Thursday, October 22, 2009
Tweet[IWS] Challenger: HOLIDAY JOBS & COMPETITION & ADVICE [19 October 2009]
IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________
Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.
(1) COMPETITION FOR RETAIL JOBS WILL BE FIERCE
(2) BEST SECTORS FOR HOLIDAY HIRING
(3) ADVICE FOR HOLIDAY JOB SEEKERS
(4) BIGGEST MISTAKES MADE BY HOLIDAY JOB SEEKERS
Retailers Have Their Pick In Current Job Market
COMPETITION FOR RETAIL JOBS WILL BE FIERCE [19 October 2009]
CHICAGO, October 19, 2009 As retailers begin adding extra workers for the holiday season, job seekers hoping to be among those hired can expect tough competition, as they contend not only with 15 million out-of-work Americans, but also with the growing ranks of part-time workers and even some full-time workers looking for extra income, according to one workplace authority.
"While we expect holiday hiring to improve over last year, the improvement may be slight. Retailers remain reluctant to eat into profits with higher payrolls costs and probably will be slow to add workers. With a deep and talented labor pool, retailers undoubtedly feel like they can afford to be selective," said chief executive officer John A. of global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.
"This means that job seekers will have to bring their A-game. They will have to cast a wider job-search net and use some creative strategies if they hope to find a position for the holidays," said Challenger.
Last year, retail employment grew by just 384,300 from October through December, according to non-seasonally adjusted data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That was nearly 50 percent fewer than in 2007, when retailers added 720,800 workers during the holiday months. The 384,300 seasonal workers hired in 2008 represent the lowest holiday hiring figure since 1989, when retailers added just 380,500 workers.
However, better-than-expected back-to-school sales results may increase the likelihood of hiring growth in the sector.
If holiday hiring does increase, retailers will have a large candidate pool. As of September, 15.1 million people were unemployed, including the 1.8 million former wholesale and retail trade workers, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The potential labor pool for these jobs also includes the nearly 9.2 million Americans working part-time because they have been unable to find full-time positions. Additionally, there are the 5.9 million Americans who stopped looking for work (and, therefore, not counted among the unemployed) who still want a job.
There may even be competition from people who already hold full-time positions. In September, there were nearly 3.7 million Americans who simultaneously worked full-time and part-time jobs. There were another 250,000 workers whose primary and secondary jobs were both full-time.
"The stronger sales figures heading into the holidays could boost seasonal hiring above last year's meager activity. However, it may also encourage more people to enter the holiday job market. Job seekers will need to use creative approaches and stellar interviewing skills to stand out from the competition," said Challenger.
According to Challenger, the best opportunities for seasonal job seekers will be at the large discounters like Target and Wal-Mart, which will be heavily favored by cost-conscious consumers this holiday season. However, job seekers may have to look beyond the sales clerk positions for available spots.
"Holiday job seekers, especially in such a tight labor market, may also find success in other areas including shipping, catering and entertainment. If consumers do decide to start spending around the holidays, these sectors may increase hiring as well," said Challenger.
# # #
October 19, 2009
BEST SECTORS FOR HOLIDAY HIRING
Retail: Only a portion of the retail jobs available are at the cash register or on the
sales floor. There are a wide array of opportunities in back-office positions,
including shipping, receiving, warehousing, accounting, information technology
and security. There are also countless job opportunities in areas related to the
support of retail, such as transportation, marketing, consumer product
manufacturing, etc.
Shipping: As consumers boost spending, major shippers such as UPS and FedEx
typically bulk up their processing and delivery staff, but job seekers can also look
to shipping offices.
Catering: The holiday season is a heavy period for corporate and private events,
even in a down economy, and caterers will need to increase serving and food
prepping staff.
Restaurants: As consumers hit the streets for holiday shopping or families plan
pre-holiday get-togethers, restaurants will need attendants, cooks, bartenders and
serving staff.
Entertainment Venues: Movie theaters will see heavier traffic among young
people on winter break, but job seekers can also look for holiday positions at
performing arts theaters, as well, since many of these venues host multiple holidayoriented
events, such as Christmas concerts and performances of the Nutcracker.
ADVICE FOR HOLIDAY JOB SEEKERS
Start now: It is not too early to secure a position for the holidays. Begin by
determining what types of retailers are suited to your experience and skills.
If you are an avid golfer, that could be of help in securing a job in a sporting
goods store or with a golf merchandiser.
Become a fill-in: Some retailers put many of their full-time back-office
people on the sales floor during the holiday season. That means temporary
help will be needed to ensure that back-office work continues. You can also
get a foot in the door by offering to start working now as an on-call fill-in
for vacationing staffers.
Befriend store manager, staff: Retailers may not make any holiday hiring
decisions until late October. However, you can get a head start by
frequently visiting the stores where you might like to work. Befriend
employees, particularly the managers. Your enthusiasm about shopping
there will pay off later when you mention that you are looking for holiday
work. Let it be known you and your family like to shop there. That could
help secure a position.
Offer to be a floater: Chain stores with several locations in your area may
be interested in using you as a substitute for employees who call in sick or
are on vacation. Let the hiring manager know up front that you are willing to
be wherever the store needs you on any given day.
Promote computer skills: More and more stores are changing from
traditional cash registers to computer-based systems that allow stores to
manage inventory more efficiently. Being comfortable and skilled in
computer use should be a major selling point when applying for a position.
Dress for success: Even though employees may not dress up for their jobs,
it is always a good idea to wear your nicest clothes to interviews. If you
own a suit, wear it. It will make you stand out among all the applicants who
come to interview in jeans and T-shirts.
Be available to work after the holidays: While stores need extra help
during busy seasons, many would still prefer to hire someone who plans to
stay longer. The cost of hiring and training someone who will be there only
for a few months is costly. So, by letting the employer know that you would
like to remain after the holiday season, you are sending a message that you
are committed and not just there for the discounts.
Source: Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.©
BIGGEST MISTAKES MADE BY HOLIDAY JOB SEEKERS
Not Dressing Appropriately. You do not have to wear a business suit. However,
you do not want to show up in torn, baggy jeans and an oversized basketball jersey.
If you are a retiree, make sure you wear updated styles.
Arriving Late to the Interview. In a competitive market, late arrival immediately
eliminates you from the interview process. Particularly in retail, where adhering to
one's scheduled hours is paramount, arriving late to an interview tells the employer
that you will be unreliable.
Demanding a Certain Schedule. Asking to work a certain set of hours during the
interview is a big no-no. As a part-time seasonal worker, you will be the lowest
person on the totem pole and have the least leverage when it comes to requesting a
special schedule.
Asking About Money During Interview. Let the employer bring up money. The
only thing you should be focused on during the interview is providing information
that proves you will be a good addition to the staff.
Not Mentioning Relevant Experience. As a teen, stay-at-home mother or a
retired CPA, you may think that you do not have any experience worth mentioning
in an interview. Chances are good that you do. Whether it was organizing a pep
rally at school or running the church bake sale, you want to mention all experience
that will tell the employer that you are capable, responsible and able to organize
and prioritize.
Source: Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.©
CONTACTS
James K. Pedderson, Director of Public Relations
Office: 312-422-5078
Mobile: 847-567-1463
jamespedderson@challengergray.com
Colleen Madden, Media Relations Manager
Office: 312-422-5074
colleenmadden@challengergray.com
______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________
Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.
(1) COMPETITION FOR RETAIL JOBS WILL BE FIERCE
(2) BEST SECTORS FOR HOLIDAY HIRING
(3) ADVICE FOR HOLIDAY JOB SEEKERS
(4) BIGGEST MISTAKES MADE BY HOLIDAY JOB SEEKERS
Retailers Have Their Pick In Current Job Market
COMPETITION FOR RETAIL JOBS WILL BE FIERCE [19 October 2009]
CHICAGO, October 19, 2009 As retailers begin adding extra workers for the holiday season, job seekers hoping to be among those hired can expect tough competition, as they contend not only with 15 million out-of-work Americans, but also with the growing ranks of part-time workers and even some full-time workers looking for extra income, according to one workplace authority.
"While we expect holiday hiring to improve over last year, the improvement may be slight. Retailers remain reluctant to eat into profits with higher payrolls costs and probably will be slow to add workers. With a deep and talented labor pool, retailers undoubtedly feel like they can afford to be selective," said chief executive officer John A. of global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.
"This means that job seekers will have to bring their A-game. They will have to cast a wider job-search net and use some creative strategies if they hope to find a position for the holidays," said Challenger.
Last year, retail employment grew by just 384,300 from October through December, according to non-seasonally adjusted data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That was nearly 50 percent fewer than in 2007, when retailers added 720,800 workers during the holiday months. The 384,300 seasonal workers hired in 2008 represent the lowest holiday hiring figure since 1989, when retailers added just 380,500 workers.
However, better-than-expected back-to-school sales results may increase the likelihood of hiring growth in the sector.
If holiday hiring does increase, retailers will have a large candidate pool. As of September, 15.1 million people were unemployed, including the 1.8 million former wholesale and retail trade workers, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The potential labor pool for these jobs also includes the nearly 9.2 million Americans working part-time because they have been unable to find full-time positions. Additionally, there are the 5.9 million Americans who stopped looking for work (and, therefore, not counted among the unemployed) who still want a job.
There may even be competition from people who already hold full-time positions. In September, there were nearly 3.7 million Americans who simultaneously worked full-time and part-time jobs. There were another 250,000 workers whose primary and secondary jobs were both full-time.
"The stronger sales figures heading into the holidays could boost seasonal hiring above last year's meager activity. However, it may also encourage more people to enter the holiday job market. Job seekers will need to use creative approaches and stellar interviewing skills to stand out from the competition," said Challenger.
According to Challenger, the best opportunities for seasonal job seekers will be at the large discounters like Target and Wal-Mart, which will be heavily favored by cost-conscious consumers this holiday season. However, job seekers may have to look beyond the sales clerk positions for available spots.
"Holiday job seekers, especially in such a tight labor market, may also find success in other areas including shipping, catering and entertainment. If consumers do decide to start spending around the holidays, these sectors may increase hiring as well," said Challenger.
# # #
October 19, 2009
BEST SECTORS FOR HOLIDAY HIRING
Retail: Only a portion of the retail jobs available are at the cash register or on the
sales floor. There are a wide array of opportunities in back-office positions,
including shipping, receiving, warehousing, accounting, information technology
and security. There are also countless job opportunities in areas related to the
support of retail, such as transportation, marketing, consumer product
manufacturing, etc.
Shipping: As consumers boost spending, major shippers such as UPS and FedEx
typically bulk up their processing and delivery staff, but job seekers can also look
to shipping offices.
Catering: The holiday season is a heavy period for corporate and private events,
even in a down economy, and caterers will need to increase serving and food
prepping staff.
Restaurants: As consumers hit the streets for holiday shopping or families plan
pre-holiday get-togethers, restaurants will need attendants, cooks, bartenders and
serving staff.
Entertainment Venues: Movie theaters will see heavier traffic among young
people on winter break, but job seekers can also look for holiday positions at
performing arts theaters, as well, since many of these venues host multiple holidayoriented
events, such as Christmas concerts and performances of the Nutcracker.
ADVICE FOR HOLIDAY JOB SEEKERS
Start now: It is not too early to secure a position for the holidays. Begin by
determining what types of retailers are suited to your experience and skills.
If you are an avid golfer, that could be of help in securing a job in a sporting
goods store or with a golf merchandiser.
Become a fill-in: Some retailers put many of their full-time back-office
people on the sales floor during the holiday season. That means temporary
help will be needed to ensure that back-office work continues. You can also
get a foot in the door by offering to start working now as an on-call fill-in
for vacationing staffers.
Befriend store manager, staff: Retailers may not make any holiday hiring
decisions until late October. However, you can get a head start by
frequently visiting the stores where you might like to work. Befriend
employees, particularly the managers. Your enthusiasm about shopping
there will pay off later when you mention that you are looking for holiday
work. Let it be known you and your family like to shop there. That could
help secure a position.
Offer to be a floater: Chain stores with several locations in your area may
be interested in using you as a substitute for employees who call in sick or
are on vacation. Let the hiring manager know up front that you are willing to
be wherever the store needs you on any given day.
Promote computer skills: More and more stores are changing from
traditional cash registers to computer-based systems that allow stores to
manage inventory more efficiently. Being comfortable and skilled in
computer use should be a major selling point when applying for a position.
Dress for success: Even though employees may not dress up for their jobs,
it is always a good idea to wear your nicest clothes to interviews. If you
own a suit, wear it. It will make you stand out among all the applicants who
come to interview in jeans and T-shirts.
Be available to work after the holidays: While stores need extra help
during busy seasons, many would still prefer to hire someone who plans to
stay longer. The cost of hiring and training someone who will be there only
for a few months is costly. So, by letting the employer know that you would
like to remain after the holiday season, you are sending a message that you
are committed and not just there for the discounts.
Source: Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.©
BIGGEST MISTAKES MADE BY HOLIDAY JOB SEEKERS
Not Dressing Appropriately. You do not have to wear a business suit. However,
you do not want to show up in torn, baggy jeans and an oversized basketball jersey.
If you are a retiree, make sure you wear updated styles.
Arriving Late to the Interview. In a competitive market, late arrival immediately
eliminates you from the interview process. Particularly in retail, where adhering to
one's scheduled hours is paramount, arriving late to an interview tells the employer
that you will be unreliable.
Demanding a Certain Schedule. Asking to work a certain set of hours during the
interview is a big no-no. As a part-time seasonal worker, you will be the lowest
person on the totem pole and have the least leverage when it comes to requesting a
special schedule.
Asking About Money During Interview. Let the employer bring up money. The
only thing you should be focused on during the interview is providing information
that proves you will be a good addition to the staff.
Not Mentioning Relevant Experience. As a teen, stay-at-home mother or a
retired CPA, you may think that you do not have any experience worth mentioning
in an interview. Chances are good that you do. Whether it was organizing a pep
rally at school or running the church bake sale, you want to mention all experience
that will tell the employer that you are capable, responsible and able to organize
and prioritize.
Source: Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.©
CONTACTS
James K. Pedderson, Director of Public Relations
Office: 312-422-5078
Mobile: 847-567-1463
jamespedderson@challengergray.com
Colleen Madden, Media Relations Manager
Office: 312-422-5074
colleenmadden@challengergray.com
______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************
# posted by SBasefsky : 9:42 AM
