Holiday Hiring Is At A 5-Year High

By: Rowena Li - Email

Updated: Wed 6:12 AM, Oct 17, 2012

Best buy, Walmart, Sears. Big names across the country are hiring for the holidays.

"It's a very exciting time. Every day more merchandise comes in that needs to be marked, needs to be put out, needs to be displayed, so we need good help that is dependable," said Deneeta Svoboda, assistant manager of the Grand Island Hallmark.

Retail industry surveys show retailers are looking to hire nearly half a million seasonal employees for the 2012 season, the highest in five years. And employers say the key to being a successful applicant is solid customer service skills.

"We look for employees who are friendly, outgoing, good-natured. We offer a high level of customer service in our stores," Svoboda explained.

And seasonal jobs are not just at physical stores either. Call centers are also hiring to handle increased online orders and customer questions. For call centers, employers say good communication skills are also necessary.

"A good applicant? Good phone skills, a smile in your voice, you listen to what is being said, and not try to talk over those people. You want to take care of the customer, and computer skills would be a big plus," said Terri Hongsermeier, human resources executive at Cabela's.

There's also good news for those looking to make that seasonal job permanent. Surveys show hiring managers are planning to keep more seasonal help as full-time employees.

"That all depends on the effort they show us. Dependability and their skills, it's a real possibility," said Svoboda.

"Give us great hours of availability, the bigger the span, obviously the better. Quality scores, productivity, that type of thing," added Hongsermeier.

And more jobs is always good reason for holiday cheer.