Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Portland Job Fair June 4th

With our job fair coming up next week, I thought I would take some time to talk about it. We currently have around 15-20 companies lined up with more surely to come. It is going to be at the Downtown Hilton in Portland from 10am to 3pm on Thursday, June 4th. It is free to all job seekers. This is our second of four job fairs this year and we are pretty excited about it!

So take a look at these previous job fair blog entries here and here to brush up on some of what you should expect to face when going to a job fair. Also any simple google search on job fair tips can expand your knowledge on what to expect. As always you should dress for success and bring lots of resumes because you just never know what could happen!

Here is the Job Fair flyer that has a list of our sponsors such as Evans Glass, Opti Staffing Group, KOIN, Hire Me TV, and KPAM 860AM. If you can not make the job fair, you can also check us out on the web at our website. We hope everyone is as excited as we are and we look forward to seeing you next week!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Portland Employment Guide May 25th - May 31st

Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide in Portland.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Oregon's Jobless Rate Takes a Breather And Other Northwest News

Like I have stated before that the recession is slowing, but it is far from over. Oregonians are seeing that for the first time in a while. These numbers are still very high for us, but they did not continue to climb after March. Its reports like this one about Oregon High-Tech stabilizing that validate what I am saying and what many are reporting that the numbers may not be pretty but at least they aren't snowballing. Right now there are a reported 242,550 Oregonians that are unemployed and that is more than double the number that were unemployed last year in April. Right now a lot of industries are losing jobs but it appears that government, education, and health services are all hiring due the US Census Bureau's population census that come out every decade.

With the unemployment rate being the way it is many people have looked elsewhere to gain the necessary skills that it takes for the job market today. Community Colleges have been flooded with many trying to gain any kind of edge they can in the job market. Though it has not seem to help much with how things are in Oregon, it is still preparing people for when companies start to hire again.

Just recently, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski called upon legislation to shift about $90 million of the state's unemployment trust fund to create an emergency job program for 12,000 unemployed people. These projected jobs are set to begin July 1st and pay from anywhere between $8.40 and $10 an hour helping local food banks, clearing brush in parks, and restoring habitat. This program would be very similar to when Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the Civilian Conservation Corps. that put many people back to work during the Great Depression. This is very good news for those on unemployment looking to get back on their feet somewhat.

In closing, if you ever find yourself wondering if you should just take any job in this econmy, well here is a bit of Q & A on the subject from Spherion Career Blog.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Portland Employment Guide May 18th - May 24th

Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide in Portland.







Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Job Recovery And Does Portland Have Enough Room To Accommodate Future Jobs?

More and more reports are coming out saying that layoffs are slowing down, but does that mean that more businesses are hiring? Things are still pretty touch and go for a lot of people, but that doesn't mean that things can't turn around. I also know that we see reports like this every summer when college kids get of school, and it has not changed much since I graduated. Hang in there and keep chasing down every lead. So with that said, here is a great check list to follow compliments of Spherion Career Blog, so that when businesses do start hiring again you will be ready:

- Make sure your resume is up to date and in order, listing your most recent experience and skills.

- Start making connections by networking and meeting professionals and peers in your line of work.

- Stay in touch with those from your last place of employment - they may be able to hire you back.

- Practice your interview skills and consider taking a couple of course to refresh or learn new skills.

- Get your interview clothes in order.

- Pound the pavement. Don't just rely on job boards and web sites, make personal visits to companies and visit job fairs that will surely become more and more frequent if the job market is turning around.

- Also, take a minute to make a plan of action. Outline the type of job you want and narrow in on industries or employers that most interest you.

Have you ever wondered if the Portland area has enough land to accommodate future jobs? Well Metro in Portland is trying to figure that out. They have estimated that there will be between 1.25 million and 1.7 million more jobs in Portland region by 2030. If all goes according to plan this will be great news for the region in the next 20 years, but the debate is whether or not they need to expand urban growth boundary. So there is a lot to discuss going forward on this issue.

So Portland, if you have any tips you would like to add about job recovery or the current issue that Metro is facing please feel free to leave your comments below.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Portland Employment Guide May 11th - May 17th

Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide in Portland.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

So We Should Expect The Economy To Grow By The End Of 2009?

Well according to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, we should start pulling out of the recession and start growing by the end of the year. This is excellent news if his prediction is right and we all know Oregon could use some good news! Though the growth may not start up again until the end of the year, it is just nice to hear some good news and not bad for a change. It will still take time to come back to strength once the recession is over and people should be patient and understand that even though it is difficult. Oregon received some good news that supports what Bernanke stated in that it is recovering but still three to six months away from righting the ship. There is a possibility of growth in the second half of the year, but it all hinges on the drop in the housing market. Just hang in there and good things will happen.

On a sad note, the Portland Lumberjax will no longer call Portland home after this season. This just goes to show you that the recession is still here for the time being when you have corporate sponsors in Portland not willing to spend money. This effects several people in that there are jobs lost in the front office all the way down to the concession stands and ushers. Hopefully the MLS will do better here.

Other big news in the Northwest is that Microsoft is having more layoffs. This is apart of the first major layoff in the companies history, which is troubling for those who live in the Seattle area.

Also, be aware of a new "WebHosting" scam that is going around when you are checking your emails. Many of you that are job hunting know that your email account can be very useful so make sure to open only email that you are expect from someone.

So Portland, with the summer months fast approaching and nicer weather just around the corner, here are some job hunting tips that you can use while on vacation. Also remember that the Employment Guide is having another job fair on June 4th. Please leave your comments below.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Portland Employmentguide May 4th - May 10th

Click on the image below to view a copy of this week's edition of The Employment Guide in Portland.