In the blink of an eye, it’s almost Halloween; the weather is getting cold, 2014 is nearly behind us and the holiday shopping season is here. Per usual, retailers will be hiring seasonal employees to meet the heightened, holiday demand that the next two months will bring.
According to the nation’s oldest outplacement firm, Chicago-based Challenger, Gray, & Christmas, hiring will be significantly higher than last year. Taking hiring numbers from 14 of the country’s biggest holiday employers, the firm’s report found that 2014 hiring will total 695,970, up from 518,000 in 2013.
This year, many of those retailers will be tapping into the marketing power of social media, especially Twitter Inc TWTR, to attract Internet-savvy, potential holiday employees.
UPS
With more customers ordering holiday gifts online than ever before, United Parcel Service, Inc. UPS and other delivery companies have big demands to meet. As such, UPS is hiring between 90,000 and 95,000 seasonal employees for the holiday rush, up from 55,000 last year. Here is one of the company's tweets flaunting that huge number of job openings:
We plan on hiring 90k to 95k season employees this year. Complete your application today! http://t.co/CRJdPjli86 pic.twitter.com/rvN03ZMu6Z
— UPS Jobs (@UPSjobs) October 27, 2014
And who couldn't use a little extra cash for the holidays?
Want extra cash for your holiday stash? View the UPS job site for seasonal openings in your area and apply today! http://t.co/CRJdPjli86
— UPS Jobs (@UPSjobs) October 28, 2014
FedEx
Likewise, FedEx Corporation FDX will be increasing its holiday hiring from 20,000 last year to 50,000 this year.
We are hiring seasonal positions at FedEx Express! Join us. http://t.co/xA3hKzoHsP
— FedEx (@FedEx) October 25, 2014
Looking for a new gig? Join FedEx Express. http://t.co/c2q7wDYGYe #jobs
— FedEx (@FedEx) October 24, 2014
Wal-Mart
The nation's largest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. WMT will also be bringing in more seasonal employees, with plans to hire 60,000 workers (10% higher than last year's 55,000). Unlike other companies on the list, Wal-Mart is being less upfront about the fact that it needs seasonal employees, but still, their Twitter presence is strong. One of the company's most eye-catching tweets mentions an employee who won $1 million in the lottery and is staying on with the company.
CHA-CHING! One Walmart associate recently became a millionaire. Is he leaving his #job? No way! http://t.co/bYTWa3irJt
— WalmartCareers (@WalmartCareers) October 28, 2014
Gap
With 63,000 temporary positions to fill, The Gap Inc. GPS will be hiring even more seasonal workers than Wal-Mart. One of its Twitter tactics is to inform potential holiday employees of the discounts they could receive.
Another tweet puts the number of positions into perspective:
63,000 is the population of Santa Cruz. It's also how many people we're #hiring for the holiday season. Join us? http://t.co/BbmNIlrgna
— Gap Inc. (@GapInc) October 17, 2014
Target
Target Corporation TGT will be bringing on 70,000 holiday employees, the same number as last year, but down from 88,000 in 2012.
One of the company’s tactics on Twitter has been to aim on a more local level:
We're #hiring in the Mile-High City! Join Target as a seasonal team member this holiday season. Apply now: http://t.co/8C0AHwAerZ
— Target Careers (@TargetCareers) October 20, 2014
Macy’s
Macy’s, Inc. M, the country’s biggest department store company, plans to hire 86,000 temporary employees. Last year, the company hired only 7,000, making this year’s number an increase of over 1,200 percent.
Like Target, the company is getting specific on Twitter, targeting local markets:
MACY'S IS HIRING: Seasonal Retail Sales Part Time - Rochester, MN - Apac... - (#Rochester, MN) http://t.co/BzIQQnZZt0 #Retail #Job
— Macy's Hourly Jobs (@macyshourlyjobs) October 29, 2014
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