Hiring for the Holidays?

I am constantly looking for any leads I can find to place my clients with stable jobs.  Most of my clients want at least part-time employment, but none of them truly want seasonal or temporary employment.  However, in this dismal job market where unemployment is hovering around 11% in California, the unemployed find themselves willing to take a job that may offer very little in the sense of long term stability.

As I spoke to different people in the last few months, I kept hearing that retailers were "hiring for the holidays".  I saw job postings online that reiterated the same.  Occasionally, I would see a big box store with a sign claiming they were hiring seasonally. So, I optimistically assisted my clients in filling out applications and submitting resumes for these sure to be temporary jobs.   I then went to follow up with these employers in person (and without my clients) and found many of them to be too busy or unable to discuss applications.  "We have too many applications at this point and will call back those that are qualified," I often heard.  My clients rarely received calls for seasonal employment.

Why was this?  I mean, everyone tried to convince me that my clients will be employed soon since so many retailers are hiring for this time of year.  It turns out that the retailers were indeed hiring, but only for a select few positions.  In many cases, these businesses were receiving hundreds, or even thousands of applications for a few jobs that would inevitably be terminated a few months later.  One manager at a pharmacy/convenience chain told me that although there was a posting that his store was hiring a short while ago, he has filled all positions and expects to be laying seasonal employees off shortly.

Although the holiday season is coming to an end, we should be mindful of the employment situation as we search for jobs.   I won't sugar coat it for you, it's pretty bad out there.  If you follow my Twitter account @Matt_Cortez1, you will see that I have recently posted that an HR manager at a local hardware chain currently has over 5,000 applications on file.  Their policy has been to keep applications on file for more than 1 year.  After the end of this month, however, they are mulling over not accepting applications unless a position is actually available.  Also, a new restaurant is currently preparing to open up in the North County area of San Luis Obispo county.  They posted a job notice online stating that they were hiring for all positions.  As of now, they have received more than 2,000 applications for these entry level positions.

These numbers are dismal, to say the least.  However, heed my words: DON'T GIVE UP!  The reason why multiple employers might be receiving thousands of job applications is because unemployed and underemployed folks are submitting applications to multiple employers.  Do the same.  If you think you have an "IN" with an employer you are applying to, don't fully depend on it; take the time to fill out applications with other employers.

Good luck out there.  Take the time today to enjoy Christmas, friends, and family.  It can be very emotionally taxing to seek employment and have little or no success.  I will blog more about the current state of the job market, and what I have been finding out that makes a successful job seeker.

Matt Cortez
Job Developer