1. Oregon Employment Department — WorkSource Centers — Free
Free career counseling, job training, and employment services statewide
877-345-3484 · Statewide Locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Best Job & Career in Oregon — 16 verified resources
About Job & Career for Women
Job and career resources for women run through the 2,400+ American Job Centers (AJCs) nationwide, the Department of Labor's Women's Bureau, and SBA Women's Business Centers. AJCs offer free job search, resume help, and WIOA-funded training (often
0,000+ in tuition for in-demand occupations). WANTO grants fund women entering nontraditional trades like construction, electrical, and HVAC. Registered Apprenticeships pay workers during training, and organizations like Chicago Women in Trades, Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW), and Dress for Success support entry and re-entry. For formerly incarcerated women, programs like the Center for Employment Opportunities provide transitional jobs. This directory includes AJCs, WBCs, apprenticeships, and women-focused workforce programs.
Job & Career in Oregon
Oregon circuit courts handle family law in each of its 27 judicial districts. The Division of Child Support operates under the Department of Justice. Portland, Salem, Eugene, Gresham, and Hillsboro are the largest metros. Legal Aid Services of Oregon and the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence provide statewide civil legal aid and safety services for women.
16 Resources
2. iMatchSkills — Oregon Job Board — Free
State job matching system connecting women with employers
877-345-3484 · Online Service · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
3. Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette — Free
Job training and career services for women in the Portland area
503-238-6100 · 1943 SE 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97214 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
4. Oregon SBDC — Small Business Development Center — Free
Free business consulting and training for women entrepreneurs
541-463-5250 · Statewide Locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
5. Urban League of Portland — Career Services — Free
Job training and employment for women in the Portland metro area
503-280-2600 · 10 N Russell St, Portland, OR 97227 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
6. Oregon Tradeswomen — Portland — Free
Training and support for women entering construction and skilled trades
503-335-8200 · 3934 NE MLK Jr Blvd Suite 101, Portland, OR 97212 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
7. CareerOneStop — Free
US Department of Labor career, training, and job search portal. Find American Job Centers near you.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
8. America's Job Centers — Free
Free in-person career help, training referrals, and job search assistance at 2,400+ AJC locations nationwide.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
9. DOL Women's Bureau — Free
US Department of Labor agency promoting good jobs and equity for working women. Resources and data.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
10. Dress for Success — Free
Free professional attire and career development services for women entering the workforce.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
11. Bottomless Closet — Free
Free interview-appropriate clothing and career development for women seeking economic independence.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
12. Year Up — Free
Free 1-year career training program for young adults 18-29 leading to corporate apprenticeships.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
13. Goodwill Career Services — Free
Free job training, career counseling, and placement at Goodwill centers nationwide.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
14. Women Employed — Free
Improving the economic status of women through advocacy and career navigation services.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
15. SCORE — Free Business Mentors — Free
Free mentoring and business education for entrepreneurs, including women business owners.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
16. SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership — Free
US Small Business Administration support for women entrepreneurs including Women's Business Centers.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Frequently Asked
- How many job & career resources are in Oregon?
- Women's Corner tracks 16 verified job & career resources for women in Oregon.
- Are job & career resources in Oregon free?
- 16 of the 16 listed job & career resources in Oregon are explicitly free or low-cost.
- Which cities in Oregon have job & career resources?
- Listings span cities including Portland.
- What are some examples of job & career resources in Oregon?
- Featured entries include Oregon Employment Department — WorkSource Centers, iMatchSkills — Oregon Job Board, Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette, Oregon SBDC — Small Business Development Center, Urban League of Portland — Career Services.
- Do these listings include phone numbers?
- 6 of 16 Oregon job & career listings include verified phone numbers.
- Where do I get free job training?
- Your local American Job Center (find at CareerOneStop.org or call 1-877-872-5627) offers free training, resume help, and job placement through the WIOA program. Goodwill, Dress for Success, and Bottomless Closet provide job-readiness, interview clothing, and coaching. Community colleges run short-term certificate programs (CNA, medical billing, IT) under ,000 that lead to immediate jobs.
- Are there programs that hire single mothers?
- Yes. Many employers partner with Goodwill, YWCA, and Workforce Boards on second-chance and single-mom hiring tracks — childcare assistance, flexible schedules, and tuition reimbursement included. Look at 'Family Forward NC' style state initiatives, certified Family-Friendly employers, and federal contractors (required to support working parents). Healthcare and logistics are the fastest-growing single-mom-friendly fields.
- How do I write a resume after years out of the workforce?
- Skip the chronological format — use a functional or hybrid resume that leads with skills (organization, budgeting, time management, problem-solving from caregiving counts). Reframe volunteer work, PTA, and freelance work as professional experience. Free help: American Job Centers, Dress for Success Career Center, LinkedIn's free resume builder, and the SBA Women's Business Centers.
- What if I have a criminal record?
- You still qualify for most jobs — Ban-the-Box laws in 37 states delay background questions until later in hiring. Federal contractors can't ask about records on the initial application. The Federal Bonding Program insures employers against loss for hiring you. Many states allow expungement of certain records after a waiting period — ask legal aid about clearing your record.