The Best Source for VI Jobs?

Hello Dan,

The Daily News has some job listings:
www.virginislandsdailynews.com

Ritz Carlton Resort has a Human Resource section with their openings:
http://ritzcarltonstthomas.hcareers.com/jobs

Monster.com sometimes has some jobs in the VI.

There is no comprehensive job board for the VI.

What type of job are you looking for?

--Islander

Thanks, Islander!
Ideally, a sales/marketing position with one of the resorts, bareboat charter co., tour operators. Or, perhaps, front office management for a hotel or property management company. If I was by myself I'd make the move then worry about employment. But with a wife and two kids making the move without a job is too risky.
Thanks again for your reply. Cheers!

Hello Dan,

Which island are you interested in?

Management with a resort is a possibility and you could contact Human Resource departments, fax resumes, plan a trip down to do follow ups, intereviews, check things out in person.

Tour operators are more likely to hire once the person is on-island.

Also if you want feedback on schools as well; what grade are your children in?

--Islander

I have two daughters. One is in 1st, the other in 3rd grade.

From what I understand, jobs are relatively easy to find, especially in the high season . However, what can a college grad walk on the island and expect to receive in wages for a starting job in the restaurant or hospitality industry? Is there a minimum wage? Is $10/hour a decent or great job for a 25 year old.

Thanks.

I would say that depends on your skills. Will you be a bus person or a chef. Did you graduate from a culinary/restaurant school? I only can assume there is a minimum wage. The question you should ask yourself is what will it cost for me to live and play. Then figure out what you need to make to be happy. Age has really nothing to do with it.

From what I figure, I can be fine with a $20,000/yr. job. I have a degree in economics and 3 years in the financial services / investment industry. My vehicle is paid for and I have $7,000 to get started. I'm assuming there isn't a really high demand for what I do so I'm willing to adapt. I guess my question is, will $20,000/yr. be: 1. anybody can get a job like that. 2. a little hard to find. 3. take years to build up to.

Just because you can live on $20 000 does not mean you have to work for that kind of money. With your education you should find a job in your expertise and make more money. I know at age 25 you might not worry about retirement and buying a home. However, you should. It is great that you can live lean. That means you can also safe. You should calculate about $2000 a year for your Roth IRA more if you can. I believe you can put away $3000 now. The earlier you start the better you off. Check the VIdaily out there was a position which might be right for you. Don't undersell yourself. Just because you would like to live on the Island does not mean you have to forget about your knowledge and eduation. If you just want to have fun go for bartending. It seems they make ok money.

Good Luck

Iris,

Thank you for your help. I guess I didn't realize that there was work like I am use to down there.

You welcome. I wish you luck. As many here mention you might end up taking a temp job and then finding the job you really want to work in as time goes on. Networking is the key and beeing super friendly. I am checking the VIdaily every day in case something showes up for us.

Iris

Hello BW,

The minimum wage is $5.15. Restaurant employees like waiters can be paid $2.35... $3 an hour as long as their tips bring their hourly to $5.15. Should their tip not bridge the gap the employer is responsible for doing so. Basically waiters/bartenders usually make their money on tips.

$10/hour is ok.

You can find a job making 20k with your background. There are banks here, they might have openings more in line with your experience. Assuming you are good with money and took some accounting classes you could also look into that; resorts and medium/large businesses have accounting departments. If you took some business courses and had some management/leadership responsibilities at your previous jobs perhaps work toward management spots in an office, hotel...

As mentioned since the hospitality industry provides for easier job finding you might take a job there while looking for something in your field.

Good Luck.

--Islander

I work as a general manager in a restaurant. What types of restaurants are down there or is it more hotel oriented? I have also been a chef/kitchen manager and my girlfriend is a bartender. Are there alot of job opportunities in this field? We will be moving in September so I will be posting alot of questions. lol.

phil

http://www.vibusinesslink.com/

i think these are some of the same listings that continuously loop on channel 10 down here... as i just caught the end of one screen with this link on it.

though there seem to be a lot more that show up on tv...
whoknows.

anyways... good luck!

Hello Phil,

Restaurant work is fairly easy to come by (bartending, wait staff mostly but also other areas), particularly during season (Nov-May). September is one of our slowest months in terms of season, some restaurants close for a couple weeks. It picks up again in late October, early November. Bring enough money to carry you for a few months should you have difficulty finding work right away.

There restaurants at all the resorts and many non-hotel restaurants as well.

--Islander

I maintain that the best source of VI jobs is being here. Even in the dead of off season, things happen and someone will need an employee yesterday. You have to be here to hear about it. Moving to the VI, once you have done your due diligence, is a leap of faith in many ways.