These 6 Companies Are Filling 250K+ Seasonal Jobs. Here’s How to Get One

Sandy Schultz and her grandson Oliver Schultz, 4, check out in a Target store in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Oct. 24, 2016. At right is Tammy McMullen. Sharon Steinmann / The Penny Hoarder

If you’re looking for seasonal employment, then this is the most wonderful time of the year.

By the looks of hiring event announcements, companies are rushing to fill seasonal spots (JCPenney and Kohl’s even got a head start on the hiring season back in June).

And with a hot labor market, businesses are trying to come up with ways to attract a seasonal workforce.

Here’s a look at who is hiring this holiday season — and what “stocking stuffers” they’re offering to get you to apply.

Target

Sometimes I’m in Target so much I feel like I’m already an employee.

If you do, too, here’s your chance to get paid for being there. The retailer announced it’s hiring 120,000 seasonal workers — up 20% from last year — in addition to offering its current employees additional hours.

Positions are available across Target’s 1,800 stores and 39 distribution and fulfillment centers.

Stocking stuffers: Anyone hired after Sept. 16 gets a minimum starting wage of $12 per hour. It’s part of Target’s plan to increase its minimum hourly wage to $15 per hour by the end of 2020.

Along with flexible schedules, Target says seasonal employees will also receive a 10% discount at Target stores, plus an extra 20% wellness discount on fruits and vegetables, Simply Balanced products and C9 Champion merchandise.

And to up the ante a bit more, Target is giving one random hourly team member from each of its stores and distribution centers a $500 holiday gift card and the option to donate $500 to a local community organization of their choice.

How to apply: The company is hosting hiring events at all its stores from Friday, Oct. 12 through Sunday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. each day. Apply in advance of the hiring event at targetseasonaljobs.com.

Macy’s

The question isn’t “who wants to hold one of the balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?” The question is “who doesn’t?”

The retail company that owns both Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s is hiring 80,000 people this holiday season, and 1,000 of those jobs will support events like the parade and its Santalands.

Approximately 23,500 of the other positions will be in the company’s fulfillment centers in Goodyear, Arizona; Cheshire, Connecticut; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Portland, Tennessee; Martinsburg, West Virginia; Sacramento, California; Stone Mountain, Georgia; Secaucus, New Jersey; and Joppa, Maryland.

The remaining seasonal jobs will be available at the company’s stores and call centers.

Stocking stuffers: In addition to flexible scheduling, competitive hourly income and merchandise discounts, Macy’s seasonal employees are eligible for the company’s Path to Growth, a quarterly incentive plan.

How to apply: The company’s national hiring event takes place on Thursday, Oct. 18, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s Backstage stores. The company recommends job seekers search openings and apply prior to the event at macysjobs.com or bloomingdalesjobs.com. Applicants who can’t attend the hiring event can complete the interview process over the phone.

FedEx

Help get your holiday finances in shipshape with a seasonal job at FedEx (sorry, couldn’t help myself).

The shipping company is hiring 55,000 seasonal employees, according to the company’s press release.

FedEx will run six- and seven-day operations through the holiday season once again.

Stocking stuffers: FedEx is proud of its promote-from-within culture, according to Rae Lyn Rushing, FedEx senior communications specialist.

“Some of our top management started out in entry-level positions with FedEx,” Rushing said via email. “FedEx has a very strong employment brand that has always allowed us to attract the talent needed for our operation, even during peak periods.

“We offer competitive wages and very affordable medical benefits.”

How to apply: Apply at careers.fedex.com. For jobs specifically at FedEx Express, head to careers.fedex.com/express. For FedEx Ground, go to careers.fedex.com/ground.

Michaels

If your holiday plans include rolling out festive washi tape and grosgrain ribbon, a seasonal gig at Michaels might just be your dream job.

The craft retailer is hiring more than 15,000 seasonal employees across its 1,200-plus stores and distribution centers in the U.S. and Canada.

Stocking stuffers: Michaels touts competitive wages, flexible hours and a 30% store discount — which can really add up when you’re buying acrylic paint by the gallon.

And if your crafting spirit lasts all year long, Michaels says it hired 40% of seasonal employees for regular roles last year.

How to apply: Apply online at michaels.com/storejobs.

1-800-Flowers

I won’t lie: I’d take a seasonal gig with 1-800-Flowers if it paid me in Cheryl’s Cookies.

Cheryl’s is among the gourmet food brands owned by 1-800-Flowers — along with Harry and David and The Popcorn Factory — that are hiring for the holidays.

The food-and-florals company says it’s hiring 8,000 seasonal employees — mostly in Illinois, Ohio and Oregon. Roles are available in production, gift assembly, retail stores, distribution centers and more.

Stocking stuffers: In addition to competitive wages, flexible schedules and employee discounts, the company is promoting its new incentive program, which allow you to earn a few more bucks just in time for your own holiday cookie shopping.

How to Apply: Apply online at https://investor.1800flowers.com/careers.

Williams-Sonoma

Sure, I could get a job at Williams-Sonoma, but my paycheck would just go right back into those fancy spatulas and handcrafted marshmallows.

The company that owns Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBTeen, Rejuvenation and West Elm stores says it’s hiring 7,500 seasonal employees this year.

Approximately 4,000 of those jobs will be in stores. The other 3,500 will be in call centers, including work-from-home jobs like this.

Stocking stuffers: The company trumpets its competitive pay, benefits and store discounts, as well as career growth opportunities.

“We are proud that more than 50% of senior leadership across our enterprise is female,” Williams-Sonoma Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer and President Laura Alber said in a statement.

How to apply: For in-store roles, the company scheduled two hiring events — one on Friday, Sept. 14, and the other on Thursday, Sept. 27, both from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. local times at all Williams-Sonoma branded stores and care centers across the U.S. and Canada. Those interested in call center jobs can check out our Work-From-Home portal as well as the Williams-Sonoma Facebook page. For corporate or supply-chain management positions, visit the careers section at williams-sonomainc.com.

Happy holiday job hunting.

Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.