West Virginia Jobs: Overview
Here’s some history to know while searching for West Virginia jobs. When the western part of Virginia split off after the Civil War, delegates suggested calling the new state "Kanawha" after a local Native American tribe. But its motherland’s name won out, and West Virginia was born. Virginia was named for England’s Queen Elizabeth I. So why isn’t the state called West Betty? Because the state’s namesake was known as the “Virgin Queen.”
Women have always been a part of West Virginia’s history. In 1824, The Ladies’ Garland was published from a Martinsburg, West Virginia newspaper office. It was the first newspaper written exclusively for women. Long before Hallmark got ahold of it, the first Mother’s Day was observed in a West Virginia church in 1908. Women arrested for violating Prohibition led to the first federal women’s prison, which was built in Alderson.
Since “diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” we should also mention that the largest diamond ever found came from a family's backyard in Peterstown. They thought the 34-carat rock was quartz and kept it in a cigar box for 14 years.
Your job search may not uncover diamonds, but you can find jobs in Charleston and Huntington.
Popular Jobs in West Virginia
The mining of fossil fuels is big business in West Virginia. In particular, coal mining accounts for 75% of the state’s mining income and employs 30,000 in extraction jobs. A workforce of nearly 13,000 mines natural gas, petroleum, salt, sand, gravel, and crushed stone.
West Virginia has been a center for agriculture since it was settled. There are 20,400 farms in the state, with the majority of farming jobs dedicated to producing livestock that include chicken and turkeys, beef, sheep, pork, and fish. Hay is the biggest crop in West Virginia.
The beauty and natural resources of the state attract tourists for camping, hiking, hunting, rafting, and skiing. The history of West Virginia lives on in historic sites that include mining towns, museums, and Civil War sites. This impacts the number of service jobs in food, lodging, and retail.
You’ll find other popular jobs in West Virginia that include:
Update Your Resume
Is your resume ready to go? If you’ve been a stay-at-home mom or dad, you may not have looked at your resume for quite a while. The employment gap for parents who want to return to the workforce can be a hindrance. However, there are ways to compensate and fill in that gap. Once you’ve determined what to include on your resume, you can implement designs from Monster’s library of resume samples and free templates. Here is the perfect cover letter to accompany that resume when you want to return to work, along with some cover letter basics.
Interviewing for West Virginia Jobs
Ahhh, your interview is almost over. Or is it? At the end of an interview, the hiring manager will often ask if you have any questions. The answer to that question is an enthusiastic “yes!” Even if they don’t close with an invitation to ask questions, you should jump right in with at least these four questions.
How Much Do West Virginia Jobs Pay?
The median household income in West Virginia is about $48,000. That takes into account all job titles throughout the state. To get a better idea of what you might make, you can use Monster’s Salary Tools. Enter the job title you’re looking at, and you’ll see an estimated salary range. The Salary Tools page will also give you information about what skills you can pick up to increase your value to employers, and you’ll see job postings at the bottom of the page.
Want to Learn More About Companies Near You?
Monster’s Company Profiles can help when researching companies before applying or interviewing. It’s a great way to start determining if the job is a good fit. Type in a company name, and if they’re in our database, you’ll learn things like:
- how long the company has been in business
- how the company presents itself in an overview.
- information about their products.
Monster Can Help You Make History Finding West Virginia Jobs</h2>
Take the first step into your future by looking at the West Virginia jobs posted on this page. Then, upload your resume to your Monster Profile to put yourself in front of hiring managers and recruiters. Monster will continue to support you by looking at your work history, so we can send you relevant job postings and career advice.