Jobs in Iowa

Iowa Jobs: Overview

Why Iowa is called the Hawkeye State is up for debate. Some say it comes from historical Iowa figure Chief Black Hawk. Others say early Iowa leaders pushed for the name when wise guys from neighboring states tossed around unflattering monikers. If you research the Hawkeye State while looking for Iowa jobs, you’ll see it lives up to the nickname.

Iowa is filled with smart cookies. The state’s graduation rate is 88%. That’s 17% above the national average, with students' ACT and SAT scores in the top 10% of the U.S. It has three state universities and 31 four-year colleges with a combined enrollment of over 100,000 students. Iowa City has been designated a City of Literature by UNESCO. It has the highest literacy rate in the U.S., with 99% of Iowans being able to read and write.

Inventions from Iowa include the first chicken incubator developed at the turn of the century and the first electronic digital computer built at Iowa State University in the 1930s. And what’s better than sliced bread? The machine that slices it was invented in Iowa by Otto Rohwedder in 1928.

If you’re looking for a smart way to find jobs in Iowa, you might want to check out Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport.

Popular Jobs in Iowa

Iowa is known for its corn production. It also produces pork and eggs and employs one in five Iowans in farming jobs. Advanced manufacturing employs about 200,000 in production jobs in machinery manufacturing.

Iowa has over 100,000 employees in finance jobs with more commercial banking employees than anywhere in the U.S. It is also the headquarters state for more than 180 insurance companies.

Additional popular jobs in Iowa include:

• teaching jobs
• library jobs
• pharmacist jobs

Update Your Resume

How long should your resume be? While opinions differ on whether to keep it to one page or let it overflow onto page two, experts agree it should be easy to read. It’s all about quality over quantity. Read the four secrets to keeping your resume concise and successful. You can pick a couple of details to expand on in your cover letter. It may be easy to use a stock cover letter, but they just don’t work.

Interviewing for Iowa Jobs

Does the prospect of a job interview give you butterflies in the stomach? Are you worried about what to say and what to remember? Job interviews are one place where a cheat sheet is acceptable. Find out what to include on your interview cheat sheet and a step-by-step plan from interview preparation to follow-up. While you want your answers to the interviewer’s questions to sound spontaneous, a few key phrases can help you make the best impression.

How Much Do Iowa Jobs Pay?

The median household income in Iowa is a little over $60,000. What you make may be more or less than that, depending on your job title and experience. Take a look at Monster’s Salary Tools to get a closer idea of what to expect. Along with learning the salary range for your job, you’ll see next steps you might plan for in your career and how Iowa salaries compare to salaries nationally.

Want to Learn More About Companies Near You?

Part of your pre-interview work is researching the company you’ll be talking to. Doing some upfront work can make your interview go more smoothly and give you an idea of whether the job is a good fit. Monster has created Company Profiles to help get you started on this. Look up a company, and if it’s in our database, you’ll see things like:

• leadership bios
• mission statements
• office locations

A Word to the Wise: Monster Has the Iowa Jobs You’re Looking For

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to find Iowa jobs. However, if you ARE a rocket scientist, an accountant, or any other job-hunter, you’ve come to the right place. Take a few clicks to see what’s available. Then, look smart by completing your Monster Profile. It’s a clever way to put yourself in front of recruiters and hiring managers. We’ll also take a look at your preferences so that we can send you well-informed career advice and job postings.