This content was published: April 16, 2018. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Nike headlines packed lineup of area employers for 2018 PCC Job Fair
Photos and story by Abe Proctor
An Oregon icon will join the ranks of employers at the Portland Community College Job Fair this year to mark the start of its third decade of connecting Portland-area job-seekers with living-wage jobs.
Nike Inc. will be on hand when the PCC Job Fair, sponsored by the Pamplin Media Group, returns for its 21st year, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, April 24, in the Cascade Campus Gym (705 N. Killingsworth St.). The athletic apparel giant is hiring in production and will join more than 100 other area employers as it enters its third decade.
“This is a great time to be looking for work in Portland,” said Becky Washington, Career Services Coordinator at the Cascade Campus. “We’re close to full employment right now, and employers are competing for qualified candidates. This is a great chance to find living wage opportunities.”
In addition to Nike, a who’s who of Portland-area employers will be represented at this year’s job fair, such as New Seasons Market, Columbia Sportswear, Portland General Electric, and Comcast, to name just a few, along with a host of local and regional nonprofits and government agencies.
The fair’s webpage has tips on how to dress and what to say, including a brief video on developing an “elevator pitch” for employers.
While the fair is open to everyone, it can be particularly useful for currently enrolled college students, said Washington. Students in nearly all of PCC’s 80 professional and technical programs can find an employer at the PCC Job Fair, which is related to their degree or certificate. Many job fair employers are offering internship opportunities as well. The entire list us available on the website.
“If you’re a student looking for a post-graduation job, the PCC Job Fair is for you,” Washington said.
Washington said one of the most appealing aspects of the event, from a job seeker’s point of view is the opportunity to meet with and speak to a number of employers in succession. This means a job seeker is able to compare and contrast the compensation packages available from various employers and industries, and get an idea of how his or her qualifications measure up.
“The job fair places job-seekers face-to-face with employers from a wide range of industries in both the public and private sectors where they can learn about available openings, pay scales and benefits, and the amount of education needed to obtain a given position,” she said.
It’s a good idea for job-seekers to do a little homework in advance of the PCC Job Fair. The fair’s webpage has tips on how to dress and what to say, including a brief video on developing an “elevator pitch” for employers.
“We encourage people to dress like they’re going to an interview,” Washington said. “We attract lots of job-seekers, so it’s also a good idea to show up early.”
For more information, call (971) 722-5613, or visit the PCC Job Fair webpage.
This venue is an exceptional space to interact with great employers; having said that, you can expect a packed crowded so it’s imperative that you prepare, know about each company and match your skills with the job descriptions; familiarize yourself with the company culture and terminology and dress to that culture so you stand out