SAN ANTONIO -- Retailers are gearing up for the holidays, and some companies plan to hire thousands of employees since retail sales are expected to increase this season.
The Better Business Bureau is recommending job hunters apply early, research potential employers before they apply, and come prepared for an interview.
The National Retail Federation says retailers are expected to hire approximately 500,000 seasonal workers this year. Toys R Us has already announced plans to hire close to 3,000 seasonal employees in Texas, 45,000 nationwide. Other retailers have said they plan to hire up to 30% more seasonal staff than last year.
“The hundreds of thousands of jobs created during the holiday season help people support their families by supplementing their household income and providing generous employee discounts,” said National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay in a release in October.
To increase your chance of landing one of these seasonal jobs, the BBB recommends you take the following steps:
- Do research ahead of time. Figure out what job suits you best and then identify companies you would like to work for. Check with bbb.org to find trustworthy companies that might be hiring seasonal staff. Many companies direct applicants to their website to apply for a job, so make sure to apply there instead of through a third party Internet site.
- Be suspicious of “too good to be true” job offers. Many consumers use online classifieds to search for local job openings. Unfortunately, scammers flock to these sites, posting job scams aimed at stealing money or the identities of job seekers. Never pay for a background check, a job application or for anything else before you are hired.
- Work where you shop. Employers want applicants that know their products well. So, if you shop at certain stores frequently, chances are you know a lot about the company and the merchandise they sell. This will make you an attractive choice because they won’t have to spend as much time and money training you.
- Be available and flexible. Holiday hiring managers are drawn to candidates who will be available and have a flexible schedule. Seasonal employees will likely find themselves working long, sometimes inconvenient hours and even holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.
- Put your best foot forward. Job hunters need to dress their best and be prepared for the interview. This includes being familiar with the company's brand and its products. Retail job hunters in particular need to focus on impressing potential employers with their customer service skill set – which is a must when dealing with stressed-out shoppers, long check-out lines and day-after-Christmas returns.
CLICK HERE to check the reliability of a company and find trustworthy businesses.
