Stores at Mall to Hire Holiday Help at Job Fair

A holiday job fair being conducted this month at The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks is expected to help fill about 200 temporary positions, according to the California Employment Development Department.

About 100 stores in The Oaks, including all five of the mall’s department stores, will be hiring through the fair, said Dolores Brum, an employment services representative in the agency’s Simi Valley office.

The monthlong program was kicked off Monday in the mall’s Community Room, on the upper level near McDonald’s restaurant. Other sessions, all lasting from noon to 6 p.m., will be held next Monday and on Nov. 23 and 24.

“Last year, we processed 600 applicants, and 188 of them were hired,” Brum said. “From talking to the merchants, I’d say we’ll do about the same or slightly better this year.”

The fair, co-sponsored by Conejo Youth Employment Services, helps fill sales, food service and stockroom jobs. In past years, Brum said, some of the holiday openings have led to permanent positions.