The PBJ's seasonal jobs outlook — we tend to publish it roughly every three months — has reliably offered a bevy of tech and big-company openings from companies looking to attract the best and the brightest.
And while we're still reporting on big company hiring sprees, we're mixing it up a bit this week and handing the reins to Mac's List, the Portland operation that's become a go-to hiree searching spot for businesses of all sizes.
You can click through the photo gallery link below to learn which firms, large and small, for- and non-profit, have positions to fill.
We also reached out to Mac Prichard, the communications whiz who oversees the site, to get some insights into companies that are hiring, and what they're seeking when they choose their interview pool. Here's our Q-and-A with the Mac from Mac's list.
Oregon’s unemployment rate remains low. How long, given the hiring trends you’re seeing, do you expect that to last? It’s hard to say with any certainty how long our low unemployment rate will last. However, we’re not seeing organizations pull back on adding new personnel. Indeed, the companies we work with continue to expand and hire new people. And because of the high demand for workers, we’re seeing employers invest much more time and effort in recruiting services.
What sorts of skills are you seeing in high-demand right now? Local tech companies tell us they struggle to find experienced software developers in Portland. And there’s a huge need for healthcare workers.
Employers also say they want people who are emotionally intelligent, curious, and open communicators. There’s a big demand for these kinds of soft skills in all sectors. As technology takes over more manual tasks, companies are turning to professionals to take on more complex, strategic work.
Should there be a deceleration of jobs growth, how can Oregon make it through any big slide? Our state is well served by our entrepreneurial, "why don't we try this?" spirit. During the last recession, it led many creative, hardworking professionals in Oregon to create new companies or take a chance working at a startup. Some of those firms failed, but others succeeded and contributed to the growth we enjoy today.
The Portland Business Journal is a KGW news partner.
