Looking For Work In Chicago? Try These Places

Contrary to popular belief, you can make it in Chicago! 

The job market is fine; job seekers are looking for work in all the wrong places.

If you want to find quick employment, try the following options.

CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW STAFFING

Staffing agencies that specialize with conventions and trade shows are the best bets for people looking to secure relatively easy work and solid pay within 3 weeks of sending resumes.
(Some exceptions may apply.) 

Summer is very slow but the fall, spring, and winter are great times to find consistent work. 

Chicago's minimum wage is 10.00/hr for 2015 and will increase in increments until 2019 when it will be 13.00/hr.

* Convention Connection (Website)

Kate Zeitvogel, Director of Sales & Staffing
- Technology, Education, Retail focused shows
(Occasional medical shows)
- Wardrobe: White shirt, Black jacket and pants
Locations: Hyatt, Swissotel, Sheraton, McCormick Place

*Action Figures-Chicago (Website)

Lori Jaffe, Manager
- Medical and Government focused shows
- Wardrobe: Blue shirt, Black jacket and pants 
Locations: McCormick Place

*ShiftGig (Website)
Eddie Lou, CEO 
- Bartenders, servers, brand ambassadors 
Locations: Various 


EXTRAS CASTING

Chicago's TV and film industry is getting stronger every year. Extras can find work quickly without little hassle.
The only items to remember are: 1) Be ON TIME; 2) Bring 3 changes of clothes; 3) Bring 2 forms of ID; and 4) Be patient

Anthony White Casting
*Independent films and TV shows
("Southside With You", "The Blexicans") 

Joan Philo Casting
("Chicago Med"/ "Chicago Fire")


Tail Sticks Casting
("Chicago PD) 

(Google these places or find them on Facebook) 

Extras casting pays about 80 dollars for 8 hours with time and a half. You can get a pay bump for wardrobe fittings, vehicle uses (25 dollars) and a higher pay grade if you are a stand-in. (Stand-ins are test dummies to help light the scene for actors with similar physical features). 

Stand-ins get about 140 a day. But you have to pray that you look like the actor who needs one. It's like playing the lottery.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Native Chicagoans can try Uber as well. I have a few friends who are making big bucks from Uber. 

Just steer clear of places like ATN (Across The Nation) Promotions. They offer high paying jobs but take almost 2 months to pay for certain gigs.