callmenontoxic ([info]callmenontoxic) wrote in [info]damnportlanders,
@ 2008-08-14 00:09:00
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Yet another post about jobs
So, here I am, one of the thousands of people in Portland looking for a job.
I have an associates degree in graphic design and 4+ years customer service/manager experience + call center experience. But no luck. I have tried EVERYTHING - craigslist, sunday paper, walking around, major corporations, school systems, hospitals. I feel like I have applied everywhere. I am willing to work hard at anything, I know how hard it is to get a design job in this city, especially fresh out of school.
That being said, if anyone has any inside tips, it would be greatly appreciated. As far as design work, my talents lie in print/publication design but I can also do web layout (not too strong with coding) logos, branding, etc.
I have applied at Legacy, Providence, Portland public schools, new seasons, fred meyers, fed ex, ups, nw staffing, and employment trends.
Are there more major entities I am forgetting about? It's so discouraging to think about how many people have thrown my resume away by now.
PS - I currently make $11/hr, which is why I'm having a hard time. I can't take anything under $10 and still afford to pay rent and bills at this time. However, my current job is already unbearable, and about to become hell on earth as we come under new management in the next couple weeks. I know some of you must know how I feel...a sense of impending doom!

One last thing - I know there are a million call centers in Hillsboro/Beaverton, but I'm out in North Portland and the drive and gas money are just too much. :( For once in my life I wish I lived closer to Hillsboro.

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[info]matrixleap
2008-08-14 07:20 am UTC (link)
My friend, I have a BS in Computer Science and 8 years customer experience, desktop support, systems analyst support and design support and I'm having a hard time too...

I was able to pick up a contracting gig...in addition to my photostuff that's on the side. It's nothing liek what i was making but it definitely keeps me afloat.

I'm going back to school for graphic design and photography...I'm hoping to make a massive career move.

The problem with Portland is that all the decent tech jobs downtown are given to the kids coming out of school that are willing to take on so much for such little pay. In my opinion that is...

I feel for ya, I do...
It sucks.

Best of luck to you.


To both of us!



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[info]everanddespair
2008-08-14 05:24 pm UTC (link)
wooo! I'm going for a BSCS! Is the market really that bad for CS jobs? Because I won't take less than 45K/year when I graduate. But maybe that is low, I don't know.
I'm also thinking of switching to CIS. But some people say that's a useless degree. But I am starting to hate programming.

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[info]matrixleap
2008-08-14 06:24 pm UTC (link)
My schooling was originally at DeVry and it was the CIS program...heavy on the programming. And I really diddn't like any of it. But I plugged thru it, finished, and haven't used anything that I went there for since.

I don't think the entire market is shit...just Portland. But then again, the entire country isn't too good for work right now.

To be honest, the best I saw while in Phoenix was about $43k/year...and it's a MUCH better market there than here. If you're willing to move, anywhere, you might see that much or more. Just don't fall into believing what the school tells you, and that's that you will indeed START at $50K/year...that's only a select few.


Best of luck.

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[info]pettythings
2008-08-14 07:25 am UTC (link)
this obviously isn't helpful, but at least you're better off than the tons of people looking for jobs that don't currently have one. good luck. :\

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[info]natsukaze
2008-08-14 07:44 am UTC (link)
Don't forget about Kaiser. Have you tried the city of Portland?

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[info]ambi
2008-08-14 02:05 pm UTC (link)
How is your resume? Do you include cover letters? You have a good set of skills, but if you have a blah resume, that won't reflect. Standing out in a crowd this big is hard. You need a kick ass resume.

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[info]ms_xeno
2008-08-14 02:27 pm UTC (link)
Lewis & Clark ? Or some of the other colleges ? They always seem to be looking and they pay well, too.

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[info]lokigurl
2008-08-14 04:11 pm UTC (link)
You wanting design work? I thought most of the employers post their listings on their personal websites. Especially designers.

How is the portfolio?

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[info]peculiar_ways
2008-08-14 04:11 pm UTC (link)
have you put a portfolio together to try and contract some graphic work out? Where did you graduate from? Do they have a working career services for alumni? Sometimes you can find good stuff that way - depends on the school.

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[info]xanaxplz
2008-08-14 04:47 pm UTC (link)
move elsewhere...I'm planning on doing that

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[info]gungalagunga
2008-08-14 06:13 pm UTC (link)
Check in with 52ltd (www.52ltd.com) They're a placement agency that focuses on the graphics world, both temp and perm jobs.
Also, if you're fresh out of school for design in this town you might expect to have to start being the prep bitch for Sr. Designers at the bigger agencys.
Or even go do some prepress work at Ivey, CTI, Hero, or one of the other prep houses in town. That'll get you working and build your resume.
Check in with the 100's of printer's in town as well.
Media Inc. magazine usually has lists of the top 100 printers and ad agency's in the NW and you can just mass mail them.
Hate to say this part but Ikon and FedEx Kinko's might be a place to start too. Some of the Ikon shop run litho preeses and need customer service help that can jump in and do prepress and some design work.
Hope this helps...

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[info]sweetpeckers
2008-08-14 07:44 pm UTC (link)
Also try BolyWelch. I know my company hires a lot from them and we use peeps like you, so good luck to you!!

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[info]simpledoubt
2008-08-14 11:40 pm UTC (link)
Remove the graphic design degree from your resume when applying to jobs where you won't use it. You may not get hired because employers think you're over-qualified.

Keep applying to jobs where your degree applies while you work a job where you don't need it.

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[info]melpomene84
2008-08-15 03:19 am UTC (link)
Honestly, you should pretty easily get a job at least in customer service with qualifications like that. I've helped many people with their resumes and would gladly take a look at yours if you want. With so many people looking for work even the smallest resume mistakes will cause yours to end up in the "no" pile. Just let me know.

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[info]simpledoubt
2008-08-15 08:41 am UTC (link)
Another idea that has gotten me a lot of responses is to put your resume on something slightly different than the other 99.9% of applicants. Don't use cheap white paper, instead go to Office Max and pick up some heavier paper that is slightly colored. I've used a light brown or ivory. When the interviewer is flipping through the resumes yours will stand out in both texture and color and they'll stop to look it over. It will actually stop a quick flip because it's heavier.

I've had more interviewers comment on the nice paper than I ever thought would.

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