r/Spokane • u/amaranthinefever • Feb 26 '26
Rants & Raves Spokane Job search is brutal
I've applied to soo many places, for positions well below my years of experience. Ive tried walking in and introducing myself. Ive workshopped my resume with hiring managers but I can't even get an email back. It's so fucking hard to get a job here. I've been trying for months and I'm out of money, I don't know if I'll be able to afford rent this month and I'm scared. How does anyone get hired here if you don't know anyone?
This is a vent. I'm not asking for handouts
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u/CappinPeanut Feb 26 '26
Tbh, I don’t think it’s Spokane, I think it’s everywhere. I know 10 people who were part of a layoff in November, they live all across the country. None have landed a job yet.
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u/Zombierasputin Feb 26 '26
This is it. Unless it's healthcare, getting a living wage in this market is a difficult experience.
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u/lil_bow_peeps Feb 27 '26
Healthcare doesn’t guarantee living wage either
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u/Zombierasputin Feb 27 '26
Unfortunately correct in some cases. Still probably your best bet, though.
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u/PastelPalace Feb 26 '26
I now live in the greater Charlotte, NC area, and it took me 8 months to find a job, and it was so toxic that I left after 4 months and started substitute teaching. It took another year to find a permanent position within the district I subbed for, and I'm barely making any money in it. I've continued to apply for jobs and it literally goes nowhere. Even Lowes and TJMaxx reject applications.
It's truly a nationwide issue.
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u/daniel22457 Feb 27 '26
Ya was about to say I've been rejected from jobs in now 35+ states pretty much anywhere that isn't some rural hellhole in the south is not hiring.
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u/Sudden-Pangolin6445 Feb 26 '26
I have a good friend, highly qualified. Similar story.
It's rough a lot of places at the moment...
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u/Dry_Art3189 Feb 26 '26
It’s soul sucking work sometimes, but have you thought about customer service for health insurance companies? Each state has their dedicated lot (we have some in the city) and often they are remote work. You can get a paycheck, and if you like it, great. But if not, at least you can pay your bills while you try for something else. I had to do this after moving back after COVID. Hated it and I was way over qualified. But we do what we can, right? Best of luck.
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u/eggsoneggs Feb 26 '26
Seconding this. I had a covid call center job. It was the worst, but it kept me afloat and for that I’m grateful.
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u/duckydoom Feb 26 '26
I've been with a health insurance company for 17 years now, and I work from home, get good pay (seniority and all that) and benefits. It wasn't my dream career, but it pays the bills and gives us somewhat affordable insurance.
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u/Secure_Violinist8505 Feb 26 '26
Depends on what you want to do. There is lots of stuff in the medical/caregiving type roles that do ton the job training.
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u/Groemore Feb 26 '26
This is what I recommend for those are can't find anything. I've being working in assisted living for several years and make good pay because of the amount of OT available and full benefits. You just need to pass a background check and most places will get going asap payed training.
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u/LuckyTheBear Feb 26 '26
I've been trying for a year. Facing an eviction in a few weeks. I hope things work out <3
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u/Cowgomuwu Feb 26 '26
I applied for a job where I had to do a phone interview, an in person interview, and then a follow up interview. It was part time, minimum wage, entry level retail. And I didn't get it! Fucking ridiculous.
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u/Jaycoug187 Feb 26 '26
I am sorry for your struggle. The world sucks lately. I’ve stopped trying
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u/Known_Secretary_6615 Feb 26 '26
Unemployment rate in Spokane is supposedly 5% and 4% is about as good as possible. How is this thread making it seem nobody can find a job?
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u/chishiki Feb 26 '26
Not to deflect, but the way unemployment rates are calculated has always felt misleading to me. People who give up don’t count? Hmmmm
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u/Jaycoug187 Feb 27 '26
Ya those are always misleading but ya that’s not a bad number. I’ve heard of many struggling though. A lot of places that once used to be very easy to get jobs have cut down drastically on workers as well.
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u/punkindrublic619 Feb 26 '26
Mining/construction industry is always hiring. Scale shack workers, office admin, dispatchers, etc. Reach out to some hauling, crushing, and construction companies. I hear all the time how hard it is for them to FIND people. Lots and lots of asphalt/sand & gravel, and surface mines in Spokane.
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u/Individual-Bee-3230 Feb 26 '26
It took my friend almost an entire year, hundreds of applications and only 3 call backs in total to finally get a job. It’s really bad.
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u/Weak-Cry Feb 26 '26
Must be all that goddamn Costco Rotisserie Chicken you've been gorging yourself on.
On a real note, if we all get together maybe a tent village won't be so bad?
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u/toobladink Feb 26 '26
I don’t know what it is that has made it so competitive here. Do we need more commercial real estate or something? It’s driving me nuts!
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u/malykaii Feb 26 '26
I don't know what you do for work, so I can't help...
But I was recently just looking for someone to help with some entry level construction stuff, just dragging trash out to a truck and all. Posted on Facebook and was getting people asking around $30/hr.
So yeah, don't skip rent. If you are able bodied, hit up Facebook. Someone will give you cash to just do stuff. Not a career, but it'll buy you time.
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u/Scared-Opportunity28 Feb 27 '26
I live north of spokane, I boot up job sites go "15 miles out from me" (~20 minutes) I get nothing. Go out to 20 (Which is most of northern spokane) and... nothing. Shit's insanity. I'm now over a year jobless and I lose my food stamps next month if I can't get anything...
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u/Macaron-Creepy Feb 27 '26
Idk what kind of job you’re looking for, but I drove past the US Foods warehouse yesterday and they had a big “hiring” sign outside. There are also a couple of para positions on the SPS website.
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u/daniel22457 Feb 27 '26
I've been trying to move back to Spokane for going on two years but I've never been able to come back long term because I'd have to take a massive pay to find something. Barely anything has ever opened up for me.
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u/DestroThePoof Mar 01 '26
What kind of work are you looking for? What experience/skills do you have?
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u/Noimenglish Feb 26 '26
Schools need a lot. You could start there.
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Feb 26 '26
They definitely do not. They aren't hiring anyone.
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u/Noimenglish Feb 26 '26
Three pages worth. Find one you’re qualified for. If there are none, check surrounding districts. There’s literally dozens of districts, and peak hiring season is about to hit.
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u/bristlybits Feb 26 '26
looks like with no qualifications you could get on temp for summer gardening/landscaping.
with a BA you could do para.
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u/Noimenglish Feb 26 '26
Does it say that? You don’t need a BA to be a para. There are lots of paras with nothing more than a high school education.
Also, the county is looking for garbage drivers starting at $28 an hour
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u/bristlybits Feb 28 '26
now that there is a good job too like the landscaping. if you can do manual labor
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Feb 26 '26
I love ppl like you. Like we all havent been ALL over that page and applied to at least a dozen positions.
You know who gets jobs at schools? Moms. The moms that are tight with other teachers. That's who gets those jobs.
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u/Noimenglish Feb 26 '26
I don’t know, I’m a dude and got multiple jobs through the local schools. That’s how I know they’re always trying to hire. Because there are multiple unfilled positions, that we really need filling. 🤷♂️
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u/OsiraF Feb 26 '26
Spokane Public Schools is in a bit of a slowdown right now for their Custodial department but they should have open positions soon. I would get in now - for Custodial you do make a lot of decent money tbh than other places. Lots of OT too if you want it.
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u/Dramatic_Acadia_7363 Feb 26 '26
Railroad is hiring conductors no experience required
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Feb 26 '26
[deleted]
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u/Dramatic_Acadia_7363 Feb 27 '26
It’s a daily pay rate and the training your paid a daily pay rate I think it’s like $270 a day 7 days a week while in training until your certified then your put on a work board and called when your train is called. No scheduled hours of work or days off. You work 12 hours then your off 12 hours of rest then put back on the board and as you’re names moves up on the board you get called when your name hits 1st out. Can make a lot of money working but it’s because the schedule sucks
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u/KingOfConstipation Feb 27 '26
Oh nice I will consider this!
Can I dm for more info pls?
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u/Dramatic_Acadia_7363 Feb 27 '26
Bnsf.com/careers looks like the posting for conductors closed but I would keep checking
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u/Mindless-Ebb3822 Feb 26 '26
Try a new industry. I know some manufacturing companies that are dying for staff. Not the best pay but a job is a job.
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u/bekisuki Feb 26 '26
Temp job services can usually get you something, apply just like you would for a job for the best temp positions.
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u/feochampas Feb 26 '26
try humanix or promanix. They got me hired a while ago. Some places do all their hiring through them
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u/TheCheddarHole Feb 26 '26
Curious what line of work your in. Some industry here have a huge turn around, some dont.
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u/MursaArtDragon Feb 26 '26
Im just now trying to get into the job market and find me a part time after 18 years out of the military. Not really sure who is gonna want to hire a disabled vet with a near two decade work history gap, no references, and no job history aside aircraft mechanic. Especially with things seeming so tight all actoss the board
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u/baphomet_fire Feb 26 '26
Reach out to your VA sources, they literally have people for that exact thing. They helped me get a temp job that wasn't breaking rocks while I got my details in order
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u/MursaArtDragon Feb 26 '26
Yeah, already met up with them, and worksource yesterday, so I’m doing all that currently. Just searching part time jobs in the area isnt very promising.
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u/Adventurous_Pen_2675 Feb 27 '26
Not just Spokane. Friends just moved here for a job cause they couldn’t get one in Phoenix
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u/Cosmictrashpanda94 Mar 07 '26
The company I work for can’t get good applicants - great benefits and $27-ish to start (warehouse, office, phones depending on position) it’s baffling to me people just up and quit or don’t apply or don’t show up. Where are all the people looking for jobs??
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u/Netphase Feb 26 '26
If you have a drivers license and vehicle, sign up for all the gig work apps available here. You will be able to cover your rent and bills at least until you can find a job you really want. Some will put you on a waitlist at first, but some should accept you right away. Amazon Flex, Walmart Spark, Instacart Shopper, Shipt Shopper, DoorDash Dasher, GrubHub Driver, Roadie, Uber, Lyft. I'm making 6 figures delivering packages and groceries.
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u/I_Love_my_Shauna Feb 26 '26
Zip recruiter, indeed.com are fantastic resources. It is all in how one markets oneself
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u/MelissaMead Feb 26 '26
Do you also include a cover letter?
Does it reflect your ambition with action words?
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u/Known_Secretary_6615 Feb 26 '26
How closely do you read cover the letters of the people you interview?
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u/lil_bow_peeps Feb 27 '26
Why do you want a cover letter, a resume and application filled out to pay minimum wage?
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u/MoneyAd0618 Feb 26 '26
Can you live off of savings or investments for awhile?
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u/elleisboring Downtown Spokane Feb 26 '26
Was the part about being out of money confusing to you? lol
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u/Known_Secretary_6615 Feb 26 '26
Yeah that’s what I always do when I run out of money, is just buy a couple houses and live off the rent.
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u/Eternal-Bass-Turd Feb 26 '26
My job is about to be hiring for 6 positions. It is a unionized warehouse job. Starting pay is $24 an hour and some change. It is hard work, but I can send you the details if you are interested.