Holiday Listings Surge at Pierce Job Center

Pierce College’s Job Center is trying to make job hunting and hiring easier this holiday season by putting potential employers and employees together.

Bonnie Caruso, Job Center coordinator, reports a dramatic increase in job listings this year for seasonal employment, which she attributes to several factors apart from the normal holiday upswing.

One reason may be a more aggressive push by the college to make the center visible, she said. That effort has increased the number of people inquiring about jobs, which in turn has brought out more employers.

“We have literally hundreds of jobs coming in every day.”

Another reason might be that this year is expected to be a big sales season for retailers, and several malls have opened new stores after a slump in the wake of the Northridge earthquake.

“I think it’s probably a combination of factors,” Caruso said of the increase, “but we’re just delighted that we can give this service.”

The jobs available include cashiers, order takers, customer-service representatives and positions in shipping and warehouses.

Job seekers can view the seasonal job listings free at the center between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. and noon Fridays, through Christmas.

Counselors also will be on hand to advise people about long-term employment opportunities, Caruso said.

The Job Center, which is open to the public while school is in session, plans to establish listings targeted to young people with work permits and senior citizens by the spring.