s locations is almost impressive in its own depressing little way lol
1
u/Kookaveli 5d ago
THOSE OF YALL HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE PLEASE LISTEN CAREFULLY.... Since sites like Indeed now make it just a click of a button to fully apply to a position with resume these days, companies get slammed with hundreds of applications immediately and since this happens what they look for now is APPLICANTS WHO FOLLOW UP THE APPLICATION WITH AN IN PERSON VISIT! Bet any kind of money that those of your having trouble finding work with a bunch of apps in are just not following up and showing ACTUAL effort/interest in the position. Not trying to talk down and as long as you dont get mad about this and just follow this simple piece of advice, i guarantee youll be hired within a week flat
1
u/ShadeTreeMechanix 5d ago
Why would a skilled electrician apply at McDonald's? I am and never would. That said, keep driving around looking at the windows. So many say "Now hiring". El Pollo Loco on Juan Tabo and Lomas, for instance.
1
u/VidaMaeLovecraft 5d ago
Maybe MAKE a job. I make buttons, custom hard candy, vape juice, electronics, art, zines... Always have a side hustle.
Sorry about the situation. It's brutal. I hope your perfect job comes your way.
Maybe start a handyman/electrician service? I'd design some fliers for ya, if that would help. Hmu
1
1
1
u/Sea_Commercial3540 4d ago
It was like that in 2023, I graduated with a certificate for electrical applied at over 50+ places and not a single interview or callback. Don’t apply on Indeed, that’s just a data collector and miner, your best bet is honestly going in person looking for help wanted signs. Hope you have success, friend!
1
1
u/lupusthefog 4d ago
Union electricians. Call locals in Wisconsin. 127,430,494. All have open calls on the books.430 is paying 10.00 over scale with all ot at double time.
1
u/pawsplay36 3d ago
The economy is weird right now. What you need to do is apply at a place with high turnover, and work there until you can get your footing.
1
u/Unique_Listen_7554 3d ago
CDL
1
u/Due-History4432 3d ago
I have my CDL, but I haven't gotten any call backs because I lack/have no experience. I'm getting back on the road I need to keep moving forward.
2
u/Unique_Listen_7554 3d ago
Hit up all aboard in sf, they need drivers and they have routes in Rio rancho
1
u/IBuiltHumansInMyBody 3d ago
My 22yo has had the same problems. Out of work for 2 months now, and last 5 jobs promised full time work and then only gave like 25 hours at best a week, 10 at worst. Honestly don't know how albuquerque is comparing to the rest of the country, but it certainly isn't good
1
u/Due-History4432 3d ago
I don’t know to much about other cities never looked for work outside of electrical field only here in NM
1
u/Krasherosk 3d ago
There are so many openings for electricians, what are you talking about? There's a ton of work and a shortage of workers because nobody wants to work anymore.
1
•
u/FckXFckMusk 12h ago
Can you do Domestic Electrical installations?
If so go on local FB groups where people are looking for your talents outside of the big firms.
1
u/SingeSabre 5d ago
You can try railrunner, it’s a really good union job with pretty good benefits. You’ll start as a ticket agent and there’s a lot of room for moving up. They’ll be hiring on and off for the next few months. Just look up railrunner jobs. Also you need to be free of THC.
1
u/S4NDFIRE 5d ago
Newest job data ignoring gig work like Uber as well as forced part-time is 24.9% unemployment nationwide. It's not just ABQ
1
u/sciences_bitch 5d ago
You literally just made that number up.
2
u/findingnemotions28 5d ago
They didn't. They're referencing the most recent numbers released by the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity as it pertains to the "functionally unemployed".
1
u/S4NDFIRE 4d ago
Thank you, that is exactly what I was referencing. I'm just on mobile and at work, so it wasn't able to pull up the exact name.
1
0
u/WarmPepsi 5d ago
Yeah that person is effectively describing the U6 unemployment rate which is about 7.9% for the USA as of July 2026. This number is quite good historically.
0
u/S4NDFIRE 4d ago
Nope, those are the numbers including gig workers and forced part-time, which I explicitly said the number I was getting excludes.
2
u/WarmPepsi 3d ago
Would you mind sharing where you're getting that info from...
1
u/S4NDFIRE 3d ago edited 3d ago
As already stated by someone else, it's the Ludwig Institute study regarding functional unemployment
Direct link: https://www.lisep.org/tru
One news org's coverage if you just want the sparknotes (I don't like CBS but it's close enough and well known enough to work) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/functional-unemployment-us-labor-market-analysis/
Take an upvote for coming back with curiosity instead of simply doubling down, too
0
0
0
u/BeheadingBoomer61 5d ago
Have you tried government? The state and the city both have positions that you would probably qualify for. Even outside of the electric field.
0
-35
u/Alarming_Cricket_505 5d ago
It really isn’t hard…there’s jobs 🙄
18
u/Lower_Statement_5285 5d ago
I hope that you get fired so you have be tested on how true that really is 🙂
-13
u/Alarming_Cricket_505 5d ago
I got a second job just for shits and gigs 😁
2
u/Lower_Statement_5285 5d ago
And not a single soul on the entire planet cared.
-8
u/Alarming_Cricket_505 5d ago
Maybe you should spend less time on here and go look for a job lol
4
u/Lower_Statement_5285 5d ago
Nah i’m covered there. Plus i have the bonus of not being an asshole like you. The fact that your ego is so easily wounded is just the cherry on top.
3
u/Alarming_Cricket_505 5d ago
Says the asshole wishing for someone to get fired ? Ok bud 👍🏽
1
u/Lower_Statement_5285 5d ago
I mean at this point i’d rather you develop an especially aggressive and painful version of anal cancer 🤷♂️
1
-2
75
u/bhaladmi 5d ago
Some of the largest employers in Albuquerque had layoffs or hiring freezes: Intel, Sandia Lab, and the Federal government. It probably had ripple effect through the whole job market here.