Best Job & Career in Oregon — 16 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

1. Oregon Employment Department — WorkSource Centers — Free

Free career counseling, job training, and employment services statewide for women entering or advancing in the workforce. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Many services are free; some require referral from a partner agency or workforce program. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

877-345-3484 · Statewide Locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. iMatchSkills — Oregon Job Board — Free

State job matching system connecting women with employers. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at imatchskills.org with no registration required.

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. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Many services are free; some require referral from a partner agency or workforce program. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

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 across Oregon. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Many services are free; some require referral from a partner agency or workforce program. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

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. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Many services are free; some require referral from a partner agency or workforce program. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

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 in Portland. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Many services are free; some require referral from a partner agency or workforce program. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

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 for women entering or advancing in the workforce. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at careeronestop.org with no registration required.

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 for women entering or advancing in the workforce. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at careeronestop.org with no registration required.

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. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at dol.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Dress for Success — Free

Free professional attire and career development services for women entering the workforce. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at dressforsuccess.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Bottomless Closet — Free

Free interview-appropriate clothing and career development for women seeking economic independence. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at bottomlesscloset.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Year Up — Free

Free 1-year career training program for young adults 18-29 leading to corporate apprenticeships for women entering or advancing in the workforce. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at yearup.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Goodwill Career Services — Free

Free job training, career counseling, and placement at Goodwill centers nationwide for women entering or advancing in the workforce. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at goodwill.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Women Employed — Free

Improving the economic status of women through advocacy and career navigation services. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at womenemployed.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. SCORE — Free Business Mentors — Free

Free mentoring and business education for entrepreneurs, including women business owners. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at score.org with no registration required.

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. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at sba.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many job & career resources are in Oregon?
Women's Corner tracks 16 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 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.