Holiday hiring up in Puget Sound area, down statewide
Nov 12, 2012, 6:44 AM | Updated: 8:44 am
State economists predict holiday hiring will be slightly lower this season across the state. (AP Photo/file)
(AP Photo/file)
Thousands of people looking for work in our state are hoping for a holiday hire, but Washington state economists predict the number hired will likely be a little lower than last year.
The state Employment Security Department predicts about 13,000 additional season jobs during the holidays, down from nearly 14,000 last year, KING 5 reports.
The picture is brighter in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett area where 9,133 jobs are expected to be available this year compared to 8,234 in 2011.
Among the companies putting out the help wanted sign is UPS, which has already started filling 1,500 temporary jobs available this holiday season.
“The great thing about our seasonal work is that it can parlay into more permanent work,” says A.J. Nelson, Human Resources manager for UPS in Seattle.
Nelson says many of the applicants will be put to work the day after they interview, but he says it’s harder this year to find more qualified workers.
“It’s probably just competition for jobs, and that’s a good thing,” Nelson said. “But we have to hire a lot of people in a short amount of time.”
Retailers are also seeking to fill thousands of seasonal jobs. Analysts forecast a slight increase in sales over last year.
