Employment & Economic Development

One of the largest economic centers in the state, the Montgomery area supports a wide range of industries, from state and regional government agencies to an extensive list of service providers, wholesale and retail trade plus the major military installations at Maxwell and Gunter. In addition, the city is a robust regional trade center, serving as a wholesaling and distribution gateway to the southeast as well as the 22-county central Alabama area.

Leading industries in the area are health care and social assistance, retail trade and manufacturing. The combined Maxwell-Gunter complex is the largest employer in the region, followed by the State of Alabama then the Montgomery Public School system. Industrial manufacturing leaders include Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Rheem Water Heaters and MOBIS Alabama.

As of November 2011, the Montgomery unemployment rate was 8.2 percent, slightly below the national rate of 8.7 percent. The regional numbers continue a trend that mirror state figures, showing a slow improvement in unemployment rates. Since January 2011, Alabama gained 35,400 jobs, according to state figures. The majority of the gains came from the sectors of trade, transportation and utilities; professional and business services; leisure and hospitality; and manufacturing. Declines were recorded in the government and information sectors.

EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES
Employment agencies can be a great resource for job hunters. Companies often use agencies, as they do much of the footwork, including advertising and interviews. Montgomery has several placement agencies.

Alabama Career Center
1060 E. South Blvd.
Montgomery, AL 36116 (334) 286-1746
https://joblink.alabama.gov/ada
The center is the host of Alabama JobLink, a no-fee source for posting and finding jobs in Alabama.

Aerotek Staffing Agency
400 Interstate Park Drive #405
Montgomery, AL 36109 (334) 409-2700
http://www.aerotek.com
With nearly three decades experience in the staffing and recruiting industry, Aerotek aims to deliver the perfect fit between a candidate and an employer. Staffing solutions are tailored to each market this national company serves. The agency specializes in the industries of architecture, automotive, construction, energy, engineering, aerospace and defense, aviation, clinical research, accounting and finance, labor, manufacturing and more.

Aspire Staffing
1113 Perry Hill Road #C
Montgomery, AL 36109 (334) 396-3710
http://www.aspirestaffing.com
This staffing source offers opportunities in permanent positions, temp-to-hire jobs and short- and long-term temporary assignments. The agency specializes in accounting, banking, secretarial, administrative, clerical, medical billing, graphic design and paralegal and legal secretaries.

Dynamic Contract & Consulting Services
325 N. Hull St.
Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 265-2728
http://www.dynamicservices.org
This company's human resources department is assigned the task of finding top-level candidates for employment and then providing them with a complete range of employee services. The agency handles recruitment, interviewing, background checks, drug testing, skill evaluation, payroll services and employee and workers compensation. Benefits include health insurance, a cafeteria program, vacations, holidays and other incentive programs.

Kelly Services
4142 Carmichael Rad, Suite B
Montgomery, AL 36106 (334) 272-6522
http://www.kellyservices.com
Kelly Services assigns professional and technical employees in the fields of finance and accounting, education, engineering, information technology, law, science and health care. Kelly is the world's largest scientific staffing provider and it ranks among the leaders in IT, engineering and financial staffing.

Snelling Staffing Services
3001 Zelda Road
Montgomery, AL 36106 (334) 272-5627
http://www.snelling.com
This temporary staffing agency specializes in placement in the following career fields: administrative and clerical; manufacturing, light industrial and production; medical; information technology; hospitality; human resources; executive and management; finance and accounting; marketing, sales and business development; engineering and more.

Walker Personnel
300 Arba St.
Montgomery, AL 36104
Industrial: (334) 265-0100
Office/Professional: (334) 265-4100
http://www.walkerworkforce.com
This locally owned and operated staffing agency has been serving the Montgomery metro area since 1957. The company provides jobs for more than 4,000 people annually. Industrial staffing includes opportunities for warehouse workers, welders, assembly line workers, forklift drivers, special event servers, machine operators, freight handlers, construction workers, housekeepers, packers and unloaders and more. Office and professional staffing includes opportunities in accounting, data entry, human resources, engineering, IT, marketing, customer service, sales and more.

JOB SEEKER TIPS
Make sure your resume is up-to-date and relevant to the particular job you apply for, highlighting skills that fit within that specific career. A cover letter outlining what you are seeking in a job and what you have to offer a company should be part of your resume. If possible, reference letters from former employers are always good to have on hand. Be ready to interview at any time.

Appropriate attitude and attire is important even when dropping off an application, as the person you give your resume to might be the same person interviewing you. Always follow up with a thank you letter and phone call to express your interest in the position.

SELF EMPLOYMENT
Starting one's own business is a rewarding challenge. But don't go it alone—get the help you need to make your venture a success. The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, 41 Commerce St., (334) 834-5200, offers a wealth of information about doing business in the area, including info on the economic base, taxes, industry incentives and more. Visit their site at http://www.montgomerychamber.com/page.aspx?pid=315.

The Chamber also works with the Small Business Resource Center at 600 S. Court St., (334) 832-4790, http://www.montgomerychamber.com/page.aspx?pid=465. Services to prospective and new business owners include mentoring in financial planning, marketing and future growth strategies. Workshops, seminars and classes on all aspects of business development are offered. Go online to use some of the center's many resources, including an Entrepreneur's Tool Kit and business spotlights. Business licenses are issued through the City of Montgomery License and Revenue Division, 25 Washington Ave.

For more information, call the division at (334) 241-2036 or download a license at http://www.montgomeryal.gov/index.aspx?page=653.