Business & Tech

Holiday Hiring Blitz Begins on Long Island

Companies hiring thousands for holiday shopping season.

As the holiday season nears, retail stores across Long Island are hiring for the biggest shopping time of the year.

"39 percent of retail hiring managers reported that they plan to hire seasonal workers this year" in areas like customer service, shipping and delivery, inventory management, administrative, sales, marketing, and accounting, according to a Career Builder survey.

Morgan Stanley has projected holiday sales to be the worst since the 2008 crisis, but that's not expected to damper the hiring blitz.

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Macy's is expected to hire 83,000 seasonal employees and Wal-Mart will take on 55,000 new workers, wrote USA Today.

According to CNN Money, other big seasonal employers this year include:

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  • Target - hiring 70,000
  • UPS - hiring 55,000
  • Kohl’s - hiring 50,000
  • Toys R’ Us - hiring 45,000
  • JC Penney - hiring 35,000
  • Fed Ex - hiring 20,000
  • Game Stop - hiring 17,000

Holiday jobs aren't reserved solely for college kids looking for extra cash, though they do make up the largest segment of holiday hires, according to Career Builder. Companies are targeting specific segments of the population for holiday staff. 45 percent of companies say they will emphasize recruitment of college students, 34 percent will look for experienced non-retirees, 23 percent will target high school students, and 17 percent will look toward retirees.

The holiday hiring blitz is also an opportunity for anyone trying to get into retail but finding it hard to get their foot in the door.

49 percent of employers who hire holiday staff plan on keeping many after the tinsel is taken down. It's part of a "growing trend where employers are test-driving candidates before committing to a long-term hire," according to Brent Rasmussen, Career Builder's North American president.

Whether you're looking for some extra holiday cash or a way to get a full time gig, the time to apply is now, says Career Builder. Apply early for jobs, let the employer know that you're in it for the long run, and make sure you're wearing that retailer's brand when you interview.

Looking for a retail job nearby? Check out the Jobs tab at the top of your screen and find open positions, thanks to our partners at Career Builder.


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