As I had mentioned in a previous post the motel property I was employed with was sold off and they let the entire staff of 4 go. Been beating down the job seeker sites not much out there in my location and there's two things that really narrow my search (no weekends no nights). I am about exhausted here Conway/Myrtle Beach seems to be a heavy service trade area HVAC, Plumbers, Electricians and Maintenance techs with employers wanting nights, on-call and weekend shifts. Just my rant on Friday July 17, 2026. I hope you all have a better than average weekend.
frustrated with job market
- Thread starter DCDG
- Start date
I think many are in the same boat unfortunately. And so many listings online are either ghost listings where they aren't actually hiring or they are literally scams that just try to rip you off or steal your info.
Forgive me if you’ve already told us - what kind of employment are you seeking? what are your skills? Are you willing to travel a bit? Move, even?
Have you talked to the OP of this thread?
He has jobs. Good pay. Good benefits. Might be worth considering. His whole thread was about how he can’t find people to take those jobs.
Have you talked to the OP of this thread?
He has jobs. Good pay. Good benefits. Might be worth considering. His whole thread was about how he can’t find people to take those jobs.
I have 20 years of facility maintenance under my belt since age 19 I have been working in some private and mostly govt jobs public utilities and schools. Relocation is not on the table and travel I can't do with young kids at home and I do the majority of the care giving with my wife being the bigger income earner. I would like to stay doing what I know best facility maintenance.
The frustration is real. Especially since you mentioned government jobs. So many of those are already "taken" and they just post the job to follow protocol or union obligations. I've been to so many interviews where they just completely wasted my time and someone from within the department ends up sliding into the "open" position. I would be less angry if they just mentioned they are hiring from within and don't make me drive down there and dirty my dry cleaning 
I'm in the same boat. I hate my current hospital security job,just keeps getting worse. A few of the jobs I've applied for No response and a automotive detailer they low balled me bad. I know there are a ton of hvac places in Colorado hiring. On call and weekends I think is just part of the job. That's why I got out of maintenance as it was always something.
I commend you for taking care of your family, but no nights and weekends really limits your pool of potential employers for facilities jobs. For example you can't work in a school district. Or really even an office job as they want a lot of maintenance done while not disrupting the rest of the staff.
Good luck in your search, something is likely to come along. I would make a list of places you would like to work and show up and ask for HR. Might seem like a waste of time but HR is inundated with online candidates - an actual person showing up might stand out.
Good luck in your search, something is likely to come along. I would make a list of places you would like to work and show up and ask for HR. Might seem like a waste of time but HR is inundated with online candidates - an actual person showing up might stand out.
Sounds like a long shot that doesn't address your immediate need but as a medium to longer-term goal is there any chance of going back to school?
I have a good buddy who is head of facility management for a very large group home system in MA (150 properties in the state). He has a bachelor's degree in construction management but he's killing it. He lives in a nicer house than I do and he just put in a pool (I don't have a pool). It's not easy, because between that many properties there is always something going wrong somewhere and he gets all the calls to decide what to do (he doesn't go in but decides who below him needs to go in), but he makes a great living, and really likes what he does.
I have a good buddy who is head of facility management for a very large group home system in MA (150 properties in the state). He has a bachelor's degree in construction management but he's killing it. He lives in a nicer house than I do and he just put in a pool (I don't have a pool). It's not easy, because between that many properties there is always something going wrong somewhere and he gets all the calls to decide what to do (he doesn't go in but decides who below him needs to go in), but he makes a great living, and really likes what he does.
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Facilites maintenance requires a great many skills. Around here a handyman can make a good living taking care of home maintenance. Lots of people don't have the skills or the desire to do the project that they need done. During my apprenticeship I did a lot of side work in my off time. It started off slow, but word of mouth brought me a lot of work. Maybe that would work for you. At the very least you could pick up a few bucks between jobs.
Respectfully, if with 20 year’s experience you can’t find a job in ‘facility maintenance’ between Calabash N.C. and Surfside, S.C./ Murrells Inlet S.C. In July, you might want to consider another line of work. I vacation there twice a year and the area is crawling with trades people. The 6 story condo we stay at was being painted in May and the hustle and bustle started at 07:00 and lasted till dusk. I’ve never been to an area that had more F250’s with ladder racks pulling dual wheeled trailers than that area. Honestly, your self imposed limitations of no nights and weekends have taken you off the list in an area that heavily depends on hospitality workers and the trades. I’m thinking a hungry, healthy, driven experienced tradesman could make six figures plus in that area. In 20 years you should know ‘ a guy or three ‘ that might hook you up. Put the computer down and start banging on doors! I was told in my early years to ‘Grab it and growl’! If your phone rings at 02:00 on a Sunday you better answer it…Good luck in your future endeavors!
It's difficult to find a good handyman. The stuff I need done isn't enough for a legit contractor and I don't want/like doing it and I'd happily pay someone else to do these little jobs. The guys who have showed up looked like they rolled out of the gutter about 30 seconds before they showed up and I have not been impressed.
If I could find someone who was professional and knowledgeable, I'd probably have at least a couple thousand dollars worth of things for him to do per year.
Nothing crazy - drywall repair with some texturizing on the ceiling where the shower was leaking. Replacing a sink that cracked. I have an outlet that's dead in the garage. I have a screened in porch and the screens need replacement.
Easy stuff, I just don't want to do it.
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If the full time positions aren't there, do you think you could find work on a contract basis? Maybe start your own business and 1099 smaller companies? This may give you the flexibility you need to take care of the kids and provide income in your field. I have a friend that makes a very healthy living on contract based commercial cleaning as pretty much a one man show.
My wife recently had a business idea and began asking a few people she knows in the field if they thought it could work. In the matter of weeks she has booked so much work that it forced her to create a business plan and file the LLC paperwork.
My wife recently had a business idea and began asking a few people she knows in the field if they thought it could work. In the matter of weeks she has booked so much work that it forced her to create a business plan and file the LLC paperwork.
HCA Hospital in your area has opening in Plant Operations and you got the necessary skills for this position.
Union job with good benefits. 300+ bed hospital will keep you busy.
All the guys in Pant Ops do easy $$$ side jobs for hospital staff.
https://careers.hcahealthcare.com/jobs/17917575-mechanic-i
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I have done the hotel and hospitality stuff and I really don't want to get back involved with it.
I wish no unions here in south Carolina.
I may get some work part-time work at my church going to help run conduit and circuits and miscellaneous electrical projects for the new rectory they’re having built. Was there a few months back doing electrical work in the founders center that’s getting renovations but was still employed at the motel anyway fast forward today much has transpired and they’re looking for a maintenance guy to cover custodial staff and assist the maintenance director with projects he just can’t get completed since he’s pulled in multiple directions with ongoing projects. Will be part time work hours shouldn’t interfere with wife’s schedule and sure beats filing for unemployment benefits
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Post office has not only letter carriers but also sorting facilities and substantial maintenance requirements.
I would try my search on http://indeed.com
I think you’ll be surprised. Great for job browsing.
I would try my search on http://indeed.com
I think you’ll be surprised. Great for job browsing.
Grand Strand Medical Center (HCA) is THE Medical Center of the coastal Carolinas in and around Myrtle Beach for many miles. Meaning, if you have something serious and you live in the area that is where you want to go. What I’m trying to say is that it is a huge network of doctor offices even outside the medical center there must be many employment opportunities in individual buildings there.
If a treatment can't be done there, then you’re only next choice is Charleston 2hours away or Duke (many hours away) in North Carolina.
I’m just saying that because that’s the substantial reputation that Grand Strand has.
On the SC/North Carolina border thank goodness another medical network is opened up here as well. Most likely too new for reputation, but that’s where moving forward I am going because it’s close to my house. In fact on Friday July 24, I’m going there for a cardiac CT angiogram
