Jobs in Portland, Oregon area? (rent, felons, transfer)

[Daisy32673]

To be honest, right now its not about degrees or qualifications or even experience necessarily. The market is absolutely SATURATED here with people who are all competing for the same jobs. You have folks who have years and years of experience and work history who are not fighting one another to work at places like Starbucks, Nordstrom, etc. etc. No new jobs are being created right now and no one is hiring (I mean "no one" in generic terms by the way"). Start talking to temp agencies, get your foot in the door somewhere even if it is entry level. But dont move here without a job

[Minervah]

Two places I always hear are hiring are Fred Meyer's (Kroger owned) and Wal Mart. The problem is they are usually only part time jobs.

Temp agencies as suggested by Daisy are a good way to go. I used to work for a large insurance company that like most companies did not replace employees when they left or were let go with permanent full time employees. Instead they used temp agencies. I think this is a trend today.

[Daisy32673]

Originally Posted by Minervah

Two places I always hear are hiring are Fred Meyer's (Kroger owned) and Wal Mart. The problem is they are usually only part time jobs.

Temp agencies as suggested by Daisy are a good way to go. I used to work for a large insurance company that like most companies did not replace employees when they left or were let go with permanent full time employees. Instead they used temp agencies. I think this is a trend today.

The new Fred Meyer is opening in Wilsonville and there is talk about opening some Wal Marts. This may sound like bottom of the barrel job hunting but it is reflective of Oregon's job availability right now. I would also watch to see what other stores are opening soon and prepare to be first in line for any holiday hiring too.

[Yankeemama]

I know many new transplants that transferred from C.A. Intel to our location near Portland and many transplants from NY to OHSU. There are jobs for new people. Good luck!

[AztoORegon]

Nell,

Thank you for that information. I was actually looking into the Certificate after I complete my degree. I appreaciate the advice. How long have you been in the Human Resource Field? I have been approached with 2 jobs in oregon thus far one for a Government Job and one for a large company. I know I have a long road ahead of me but the path you tell me is greatly appreciated.

[jgmedanth]

Originally Posted by Daisy32673

To be honest, right now its not about degrees or qualifications or even experience necessarily. The market is absolutely SATURATED here with people who are all competing for the same jobs. You have folks who have years and years of experience and work history who are not fighting one another to work at places like Starbucks, Nordstrom, etc. etc. No new jobs are being created right now and no one is hiring (I mean "no one" in generic terms by the way"). Start talking to temp agencies, get your foot in the door somewhere even if it is entry level. But dont move here without a job

I would agree with this post entirely. It took me a year and a half to find a p/t teaching job at a community college, and this is with teaching experience, two master's degrees, and substantial job experience. Same for my finance. The unemployment rate is higher in OR than in the rest of the U.S. (at least it has been the past couple of years). The past several years has seen a lot of growth in Portland, and has attracted many people, so yes, the job market is extremely competitive. There is a joke here that you find people with Master's degrees working as baristas, and yes, it's true. Carefully look at the job market before you move.

[Nell Plotts]

Example: My son's nanny has a master's degree.

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Example: My son's nanny has a master's degree.

Hey Nell, just out of curiosity, what is her Master's degree in?

[Nell Plotts]

I am not sure, it is either primary education or something like social work.

[Bluesmama]

I knew a person here who spent years getting her degree in sociology and never found work in that field. She ended up having to leave state for other reasons, but with no social work experience behind her.

I do have to comment on something written by another poster and that has to do with CA transfers from Intel to ours. Yahoo transferred their headquarters to Hillsboro but "brought" as many of their employees with them as they could. This does NOT help the local job market.