I NEED :) to move to Portland/OR...any ideas on finding a job?

[r00st]

Alright here is a little run down. I am 23 and as of a couple days ago have been dating my girlfriend for 3 years. I currently live in Northern IL (about 60 mins from the devil city, chicago). I got my bachelors degree this year in criminal justice. I am sick of this area (people/terrain...pretty much everything) and want something new. I took my first trip to washington/oregon a few weeks ago and am absolutely HOOKED. I really dislike chicago as its WAY too fast paced and busy busy busy. I expected portland to be similar being a larger city but was shocked by how low key everything is! Not to mention the Sushi and Thai is AMAZING! My goal is to move out there in the next few months (preferably sooner than later as I dont want to be around for another brutal winter!)

I thought WA was ok but REALLY like the Portland and surrounding areas. The fact that Portland is close enough to the dunes helps a lot too. We did not make it as far south as I wanted (only to Salem) but I think somewhere in the vicinity of Portland would make me happy. I have a cousin who has a family and lives in portland and a good friend that just moved to Centralia WA (not too exciting of a place lol).

I really dont want to move without a job as my savings would dry up REAL quick. My girlfriend is not so hot on the moving thing but said she would eventually like to come out. The last thing I want to do is drag her out there with me only to use up our savings (not finding jobs) just to have to move home empty handed.

My main goal is to find A job SOMEWHERE around Portland. I dont really care what type of work I am doing as long as it pays the bills. I am hoping for $11/hr or higher but according to my math I can get by in a reasonable apartment on 10/hr so that would probably be my minimum.

Any ideas for me? I like DOING things in my jobs. I would prefer to avoid a job where I sit on my arse all day long. Something where I can work with my hands a bit. I wouldnt mind a security type job but dont want a 8/hr job where im working with 16 year olds walking around the outside of a building for 10 hours straight.

I have been watching job sites like Monster but there are SO many jobs out there its hard to pick a field and start applying. One problem with my scenario is that im 2,000 miles away and I know a lot of employers really prefer to actually meet the person they are hiring face to face.

I have decided I will work just about ANY job just as long as it pays enough to cover my bills. And at least having A job will allow me to survive financially which will allow me to look for other jobs later.

I have not found a "career" type job here locally nor has my Girlfriend. This is the reason I want to move as NOW is the time. As soon as one of us gets a really good job here it will probably kill the idea of moving (cant afford to lose a good job in this economy!). I am kind of a do-it-all kind of guy and have been doing yardwork and fix-up type work in my community. Some jobs pay great and some just decent but the problem is its not consistent (some weeks I work only 10-15 hours while others I work over 40). I only have a few months left before it gets cold and no longer will be doing any landscaping so I would really like to be out of here by then!

Any ideas/information or tips would be GREATLY appreciated!

[Colorado700R]

Oregon National Gaurd

[Colorado700R]

http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=81764892&JobTitle=SECURITY+SPECIALIST+-+INDEFINITE+POSITION&lid=573&FedEmp=N&FedPub=Y&sort=rv%2c-dtex&vw=d&re=4&caller=basic.aspx&pg=3&AVSDM=2009-06-29+14%3a43%3a00

[r00st]

Colorado 700, were you ever in the armed forces?

I am wondering to get that job you posted to, if you need to be in the National Guard BEFORE you apply? If they said sure you have the job BUT now you need to sign up for the NG I would be all over that. Im not too sure how that works but im guessing they will only consider people who are already in the guard.

Thanks for the tip GIR, im googling it now

[Colorado700R]

Yes I spent 8 years in the Marine Corps.  My advise to you is call and ask.  What's the worst that could happen?

[Peelz]

colorado= private pyle. 

[Colorado700R]

Golllllllll-ly!!!!

[Gunz]

1st post has the word job 17 times cripes. Roost are you looking for a job?













j/k