As the warm season dwindles down, so does the cash in your pocket. Especially with the holiday season just a couple months away!
Luckily, to help save up for all those special gifts for those special someones, local stores are now accepting applications for seasonal positions.
Employment opportunities are increasingly available as the prime holiday season approaches, with retail stores like Macy’s, Target, and Walmart hiring on larger work forces to prepare for the throngs of shoppers sure to be in store.
Ray Zhang, professor of Economics at Moorpark College, is optimistic about the steadying economy supplying employment this holiday season.
“Yes, it’s about the time to apply!” said Zhang. “Be the early birds to submit applications…Some lucky one[s]…can be even hired as full time afterward.”
Victoria’s Secret, is just one of the few retailers that are now currently in search of seasonal employees.
Kara Frank, Victoria’s Secret & PINK selling supervisor, knows the importance of having seasonal workers.
“It’s definitely the busiest time of the year for us,” said Frank. “From like November to January, it’s super crazy.”
Frank says there’s no cap on the number of new hires at their Simi Valley Town Center location and they’re looking for applicants who meet the requirements.
“[We require] good social skills, good selling behaviors,” said Frank. “We don’t really require any previous experience. Good organization skills, a solid interview, you know, just the normal stuff.”
Frank recommends personally coming in to the store to meet face to face and turn in a resume since they cannot be submitted online.
“It’s a great place to work,” said Frank. “So if anyone is interested, they should definitely apply because we are definitely looking for girls right now.”
To apply for a seasonal job at Victoria’s Secret & PINK, applications can be submitted on their webpage under careers.
If you’re more of a creative person and love working in an environment full of fun and exciting projects, Paper Source at The Oaks mall is looking for fun and creative crafters, which just might be the perfect holiday job for you.
Gina Lighton, assistant manager at Paper Source in The Oaks is on the lookout for seasonal employees, who at most times transition onto becoming permanent associates after the holidays.
“The associates we hire for seasonal positions need to have some retail experience, especially using a register,” said Lighton. “It’s also helpful to have a background in crafting or art.”
Paper Source will have its associates busy during the holidays working on fun projects.
“The holiday season is the busiest time of the year and it’s also the most fun and inspiring time,” said Lighton. “We will have employee-card-making contests and hundreds of new craft and gift items to use your discount on.”
To obtain an application, you can visit the Paper Source at The Oaks. Lighton suggests applicants to bring along a copy of their resumes.
A busier store consisting of multiple departments looking for new seasonal hires is Macy’s.
Sarah Schroeder, Administrative Support Team associate from Macy’s at The Oaks, says that multiple job openings will be available for people to apply and a list of these openings can be found on the Macy’s webpage.
“Our website includes all the openings and where applicants can apply as well as what they do on the first day when hired,” said Schroeder.
For animal and agriculture lovers, Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark is now hiring as well.
Christina Martinez, 22-year-old animal care customer service employee and shift tender, provides insight on employment requirements for Underwood.
“You have to have animal experience to work with all the animals and not be afraid of them and getting dirty,” said Martinez. “But mostly it’s about customer service. You could be outgoing and talkative and be friendly and love kids; that’s most of our clients.”
To apply for a seasonal job at Underwood Family Farms, visit their webpage under employment opportunities.
For another outdoor-type job, Seasonal Adventures is hiring around 50 employees for their pumpkin patch and 20 to 25 employees for their Christmas tree lot, according to manager Merry Tacke.
For the pumpkin patch, responsibilities include operating mechanical rides, keeping the petting zoo clean and checking out customers as well as help pick out pumpkins!
Tacke invites applicants to come to the Thousand Oaks lot if they wish to apply, especially those who are personable and love to chat with customers.
“We want [customers] as happy when they leave the lot as they are when they come on the lot,” said Tacke. “So that’s something we really expect our help to carry through.”
Tacke explains how without seasonal work, some of the population would be without income.
“People look for seasonal jobs like this throughout the entire year because that’s all they can find for work,” said Tacke. “They watch these places and depend on the seasonal work because it’s their only income they have.”
