Am I doing something wrong? (Portland: sales, unemployment, taxes)

[mhunter6981]

I just moved back to Portland after finishing my degree in graphic design, and am finding it very difficult to find any work. I have a good resume, my bachelors degree, and a portfolio of what I can do, as well as sales and management experience, yet I can't even seem to get an interview anywhere. Am I doing something wrong?

Thank you

[subsound]

Nope, you are affected by the economy just like the estimated 100,000 other people in the Portland area. The positions you sound like you are looking for have a drastic over abundance of people looking for the same position. Many people seem to come to Portland thinking youth, flexibility, and eagerness are a good competition to advanced education and experience of the many that have been laid of from firms recently.

[Nell Plotts]

subsound is correct. Most of the graphic design professionals are employed in consumer products (NIKE, Columbia Sportswear, Adidas and the like). All those businesses have been hit hard by this economic situation and probably struggling to hold on to their current workforce.

FYI, there is HUGE competition for a slot at NIKE under the best of economic conditions. Make sure that you look at many other employers... or develop a clientele of your own.

[mhunter6981]

It seems to affecting everything. Not even sales are really hiring. Right now I am willing to suck it up and work out of my field, but still no luck. c'est la vie, I suppose.

[Perkinst]

Originally Posted by mhunter6981

I just moved back to Portland after finishing my degree in graphic design, and am finding it very difficult to find any work. I have a good resume, my bachelors degree, and a portfolio of what I can do, as well as sales and management experience, yet I can't even seem to get an interview anywhere. Am I doing something wrong?

Thank you

If you are mobile, try looking at other parts of the nation, that your career might be in demand. Some places are doing a better than others.
You do not want to waste an education.
Always have a job lined up, before you move.

[Minervah]

Have you not read about the 9% reported unemployment record or all the many posts about people living here being laid off by the thousands? There are virtually no jobs in Portland. Period. Sorry to be so grouchy but I just got through doing my taxes and the "privilege" of living in this overrated state is costing me dearly.

[rosecitywanderer]

It's not you...it's this damned situation we're in.

[Wicked Felina]

Originally Posted by Minervah

Have you not read about the 9% reported unemployment record or all the many posts about people living here being laid off by the thousands? There are virtually no jobs in Portland. Period. Sorry to be so grouchy but I just got through doing my taxes and the "privilege" of living in this overrated state is costing me dearly.

You're just being realistic, and not misleanding people.

Overpriced and overrated certainly does apply to Oregon, just like a lot of other places. We're all in this economic mess.

I don't find you grouchy at all Minervah. And I don't think anyone has to apologize for an honest opinion.

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by SeeBee

You're just being realistic, and not misleanding people.

Overpriced and overrated certainly does apply to Oregon, just like a lot of other places. We're all in this economic mess.

I don't find you grouchy at all Minervah. And I don't think anyone has to apologize for an honest opinion.

Thanks, SeeBee. I went out and bought one thing I could afford after paying those taxes; a mint-chocolate chip ice cream cone. I feel so much better!

[Wicked Felina]

Good for you, Minervah! Now, you've got me thinking about my taxes...last year I owed more taxes for the first time in my life. What a shocker...I was told to expect to owe a slightly larger amount this year.

I'm going to get my pout on, and stock up on vegan carrot cake and soy ice cream. ~ doing taxes this week