'Tis the season for seasonal jobs. Employers are beginning to hire workers for the upcoming holidays.
The National Retail Federation says more than 600,000 seasonal jobs will be filled nationwide this year. National analysts say more of those part-time positions could lead to full-time work this year.
It’s not just big box retailers who are hiring. Many small businesses are looking for help, but you have to know where to look.
Beladagio, a craft and gift store in Southwest Bakersfield already is packed with holiday merchandise, and almost done stocking up on new hires.
"We just hired one full-time person and one part-time person," said co-owner, Diana Dietz. "We've been looking for another designer to add to our team."
Over at Kaur Boutique in the Marketplace, you won’t see a help wanted sign among the trendy clothes, but the store is are hiring. "We are hiring seasonal right now, as well as part-time. We're looking for someone to get us through the holiday season but can also stay here year 'round,” said Haley Martin, a manager at Kaur Boutique.
They’re positions not typically found on job websites or in the classifieds. Many small businesses have their own ways of finding help.
"We actually start with our own customer base and ask them through an e-mail if they're interested or if they know of anyone who is interested,” Dietz said. "We've actually done it a few times on Facebook, we advertise on Instagram,” Martin said.
So how does a job seeker find those openings? Employment officials say it’s all about making face-to-face contact. And now is the time to do it.
"If you're interested in seasonal work, get out to a store you frequent. If you have a certain grocery store you go to or a clothing store you go to, where do you know somebody. You might talk yourself into a seasonal part-time job, could lead to permanent,” said Bill Stevenson the Executive Director of Employers’ Training Resource.
And with consumers expected to spend more than $586 billion on holiday shopping this year, many of those part-time jobs are expected to become permanent.
Retail isn’t the only industry hiring for the holidays. Restaurants, delivery companies and various call centers are also increasing their staffs.
The National Retail Federation says more than 600,000 seasonal jobs will be filled nationwide this year. National analysts say more of those part-time positions could lead to full-time work this year.
It’s not just big box retailers who are hiring. Many small businesses are looking for help, but you have to know where to look.
Beladagio, a craft and gift store in Southwest Bakersfield already is packed with holiday merchandise, and almost done stocking up on new hires.
"We just hired one full-time person and one part-time person," said co-owner, Diana Dietz. "We've been looking for another designer to add to our team."
Over at Kaur Boutique in the Marketplace, you won’t see a help wanted sign among the trendy clothes, but the store is are hiring. "We are hiring seasonal right now, as well as part-time. We're looking for someone to get us through the holiday season but can also stay here year 'round,” said Haley Martin, a manager at Kaur Boutique.
They’re positions not typically found on job websites or in the classifieds. Many small businesses have their own ways of finding help.
"We actually start with our own customer base and ask them through an e-mail if they're interested or if they know of anyone who is interested,” Dietz said. "We've actually done it a few times on Facebook, we advertise on Instagram,” Martin said.
So how does a job seeker find those openings? Employment officials say it’s all about making face-to-face contact. And now is the time to do it.
"If you're interested in seasonal work, get out to a store you frequent. If you have a certain grocery store you go to or a clothing store you go to, where do you know somebody. You might talk yourself into a seasonal part-time job, could lead to permanent,” said Bill Stevenson the Executive Director of Employers’ Training Resource.
And with consumers expected to spend more than $586 billion on holiday shopping this year, many of those part-time jobs are expected to become permanent.
Retail isn’t the only industry hiring for the holidays. Restaurants, delivery companies and various call centers are also increasing their staffs.