Part of the WTIA’s mission is to grow a strong and sustainable workforce, which means we’re passionate about keeping local talent plugged into our state’s technology industry. In addition to our job board, every Wednesday we’ll be keeping you connected to Washington’s job market with the latest in local hiring news.

 

State’s Unemployment Rate Edges Down to Seven-Year Low

Seattle Times | Janet I. Tu | Oct. 14
http://www.seattletimes.com/business/economy/states-unemployment-rate-edges-down-to-seven-year-low/

“Washington state’s unemployment rate hit a seven-year low in September. The state’s jobless figure last month was 5.2 percent, according to preliminary seasonally adjusted estimates from the state Employment Security Department (ESD). That’s down from 5.3 percent in August and 6.2 percent in September 2014. The last time the state jobless figure was that low was in June 2008.”

 

Packing a Major Economic Punch: The 2015 Fastest-Growing Private Companies List

Puget Sound Business Journal | Becky Monk | Oct. 11
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/10/packing-a-major-economic-punch-the-2015-fastest.html

“In 2013, the 100 companies that comprise the list employed more than 9,500 people. Today, they collectively employ more than 12,350 people. That’s nearly a 30 percent increase. And many of these companies — which represent almost every industry — have indicated that they plan to hire more people this year.”

 

Here’s Why This CEO Chose to Start his Company in Seattle Over Silicon Valley

Puget Sound Business Journal | Ashley Stewart | Oct. 9
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/10/heres-why-this-ceo-chose-to-start-his-company-in.html

“When Robi Ganguly decided to start a company, he packed up and moved more than 800 miles from the San Francisco Bay area to Seattle….Tech workers can afford to take a pay cut and still have the same quality of life when they choose Seattle over Silicon Valley. But Ganguly says price is just part of it – Seattle tech workers tend to stick it out at a company longer. That’s important as the industry struggles to find talent. ‘Loyalty is such a big structural advantage and Seattleites get married to their work,’ Ganguly said, adding companies in the city, like Nordstrom and Costco, have a long history of employee longevity.

 

Salesforce.com Leases Space in New Bellevue High-Rise with Room for 500 Employees

Puget Sound Business Journal | Marc Stiles | Oct. 9
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/10/salesforce-com-leases-space-in-new-bellevue-high.html

“The 929 Office Tower that’s wrapping up construction in downtown Bellevue has landed its first tenant, Salesforce.com, according to a Bellevue commercial real estate company. Salesforce has a pending lease for 75,000 square feet in the 19-story tower named for its address, 929 108th Ave. N.E., the Broderick Group reported in its new Eastside Office Market Overview.”

Latest Job Postings from Salesforce

 

Avvo Continues Expansion Plans to Hire 80 New Employees this Year

GeekWire | Monica Nickelsburg | Oct. 8
http://www.geekwire.com/2015/geekwork-picks-avvo-continues-expansion-plans-to-hire-80-new-employees-this-year/

“In July legal advice startup Avvo announced plans to hire 80 new employees this year. The Seattle-based company has listings in a variety of fields on GeekWork, GeekWire’s jobs site, including its first dedicated copywriter position.”

Latest Job Postings from Avvo

 

Sears Acquires Wallyhome Sensor Technology from Startup SNUPI, Creates Second Seattle Office

GeekWire | Todd Bishop | Oct. 8
http://www.geekwire.com/2015/sears-acquires-wallyhome-sensor-technology-from-startup-snupi-creates-second-seattle-office/

“Sears is also licensing related technology from SNUPI, and the companies say the startup will provide consulting services to Sears for future Connected Solutions products. As part of the acquisition, Sears will be adding four new employees. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.”

Job postings to be updated here