Trying to find a job in this market can be frightening. CareerBliss evaluated unemployment numbers and how workers feel about growth opportunities in their state to compile the Top 10 Scariest States for Jobseekers. While unemployment remains high in the states on the list, many of those surveyed said they felt there would be substantial job growth in the future – that’s a good sign for the job market in 2012, said Heidi Golledge, CEO and co-founder of CareerBliss.
Top 10 Scariest States for Job Seekers*
| CareerBliss Ranking | State | Unemployment | CareerBliss Growth Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | 13.4 | 6.08 |
| 2 | California | 11.9 | 6.25 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 11.1 | 6.56 |
| 4 | Michigan | 11.1 | 5.88 |
| 5 | South Carolina | 11 | 5.87 |
| 6 | Florida | 10.6 | 6.20 |
| 7 | Mississippi | 10.6 | 5.88 |
| 8 | Rhode Island | 10.5 | 6.00 |
| 9 | Georgia | 10.3 | 6.25 |
| 10 | Illinois | 610 | 5.86 |
*Unemployment data taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Growth opportunity averages scaled from 1-10.
Methodology:
CareerBliss surveyed more than 4,000 people, evaluating how they feel about future job growth in their area of expertise. In addition, CareerBliss evaluated unemployment rates. All reviews analyzed are from 2011.
* CareerBliss rating is an average of employee reviews. Reviews evaluate key factors that contribute to the overall happiness in the workplace. Scores are rated 1 through 10.
