One of the most important steps you'll need to take in moving your life to Norfolk, Virginia is to find a new job in the area. Unemployment in the city is at about 8%, so you might be concerned about finding a decent job running woodworking auctions that can match your old job in salary. Not to worry, though. If you have experience in the fields of business or finance, you're sure to find a position eventually, as these are two of the biggest job fields in the United States. Here's some information on these sectors in Norfolk to get your job search started.

It's important to remember that although you're moving to Norfolk, you'll have the resources of all seven cities of Hampton Roads at your disposal, as Norfolk is the commercial capitol of the region. That means you might find yourself working for a company that handles active exchange traded funds for clients in Newport News and Portsmouth as well as Norfolk.

Much of the business activity in Norfolk and in Hampton Roads as a whole is based around import/export. The sea is the lifeblood of the region, supporting military, industry, and shipping endeavors, which in turn foster the development of financial firms and businesses that dispose of goods and provide investment funds. Some common types of business include distributors, warehouses, retail stores, accounting services companies, and banks that hand out construction mortgages to companies in heavy industry.

There are some major companies with their international or North American operations headquartered in Norfolk which may have positions open for someone with experience in business or finance. These include international shipping companies like Maersk and the Norfolk Southern Railway, media companies like Dominion Enterprises and Landmark Communications, and financial firms like Portfolio Recovery Associates. Some of these companies have Canadian franchises or offices overseas, opening up the possibility of travel for work.

And then of course there's the small business community. While major industry dominates the Norfolk economy, there has always been room for small and medium sized businesses, particularly in the retail and services industries, such as a post card printing company or a work clothing shop. Additionally, the recent redevelopment of downtown Norfolk as a tourist destination has opened the way for other small businesses like restaurants, tours, accommodations, and souvenir shops. If you're interested in starting your own business in Norfolk, you can receive tax incentives and job grants from local and state development programs.